Mountain gorillas live only in a few high-altitude forests of East and Central Africa, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places to see them. A guided trek to observe a gorilla family in the misty bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains is truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. For many travellers, the hour spent face-to-face with these gentle giants is profound – you’ll watch playful infants and majestic silverbacks go about their day as your trackers explain their behaviour.
Kigali, the capital, is one of Africa’s cleanest cities and a hub for culture and history. But for most visitors, the real draw is gorilla trekking. With only around 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the wild (about 604 in the Virunga region), encountering them feels incredibly special.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: why Rwanda is unique for gorillas, how to get permits, what Volcanoes National Park offers and how to plan a customised tour. We’ll also sprinkle in some gorilla trekking tips to help you prepare for this rugged yet rewarding experience.
Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and its landscape of volcanoes and forests is perfect gorilla habitat. Unlike many African safaris (in savannahs with Big Five), here you hike through tropical rainforest to find gorillas. Thanks to strict protection policies, mountain gorilla numbers are now on the rise. Global travel experts note that Rwanda’s Gorilla Trekking is a “bucket-list” wildlife experience, one of only two places (the other being Uganda’s Bwindi NP) where these great apes survive in the wild.
Tourism revenue (especially from gorilla permits) funds anti-poaching patrols and community projects. For instance, 10% of every permit fee goes directly to villages around Volcanoes NP for schools, health centres and roads, and to compensate farmers for any crop damage caused by gorillas. Every trek helps keep local people invested in protecting these animals.
Visiting Rwanda to see the gorillas also allows you to experience other highlights. You can visit the Dian Fossey Memorial, where the famous primatologist studied gorillas, or explore nearby attractions, such as the beautiful Lake Kivu. Many visitors combine their trek with cultural experiences in Kigali or rainforest adventures in Nyungwe Forest (home to chimpanzees). But no matter what else you do, the gorilla encounter is the crown jewel.
To trek gorillas in Rwanda, you must have a permit in advance. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues a limited number of permits each day (only 96 per day in total, since each of the 12 habituated gorilla families can host eight visitors). Permits sell out quickly, especially during high seasons, so it’s crucial to plan.Permit costs are quite steep, but they directly support conservation efforts. The current fees are:
Each permit entitles you to spend up to one hour with a habituated gorilla family (a rule enforced to minimise stress on the animals). Though costly, most travellers consider it worth it for this rare encounter.
Booking your permit: You can reserve permits online through the Rwanda Development Board or via authorised operators, but the easiest and most reliable option is to let Adventures Overland handle everything for you. Peak seasons (June–September and December–February) sell out fast, often months to a year in advance, and AO secures permits as part of a seamless package. From availability checks to confirmations and coordination, they take care of the entire process — making gorilla trekking effortless, stress-free, and incredibly convenient for travellers.
All Rwandan gorilla treks take place in Volcanoes National Park, in the far north of the country near the Congo border. This park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area – a chain of volcanic mountains shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Here, twelve gorilla families are fully habituated to humans.
Each family has a local name (such as Susa, Titus, or Sabyinyo) and is constantly monitored by park rangers.Visitors meet at the park headquarters in Kinigi at 7:00 AM. Small trekking groups (comprising 8 people per gorilla family) are formed based on each group’s fitness level. If you or someone in your party is less fit or older, the guides will assign you a family located closer to the trailhead. The stronger or younger trekkers are usually given the more distant groups.
On the trail, you’ll hike through dense rainforest, often climbing steep slopes. Trails wind up the volcanoes through bamboo groves and mossy forests. Treks can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours or more (sometimes even half a day), depending on where the gorillas are located that morning. Altitudes range from approximately 2,500m to 4,000m, allowing the air to be cool near the peaks. For assistance, porters are available to hire (for a small fee) to carry your gear or even provide a lift on rough sections. Hiring a porter is highly recommended – it’s only about $20 USD for a porter’s day, and it provides income for local people (many former poachers now work as porters or guides).
When you finally find the gorilla family – usually late morning or around midday – a guide will usher you to a viewing spot. You may watch a silverback dominant male, nursing mothers with babies, juveniles playing, and even infants toddling under their mothers’ care. The gorillas are habituated to people, so they mostly ignore you as long as you are calm. Remember, once the group spots you, leave everything behind except your camera. Your guide will signal when it’s time to go, because each group is allowed only one hour of viewing.
Gorilla trekking is physically demanding but very rewarding. Here are some key points of what to expect:
Maintaining gorilla safety is a top priority. You must follow strict rules throughout the trek:
Packing wisely makes a big difference on the trek. Here are some essentials and tips:
If you hire a porter, you can hand off the heavier items (such as camera bags, extra clothes, and snacks) and focus on walking. Accept porter help – it provides income to locals and makes the hike much easier. Most porters are happy to navigate the toughest sections of trail, carry water, or even lift exhausted hikers if needed. They are very familiar with the terrain and wildlife, so having one along is also like having an extra guide.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is possible year-round, but treks during the dry season are generally easier and more comfortable. The primary dry season runs from mid-December to February, and the secondary dry season is from June to September. During these months, forest trails are less slippery and rainfall is lower, making for better hiking conditions. (Note that even in “dry” season, it can still rain in the rainforest, so waterproof gear is essential.)
The wet season (March–May and October–November) brings heavier rains. Treks can be muddier and more challenging, and gorillas may bed down to avoid rain, making them slightly more difficult to find. However, the rainforest is especially lush and green in the wet months. Additionally, fewer tourists visit during the shoulder seasons, so you may find more availability and lower hotel rates.
In short:
Gorilla tourism in Rwanda is tightly managed to protect both visitors and gorillas. As you trek, you’ll often be reminded that this industry directly pays for conservation and community development. For example, park fees fund over 150 rangers who patrol the forests daily to deter poachers. They also pay for veterinarians who treat sick gorillas and move troubled groups if needed.The impact on local people is significant. Thousands of Rwandans work in gorilla tourism, serving as trackers, guides, porters, drivers, lodge staff, and artisans.
10% of every permit fee is allocated directly to the villages surrounding Volcanoes NP for schools and health clinics. Local farmers even get a compensation fund if gorillas raid their crops. This system creates a strong incentive for communities to protect gorillas. As a result, communities living around Volcanoes have actively embraced conservation, turning potential conflict into coexistence.
For your part, practice low-impact trekking: wear a mask if you cough, stay on the designated path, and refrain from dropping litter. Support the local economy by hiring porters and guides legally (make sure operators are registered and follow park rules). By doing so, you ensure that your visit benefits the people who live with the gorillas and helps keep these animals safe for future generations.
Organising a gorilla trek often means organising an entire trip to Rwanda, and many travellers opt for a customised tour package. A tailored itinerary can include not only Volcanoes NP, but also the cultural and natural attractions of Rwanda. A typical tour might start with 1–2 nights in Kigali (visit the Genocide Memorial and vibrant markets), followed by 2–3 days in Volcanoes NP for gorillas (and perhaps golden monkeys), and even a visit to Lake Kivu for relaxation. If time allows, you might consider adding a chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest or wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park.
Booking through a trusted travel operator makes the entire experience effortless. Adventures Overland handles every detail for you — from airport transfers and domestic flights to hotels, park permits, expert guides, and dedicated drivers. With AO managing the logistics, you don’t have to worry about securing hard-to-get permits or navigating park formalities on the morning of your trek. As a leader in premium overland expeditions, Adventures Overland seamlessly includes Rwanda’s gorilla trekking in its luxury global journeys, making it easy to pair this once-in-a-lifetime experience with a broader, perfectly curated travel itinerary.
A customised tour also means comfort and personalisation. You can choose to stay in a forest lodge close to the park (many offer full board and gorilla-viewing decks), or in Kigali’s hotels. Please note that last-minute permits for gorillas are rarely available – you usually need to book months in advance. Even independent travellers often use a local agent simply to secure that permit and handle the paperwork.Regardless of your approach, start planning early! Gorilla trekking is Rwanda’s top wildlife attraction, and spots fill up quickly.
Gorilla trek permits must be booked in advance from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) website or through an RDB-approved tour operator. Travel agents (like Adventures Overland or local companies) can handle the booking for you. Since only 96 permits are issued daily, it is recommended that you book as early as possible for your desired dates.
The driest and most comfortable months are mid-December through February and June through September. Trails are less muddy and rainfall is minimal then, which makes hiking easier. That said, gorilla trekking is open year-round – even in the rainy season (March–May, October–November), it can be done.
Pack light but thoroughly. Essentials include sturdy hiking boots, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket or poncho, gloves, a hat, and layers for warmth. Bring at least 1–2 litres of water and high-energy snacks. A camera with a good zoom is a must (no flash!), plus extra batteries or memory cards.
Gorilla trekking is moderately strenuous, but you don’t have to be an extreme athlete. The group is assigned based on fitness level: older or less fit hikers get shorter, easier routes, while younger and stronger trekkers may go on longer hikes. The reward of meeting gorillas makes every step worthwhile!
