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Trekking
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Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
Home > Experiences >Rwanda is arguably the best gorilla trekking destination there is, with a relatively open habitat and one of the largest gorilla populations in the world making sightings almost guaranteed. Rwanda’s breathtaking scenery means the trek is enjoyable and inspiring from start to finish.
At Tailormade Africa, we make gorilla trekking easy for you. We organise everything, including travel, accommodation in some of Rwanda’s most beautiful lodges and gorilla trekking permits. Find out more about our gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and get in touch to book your tour today.
For honest expert advice contact them here or call Rob on +44 7791 360170 or Clyde on +44 7809 726266 or email on [email protected].
Best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking
The best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking is during the drier season, between the months of June and September.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Gorilla trekking is perfectly safe when done with an experienced and regulated guide. Rwanda’s gorillas are incredibly calm and are used to human interaction, as long as human visitors abide by the recommended rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. The gorillas themselves are also very well protected from poachers as Rwanda has a proactive approach to conservation, so both gorilla and human safety is prioritised at all times.
What to wear gorilla trekking in Rwanda
There are a few essential items you will need for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. A long sleeved waterproof shirt and trousers are required to protect your skin from the jungle flora, and a mosquito head-net will keep the mosquitos away. You’ll need hardy walking boots as you will be trekking through dense jungle, and neutral colours such as beige, green and brown are required. Thick gloves are often helpful too for moving nettles and branches out of the way whilst you trek.
How hard is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Almost anyone with an average level of fitness will be able to experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda, but you must be willing and able to hike through dense and humid jungle terrain for several hours. Your fitness level and age will factor into how difficult you find the trek, but we have clients of all ages attending gorilla treks successfully. You are able to hire an assistant, or porter, to help carry your equipment during the hike, which makes it easier. The distance you need to travel when hiking depends entirely on where the gorillas are located at the time, and the speed of the trek is usually dictated by the average fitness levels of the group you trek with. We always try to match people of similar ages and fitness levels on every trek.
Rwanda gorilla trekking age limit
The current age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years old, therefore children under the age of fifteen will not be allowed to partake in the gorilla trekking Rwanda has to offer.
Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?
It’s difficult to say which country is better for gorilla trekking, but what we do know is that Rwanda is a smaller country and is therefore easier to navigate, and Rwanda has a higher gorilla population than Uganda, so gorillas are often easier to find. The treks in Rwanda are gentler than Uganda, but with Rwanda being at a higher altitude, that can add to the difficulty of the trek. A gorilla trekking permit is more expensive in Rwanda than Uganda, so if cost is a factor, then Uganda might be a better option.
Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Tours & Packages
Volcanoes National Park
The home of Rwanda’s gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is a stunning location situated within the Virunga Mountains.
Find out more about Volcanoes National Park here.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
Our gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are all designed with luxury in mind. The entire trip, from the lodge you stay in, to the food you eat and the quality of the guides that will be tracking the gorillas for you, is second to none.
Whilst it is incredibly exciting and enjoyable, gorilla trekking will leave you tired and sweaty by the end of the day, so you want to be able to retreat to a luxurious lodge which makes you feel clean and refreshed at the end of the day. Whether you are staying at Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or the famous One&Only Gorilla Nest Hotel, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views, incredible facilities and accommodating guest service provided.
Explore the camps below
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Completely Bespoke Trekking Trips
We offer completely bespoke gorilla trekking trips in Rwanda, so whether you want to combine your trek with a visit to the stunning capital city of Kigali, visit the Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park, you can do it all with Tailormade Africa. Find out more about what’s on offer with our Rwanda safaris.
Gorilla Trekking Rules & Regulations
Whilst gorilla trekking is safe, there are certain rules and regulations that should be adhered to in order to protect both the people on the trek and the gorillas of Rwanda themselves.
- If you are sick, do not go on a gorilla trek. Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, so make sure to wash your hands and get clean before setting off on your trek
- Avoid wearing brightly coloured clothes on your trek as these may alarm the gorillas
- Groups must be a maximum of 8 people
- Noise should be kept to an absolute minimum, even when approaching the gorillas from a distance of 200 metres
- When viewing the gorillas, a 5 metre distance must be kept where possible
- Do not eat, drink or smoke anything near the gorillas
- Stay in a tight group when near gorillas and keep talking to a minimum, but you can ask the guides questions quietly
- Flash photography should not be used
- Do not touch the gorillas
- Your visit to the gorillas will last a maximum of one hour, but if the gorillas are agitated your visit may end earlier
- Do not leave any rubbish behind. Everything you take with you on the trek must go back home with you too
- Always listen to your guide, especially if a gorilla charges at your group. In this instance, you will need to crouch down, not look the gorilla in the eye and don’t run away. Again, paying attention to what your guide tells you will be important in this situation
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