Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to about a third of the remaining 1000 mountain gorillas left in the world. Other mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi and Mgahinga parks in Uganda. Out of these four parks Volcanoes National Park is arguably the best for gorilla trekking because of the short distance from Kigali airport to the park, taking you just about two hours of drive.
There are currently 12 habituated mountain gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park which are spread out along the five volcanic mountains that make up the park, and these are Muhavura volcano, Gahinga volcano, Sabyinyo volcano, Bisoke volcano and Karisimbi volcano. The trek on each of the mountain is unique as it exposes to a different view along the Virunga mountains. The level of difficulty is not very different from each mountain. However, Mt. Karisimbi which is the highest of the volcanoes (also one of Africa’s top four highest mountains) and the farthest away is a little harder to access requiring a longer drive (on a bumpy dirt road) to get to the starting point. Also being that Mt. Karisimbi is higher and bigger than other volcanoes there is a big chance of having a longer and harder gorilla trek. One of the oldest habituated groups, Pablo, roams Mt. Karisimbi and is notorious for being a difficult group for trekking. If you seek a long trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park and don’t mind coming back from the mountains at sunset then ask for a group in Mt. Karisimbi. On the other hand, Mt. Bisoke is one of the easiest to access and often has easier groups. The largest gorilla family at the moment, Susa, regularly inhabits Mt. Bisoke. If you don’t fancy a long trek then be keen on a group in Mt. Bisoke. However, note there is no guarantee of an easy trek in any of the mountains because the gorillas’ movements cannot be predetermined. Read this information I wrote about the level of difficulty of the gorilla trekking so that you have an idea
What is the cost of the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The cost of the gorilla trekking tickets or permits as of the year 2023 is as follows:
International tourists: $1500
African and East African residents: $500
East African citizens: $200
Note that a maximum of 8 people are allowed to track a gorilla group, and with only 12 habituated groups available for tracking that means a total of only 96 gorilla trekking tickets are available each day. You have to book your gorilla tour or gorilla ticket as early as possible because they do sell out quite fast. This is especially during the high season from June to September.
What are the requirements of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park?
The first requirement is that only persons aged 15 years and above can do the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. There is no upper age limit though. Even 100-year-old person can track the gorillas.
As of 2023 you must present a negative PCR covid test certificate of a test done at least 72 hours from the time/date of tracking. PCR testing services are available at RBC in Kigali and the government hospital in Musanze District is location of the Volcanoes National Park
You should be healthy. Gorillas share about 98.4% of DNA with humans and therefore are highly susceptible to wide range of human diseases including common flue and other respiratory diseases like Covid-19. If you have flue and cough, airborne diseases, you will not be allowed to track the gorillas.
You should dress appropriately for the gorilla trek (see below on what to carry)
What should I carry for the gorilla trekking in volcanoes National park
- Hiking shoes or good sneakers with good traction
- Long pants and long sleeved shirt to protect from stinging nettles, bugs and rough plants
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Cap
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Is it safe in Volcanoes National Park
Safety has been a big concern for many travelers and it is understandable because Volcanoes National Park is on the same mountain Virunga range that is shared with the Democratic Republic Congo where a lot of insurgencies keeping springing up. Nobody understands the security situation of Eastern Congo better than Rwanda. The park is so well protected that it is impossible to think about a spillover of insurgency into Rwandan side of the Virunga mountains.
Where to stay for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
If you would like to spend the night near the park there is a wide range of accommodations to choose from. Volcanoes National Park is perhaps the best gorilla trekking destination for luxury/high-end travelers as renown luxury camp and lodge brands have established accommodations. Here some of the accommodations we can recommend for you.
High end accommodations (5 Star)
- Bisate by Wilderness Safaris
- Gorilla Nest by One&Only
Luxury accommodations (4 star)
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Virunga Lodge
Midrange (3 star)
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Bishop’s House
Budget (2 star)
- Isange Paradise Resort
Other activities in Volcanoes National Park apart from gorilla trekking
Apart from the gorilla trekking which is the main activity known for Volcanoes National Park, there are other nice adventures you can do in the park either as an extra to the gorillas, or as an option to the gorilla trek in case you cannot afford the gorilla trekking ticket. Below are the activities:
Golden monkey tracking
You can track these stunning monkeys which are only found in the Virunga mountains. The monkeys live in large troupes of up to 100 hundred individuals, inhabiting mostly the bamboo forests at the base of the mountains. A troupe of golden monkeys has been habituated that lives at the base of Mt. Sabyinyo. The golden monkey monkey trek is easy and light as the monkeys do not move very far from the bamboo forests at the base, hence you don’t trek or hike up the mountains as it is with the gorilla trek.
The golden monkey trek costs $100 for international visitors.
Volcano hiking
After the gorilla trek, hiking is probably the second most popular adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The most popular of the hikes in the park is the Mt. Bisoke day hike. The Mt. Bisoke (3711m) has a large crater lake at the summit which is the prize for the roughly 6 hour hike to the top of the volcano. Other day hikes are also done on Mt. Muhavura and Mt. Gahinga. For those that would like a longer hike and spend a night in the mountains you can do the Mt. Karisimbi 2 day hike. Mt. Karisimbi is the highest of the volcanoes and the fourth highest mountain in Africa.
Dian Fossey tomb trail trek
The Dian Fossey tomb tomb is located in the valley between Mt. Bisoke and Mt. Karisimbi. The trail to the tomb offers an amazing trek in the jungle where you get to see the wildlife in the Virunga mountains. You also stand a chance of finding the gorillas on the trail. The Dian Fossey tomb trail is often done as preamble to the gorilla trek.
Nature walk
You can take on a beautiful trail in the forest at the base of the mountains for birdwatching in the Volcanoes national Park and a chance to see wildlife, and enjoy the stunning views of the Virunga mountains. However note that the nature walks are short (about an hour) and do not go deeper into the volcanoes.