Amazing 1-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek Review: Volcanoes National Park

Thinking about a gorilla trek in Rwanda? I am so excited to share all the thrilling information with you. A 1-day trek in Volcanoes National Park is quite the undertaking, yet very achievable and absolutely something you won’t soon forget. I found it a truly special memory. I’m gonna break down the whole experience, offer a bunch of recommendations, and hopefully give you a sense of whether it might just be your thing too.

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What to expect From Booking Your Gorilla Trek

So, planning is key here. You, of course, just cannot wake up one morning and think, “I feel like checking out some gorillas.” First thing you should be doing is securing your permit. Permits tend to sell out, more or less quickly, especially during the drier months (which tend to be the best time to trek, but also the busiest!). That being said, they cost around $1,500 USD. Now, it’s a little expensive, but think of it like this: that money is basically what keeps the gorillas protected and their home in pretty good shape. This cash all goes to conservation efforts and also helps the communities that surround the park.

I figured a tour operator might just make the whole permit-securing, transportation, and general logistics feel quite easier. Several Rwandan tour companies can handle pretty much everything from getting you to and from Kigali (the capital city) all the way to making sure that packed lunch is completely perfect. Shop around a bit, check reviews, and pick one that you seem to vibe well with. Good communication really is valuable.

The Day Itself: Getting Started

Alright, so it’s time to get this trip started, then. Expect a pretty early start. You’ll likely be picked up from your lodging in Musanze (or potentially even Kigali, yet that’s gonna mean even earlier!) and then be transported to the park headquarters. The headquarters truly come alive, like, bursting with anticipation. There, it’s almost time for a quick briefing from the park rangers. They run through what to anticipate, those vital safety guidelines, and just generally, what to expect from your particular trek. You know, things like keeping a safe distance from the gorillas and what to do if a silverback decides to give you a little “attitude.”

Groups will be assigned depending on physical abilities and how hard of a trek folks want to do. If you think you’re in pretty great shape, maybe you could try asking for a trek to one of the more distant gorilla families. If not, be truthful about your fitness level, so it can be considered in your party’s arrangement. This helps make the experience much better for everyone.

Into the Forest: Trekking Time

As I was saying, then you move from the headquarters and then go to the start of the trail. This sometimes could mean a pretty quick drive, yet sometimes it means bouncing down a rutted dirt road for like, I do not know, 45 minutes. From there, the hike gets going. Volcanoes National Park can be, honestly, so spectacular. Think thick bamboo forests, tons of beautiful green plants, and the occasional chattering monkey to spice things up. That hike really could be anything from a relatively gentle stroll to a challenging climb, just kind of depending on where your assigned gorilla family lives that day.

The trackers will always be in constant communication with the advance scouts, so that they’ll be able to pinpoint the location of the gorillas. So, sometimes it really takes only an hour or so to come across them. Other times, it takes, like, three or four hours of hiking through the jungle. The terrain could be slippery, muddy, and steep, so that hiking poles are an absolute game changer, it turns out, as well as good hiking boots. Also, drinking water is a very good idea. Tour operators typically offer water and maybe a snack, but bringing extra probably could not hurt.

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That Memorable Hour with the Gorillas

You will get the call eventually. “They are there!” Every one becomes aware of this excitement, as this is just a special hour. Seeing the gorillas up pretty closely truly is one of those travel experiences that actually lives up to the hype. Seeing the families doing all their usual things—grooming one another, babies rolling around and trying to catch somebody’s eye—it almost makes your heart expand a bit, to be honest.

You, as a visitor, are only able to spend a total of one hour with these awesome families to limit your impact on them. Be sure that you’re keeping a safe distance, just so that you’re respectful. Let your guide take the lead about the appropriate distances. Do keep the noise down as you don’t need to disturb them. Just taking it all in silently definitely adds to the experience. Photographs are greatly allowed, just keep in mind that your flash must be turned off.

Hiking Back and Reflections

So, you have spent an hour in amazement. I think it is now time to head back, so you can consider that you’ve walked and trekked a whole ton by the time you’ve arrived back to the trailhead. You more or less could feel tired, yet energized by what you experienced, and, likely, covered in mud.

Your tour operator might have something else in the works for the day. For instance, it might mean a visit to a local community or some cultural experience, that will actually add a really cool dimension to the whole day. That might also just mean that you’re going back to your lodge to reflect over your awesome encounter.

One-day gorilla treks are typically exhausting. Yet very worth it. It’s an especially solid choice in case you’re really tight on time, that’s it. Just know that it can be accomplished. Prepare for the hike, follow the guidelines from your guide, and simply let it all sink in. To think, not so very long ago, that these guys were potentially going to go extinct. To be honest, I am rather grateful, personally, for these conservation efforts.