Introduction

Each step brings you closer to the moment you’ve been waiting for. Encountering a gorilla family in their natural habitat. With bated breath and pounding hearts, you’ll witness scenes of astonishing intimacy and grace as gorillas move gracefully through the forest, feeding, playing, and caring for their young. It’s a privilege like no other, an opportunity to witness the intricate social dynamics and complex behaviors of one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Wake up early, around 4:30 a.m. meet your assigned English/French-speaking guide to start your journey to the Volcanoes National Park. This journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. At 7:00 a.m., you will check in at the park reception to prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure, receive a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations, and get assigned to a gorilla group. Have a hearty breakfast and taste the Rwandan coffee to energize yourself for the day ahead.

Groups for gorilla trekking are assigned based on factors like fitness level and preferences. You’ll be assigned a group and a guide who will lead you through the trek. The actual trekking can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours or more, depending on the location of the gorilla group you’re assigned to. The trekking experience involves hiking through dense forest terrain, so it’s important to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy hiking boots, bring plenty of water, and pack essentials such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and rain gear.

Once you locate your assigned gorilla group, you’ll spend approximately one hour observing them in their natural habitat. This is an unforgettable experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to take photos and observe the gorillas’ behavior up close.

After your hour with the gorillas, you’ll begin the trek back to the park headquarters. This trek can take a similar amount of time as the initial trek or sometimes a bit less since you’re often descending. Depending on the timing, you may have lunch at a nearby lodge or restaurant. Your guide will help you get to the place where you will have your
preferred lunch.

After lunch, start your journey back to Kigali. The arrival time may be between 2.5 -3 hours or more depending on the traffic in the city since you may arrive during rush hour. Upon arrival, bid farewell to the guide. This will mark the end of your trip.