Also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is home to the mountain gorilla, one of the most incredible animals one could encounter during an African safari. It was here that Diane Fossey first habituated these great apes. From being one of the world’s poorest countries in the late 1990s, it now has one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies with an excellent healthcare system and more women in parliament than in any other country. The growing numbers of mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and the reintroduction of lions and black rhinos at Akagera National Park have made it a Big Five destination. Along with world-class birding, Rwanda deserves its position as one of Africa’s most exciting tourism destinations.

Rwanda has many unique delights to offer travelers, from tranquil lakes to misty rainforest and rolling grass plains. Small groups of fortunate visitors can experience the gorilla trekking safari in the Virungas rainforest – one of the most memorable wildlife encounters on earth. On a gorilla trekking safari, visitors are recommended to trek for two consecutive days to see these majestic Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.

A Rwanda gorilla trekking safari could be an ideal extension to a Kenya safari or a Tanzania safari. 

With Recherché Journeys, create your tailor-made Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. See these majestic Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, or add an extension to your Classic East Africa safari to make it unique. 

Ready to create your journey? Contact us for a FREE tour plan.

Recommended Parks:

Volcanos National Park: Best place in the world to observe the critically endangered mountain gorilla; activities include golden monkey trekking, hike to Diane Fossey’s former camp, and the volcano summit, excellent birding. Gorilla trekking permits are costly and have limited availability. The best time to go is from June to September when it’s drier.

Akagera National Park: A savannah reserve and a Big Five destination, Akagera is very scenic with tall mountains, forest-fringed lakes & wetlands, and offers excellent birding opportunities. Visitors have the options of night drives, games drives, and boat trips.

Nyungwe Forest National Park: The largest montane rainforest in East Africa with rich biodiversity. Its main attraction is 13 species of primates includes habituated chimpanzees, and is a birders’ paradise. 80 miles of hiking trails and the suspended canopy walk offer a bird’s eye view into the dense, lush forest.

When to go:

Best time to visit: June to September is the best time to visit as it is dry and wildlife can be easily spotted. (except for chimp trekking in Nyungwe Forest). Temperatures are uniform throughout the year.

High Season: June to September is also the busiest season. Gorilla trekking permits are hard to obtain and must be booked long in advance.

Low Season: March-April; October – November, are the peak of rains, and trails are slippery.