MOUNTAIN GORILLAS ARE ONES OF THE WORLD'S MOST ENDANGERED APES, FOUND ONLY IN SMALL PORTIONS OF PROTECTED AFRO-MONTANE FOREST IN SOUTHWEST UGANDA, NORTHWEST RWANDA & EASTERN D.R. CONGO.

Where does gorilla trekking take place in Rwanda? 

Gorilla trekking takes place at Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which is home to an estimated 175 individuals,  of which 12 families have been habituated for tourism purposes and a few for scientific research purposes.   Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan side of the transboundary protected area covering the Virunga massif. This connects up to Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and D.R. Congo’s Virunga National Park, creating an important wildlife corridor. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts at Kinigi, the location of the park's headquarters.
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Which gorilla families can be tracked in Rwanda? 

The twelve mountain gorilla families that have been habituated for tourist gorilla trekking in Rwanda include; Umubano, Muhoza, Igisha, Agashya, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Ugyenda, Susa and Amahoro. The family you track will be assigned by the rangers on the morning of your gorilla trekking day.

What is Kwita Izina?

Rwanda plays host to an annual naming ceremony, ‘Kwita Izina’ based on the tradition of naming children in the presence of friends and family. The newborn gorillas since 2005 are honoured in the same way at an annual event close to the park boundaries. A celebration of the newborns and chance to thank the rangers, vets, conservationists, researchers and trackers for their dedication.

How are gorilla trekking permits secured?

We secure your gorilla trekking permits as part of our services when you book your Rwanda flying safari with us. Please note that gorilla trekking permits can book up far in advance, especially in high season. Your safari consultant will advise on availability based on your proposed travel dates. 
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Learn about our Rwanda gorilla trekking destination

Volcanoes National Park

​What should you expect on your gorilla trekking day?

Gorilla trackers should be fit and in good health as the trekking is in thick forest at heights between 2500 meters and 4000 meters. You will traverse steep-sided mountains and ravines, which can take a lot of concentration, energy and is often arduous if conditions are slippery and wet. At other times it can be a walk in the park, if the gorillas are close and the weather conditions fine. The trek to find the gorillas can take from 30 minutes to 4 hours, plus the return trek. We can’t know at the time of booking where the gorillas will be as they’re always on the move. If you decide to end the tracking before seeing the gorilla’s due to tiredness or fatigue for example, you will not receive any refund.
 
You’ll be assigned your gorilla family on the day with the guides and rangers discussing which group is most suitable. The groups trekking are split depending on age, ability, injury and medical history. It is very important that you let us know in advance of any conditions which may make tracking difficult for you so this can be taken into consideration. On completion of a successful gorilla trek, you can stay with the mountain gorillas for one hour.
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Track the mountain gorillas on a gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda.

Mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Mountain gorilla trekking is Rwanda's ultimate wildlife experience.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Guidelines

By following the rules and through the purchase of your gorilla permit, you are contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorillas. The funds generated from permit sales  are directed to the national parks management, ensuring the wildlife’s long-term security from poachers. Ten percent of the funds raised are distributed to the local communities living adjacent to the park which is to build schools and health centres, as well as roads. There is also a compensation fund which is accessed by local farmers should the mountain gorillas damage their crops, this helps to mitigate human wildlife conflict and ensure a peaceful co-existence.

• The minimum age is 15 years old, there is no exception or waiver system in place.
• Maximum number of visitors to a gorilla family group is eight per day.
• Maintain a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas at all times.
• When with the gorillas keep your voice low and do not mimic the gorilla’s vocalisation. You do not know what you might be saying!
• When with the gorillas try not to make any rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas
• Don’t visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness as gorillas are vulnerable to many of our common diseases, you may be denied entry to the park if you are sick.
• Spitting is not permitted in the park, this can spread disease to the gorillas.
• If you need to sneeze or cough while with the gorillas, cover your face and turn away from the gorillas in minimise the chances of spreading disease.
• If you need to urinate or the other while trekking, please do so off the trail & bury your waste in a hole (30 cm deep) along with any toilet paper.
• Do not use flash photography.
• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted around the mountain gorillas.
• Do not leave litter in the forest.
• Time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour on gorilla trekking trips.
• We discourage loud, bright colours like red, yellow, or fluorescents for wildlife tracking.
• If a gorilla should display or vocalise at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide's directions.
• Visitors who fail to track gorillas at the park for the whole day as a result of the gorilla group's movement shall be given another chance to track or receive full refund on their permit. However, those who would have tracked the whole day and failed to make contact with a gorilla family for one reason or another will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee. No refund is made in case of late arrivals or flight delay, absence or cancellation of trip for any other reason. Please note that ultimately refunds are at the discretion of the Rwanda Development Board.​

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