Rwanda is one of only three countries worldwide where you can see mountain gorillas. Gorillas are the world’s largest primate weighing up to 200kg/441lb and among the most endangered with a global population estimated at around 1,060 individuals in 2024.
Rwanda’s gorillas are resident in Volcanoes National Park a well-organized destination where primate enthusiasts can also hike to the former research station established by the legendary Dian Fossey. Trekking gorillas is one of Africa’s most exciting wildlife experiences but before you can do it, you need to buy a gorilla permit. As of 2024, the cost of a single gorilla permit in Rwanda is US$1,500 for visitors from outside Africa.
A gorilla permit is legally required by all people who want to do gorilla trekking tour whether in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or in a neighboring country. The purpose of this permit is to allow the park authorities to regulate exactly how many people visit any given gorilla group on any given day and this fee makes a vital financial contribution to the conservation of gorillas and their habitat as well as to the well-being of communities living outside the park. These permits are booked through a trusted tour operator (Nature Adventure Africa Safaris) or directly through Rwanda Development Board website.
These Rwanda gorilla trek short tours or excursions are mostly done by people who stay or begin their trip in Kigali.
The short gorilla-trekking tour takes you to the Volcanoes National Park a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This excursion starts very early in the morning from Kigali and upon arrival you can be welcomed with a briefing about the tour and the trekking experience as well. In the briefing, you can be divided into small groups of 8 members and each member is allocated to a particular gorilla family. Thereafter, you are led by an experienced guide to enter the forest for the trekking and this activity normally takes about 2-5 hours depending on where the gorillas were last seen the previous day.
After locating the allocated gorilla family, visitors are always given about 1 hour to stay together with the gorillas in their natural habitat and this hour includes even taking some videos and pictures for memories.
After the trek, visitors can then return to the park’s offices to pick their trekking certificates and also have lunch.
If time allows, you can as well pay a visit to the Dian Fossey’s grave where she was buried near her favorite gorilla friend Digit. Hiking of the Dian Fossey’s grave is sometimes done for a full day but in case you first trekked mountain gorillas, you can hike half of it.
After receiving your certificates and having lunch, you can meet your driver to transfer you to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing about Dian Fossey’s life style and her death. Since this grave is situated between Mount Karisimbi and mount Bisoke, you will hike along Mount Karisimbi until you reach the Karisoke research center. The hike aims to give tourists a learning experience about the works of the famous American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to research about the mountain gorillas. The hike also provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the park. The trails go through one of the most beautiful areas of the park with rare plant life, stunning views of the Virunga and sightings of numerous wildlife.
The entire Dian Fossey tomb trek takes about 1 -3 hours depending on your level of fitness and proper hiking shoes, trousers and long-sleeved shirt to protect you from stinging nettles and thorny plants are a must have.
At the Karisoke research center, you will visit her grave, spend some good time there and later descent back to meet your driver to travel back to Kigali and that will be the end of your day.
