Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours:

More than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population lives in the Virunga Mountains, which span the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The remaining gorillas are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. More gorilla groups than anyplace else in the world are currently habituated for gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park in the Rwandan portion of the Virungas. Through our Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours you can explore many things.

A huge silverback gorilla will stare back at you with a thoughtful, intelligent gaze, aware that you are a different person. The moment you see your gorilla family, any worries or fears you may have had during your walk will go. Safaris that include Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours provide a spectacular experience, unlike any other “wildlife” encounter we’ve had before.

Safaris to see gorillas can be taken at any time of year. At an altitude of 2,000 meters or more, rain can fall here at any time of the year, however, it can be more difficult to hike during the wet months of April to May and November. See the climate of Rwanda for additional information.

The drier months, between December and February, and from roughly June to mid-September, are when gorilla trekking is most popular.

You don’t have to be super-fit for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours but it does help if you have a general level of fitness, if only to enhance your overall enjoyment of the experience. Depending on which group you track, and the time of year you go (gorillas tend to move down the mountains), you might find yourself walking on some pretty steep slopes for several hours. On the other hand, you could reach your group after a 30-minute stroll. Either way, walking will be at a slow pace, with time for breaks if needed, but it’s best to be prepared for the most active option, and if nothing else, a few hills walks before you leave home would be beneficial.

While most tourists will likely only get one chance in a lifetime to go on a gorilla safari, the personnel at Volcanoes National Park has years of experience, so treks to see the mountain gorillas are well-organized and structured.

You will travel in groups of no more than eight individuals, the distance and terrain being defined by the location of “your” group, having been assigned a specific group of “habituated” mountain gorillas. The pace is leisurely but is warned that the altitude, at over 2,500m, can be taxing and that the hills are frequently steep.

When you observe the gorillas going about their daily routines of feeding, interacting with one other, and even watching you with interest, any fear you may have is likely to disappear.