Best Rwanda Gorilla Safaris from Kigali
Rwanda gorilla safaris present a rare opportunity for you to have a complete immersion into the African jungle with a focus on witnessing the family of mountain gorillas. Book and experience the best Rwanda gorilla safaris from Kigali with ease through the local expert, Native Africa Tours. With our best Rwanda gorilla safaris, expect to embark on a journey to enjoy captivating wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes. The gorilla safaris in Rwanda starting from Kigali reward nature enthusiasts with unforgettable memories in the heart of Africa. Below is the updated guide to planning the best Rwanda gorilla safaris from Kigali.
Best place to go for Rwanda gorilla safaris
Rwanda gorilla safaris are restricted to only Volcanoes National Park, which is located in the Musanze Province. Perched suitably in the extreme Northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area with a current composition of 13 habituated gorilla groups.
The available gorilla groups in Volcanoes comprise the Susa A group- the historical gorilla family in Rwanda, Hirwa, Ugenda, Umubano gorilla family, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi (Susa B), Amahoro, Agashya, and more. Each of the groups displays a distinct history and personality, with some most popular for being more calm, like Amahoro, while others are more playful, for instance, Hirwa.
The habituated gorilla groups are open for tourism, and when planning a gorilla safari, you should consider inquiring from your expert about the groups already present for public exploration. Each gorilla group that is open for public visits takes about 8 (eight) guests per day, and on every session, visitors are escorted by experienced guides.
Gorilla trekking permits & the cost as per 2025
To visit any of the gorilla groups in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you should have secured a permit. The current gorilla permits are available for booking in Rwanda at US Dollars 1500 per person. The low season gorilla permits cost US Dollars 1050, and you can book these permits on the condition that your package covers at least 2 nights in Nyungwe Forest National Park or Akagera National Park. Behind-the-scenes gorilla permits are open for booking at US Dollars 30,000, and these are available for a minimum of 3 pax on a gorilla tour for 3 consecutive days. Visitors can also enjoy a 15% discount offer, especially if you are on a MICE tour in Kigali and you want to visit the Rwanda gorillas. This means you can book a permit for US Dollars 1275, and you can travel to see gorillas before/after the Kigali conference.
To book a valid Rwanda gorilla permit, talk to the expert on the ground –Native Africa Tours. Ensure that you share all the essential details, including passport, full names, and others as required by the authorities. Note, Rwanda gorilla permits are only open for booking for persons above 15 years. In general, 15 years is the acceptable age limit for Rwanda gorilla trekking.
What else should you expect to see in Volcanoes National Park (Musanze)?
The compact 160 sq. km Volcanoes National Park is known not only for its rare mountain gorillas but also for other unique geological features and other diverse species. The park encompasses the spectacular summits of 5 of Africa’s prominent Virunga Volcanoes: Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Bisoke, and Gahinga.
Additional wildlife that thrives in Rwanda’s Volcanoes include l’hoest monkeys, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, blue monkeys, leopards, giant forest hogs, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, and many others. A total bird population of 200 also shares the same habitat with mammals and reptiles in this lush park, including the collared apalis, Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori turacos, Grauer’s rush warblers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, and Rwenzori batis. Other birds include palm-nut vultures, bronzy sunbirds, strange weavers, dusky crimson-wing, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbirds, handsome francolins, and grey-headed bushshrike, etc.
When to go for Rwanda gorilla safaris
The dry season is undoubtedly an excellent time for gorilla safaris, given the fact that the ground and trails tend to be drier and the vegetation is clearer. The dry months to guide you when planning your gorilla trekking safaris are: June, July, August, & September, or you can book a safari anytime in December, January, & February.
Best Rwanda Gorilla Safari Packages to book
Here are some of the best Rwanda gorilla safaris that you can book, and they begin from Kigali. Each of the gorilla safari packages below promises captivating encounters with the rare mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s rainforest/bamboo. They include 5-Day Rwanda safari, a 6-Day Gorillas & Game Itinerary, a 7-Day Rwanda Safari inclusive of gorillas and wildlife, a simple 3-Day Rwanda gorilla & golden monkey trek, or a 2-Day gorilla trek tour in Rwanda. If you want longer gorilla safari packages, still, Native Africa Tours has you covered with 14-Day Rwanda safari, 8-Day Rwanda safari, and 10-Day best of Rwanda safari.
Booking any of these itinerary packages guarantees you amazing encounters not only with gorillas but also with other diverse wildlife in Rwanda’s lush and breathtaking landscapes. All our packages can be booked at a relatively affordable price and include a number of offers to make your Rwanda vacation more memorable.
Rwanda gorilla trekking experience –quick tip
The gorilla trekking experience primarily involves tourists walking through the natural forest, and the day begins with an early briefing about rules and regulations. All tourists are required to gather at the Kinigi offices of Volcanoes National Park (Musanze) to meet the park officials. After you have been briefed and allocated a ranger guide, you can start the trek through the bamboo/rainforest to see a gorilla group. The standard time estimate you can take to locate gorillas is usually 2-6 hours, which also encompasses a complete one hour for you to stay in close range while observing the unique behaviours of gorillas or taking pictures.
Gorilla visits are only done by tourists who are free from illnesses like flu/cough and those with valid permits. The entire gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda involves interacting with a fully habituated gorilla group, and your excursion mainly includes experienced ranger guides.
Packing for the gorilla trek tour in Rwanda. All participants on the Rwanda gorilla trek should also consider packing the right items. The essentials you may need for a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari include sturdy but waterproof hiking boots/shoes, long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, a waterproof jacket, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellents, a camera, a daypack, a bottle of water, thick socks, a safari hat, a first-aid kit, sunscreen, and many others.
Best places to stay on a gorilla safari in Rwanda
When you book a gorilla safari in Rwanda, accommodation is the least thing to worry about. Visitors can book budget, midrange, and luxury/high-end lodges for overnight stays in Volcanoes National Park. The popular high-end options include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge.
The mid-range –classic 3 or 4-star lodging options in and around Volcanoes National Park include Amarembo Gorilla Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Villa Gorilla, and Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco-Lodge. The basic/budget/silver lodging options to book for an overnight stay include Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, and Kinigi Guesthouse.
Conclusion: Book the best Rwanda gorilla safaris from Kigali to be part of the exhilarating adventure to witness a family of mountain gorillas in the wild. Contact Native Africa Tours, a trusted expert when it comes to gorilla safari tours in Rwanda, Uganda, & Congo.
