Just over half of the world’s 1,000 remaining mountain gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains of central Africa – a range of volcanoes extending about 50 miles along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Republic of the Congo.

The best place to see these rare creatures is in Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park) in northwest Rwanda.

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 Wayfairer 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.

You can track gorillas in Rwanda throughout the year. The best time tends to be during the dry period from June to September as the jungle is less muddy and the paths are less slippery, although you should bear in mind that it can rain any time of year.

The wettest months are April and May, bringing tricky muddy trails, however you can still track gorillas at this time. The gorillas often climb higher up the mountain during the dry season and descend during the rains.

This is also an excellent time for tracking chimpanzees as fruit ripens and this brings the chimps down to the lower reaches of the forest canopy.

The rainy seasons (around March to May and October to November) can also provide the best conditions for photography in gorilla country. After a rainy shower, the air is clear of any dust, providing the perfect atmosphere for gorilla photography.

Your gorilla trekking 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.

When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend between 40 minutes to 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 five metre 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.

The permits currently cost US$1500 per person (as of May 2019). We can secure your gorilla permit at no extra cost when you book your gorilla safari holiday with us.

The price includes park entrance, expert guides and trackers, the security of a tourism police force in the parks, and one precious hour of time with the gorillas.

Tipping your guides and trackers on your gorilla trek is optional, but not necessary, and is entirely at the discretion of the traveller.

You will be refunded 50% of the gorilla tracking fee if you are showing signs of illness, as you will not be allowed to track the gorillas if you are declared unfit by the Warden in Charge.

Gorillas can be easily infected by human diseases, and as they don’t have the necessary immunity to fight these diseases, any sick people can be a huge threat to the gorilla population.

It’s important to come well prepared for the incredible experience of tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, however you don’t need to overpack with too much gear. Note that domestic flights usually have luggage limited to 20 kilograms per person and it’s best to use a soft case or holdall to maximise space.

Here’s our advice on what you should pack for Mountain Gorilla Trekking Rwanda:

• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support. Make sure your shoes are well worn-in before departing to avoid any nasty blisters.
• Light, breathable, waterproof jackets and trousers, and long-sleeved shirts. It’s important to wear light, long layers due to the variable weather and to avoid any bites from insects.
• Warm layers for the chilly mornings and cold nights.
• Long, lightweight woollen socks.
• Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
• Toiletries such as sun cream, insect repellent, after-sun, bite relief cream and lip balm.
• Garden gloves to protect your hands as you grip the vegetation during your trek.
• A small backpack to carry your water, lunch, extra clothes, binoculars and camera.
• Camera with extra lenses and batteries. Bring more memory than you think you need.
• Binoculars to have a clear view of everything and to spot other wildlife such as birds and monkeys.
• Snacks – the trek can be quite strenuous, lasting anywhere from two to nine hours, so bring some snacks for extra energy.
• A reusable water bottle to limit waste – you’ll need to bring plenty of drinking water on your trek.
• Multi-way travel adaptor. Rwanda uses plug types C (two round pins) and J (two round pins and a grounding pin), and operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz standard frequency.
• Supplies for local community projects. Take a look the Pack for a Purpose page for Rwanda, which recommends supplies you can bring to donate and drop off at partnering hotels, lodges and schools.