A 7-day gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda will take you beyond the famous picture of a silverback climbing into the trees and disappearing into the mist.

People often compare Rwanda to its neighbour Uganda and other East African safari region where you can go gorilla trekking, but the difference is more obvious when you actually travel within the country.

Because of the area's small size, paved roads that connect major cities, and dramatic volcanic landscape, you can see primates, learn about other cultures, protect wildlife, and relax by a lake without spending most of your vacation in a vehicle. Families of mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park, and the park is also home to golden monkeys and the beautiful Virunga landscape.

This safari will be unique because it will link the story of the gorillas to the lives of the people who live nearby. You will learn how conservation has changed since the time of Dian Fossey and how tourism, jobs, and community involvement can all help protect wildlife. People who used to be poachers and people from the local community have become guides, cultural interpreters, and people who work in conservation-related jobs at the Gorilla Guardians cultural experience. This change gives the word "conservation" a human being's

The safari will also deliberately slow down after parts that are hard on the body. You won't have to go on another long trek every day. Instead, you'll have time to enjoy village life, plant trees as part of our 1k Trees ReGreen Initiative and get chance to name your tree as sustaible contribution to conservation, take a peaceful walk through the Buhanga forest, and spend the evening by Lake Kivu. If you like to travel to places with stories, Buhanga is a great place to go. Its ancient forest has places that were used for royal ceremonies, like the coronation cave, conference podium, and ritual spring area.

It will feel more like a personal trip than a typical safari with a list of things to do. You will walk where the history of conservation was written, meet people whose jobs depend on protecting nature, plant a tree yourself, and end your walk next to a lake where the sounds of fishermen can be heard across the water at dusk. Because Lake Kivu doesn't have any hippos or crocodiles, kayaking in Rwanda is very peaceful. On the other hand, golden monkey trekking and gorilla trekking are more exciting.

Once you make a reservation, you'll be given the names of specific hotels and lodges that fit your travel dates, final budget, and level of comfort. Because of this, you will have a polished safari that is still warm, flexible, and truly Rwandan.

Difficulty Level

Overall, this safari will be moderate. The hardest part will be trekking gorillas. Hiking in Volcanoes National Park will take place on steep, volcanic terrain covered in thick vegetation. Depending on where the group is located, the trip to see them can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours. The elevation can reach between 2,500 and 4,000 meters, so you'll need to be reasonably fit and keep a steady pace.

The ground when tracking golden monkeys will also be uneven, muddy, and sometimes slippery. In the forest around Buhanga, there will be natural trails and stone paths. The walk through the village and planting trees will be much easier, giving you a chance to rest .

In Rwanda, you have to be at least 15 years old to go gorilla trekking. You don't have to be an experienced hiker, but guests should be able to walk for several hours on rough terrain. People who have trouble moving around should talk to our tour specialist about their needs before making a reservation, as some forest and volcanic routes aren't good for wheelchairs or long walks.