Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda from Uganda

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda from Uganda: Your Ultimate Adventure

Are you dreaming of visiting Rwanda for a gorilla trekking experience but want to start your journey from Uganda? Discover how you can easily travel from Uganda to Rwanda for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

To get to Rwanda, you’ll cross through Cyanika Border, located in Cyanika Sector, Burera District in Rwanda’s Northern Province. The border is about 121 kilometers (around 75 miles) from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. From Uganda, the border crossing is known as Kyanika, located in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda, just under an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park. The roads are mostly tarmacked and of good quality, with 4×4 vehicles offering comfortable transport for your road trip. Once at the border, you’ll need to secure your permit for activities inside the park, or pay the park entrance fees to access Volcanoes National Park.

Explore Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, known as Parc des Volcans in French and Pariki Yigihugu y’ibirungu in Kinyarwanda, is located in the northeastern region of Rwanda. It’s a prime destination for wildlife lovers and adventure seekers, offering breathtaking views of five extinct volcanoes: Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Bisoke.

The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as a variety of other species, including birds, monkeys, trees, forest hogs, and bushbucks. As one of Africa’s oldest parks, Volcanoes National Park is a crucial part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The collaboration between these three countries has been essential for protecting the endangered species that call the region home, including the mountain gorillas that once faced the threat of extinction due to poaching.

What to Do on Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure from Uganda

Gorilla Trekking

For a memorable gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, you’ll need to spend at least one night in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is the park’s main attraction and takes place every day of the year. This activity allows you to visit the habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, where you’ll observe their feeding habits, movements, rest, and social interactions.

The park is home to 10 habituated gorilla families, and each family allows a maximum of 8 visitors per day for trekking. With expert guidance from trackers, park rangers, and guides, your chances of encountering the gorillas are an impressive 99%.

The trek begins each morning at 7:00 AM in Kinigi with a briefing on the rules and guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful interaction with the gorillas. Even though gorillas share 99% of their DNA with humans, they remain wild animals, so following the guidelines is essential for a safe and rewarding experience. The duration of the trek can vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location in the forest.

Booking Your Gorilla Trekking Permit

To embark on a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park, you must secure a Rwanda gorilla permit in advance. The cost for a gorilla permit is USD 1,500 for non foreign residents, which grants you one hour of viewing time with the gorillas and the opportunity to capture photographs.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience should be on every nature lover’s bucket list, and Excursia Adventures is here to help you plan and book a personalized, affordable gorilla trek that you’ll never forget.

Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Golden Monkey tracking is an exciting and unique experience that you can enjoy when visiting Rwanda via Cyanika Border. This activity takes you into the natural habitat of the rare and stunning golden monkeys. Volcanoes National Park is home to two habituated golden monkey communities, each with around 80 members. Unlike gorilla trekking, there’s no limit on the number of visitors, allowing for a more flexible experience.

Golden Monkey permits cost USD 100 for all nationals and can be obtained through the Rwanda Development Board. The activity begins at 7:00 AM at the park headquarters with a briefing by park wardens. Afterward, experienced guides and rangers will lead you into the forest, where you may walk for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the monkeys’ location. Once you find the golden monkeys, you’ll have the opportunity to observe them for one hour before returning.

Dian Fossey Tomb Visit and Hike

A visit to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most iconic experiences in Volcanoes National Park. The hike to the tomb takes about one hour from the Karisoke Research Camp. Dian Fossey, a famous American primatologist, dedicated her life to protecting endangered mountain gorillas. Tragically, she was murdered by alleged poachers and buried in the park she loved. The Dian Fossey Memorial was later established to honor her legacy and contribution to gorilla conservation.

The hike, which spans between 2,500m and 3,000m, leads you to the tomb, where you’ll reflect on Fossey’s dedication to gorilla protection and her groundbreaking work that helped save the species. This memorable trek offers a deep connection to the history of gorilla conservation and is a must-do for any nature lover visiting the park.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience

Experience the vibrant and unique culture of Rwanda through the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience, located in Volcanoes National Park. Historically, the locals in this area lived in the forest and even participated in poaching activities. However, after being relocated, they formed the Iby’Iwacu village in Nyabigoma, Kinigi, Musanze District.

Visiting Iby’Iwacu village offers you the chance to explore Rwandan culture up close. You’ll engage with locals and learn about their heritage through traditional activities, artifacts, dances, and daily life. The cultural experience showcases the beauty of Rwandan traditions and is an enriching complement to your adventure in Volcanoes National Park.

Bird Watching in Volcanoes National Park

Bird watchers will love exploring Volcanoes National Park, which is home to over 300 bird species. Among the species, you’ll find Grauer’s Rush Warbler (a vulnerable species), Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s Ground Robin, and Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, as well as Dusky Crimson-Wing and Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird. Birding enthusiasts will also encounter a variety of other unique species like the Collared Apalis and Strange Weaver.

Excursia Adventures offers birding packages for both Rwanda and Uganda, with expert birding guides on hand to help you spot and identify these amazing birds. If you’re a nature lover, this birding experience is a must-do when visiting Volcanoes National Park.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure

When planning your trip to Volcanoes National Park, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. For luxury stays, consider Bisate Lodge, Gorilla Nest, and Virunga Lodge. If you’re looking for mid-range options, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, and Le Bamboo Mountain Gorilla Lodge are excellent choices. Budget travelers can stay at Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura, or Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge.

Since accommodation in the park can sell out quickly, especially during peak season, we recommend booking your stay in advance. Additionally, staying for multiple nights may offer you some great discounts on your accommodation.

Why Book with Excursia Adventures for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda from Uganda?

Excursia Adventures offers tailored experiences to Volcanoes National Park that cater to all your adventure needs, including gorilla trekking, bird watching, cultural experiences, and golden monkey tracking. Our team is made up of passionate and experienced guides who are committed to making your trip extraordinary.

We pride ourselves on providing personalized service, and our commitment to quality has earned us high ratings and positive reviews on Trip Advisor. Book with Excursia Adventures for a seamless, memorable, and affordable trip to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda!