Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Safari Adventure

Planning Our Gorilla Trekking Itinerary

Going to Rwanda was not initially in the plan. We were originally planning to visit Botswana and Victoria Falls, and a friend was planning to join. He said, "Hey, we need to include seeing gorillas!" We laughed at first, but then I realized he was absolutely right. That’s how the research began.

A baby gorilla enjoying the sun

Rwanda gorilla trekking is the experience of hiking through the lush forests of central Africa to locate a mountain gorilla family and observe them for one hour. The main countries for gorilla trekking are Rwanda and Uganda (the Democratic Republic of Congo is also an option, but its political instability ruled it out for us).

First, the cost: when we went, a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda was $1,500 per person, while Uganda was $700 per person. Trekking in Uganda can be more physically challenging—the gorilla families are often farther away, and trails are less maintained, requiring rangers to constantly create new paths. Since my mom was joining and she isn’t a hiker, we had her comfort in mind. Rwanda, on the other hand, offered excellent trekking infrastructure and emphasized the importance of gorilla conservation to local communities. We ultimately chose Rwanda over Uganda. Yes, the permits cost more, but most of the money directly supports the gorillas and the villagers who live nearby—an investment we were happy to make.

After reading other travelers’ experiences, I knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Many people said they were overcome with awe when meeting these gentle giants and that trying to take photos often distracted them from truly experiencing the moment. Experts recommended two days of trekking to fully soak it in—and two days is exactly what we planned.

Gorilla family casually walking by us

Planning the Itinerary

Since we wanted to maximize our limited time, we scheduled a day to recover from the long flight in Kigali. We arrived in Kigali in the evening and checked into our hotel. The next day, we explored the city before heading to Volcanoes National Park for our gorilla trekking adventure.

In Kigali, I focused on meaningful activities. The city has a dark history from recent decades, so we took a city tour and visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. I also discovered Question Coffee, an all-women-run café that locals rave about—it was the perfect stop for coffee lovers.

Near Volcanoes National Park, we had several hours of free time and decided to explore the area by bike. We took a guided bike tour through surrounding villages and farmlands at the base of the park, which offered a great mix of culture, scenery, and exercise before our intense trekking days.

The Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Finally, the moment arrived: trekking through dense forests, hearing the sounds of the jungle, and spotting a gorilla family casually walking nearby. Rwanda gorilla trekking is truly unforgettable—the sheer power, curiosity, and gentleness of these animals is unlike anything else in the world.

View of Volcanoes National Park

Why Rwanda Was the Right Choice

• Comfortable trekking: Trails in Rwanda are well-maintained, suitable even for beginners.

• Conservation impact: Permit fees go directly to gorillas and the local communities.

• Cultural experience: Combining trekking with Kigali and village exploration made the trip richer and more meaningful.

  
  

A Trip of a Lifetime

All in all, our Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure was incredible. Even with limited time, careful planning allowed us to see gorillas, explore Kigali, and experience the villages around Volcanoes National Park—truly a trip of a lifetime.