Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

If you’re planning a gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, it’s important to be aware of the age requirements. The minimum age for participating in gorilla trekking is 15 years. At the park headquarters, all trekkers’ passports will be checked to confirm their age before they are allowed to participate in the trek.

There is no maximum age for gorilla trekking, as long as you are an adult and in good health to undertake the trek. If you’re traveling with minors, we recommend sharing their passport details with us before securing your gorilla permits. While children under 15 aren’t permitted to trek, they can still join the trip and be kept engaged with a variety of activities, such as nature walks, games or a community visit while you enjoy your trek.

For more information about the age limit for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, feel free to contact us at Trek Africa Gorillas.

About Volcanoes National Park

Known locally as Pariki Yigihugu y’ibirungu and Parc Des Volcans in French, Volcanoes National Park is located in the northeastern region of Rwanda, near the town of Musanze. This park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes National Park is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, including the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. In addition to primates, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, such as forest hogs, bushbucks and numerous species of birds.

The park is famous for its five extinct volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Trekking here offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see half of the world’s remaining gorilla population. The Rwanda Development Board manages the park, ensuring its protection and promoting sustainable tourism to safeguard the mountain gorillas from poaching and habitat loss.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: What to Expect

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park offers an incredible chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This unforgettable activity allows you to observe how these gentle giants feed, move and live in the wild. The park is home to 10 habituated gorilla families, with only 8 visitors per family allowed to trek each day, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience.

The chances of spotting these magnificent creatures are 99%, as you are guided by experienced trackers, park rangers and guides. The trek typically starts at 7:00 AM at Kinigi, where you’ll receive a briefing on the guidelines to follow during the trek. Although mountain gorillas share 99% of their DNA with humans, they are still wild animals and it’s crucial to respect the rules set by the guides. The duration of the trek can vary, taking anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements and location.

Gorilla Trekking Permits in Volcanoes National Park

To take part in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you must secure a Rwanda gorilla permit for the specific date of your trek. The cost of the permit is USD 1500 per person for all nationalities. This permit allows you to spend one hour with the gorillas and take photographs of these incredible animals.

If you’re planning a special occasion, like a birthday, what better way to celebrate than with a gorilla trek? At Trek Africa Gorillas, we can help you plan and book a memorable and affordable gorilla trekking tour that will undoubtedly complete your bucket list.

How to Book Your Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park

Booking a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park is a simple and seamless process with Trek Africa Gorillas. Here’s how it works:

1. Contact Us: Get in touch with us at Trek Africa Gorillas with your preferred trek date (such as a birthday date). We’ll check the availability of gorilla permits for your requested date through the Rwanda Development Board’s online system.
2. Availability: If permits are available, we’ll send you an invoice for the payment, as securing your permits is the top priority. If permits for your desired date are unavailable, we’ll help you choose alternative dates when permits are available. We recommend booking months in advance to ensure you get the exact date you want.
3. Payment and Confirmation: Once we receive your payment, we’ll secure your gorilla permits and send you a receipt with a booking ID to confirm your reservation. Our process for acquiring permits is easy, transparent and efficient, ensuring you have a smooth experience from start to finish.

Please note that gorilla trekking permits can sell out quickly, especially during the high season (January, February, July, August, September and December). Be sure to book early to avoid missing out!

How to Get to Volcanoes National Park

Visiting Volcanoes National Park is straightforward. Before you go, you’ll need to secure a Rwanda visa (USD 50) at Kigali International Airport or at any border point when entering Rwanda.

The park is easily accessible by road and is just a 2-hour drive from Kigali city. If you’re coming from Cyanika border between Uganda and Rwanda, it’s about a 1-hour drive to the park. For added comfort, we use 4×4 vehicles for all our all-inclusive packages, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable road trip to Volcanoes National Park.

Where to Stay When Visiting Volcanoes National Park

When visiting Volcanoes National Park, you’ll want to stay in comfortable, clean and scenic accommodations to make your birthday safari or gorilla trek unforgettable. There are a variety of lodges and hotels to choose from, catering to different budgets:

• Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge
• Midrange: Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Le Bamboo Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura, Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge

Because hotel rooms can sell out quickly, especially during peak season, we recommend booking your accommodation well in advance to ensure you have a spot during your visit.

Why Book Your Gorilla Trekking Experience with Trek Africa Gorillas?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we organize customized gorilla trekking experiences to Volcanoes National Park and wildlife safaris across Rwanda. We’ve been offering incredible experiences for many years, helping travelers like you discover the magic of gorilla trekking, birding, cultural experiences and even golden monkey tracking.

Our team is a blend of young, energetic professionals and experienced managers, all passionate about delivering authentic and memorable experiences for our guests. We’re highly rated and reviewed on TripAdvisor, giving you confidence in the quality of the services we provide.

When you book with us, you can expect discounted packages, tailor-made trips and personalized care every step of the way. Whether you’re looking to trek mountain gorillas or explore other incredible experiences in Rwanda, Trek Africa Gorillas is your trusted partner.

Contact us today for more information on the age limits for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or to start planning your dream safari!