Do you want to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda but you are unsure where to start? Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a-once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering an intimate and awe inspiring encounter with one of the mountain gorilla.
Rwanda ranks among the world’s most exciting emergent ecotourism destinations. Few would have expected it 25 years ago, when along simmering civil war erupted into a tragic genocide in which up to a million people died. But two decades of subsequent political stability have seen Rwanda emerge as one of the most economically vibrant and socially progressive countries in Africa.
But it is the opportunity to hang out with mountain gorillas that’s of course Rwanda’s main highlight: it is one of the most enthralling and humbling wildlife encounters on the planet. Add in chimpanzee sightings and safari adventures to spy the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo among others), and it becomes clear just how big Rwanda is a little country.
When should I go to Rwanda?
Rwanda is a year-round destination, but just how muddy you are prepared to get is another matter. The jungle trails are always a bit of a slip and slide but come the rainy season (March to May and September to November) things are taken to a whole new level.
Avoid the mud by visiting during the dry season (June to September), but with that comes bigger crowds. Aim for September to coincide your visit with the Kwita Izina gorilla – the naming gorilla ceremony, one of the newborn gorillas accompanied by festivities and celebrity visits.
The first rainy season from March to May meanwhile is good time to see chimpanzees, who come down from the treetops to feed on the fruits at this of the year. If you are here for the Big Five in Akagera National Park, the dry season is the best time visit.
How much time should I spend in Rwanda?
About one week would not only allow you to take in Kigali’s sights and cultured food and drink scene, but also allow gorilla trekking, volcano hikes and a trip to see the chimpanzees. For two weeks, not only will you be able to take in all the above but experience some of its cultural activities, the World Heritage-listed memorial genocide sites and royal kingdoms but get you to Akagera National Park to see all Africa’s most famous animals.
Is it easy to get in and around Rwanda?
Kigali International Airport is the arrival point for those flying in, but for over landers heading to/from Uganda for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the most popular border crossing is Cyanika in the north.
Rwanda is much more of a self-contained destination where it is rare to spend more than a few hours to half a day on the road. Here most travel is along well maintained sealed tarmac, ensuring smooth drives by private car or public buses, which run between the major towns. c
Top things to do in Rwanda
Trekking mountain gorillas
Coming face to face with a 200kg (4401b) silverback gorilla, hearing the cracking and crashing of bamboo to see these beautiful giants casually emerging through the thickets to strut mere meters from you is as thrilling as it is humbling. Likewise, you may not truly grasp the idea of what “cute” really is until you see a baby gorilla somersaulting through the jungle or the idea of kinship as you observe and watch the daily routine of a family of 20-plus gorillas who make camp along the slopes of Volcanoes National Park.
But costing US$1500 for the opportunity to see mountain gorillas is not cheap, so is it worth it? With less than 900 of these critically endangered creatures on Earth, here’s your chance to play a role in ensuring the survival of the species; paying your way to protect them from the very real threat of poachers. But if it’s too much, budget travelers can use Rwanda as a platform to skip across to neighboring Uganda for gorilla trekking.
Hiking trails in the Virunga Mountains
Rwanda’s highlight is to see mountain gorillas, but don’t leave Rwanda without setting out on some of the trails in Volcanoes National Park; if you’re very lucky, you may encounter gorillas by chance.
Rwanda has a chain of five dormant volcanoes that stretch across the borders with Uganda and the DRC reaching altitude of over 4000m (13,123ft). Treks vary from a half-day to more hardcore overnight expeditions. The most popular is the hike up to Mt Bisoke (3711m/12,175ft) to see its volcano crater, though at these altitudes it’s not for the fainthearted. More challenging options include Mt Karisimbi (4507m/14,787ft), the tallest of the volcanoes, or Mt Gahinga (347m/11,398ft) and Mt Muhabura (4127m/13540), which can be climbed as a pair.
Another hike is the pilgrimage up to see the grave of wildlife warrior Dian Fossey (author of Gorillas in the Mist) who in 1985 was tragically murdered in her chase to protect gorillas from poachers. She was buried alongside her beloved Digit, her favorite gorilla, who was killed by poachers in 1977.
Relaxation in Kigali
Kigali is Africa’s most scenic capital. It is also one of the safest and greenest, making it a relaxed first port of call. In Kigali you can enjoy stylish contemporary restaurants, local street food, lively nightlife and superb coffee served on rooftops that feature views of Rwanda’s hills.
Kigali has varied museums and galleries with plenty of culture to take in along with top-notch shopping to pick up traditional African crafts. But perhaps the most impactful aspect of a trip to Kigali is a visit to its genocide museum to learn about one of the worst act of brutality to take place in the 20th century. Making up one of several genocide sites around the country. This makes up one of several genocide sites around the country which have been collectively granted World Heritage listing. It offers an account of the events of 1994 where over 800,000 Rwandans lost their lives in only 100 days.
Visit Nyungwe National Park for primate trekking
Nyungwe National Park is one of the oldest and largest protected montane rainforests listed as a World Heritage, home to a stunning biodiversity with some 13 species of primate, 1000 plus species of plant, 300 birds, 75 mammals and 300 butterflies.
But the undoubted stars of Nyungwe are the chimpanzees, which if you’re lucky to get a close encounter, is pretty much on equal and more affordable at US$150 to seeing the mountain gorillas. Sharing a remarkable 99% of our DNA, their resemblance and behavior to humans is mysterious, so hanging out with our closest relatives is a truly unforgettable experience.
Also highly recommended is the trek to see the only habituated group of Angolan Colobus in the world, a very wise looking species of primate, with a striking shaggy black-and-white coat who live in troops as large as 700.
So no visit to Nyungwe Forest is complete without doing its canopy walk, a suspension bridge that bounces you up above the treetops to provide an all immersive, bird’s-eye view of this dense tract of forest. It’s a great destination for hiking too, with 17 trails leading through Nyungwe’s varied habitat of rainforest, bamboo and wetlands, all in the company of expert guides who are able to explain the finer details of its incredibly diverse ecosystem. If you want to see chimps, Nyungwe National Park is the key.
Big Five in Akagera National Park
Heading to the East of Rwanda’s rolling landscapes give way to lowland savannah as you hit the open grasslands of Akagera National Park. While it has all the animals you’d hope to see in Africa – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, giraffe, hippo, zebra, antelope among others, just don’t come expecting the Serengeti. This is a more low-key affair where sightings are much fewer, but at the same time it makes it much more rewarding; particularly since there are fewer camera-toting tourists.
As well as day safaris, activities take in anything from night drives and boat journeys to behind-the-scenes tours, all which offer unique perspectives. And within just 100km (62 miles) of Kigali, it’s an accessible destination you can easily visit with a night or two.
