Going on Safari in Rwanda

Rwanda is renowned for its amazing gorilla trekking holidays in Volcanoes National Park. Trekking through the dense rain forest of Rwanda in search of mountain gorilla families is one of the most profound experiences that you can enjoy in the natural world.

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

Tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.

The cost of a single gorilla permit in Rwanda is US$1,500 for visitors from outside Africa. Also, there is a discounted gorilla permit from November to May and it always applies when you are visiting one or two more Rwanda parks. Again, for the citizens of Rwanda and other East African countries have an offer of $200. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season of June to October. This is also the best time of year to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda as these periods offer the best hiking conditions and the lowest risk of malaria.

Volcanoes National Park is the site of primatologist Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Station, where she led a team to study gorillas in the wild. You can undertake about a 2-hour hike to her tomb, which is – like so much in Rwanda – both moving and inspiring, or discover more about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The hike is considered one of the best, most intimate tours in Rwanda, and offers a great opportunity to look out for primates, hogs, forest elephants and a plethora of bird species. There are a few troops of habituated golden monkeys, whose antics are great fun to watch. Golden monkeys are endangered, and permits are required for trekking.

Volcanoes National Park also shelters five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains which are: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo) covering over 160 km2 of rain forest and bamboo.

During gorilla trekking you will embark on your hikes to the different Virunga Mountains depending on the different gorilla groups that are assigned to you, for instance, the Karisimbi gorilla group is found on mount Karisimbi, the Ugenda gorilla family is usually found along the slopes of mount Sabyinyo among other gorilla families.

The gorilla trekking process in the park is quite interesting because you will get to see a number of attractions including the different bird species, the golden monkeys among other species. In the park, you will get to the bamboo trees where the gorillas are found, you will get to see the behaviour of the gentle giants while in the wild, for instance, their feeding patterns you will see infants suckling the breasts of their mothers for food, you will also see them eating the bamboo trees which is quite an exhilarating experience to come in contact with the primates which you will see in an hour you get to spend with the gorillas, photography can also be carried out to keep exciting memories of your experience with the gentle giants.