Best Time to See Gorillas in Rwanda:

Best Time of Year for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasons:

• June to October
• December to March

During these months, trails are less muddy and more accessible, and the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to see and photograph gorillas. These are considered peak seasons for gorilla trekking.

Gorilla Trekking During the Wet Season

The rainy months—April, May, and November—can make treks slightly more challenging due to slippery trails and thicker vegetation. However, gorilla sightings are still highly likely because the gorillas stay closer as food is abundant. Treks can often be shorter during these months.

Where Gorilla Trekking Takes Place in Rwanda

All gorilla trekking in Rwanda occurs in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwest of the country. This park is part of the Virunga Mountains and is home to several habituated gorilla families. The park offers lush bamboo forests, open grasslands, and stunning volcanic terrain.

What to Expect on a Gorilla Trek

Your trek begins early at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) headquarters with a briefing. Visitors are grouped into teams of eight and assigned to one gorilla family. Accompanied by expert guides and armed rangers, treks can last from 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once found, you’ll spend one magical hour in their presence.

How to Book a Gorilla Permit in Rwanda

Gorilla permits are required for trekking and must be booked in advance. You can book through a trusted tour operator like Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.

1. Choose your travel dates.
2. Contact Monumental Expeditions to check availability.
3. Make payment once availability is confirmed.
4. Receive your scanned permit confirming your trek date.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla permits are priced as follows:

• USD 1,500 for Foreign Non-residents
• USD 500 for Foreign Residents
• USD 200 for East African Citizens

Complete trekking packages also include accommodation, transport, and guiding. Monumental Expeditions and Safaris offers a 3-day Rwanda Gorilla Express Tour starting from USD 2,375 per person sharing.

Where to Stay Near Volcanoes National Park

Luxury Lodges

• Bisate Lodge
• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
• Virunga Volcanoes Lodge
• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-Range Lodges

• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
• Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Budget Options

• Hotel Muhabura
• Kinigi Guesthouse
• Villa Gorilla
• La Palme Hotel

All accommodations follow COVID-19 SOPs set by Rwanda’s Health Ministry and the WHO.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park

The park is just a 2 to 3-hour drive from Kigali. Most tours start with a hotel pickup in Kigali followed by a scenic drive through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Why Choose Monumental Expeditions and Safaris?

With years of experience and excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, Monumental Expeditions and Safaris is a leading tour operator in Rwanda and Uganda. They offer eco-conscious tours that support local communities and wildlife conservation, including:

• Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
• Big 5 game safaris
• Cultural tours
• Boat cruises and mountain hiking
• Multi-country safaris to Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana

Plan Your Gorilla Safari Today

Rwanda offers one of the most accessible and rewarding gorilla trekking experiences in Africa. Whether you travel in the dry or wet season, you are guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas. Contact Monumental Expeditions and Safaris to plan your personalized gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda.