Rwanda gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is a short, intense trip and the single most moving hour most of our travellers have had anywhere. Two treks give a second chance at the weather and a second family.

Permits are limited and are confirmed before anything else.

Where we go

Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, with lodges on the edge of the forest; Nyungwe for chimpanzees, canopy walks and one of Africa's oldest rainforests; Akagera for a short savannah safari and lake; Kigali to begin and end, a capital that rewards a day.

How the week runs

Gorilla permits are limited and allocated per day, so the trek dates are fixed first and the rest of the trip is built around them. Treks range from one hour to five depending on the family's location that morning. Two treks give a second chance at a different group. Driving between parks is comfortable and short by African standards.

Who it suits and when

Reasonably fit travellers over fifteen, the minimum age for gorilla trekking, who want a wildlife encounter rather than a classic safari. June to September and December to February are driest; the rainy months are quieter and permits are easier to obtain.