Our gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Sweden tour offers one of the most dramatic wildlife encounters you could ever hope to experience. Flying first to the Rwandan capital Kigali, you’ll be whisked to the lush forests of Volcanoes National Park. Following an expert guide, you’ll seek out a family of habituated mountain gorilla, a gentle and sadly endangered species. One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences on Earth, meeting these rare and beautiful beasts in their natural habitat is both humbling and ennobling. Prepare for a moving encounter that will lift your soul.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park

The easiest way to enter Rwanda is by flying into the capital city of Kigali. On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll receive a 30 day single entry tourist visa.

As of 1st January 2018, nationals of all countries can get this visa for a fee of US$30, however be sure to check Rwanda immigration for the most up-to-date information. Once you have cleared immigration at the airport, you will be met by a Universal Ventures Rwanda representative and transferred to your hotel.

We recommend spending a couple of days in Kigali at the start or end of your trip, or you can make your way directly to Volcanoes National Park. The park is located about 105 kilometres from Kigali and is a two hour drive from the airport.

What to expect on a gorilla trek in Rwanda

Your gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Sweden adventure starts early – you’ll need to arrive at the Kinigi park headquarters in Volcanoes National Park at 7:00am for a briefing from one of the park rangers.

You’ll begin your search for a gorilla family around 8:30am, and are required to return to the campground by 7:00pm at the latest (although your trek may take less time).

One of the key elements in determining which gorilla family you’ll trek to see is the duration and difficulty of the trek you wish to undertake. Your trek could last anywhere from two to nine hours, depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.

You don’t have to be super-fit, however it does help if you have a reasonable level of fitness, if only to enhance your overall enjoyment of the experience.

Your professional guide and tracker will lead you through the forest trails in search of your gorilla family. The conditions in the forest can be slippery and muddy – even in the dry season – and it can also be very humid under the forest canopy.

The trek is fairly challenging and you may find it tough as you pass through the dense undergrowth. The high altitude and the steep, slippery trails can make the trek exhausting, but it’s definitely worth the effort to spend time with mountain gorillas in the wild.

When you finally find these gentle giants you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to one hour in their company, before returning to your lodge to reflect on your moving and magical encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

You can easily combine Rwanda with a Big Five safari holiday in Akagera National Park, or with a beach holiday in Karongi (Kibuye) or Rubavu (Gisenyi). Our Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and wildlife safari is a great example itinerary, and it can be fully customised to suit your needs.

Meeting the mountain gorillas of Rwanda

When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend one hour quietly observing them in their natural habitat. The gorillas are likely to be just a few metres away from you and they will continue to go about their daily lives – feeding and interacting with each other, under the watchful gaze of the silverback. We promise that this is something you’ll never ever forget!

You should talk in a low voice while you’re with the gorillas and you must try not to make any loud noises or sudden movements. Of course you’re going to be excited, but you should try to express this quietly.

You’re requested to keep a seven metres distance from the gorillas and you must not touch them under any circumstances.

Even though the gorillas are used to seeing people on a daily basis, they are wild animals and they can sometimes react unexpectedly. It is essential that you listen to the instructions from your guides and trackers at all times.

Contact us for a Gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Sweden safari today or Customize a gorilla safari. Our contacts +250781441853 or send an email at info@universalventuresrwanda.com.