Tailormade Rwanda Gorilla safari
It is possible to travel to Rwanda all year round but it is best to avoid the main rainy season from March to end of May.
From £2395 per person for a 7 day Gorilla safari including 2 permits, International flights to Kigali, all accommodation and food, private vehicle and guide.
Contact us for a detailed itinerary and quote.
Rwanda is an interesting and off beat destinations which offers much more than just Mountain Gorillas.
Rwanda’s gorilla groups are more accessible than those in Uganda
The Virunga range of volcanoes offers unrivalled flora and fauna and geological interest
Each traveller with us contributes to community conservation efforts in the Virunga regions through IGCP, and includes a year’s membership to the Gorilla Organization formally known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Land of a Thousand Hills and a few Mountain Gorillas
Take a Gorilla trek in Rwanda a find a land of great diversity and beauty. Popularly known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’, with numerous volcanoes, over twenty lakes and rivers, plus tropical rainforests and national parks, the landscapes are truly beautiful. The rich volcanic soil means that every inch of available land is given over to agriculture, creating a stunning patchwork of wheat, tea, sorghum, banana and maize plantations and many visitors have remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without equal on the African continent.
Whilst also hosting an incredible variety of flora and fauna, it is its most famous and endangered inhabitant that most people visit Rwanda, the mountain gorilla. Gorillas in Rwanda number in their hundreds, these beautiful creatures live in a tiny oasis of ever-decreasing forest located in The Virunga National Park in northern Rwanda. It is here, home to the world’s largest number of endangered mountain gorillas that on our tailormade gorilla safari you will be able to come face to face with some of our closest living relatives in their stunning natural setting.
With an area of only 26,000 square kilometres, (slightly smaller than Scotland) Rwanda is a relatively small country. Although the soil is very fertile, every available inch of land is needed to grow enough food for the country’s eight million inhabitants, and thus there has always been intense competition for resources resulting in the biggest problem facing the national parks and the wildlife today, that of habitat destruction.
Tourism is an important economy for Rwanda, and helps them to justify the maintenance of wilderness. It is today, after it recent turmoil(now over twelve years ago!), a safe destination to travel in with friendly Rwandese and increasingly good infrastructure and accommodation.
Discovery Initiatives was one of the first operators in the world to go back to Rwanda after the genocide, to restart its Gorilla tourism activities, and all our Rwanda gorilla safaris and treks, both tailormade and small groups, aim to help Rwanda in its desire to get back on its feet.
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Mountain Gorilla Trekking
You will find a visit to the Parc National De Volcans (PNV) and the Virunga Volcanoes one of the highlights of your gorilla trek in Rwanda, for residing deep on and around the thick vegetative slopes of these volcanoes are the famous mountain gorillas, with 4 habituated family groups each with a different name, Susa, Amahoro, Sabyinyo and Group 13.
Access to the Park begins in the lively town of Ruhengeri, situated at the base of the entrance of the park, where you pick up your Gorilla permits. Ruhengeri has long been the base point for gorilla visits and entertains a stunning backdrop of Karisimbi, Visoke, Mikeno, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes.
Best Times to Travel
The gorillas in Rwanda can be visited at any time of year with best times from June to September with least rain. The wettest months are March to May and generally to be avoided, but it can rain at any time especially over the Virungas. Rain however can be excellent as clears the air of haze and mist, with brighter sunshine for photography. The climate in Ruhengeri is unpredictable although you can generally expect both sun as well as rainfall during the day. Ruhengeri is 1,700m (5440ft) above sea level, so it is generally quite cool or cold, particularly in the evening. Nights all year round are quite cold, so a warm jumper and fleece is necessary.
Visas and Vaccinations
Visas are required for entry into Rwanda for British and European citizens but it can be got on arrival. (Not required for American citizens) Malaria and other diseases are present in Rwanda. It is important that you consult a medical practitioner.
Fitness and Health A good level of fitness will allow you to fully appreciate a Gorilla safari. Age though is no barrier to Gorilla trekking. We advise some daily walking or reasonable exercise in preparation for the sometimes challenging gorilla tracking. Past groups have been known to trek up to 8 hours in the forest on steep slopes and through thick vegetation.
This Trip Supports..
International Gorilla Conservation Programme
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Our Rwandese representatives, ground agents, and accommodation providers are chosen for their commitment to responsible tourism and more specifically their proven commitment to wildlife and community conservation.
Gorilla trekking with us will contribute to this ongoing support, and we make funding contributions from your travels with us to a host of Gorilla conservation agencies, including The Gorilla Organization formally known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, all working on different projects to ensure their long term survival.
Joining us is one step closer to an altogether better holiday.
Click here to listen to the varied calls and sounds of these great apes!
On a Rwanda gorilla safari you will travel through Rwanda with an experienced driver/ guide and when tracking the Gorillas you will be guided by well trained local Rwandese guides who know these Gorillas intimately.
Our ground agents and regional representatives are chosen to ensure that we do not compromise on this expertise and experience.
Should you wish to get direct feedback from any number of our numerous clients who have travelled on a gorilla safari with us to Rwanda and Uganda, please do contact us and we would be delighted to help to put you in touch with them.
This was my dream holiday I love gorillas from the time I started my holiday to the time I came home it was wonderful. The people, scenery and gorillas, all absolutely fantastic.
Lord 2007
For us it was about being treated as a individual and not a tourist
B. Clements 2006
What we most appreciated was the contribution to conservation and consideration for local people. What a week! It was worth the travelling to see the Gorillas and to help contribute to their conservation and local economy. All the Rwandese people were great and I felt comfortable all week thanks to our excellent guide.
Fisher 2006