Rwanda Gorilla Safaris

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris, Rwanda, which is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” has some of the most interesting and unique gorilla tours in East Africa. It is also one of the best places to see gorillas in the wild. Going on a Rwanda gorilla safari is a thrilling way to meet the critically threatened mountain gorillas that live in Volcanoes National Park. Seeing mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s wild mountain forests like Bisoke is an exciting adventure that is becoming more and more popular among daring tourists looking for safari vacations in Africa. It’s an unforgettable experience to go bushwhacking through a never-ending stretch of thick, foggy forest on the slopes of the beautiful Virunga Mountains.

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris are sometimes called “life-changing” for good reason. They give you a chance to learn about these amazing apes in their natural environment that you will never get again. One of only three places in the world where you can find a mountain gorilla. The other two are in Uganda, in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Virunga National Park. This makes gorilla trekking in East Africa an exciting activity.

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris has skilled guides who will train you and introduce you to one of the fully-habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. You will be able to stay with them for an hour, often just a few steps away, and watch them go about their daily lives.

In Rwanda, where to go on a gorilla trek

Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a 160-square-kilometer jungle that covers the slopes of five Virunga volcanoes on the Rwandan side of the beautiful and peaceful Virunga Mountain Ranges. The park, which is also called Parc des Volcans in French, is part of a 433-square-kilometer protection unit that surrounds three borders and looks out for the whole Virunga volcano system. It also covers the southern part of Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Each of these parks works on its own within its own country’s borders.

This stunningly beautiful and ecologically diverse reserve is in the Virungas, a line of rough, stand-alone mountains that are between 2,400 and 4,507 meters high. The area around the volcanoes is one of the most interesting in Africa. Mount Karisimbi, the tallest of the Virunga mountains on the western border of the park, is 4,507 meters high.

Moving east, other notable peaks inside the national park are Bisoke on the border with the DRC, Sabyinyo on the border between Uganda and the DRC, and Gahinga and Muhabura on the border with Uganda. A lot of different kinds of animals and plants can be found in Volcanoes National Park. It is a safe place for rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Primatologist Dian Fossey was one of the first people to promote gorilla tourism and protection in the Park. Mountain gorillas get the most attention in the Park.

But Volcanoes is also home to the rare golden monkeys, which are just as popular with tourists as the mountain gorillas. When you go on a Rwanda Gorilla Safari, you should make time to see these active, cherub-cheeked small animals swing through the bamboo trees. There are also rare forest elephants, huge forest pigs, buffalo, black-fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, and many other small animals that can be found in Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is also a great place to watch birds. More than 200 kinds of birds have been seen there, and at least 17 of them are native to the Albertine rift. The park is home to many other birds, such as the beautiful francolin, the Ruwenzori turaco, the Red-faced woodland warbler, the Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, the Odd weaver, the dark crimson-wing, the collared Apalis, and the Archer’s round-robin.

Rwandan Families of Gorillas

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to ten groups of habituated gorillas that people can trek with, plus one group that is only used for study. This means that 80 gorilla passes are given out every day so that tourists can see gorillas for one day. In Rwanda, only eight people can visit a gorilla family at a time. It’s interesting to see how each ape group has traits that are very different from the others. As of now, these are the habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda that you can visit to gorilla hiking;

Susa Gorilla Group
Tourists really like the Susa gorilla family, which is one of the ape groups. Scientist Dian Fossey and her study made the group famous. It now has 28 members, including three silverbacks and the Byishimo and Impano twins. There were 42 gorillas in the group before they split into two because of family disagreements. The Susa gorilla family gets its name from the Kinyarwanda river that runs next to it. Mountain treks are the hardest because the ape family likes to live high up. It can take a whole day to get there.

However, park guards always know where they are; if they walk too far, tourists might not be able to see them. This group of gorillas stays busy and fun to watch thanks to the famously active young twins Byishimo and Impano. Poppy, on the other hand, is one of the gorillas who is used to being around people the most. If you like adventure and are in good shape, this is the gorilla family for you.

Group of Karisimbi Gorillas (Susa B Group)
Karisimbi is the name of the gorilla family that broke away from Susa (Susa-A) after a long fight. They are now known as Susa-B or, more commonly, the Karisimbi Gorilla Family. There are 15 members of this gorilla family, and they usually live on the slopes of the Karisimbi hill. It’s also hard to go on a walk with the Karisimbi gorilla troop; if they move too far in one day, the trek may have to be called off.

Still, trackers usually go ahead of the tourists to make sure they know where the gorilla family is and then tell their coworkers who are leading the tourists. As long as you are in good health and can handle the long climb up the hills of Karisimbi volcano, you will be able to see these beautiful gorillas.

Group of Amahoro Gorillas
It was during the second Kwita Izina event in 2005 that the Amahoro Gorilla group got its name. Kwita Izina is a world conservation event that takes place every year in Rwanda. It is where gorillas are given names that reflect who they are. An African word called “amahoro” means “someone or something whose calm is truly inspiring.”

All seventeen of these gorillas are, in fact, peace messengers. They don’t mind guests at all and would only fight if they thought they were in danger. But if you don’t want to get in trouble, don’t look their leader Ubumwe in the eyes. It makes him think you want to question his power, which is how most silverbacks feel. The last ape who did this got beat up for life. The Amaboro gorilla group has two silverbacks, two blackbacks, four adult females, four young females, and five babies.

Group of Agashya Gorillas
This group was called “Group 13,” and Nyakarima was in charge of it until Agashya challenged him to a deadly battle. Nyakarima then ran away with his family up the volcano. The first total takeover was seen by gorilla experts. Agashya kept adding to his family by stealing people from other groups and taking in loners after he got as far away from Nyakarima as he could. The group leaves near the group of Sabyinyo gorillas.

When Agashya sees a threat to the group, he gathers everyone and runs to his favorite safe place on top of the hill. The group of 13 Agashya gorillas has grown to more than 25. Going on a trip with the gorilla family can be hard, but when you do, you will have amazing experiences with this amazing group.

Group of Umubano Gorillas
The Umubano gorilla group used to be part of the Amahoro group until Charles, the leader, turned against Ubumbwe, the Amahoro’s dominant silverback. The word “Umubano” means “living together.” As he got older, he started to question the calm Amahoro group leader. One day, after a long fight with Ubumbwe, Charles chose to leave with some Amahoro family members to start his own group. The gorilla family lives in the same area as the Amahoro family. It has 11 members, including 6 babies. People from all over the world come to see this group of gorillas because they are easy to get to and have their own unique look.

Group of Hirwa Gorillas
People from Group 13 and the Sabyinyo family left to start their own gorilla group, which is why this one is younger. On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, you can find the Hirwa gorilla family. They are led by a bossy and watchful silverback. The name Hirwa comes from the word for “lucky one,” since the group was lucky to have more people join on their own. This unusual group formation was seen in 2006, and it now includes twins. While it’s easy to trek with this group, it can be hard to find them on some days.

Group of Sabyinyo Gorillas
The dangerous silverback gorilla, Guhonda, is in charge of a small group of about eight gorillas. With a weight of 220 kg, Guhonda is likely the park’s biggest silverback. The Sabyinyo “Old Man’s Teeth” Volcano is where the Sabyinyo monkey group lives and is also where the group’s name comes from. His enemy silverback Ryango is not in Guhonda’s family because he wants to keep his family together. The group of happy kids is easy to see because they stay near the park’s edge.

Group of Bwenge Gorillas
Volcanoes National Park also has a lot of fans of this gorilla family. Members of the group were even in the play “Gorillas in the Mist.” The dominant silverback Bwenge started the Bwenge gorilla group in 2007 when he left his birth family and joined with female members from other families. The name of the group comes from the Kinyarwanda word “Bwenge,” which means “wisdom.” The family of 11 lives on the slopes of Karisoke Volcano, up a high and sometimes muddy hill. It is hard to get to them because of this.

Group of Kwitonda Gorillas
There are 18 people in this group, including 2 silverbacks, making it one of the hardest to walk with. This group, led by Kwitonda, whose name means “modest one” in Kinyarwanda, came from Gorilla groups in Congo. Their home is on the slopes of Mount Muhabura, but they roam a large area, which makes trekking tough but exciting.

Ugenda Gorilla Group
The Ugenda gorilla group lives in the Karisimbi area and has 11 members, two of which are silverbacks. Ugenda, which in Kinyarwanda means “being on the go,” was used to describe the group’s wandering way of life. Because they move around a lot, trekking them can be hard some days.

 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The Rwanda Gorilla Safaris start in Kinigi at the park office. Every day, there is only one gorilla hiking trip, which starts at 7 a.m. People who want to go to the park must be there by 7 a.m. to be put with the groups of gorillas they will be hiking with. One gorilla group can only be walked by a maximum of eight people per day in the Volcanoes.

This is mostly done so as not to stress out the gorillas too much and so that trekking doesn’t have too much of an effect on the environment. Once tourists have been paired with gorillas, park guides will talk to them about the gorilla experience and what to do and not to do while walking through the park and with the gorillas.

Visitors and park guides will drive from Kinigi’s park offices to the park’s edge, where the hike up the mountain range starts, after the briefing. All Rwanda Gorilla Safaris in Volcanoes National Park are led by a park ranger who is well known to the gorillas because they have likely spent time with them and become familiar with them. There will also be a guard with a gun to protect the park from attacks by other gorillas that live there or wild animals like elephants and buffalo. But these kinds of meetings are very rare.

How to Plan a Gorilla Safari in Rwanda

In Volcanoes National Park, tourists can only meet and interact with mountain gorilla families that are used to people. On the other hand, gorillas slowly get used to people being around them through a process called habituation. This lets people on Rwanda Gorilla Safaris watch the gorillas without getting in the way of their normal activities or behavior.

Even though the gorillas are used to people, the Rwanda Development Board and regulatory groups in Uganda and DR. Congo have rules about how people can interact with the animals. It is important that you follow these rules so that both the gorillas and the guests are safe and healthy:

Your group only has an hour to spend with the mountain gorillas while you are hiking them.
People who want to trek mountain gorillas must be at least 15 years old.
In both Rwanda and Uganda, there can be no more than eight people in a trekking gorilla group, plus guards and porters.

It might be hard to find gorillas in thick forests that are over 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) high and where the plants are often wet. Because of this, walkers need to be in good health and shape.
You shouldn’t go gorilla climbing if you have Covid-19, diarrhea, the flu, or a cold. Gorillas are not immune to most diseases that people get, and even small infections in people can kill them. Because of Covid-19, we are more aware of the danger we pose to baby gorillas.

If you get sick, you have to tell the officials. They will decide if you are healthy enough to go see the gorillas again. Don’t forget that the lives of the critically endangered gorillas are more important than your holiday.

If you need to sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth to keep germs from spreading.
When you’re hiking mountain gorillas, don’t leave trash in the forest. The trash that people leave behind can spread diseases to gorillas.

Keep ten meters of space between you and the gorillas at all times. Gorillas don’t like being surrounded by people. When the gorillas get close, the park rangers may tell you to stay put or move away from them.
Gorillas might be very interested in things. Do not touch the gorillas, even if they come up to you. When the gorillas are around, don’t do anything out of the ordinary.

Do not run away if a gorilla comes at you. Do not look the gorilla in the eyes until it has left the area. Do not lose your cool, and slowly crouch down.
Don’t move around in your group. Do not crowd or circle the gorillas.
Tell your guide that you need to go to the bathroom in the bush, and he will dig a hole for you. Later, close up the hole to keep the gorillas from getting sick.

During gorilla hiking, you are not allowed to use a flash.
How much it costs to go trekking with gorillas in Rwanda
On your Rwanda Gorilla Safaris, you need to get a trekking pass in order to go on a mountain gorilla trek. In Rwanda, it takes USD 1500 to get a permit to go gorilla trekking. Ten percent of this fee goes to projects that help the communities around Volcanoes National Park grow.

Also, villagers have been taking care of the park because they get money from gorilla tourism. Before, the park was used for farming, gathering firewood and herbs, hunting, and poaching, all of which hurt the gorillas’ habitat and killed them, almost extinction. By buying a Rwanda gorilla tracking permit, you are saving mountain gorillas and also helping to build communities in the area.

What to Bring on a Gorilla Safari in Rwanda

A good pair of hiking boots,
A jacket or cover for rain
Long pants, gaiters, and a shirt with long sleeves to protect against thorny plants,
Grocery gloves, a hat, and sunscreen
A small backpack for bringing things like drink, camera batteries, and other necessities
Lots of water to drink and snacks or lunch packed in
Some good batteries and glasses to go with the camera.
Repellent for bugs

Is it safe to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

Yes, it is safe to go gorilla hiking in Rwanda. Even though they are big and have a bad image, mountain gorillas are not dangerous. Also, every gorilla hiking trip is led by a trained ranger who spends most of their time with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla groups that have become accustomed to people are the only ones you can visit. This means the gorillas are used to people being around them and know they are not a threat.

Gorillas are usually shy and quiet animals that spend most of their time eating and caring for their young. Like any other animal, they can act defensively if they feel threatened, especially when their young are around.

During your gorilla trekking trip, your guide will know the signs, which could include grunting and “mock charging,” which means hitting your chest hard. Always do what your guide says, but if you come across a dangerous ape, crouch down, look away, and act like you’re not worried. However, your guide will give you all of this extra information during the pre-trek talk.

How Hard Is It to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Trekking with gorillas can be very hard. You can expect muddy trails, thick plants, and lush jungles. Even more, you need to be physically and emotionally ready for the event. Due to the mist and constant rain, hiking can be dangerous and messy. Some people charge extra to carry your daypacks and camera gear, but your ranger guides will do everything they can to make the walk as easy as possible for you.

Most people don’t get altitude sickness, especially if they spend a day getting used to the altitude before their ape hike. But to avoid getting a headache from the altitude, make sure you take it easy and drink a lot of water.

On Rwanda Gorilla Safaris, you can expect to be on your feet for at least five hours. You could hike all day if you’re in good shape and given to a gorilla family that lives in the middle of nowhere. You might have been traveling the day before, and the day starts early. Remember that you will get tired faster because you will be higher up. If you have any health issues, talk to your doctor before you go on vacation, and don’t forget to bring your medication with you.

When it comes to Rwanda Gorilla Safaris, age shouldn’t matter. In fact, many people who go on gorilla treks are in their 70s or older. The rangers and porters know a lot about how to show people around in the bush. Also, enterprising Ugandans bring sedan-style chairs, which are commonly known as “stretchers” in Uganda, to help carry old or disabled visitors up to the mountains. You should only use this service in an emergency because it costs a lot. If you use common sense and stay pretty fit, your day will be remembered for all the right reasons.

The best time to go on a gorilla safari in Rwanda

From June to September, when it’s dry, is the best time to visit Rwanda. Also, this is the best time of year to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda because the weather is nice, the trekking paths aren’t too muddy, and there isn’t much sickness.

You can still go to Rwanda and go on a trip to see mountain gorillas outside of these busy times, but it will be harder because of the rain and the steep, muddy trails. Before going on a walk in Rwanda’s deep, tropical woods to look for mountain gorillas, you should be in pretty good shape.