The Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

A gorilla trek in Rwanda is one of the most intimate wildlife encounters on Earth — a silverback eyeing you from five metres away, infants tumbling through bamboo while their mothers feed metres from your boots. But that hour with a gorilla family is earned. The walk itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours through steep, wet forest, and getting there requires a permit, the right gear, and realistic expectations. THE PERMIT Every trekker needs a gorilla permit — currently 1,500 USD in Rwanda for foreign visitors. Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and are strictly limited to 80 per day. For high season (June–September) and around the December holidays, book three to six months ahead. We always secure permits before confirming any itinerary. CHOOSING YOUR FAMILY At the morning briefing, trekkers are assigned to one of the park's habituated families based on fitness, age, and preference. Families like Susa (the largest, with over 40 members) sit high on the mountain and demand a longer, harder climb. Others, like Amahoro, are gentler walks well suited to older travellers. WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY Expect a 5:30 am start. After the briefing, you're driven to the trailhead where porters (about 20 USD, worth every cent) wait to carry your bags. Trackers are already on the mountain with the family's last-known location. When the trackers radio that the gorillas are found, you approach on foot, keeping a strict 7-metre distance. You get exactly one hour. FITNESS TIP You don't need to be an athlete, but regular cardio in the months before helps enormously. The terrain is muddy, steep, and at altitudes above 2,500 metres — pace yourself, drink water, and accept that the porters will carry your daypack. BOOKING We arrange permits, lodges, and guides as part of every Rwanda expedition. All you need to do is fly to Kigali.