How do gorilla treks work?

Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board. Minimum age is 15. Small groups hike with rangers to a habituated family and spend up to one hour in their presence under strict health and distance rules.

When is the best time to go?

Dry seasons from June to September and December to February usually bring the clearest trekking and views. Green months offer moody light and fewer visitors. We match dates to your fitness and goals.

Stay close to the park near Kinigi for easy starts: Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Wilderness Bisate offer prime access, with Sabyinyo a classic base. After trekking, unwind at Magashi in Akagera for boating and gentle game drives.

Can I add other activities?

Yes. Golden monkey trekking runs near the Volcanoes HQ in the morning. On request we add crater hikes on Mount Bisoke, culture and Kigali art time.

Layered clothing, waterproof jacket, gloves, gaiters, sturdy boots and a small daypack. Porters are available and highly recommended for comfort and to support the community.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of Africa’s most moving encounters. In the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, small guided groups hike through bamboo and cloud forest to sit quietly among mountain gorillas. With bases such as Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Wilderness Bisate, comfort blends seamlessly with conservation.

Plan Your Journey

Silverback mountain gorilla portrait in Rwanda – expressive eyes and textured fur during a responsible trekking experience.

Into the Misty Mountains

Set out at dawn from Sabyinyo, hiking with expert rangers as the forest stirs awake. Hours later, your guide signals, gorillas are near. Sit in hushed awe as silverbacks feed, juveniles tumble, and infants cling to mothers. Back at Kwitonda Lodge, stories are shared over a fire with mountain views.

QUICK FACTS
Small groups
Expert trackers
1 hour viewing
Misty forests
Life-changing

Misty Virunga volcanoes landscape in Rwanda – rolling ridgelines and forest canopy near Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda – respectful close encounter with a mountain gorilla guided by expert trackers.

Preparing trekking gear at Bisate Lodge, Rwanda – guest zips rain jacket and gaiters before a mountain gorilla hike.

Experiences & Highlights

Gorilla trekking is an intimate wildlife encounter run with care and respectful protocols. In Rwanda, Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Wilderness Bisate Lodge sit near the park headquarters, making early starts straightforward. After a detailed briefing, small groups set out with trackers and porters who manage a steady pace through bamboo and hagenia forest. Encounters are limited to one precious hour, with clear guidance on distance and behavior that protects both guests and gorillas. Sabyinyo offers a classic base with warm hospitality close to the trailheads, while Kataza House provides a private setting for families or friends.

After trekking, boots are cleaned and tired legs are eased with massages and hot baths back at the lodge. Many journeys end with a relaxing contrast at Magashi in Akagera, adding boat outings and gentle game drives to days of mountain hiking. Throughout, teams help with gear, recommend layers for shifting weather, and keep the focus on calm, thoughtful time with these remarkable animals.

CUSTOMISE YOUR JOURNEY.

Talk to us to customise your journey

Journey Inspiration.

Remarkable Rwanda - Wetlands, Volcanoes and Gorillas

Quick View

Remarkable Rwanda - Wetlands, Volcanoes and Gorillas

$2,050.00

*Indicative of per person sharing/night. Subject to availability, season, reserve fees, and exclusive of seasonal flight transfers

Magashi is situated in a private concession within Akagera National Park, Central Africa's largest protected wetland and Rwanda's only refuge for savannah species making Big 5 encounters here a reality. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park marks the final leg of this extraordinary African experience of animals, communities and landscape that defies the imagination.

Highlights/Activities

6,000 hectares of private concession in Akagera, diverse habitats (wetlands and savannah) bring variety of species, Big 5 sightings - including black rhino, luxury tented camp, boat cruises for close encounters with hippos, crocodiles and elephants, stunning views of Volcanoes and rainforest, gorilla trekking in the rain forest, birdwatching on nature trails, planting of indigenous trees, vegetable garden-to-table cuisine.

Countries Covered: Rwanda

Moru Kopjes - Central Serengeti Calving Circuit

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Moru Kopjes - Central Serengeti Calving Circuit

$1,285.00

*Indicative of per person sharing/night. Subject to availability, season, reserve fees, and exclusive of seasonal flight transfers

Follow December and January’s migration surge through the central Serengeti. Base at Usawa Moru West and Dunia to track wildebeest herds over short grass plains and granite kopjes. Expect pregnant females, early calves, and active predators. Days run to unhurried game drives and full day outings, with bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and open air dinners under bright night skies.

Highlights/Activities

Moru Kopjes viewpoints, Seronera river lines, early calving build up, wildebeest and zebra herds, cheetah and hyena action, lion on the kopjes, guided game drives, full day outings, bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, open air dinners, stargazing, golden hour photography, birding for kori bustard and secretarybird, flexible mobile positioning at Usawa, classic tented comfort at Dunia.

Countries Covered: Tanzania

Treetops to Craters - Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro

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Treetops to Craters - Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro

$950.00

*Indicative of per person sharing/night. Subject to availability, season, reserve fees, and exclusive of seasonal flight transfers

This safari combines treehouse suites in the Mahogany Tree forests on the shores of Lake Manyara and all its beauty as well as unique dome design tented units in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you are surrounded by a number of craters to explore. Your first introduction to Maasai culture will fascinate you.

Highlights/Activities

Unique accommodation in special locations, tree climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park, game drives within the Ngorongoro crater and nature hikes in sister crater nearby, fascinating Maasai Cultural experiences.