Why Go For Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda in 2026

To go gorilla trekking in Rwanda during 2026, is an opportunity to get up close with the few leftover mountain gorillas there are in the world. At the moment the population of mountain gorillas is about 1062 as per the last census compared to the 250 mountain gorillas that lived by 1980s as per the census then.

Booking the Rwanda gorilla permits is key to confirming attendance to the gorilla trekking tour. Note that advance booking is recommended for gorilla permits because they are few open to the public per day. The number of gorilla permits is regulated to reduce on the effects of mass tourism to the environment where these primates feed.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens in Volcanoes National Park in North western part of the country which is mountainous. The park is filled with thick vegetation including creepers that drape down some of the ridges and plateaus. This is why gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is considered steeper compared to other counterparts.

Steps of How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Rwanda In 2026

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Choose a permanent or tentative date when you hope to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda and the number of eligible people hoping to travel with. These help with checking availability of gorilla permits from Rwanda Development Board.

Check gorilla permit availability as soon as you can to avoid panic and do necessary preparations for this Rwanda safari to avoid last minute panic. Note that During the months of June, July, August, September, December and January the demand for permits gets over the top leaving no or less chances for last minute bookings.

Upon finding gorilla trekking permit availability purchase the permits as soon as you can because there status may change anytime without warning. Some tourists also book gorilla permits as early as a year in advance leaving no or scanty options for later bookings.

It is best to purchase the gorilla permit for Uganda as soon as you find availability to assist with booking even other accompanying safari logistics like accommodation, transport and more. The best options of these safari logistics sell out in advance too yet they are limited.

When you purchase the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits in advance, you may get the chance of making partial payments according to the terms and conditions of Rwanda Development Board.

What is the cost of Rwanda Gorilla Permit in 2026?

Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person and this includes one hour in company of the gorilla family, ranger guide fees, security, park entrance fees and more.

Part of the money paid when purchasing the Rwanda gorilla permits is used to support gorilla conservation including health care where necessary, constant patrolling and more

10% of the proceeds accumulated from gorilla safaris in Rwanda is shared with the communities around Volcanoes National Park in supporting the running of their projects. This contributes to continued community sensitization about the importance of conserving the mountain gorillas and there habitants.

In addition to the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit, consider the cost of other safari logistics to add to the safari package including accommodation cost, transport cost and more. The cost of some of the Rwanda safari logistics contributes to the type of safari package you choose that is Luxury, mid-range or basic.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Rwanda Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking

Every tourists desires to see the mountain gorillas after paying heftily for the gorilla permit and for sure this is guaranteed. Even though mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are mobile with no barriers to stop them from exploring the entire forest, finding them is 99% chances.

Each day a team of ranger guides traces where the mountain gorillas may have nested and possible direction to take for the day. The ranger guides with tourists normally use some of these clues to trace the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas are never quiet especially when they notice an intruder so you hear them murmur before facing them as though alerting each other.

Gorillas live in families that stay in a particular feeding location for some time until it become insufficient to support the entire party. This prompts the mountain gorillas to move although not to a far area so you can trace them.

Mountain gorillas under go a period of habituation where they are helped to get accustomed to the presence of humans without altering there nature. Gorilla habituation helps the gorilla family to get used to human presence without erasing there nature. This is one of the reasons why mountain gorillas are capable of staying with humans atleast for an hour.

Do Mountain Gorillas Turn Violent During Gorilla Trekking

By nature mountain gorillas are not violent but can charge when provoked. While on gorilla trekking, you may notice some odd behavior like chest thumping, hooting, pull grass, throw fruits and more.

Stay still and do not move an inch upon noticing this odd behavior amongst the mountain gorillas as you wait for a ranger guide to give new guidelines on how to go about the situation. Every tourists is encouraged to adhere to the new instructions in order not to agitate these sensitive primates the more.

As you walks away after an hour of gorilla trekking, do it in manner that leaves no suspension.

In case you try to rush  when gorillas charge, expect the entire forest to fall into a stampede throwing the entire forest into a chaos.

What time do you take to find the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Locating the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park may take about 30 minutes or more depending on the location of their feeding ground or other factors prevailing in the forest. On the way to find the mountain gorillas, you may have to hike especially the ridges, by pass deep valleys and more.

Moving fast in Volcanoes forest depends on the weather conditions prevailing in the day as the wet season is normally characterized with slippery ground, over flowing rivers and streams and more. The vegetation in the forest normally drapes and falls over to obstruct the trails in which necessitates trimming it.

In order not to loose the passion to meet the mountain gorillas and do gorilla trekking which is on the bucket list of most adventure seekers, you may focus on spotting other forest dwellers including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and more.

Finally, when you find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them but use it to the best of your interest to capture great photos, film without forgetting to put away your eyes from the lens. Watch the gorilla family go about their day today activities and enjoy every moment of it as it unfolds.

Which Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Accommodation to book during gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is categorized into Luxury, mid-range and basic. Note that most of the facilities up country offer full Board services but you need to know what is inclusive in the cost of accommodation.

Some of the accommodations at Volcanoes national Park include Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest house, Hotel Muhavura, Bisate luxury Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge and more.

 Which Month Is Best To Do Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

The months of June to September and December to January over the years have been regarded as best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda although it is an all year around safari adventure. No matter the season you choose to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking, expect to meet the mountain gorillas.

December to January and June to September is normally dry season in Rwanda and for gorilla trekking in volcanoes National Park which is normal wet most of the time less precipitation is expected in the forest. Volcanoes forest is a rain forest where down pour is expected anytime without warning.

Mountain gorillas do spend most of the time on the ground in the dry season since there is less food supply in the canopies. Competition for food up in the trees with other primates is high which cannot be matched with the speed at which the mountain consume.

Note that most gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are on high demand in the dry season with limited gorilla permits left to the public as majority are booked in advance.

The wet season should not be ignored when planning to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda because it has its great moments. If you wish to be in company of no or fewer tourists the wet season which serves as the low tourism season in Rwanda is that perfect time. Be sure to find the mountain gorillas because the forest is there only home and they are used to being in an almost all year wet environment. The wet season is March, April, May and November.

Even those with a limited budget you may take advantage of the possible discounts from some accommodations, transport service providers to enjoy this experience. At no extra cost, you may enjoy an exclusive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.

What More To Combine With Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is home to another endangered primate species the chimpanzees that are residents of Nyungwe National Park. At the moment there are two chimpanzee trekking families open to the public with one in Nyungwe forest and another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the forest.

Having a chimpanzee trekking permit is very important booked for the morning or afternoon session. You need to carry chimpanzee trekking gears too because without them you may face the rough surfaces in the jungle.

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda

In Volcanoes National Park is the golden monkey trekking safari where you get the chance to find these endangered primates in their natural setting. You need to secure a golden monkey trekking permits from Rwanda Development Board.

Golden monkeys are a unique primate species with a larger body with golden brown hair on the lower bottom. Golden monkeys are charming and even though they are habituated, they still retain their natural characters so buckle up for the golden monkey trekking experience.

Canopy Walks Over Nyungwe forest

Experience the view of nature from a more elevated point at the suspension bridge which is about 160 meters long and 70 metes high. During the canopy walk you enjoy the series of thick forest cover that resemble a cathedral

While standing on the suspension bridge, you may get to watch birds disappear into the bright clear sky on a sunny day, butterflies emerge from the thick forest and more. It is a remarkable spot to commemorate from some special moments in life.

Game drives in Akagera National Park

Taking a game drive in Akagera National Park is awesome and watching the animals in this park as they show up is incredible. Some of the resident animals of Akagera National Park include zebras, elands, elephants, giraffes, water bucks, bush bucks, buffaloes, rhinos and others.

When you take a boat ride on Lake Ihema within Akagera National Park, you get to see a number of animals that move to the shores to quench thirst and enjoy a bath. Several water birds also flock the shores of Lake Ihema while others enjoy freebies from the lake.

Akagera National Park is recovering from the atrocities that lead a number of wild animals to flee during the civil wars that affected Rwanda in the past. The Park was left almost empty of wild animals especially during the genocide period in Rwanda.

Over the years, the Rwanda Development Board together with African Parks are revamping the glory of Akagera National park and several wild animals are being introduced into the park and great success so far achieved.

Cultural Experience in Rwanda Rwanda is one special African destination with great culture they are happy to share with the rest of the world. While in Rwanda, you may visit cultural centers like the Ethnological Museum in Huye, the king’s palace, attend cultural dance performances especially the Ntore dance, enjoy a home stay experience in Rwanda and more.