Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: Into Volcanoes National Park
- Kerry Graham
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda, covering 160 square kilometers of lush rainforest. The park shares its borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Because five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountains are situated here, the scenery is incredibly dramatic, and the high altitude means the forest is often draped in an ethereal mist.
Before you travel, I highly recommend watching the classic film Gorillas in the Mist, as well as David Attenborough’s brilliant documentary Gorillas, which beautifully weaves together original and recent footage of these incredible animals.
A Legacy of Conservation for the Rwanda Gorillas
It was into this very misty forest that Dian Fossey arrived in 1967, having left a then-dangerous Congo. She dedicated her life to gorilla conservation, not only driving crucial research but galvanizing efforts to safeguard these magnificent creatures from poachers. Tragically, she was assassinated in 1985, but her legacy lives on. Today, you can hike to her tomb in the park and visit a dedicated research center that highlights her pioneering work and ongoing conservation efforts.
To further support massive conservation efforts, the Rwandan government initiated an annual gorilla naming ceremony in 2005. Each year, all the new babies are given names, and to date, over 397 mountain gorillas have been celebrated this way. Thanks to the growing population, the government is now actively working to expand the park's boundaries.
Volcanoes National Park and Venue for naming ceremony
What to Expect on Gorilla Trek Day
It is an absolute privilege to spend time in the jungle observing a family group. Because not all Gorilla groups are habituated to humans, time and visitor numbers are strictly limited.
Here is how the day unfolds: Trackers head out first thing each morning to locate the family groups. Meanwhile, everyone meets at the park gates for a comprehensive safety briefing. A key rule is that you must remain 7 meters away from a gorilla at all times—though, as you might discover, not all the gorillas remember the rules!
Meeting the Gorilla Trekking Team
Your trekking party will consist of three to four rangers, one or two guides, and no more than eight tourists. You are also highly encouraged to employ a local porter. You might think you don’t need one, but please do it—it’s a fantastic way to support the local community, as villagers share this vital work. When the local community benefits directly from the tourist dollar, it builds an immense sense of pride and makes the gorillas' conservation essential to their own employment and wellbeing. Ultimately, your visit actively funds both the survival of these magnificent animals and the livelihoods of the people who protect them.
Because no one is quite sure where the gorillas are on any given day, you need to be prepared to trek through thick jungle for several hours. Once you locate your assigned group, the porters and armed rangers stay behind, and you approach quietly with just your guides.
You are permitted exactly one glorious hour with the family. Because each habituated gorilla group only receives one set of visitors a day, permits are incredibly exclusive.
My Experience in the Jungle
My group was hoping for a hike of around three to four hours—not too long, but long enough to feel like an adventure! We met our porters, crossed a local potato field, and climbed over a stone wall to officially enter the park.
Into the Jungle
From there, my porter grabbed my hand and literally pulled me through the thick mud. Fortunately, I was wearing proper hiking boots. One lady in our group actually turned up in white sandshoes—I kid you not!
After just 25 minutes of following the trackers, hunched over, slashing through thick vegetation, and ankle-deep in mud (there are no paths here), my porter turned to me and whispered, "Gorillas are very close. "What?!" I replied. "Seriously? "Just a few meters later, there they were. Amazing.
Even through the thick vegetation, watching them for that hour was purely magical. To be in their presence is just so special. You can see the deep intelligence in their eyes, marvel at the dexterity of their human-like hands and feet and quietly watch the fascinating ways they interact with one another.
That hour goes by in an absolute flash. This is exactly why I recommend to my clients that they book two treks.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience—so make sure you do it twice! 😊
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This blog brings back very fond memories of trekking to visit a family of Gorillas in Uganda. An experience I’ll never forget and feel truly privileged to have experienced. Thanks to Kerry for getting me there. Learning not just about the protection of the Gorillas, but the conservation of the Gorillas forest home, and sustainable processes in place for the communities in the surrounding areas.
Thank you for sharing your latest trek Kerry.