Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda For Children
How To Plan A Premium Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
May 26, 2026
Children are welcome to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda as long as they are aged 15 years and over. The nature of the landscape of Volcanoes National Park the home of mountain gorillas is rugged from intense volcanic actions that swept through this area
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite steep from the influence of the 5 of the 6 famous volcanoes that form the terrain of Volcanoes forest. Children of age have to maintain some level of fitness to get through the entire experience which may last almost three quarters of the day. Patience during gorilla trekking is very important because mountain gorillas keep relocating. Request A Quotation
It is very safe for children to do gorilla trekking in company of their parents or guardians to enjoy the entire experience. Some parts of volcanoes forest are challenging to cross so one needs help which an elder may be able to extend a hand to the child to get through.
Where to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is the only home for the mountain gorillas in Rwanda living in families. The nature of Volcanoes tropical rain forest is thick with dense undergrowth, bamboo and a biosphere reserve hosting multitudes of wildlife.
The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the most accessible gorilla habitant in Africa and even through naturally thriving, a torch of modernity is incorporated at its most important parts like the briefing point. From Kigali international airport, the distance to Volcanoes National Park is about 197.4 kilometers taking approximately 3 hours.
In the history of gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda was the origin of mountain gorilla conservation as it was where Dian Fossey an American primatologists staged her work at Karisoke.
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Important Details On Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Gorilla trekking Rwanda is in a steep environment therefore plan in advance sometimes the gorillas live at the bottom of the highlands or on the slopes in the bamboo area.
Time to take on gorilla trekking Rwanda adventure may last from 2 hour and beyond as the locations of the gorillas depends mainly on factors prevailing in the forests.
Maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla family per day.
The trails in the gorilla safari habitants are often dense, slippery, soggy, obstructed by protruding undergrowth.
Packing for gorilla trekking requires referencing from the guiding lists for this safari including safari boots, warmers, long sleeved shirt, rain proof gears, back pack and more.
Maintain some level of fitness before gorilla trekking to get through with the entire experience.
What to Expect During Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Expect to see the mountain gorillas during Rwanda gorilla trekking
The gorillas are very mobile primates that spend some time on the slopes or valleys of the highlands in Volcanoes forest so expect top hike to find them.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in a natural dense rain forest that is misty most of the time so expect to walk in a humid environment with trails that are often soggy, slippery.
During gorilla trekking, expect to spot other forests dwellers like other primates, different birds species, various plants. Duikers, forest elephants and others.
Rain may fall in Volcanoes National Park any time no matter the season therefore carry some rain proof gears.
Temperature of Volcanoes forest may drop to about 7 degrees centigrade.
Carry packed lunch because return time from gorilla trekking is hard to determine.
Expect no toilet structures in Volcanoes forest but you can request the ranger guide to dig a hole for your atleast 30 centimeters deep then you have to cover well beyond recognition.
Briefing before gorilla trekking is compulsory and miss it may end in getting disqualified from this adventure.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Time to take on gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda varies as some tourists may spot the gorillas 30 minutes after starting the search while others take more time.
Tourists are encouraged not to loose hope as seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed no matter the circumstances you may come across along the way. During the breaks, you can munch on the treats you carried for gorilla trekking.
Shift your focus to other forest inhabitants of volcanoes forest and before you realize it, you get to the mountain gorillas.
What Happens When With The Mountain Gorillas
There is no exact performance that the mountain gorillas do when you find them but open your mind to every activity as they take charge of their actions throughout the day.
At times you may find them feeding, breastfeeding, the juveniles love playing, the silverbacks are the watchtowers of the family and much more.
The presence of mountain gorillas brings goose bumps and its hard not to identify a close to human action that they do in your presence. falling in love with the mountain gorillas is unregistrable because they are so innocent and adorable.
Even though 8 meters is allowed a way from the mountain gorillas however out of curiosity, they close the gap to touch you but try to slowly move back to maintain the recommended gap.
Take photos, short films and much more to remind you of these gentle primates that mountain gorillas that are a monopoly of the Virunga area only in the entire world.
Can Mountain Gorillas Turn Violent During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are not violent however they can charge when provoked. Sometimes they show their anger by chest thumping, hooting, howling, treating into the forest and more. The physical appearance of the mountain gorillas that is huge body and dark faired body is often mistaken for violent beats yet they are shy and gentle.
As a wild gorilla trekking family, habituators and researchers carry out the gorilla habituation process which gets these primates a customed to human presence without altering their nature. This is the reason why one hour of viewing the mountain gorillas is allowed.
During gorilla trekking in Rwanda, every tourist is expected to abide by the rules of the adventure as these have been approved overtime to create harmony while with these gentle giants.
When with the mountain gorillas and you notice something odd do not panic but stay calm and adhere to new instructions provided by the ranger guide on how to neutralize the situation without escalating it. In case the mountain gorillas get out of hand, the ranger guide may stop the gorilla trek.
What Are The Rules Of Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Never enter Volcanoes forest without a ranger guide from Rwanda Development Board.
Maintain a gap of 8 meters from the mountain gorillas to reduce on the chances of passing ant infection to these primates.
Do not eat while before the mountain gorillas to prevent chances of passing an infection to these primates.
In case you have to defecate, as the ranger to dig a hole for you atleast 30 centimeters deep and cover well beyond recognition.
No using flash photography when around the mountain gorillas
Stay in a tight group when with the mountain gorillas in order not to look suspicious.
Do not stare or attempt to provoke the mountain gorillas because this can push them into hiding.
Children 15 years and over are allowed with the mountain gorillas because of the nature of the terrain of Virunga area.
In case you are sick with a communicable infection like flu, cough, covi-19 and others volunteer to stay behind to prevent spreading this to the highly susceptible mountain gorillas.
Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas to prevent chances of agitating or interrupting the activities of these primates. No dumping or spitting on vegetation in Volcanoes forest Rwanda as these primates depend on supplies from the forest.
