Combining Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with a Botswana Safari

Combining Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with a Botswana Safari

If you’re planning a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda and are also interested in exploring Botswana, we can help you create the ultimate African safari experience. In this guide, we’ll explain how you can combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda with a Botswana safari, and how Excursia Adventures can take care of all the planning and bookings for you.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

One of the must-do activities on your Rwanda itinerary is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and trekking through the lush, green forests provides an unforgettable experience. The trek is organized daily, with each group of 8 visitors assigned to a specific gorilla family.

You’ll begin your adventure with a briefing from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), where you’ll learn essential safety guidelines before being assigned to a gorilla group. From there, your ranger guide will lead you on your trek through the park, which can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend an incredible hour observing them in their natural habitat, following strict guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of both the gorillas and yourself.

Booking Your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit

To secure your spot for gorilla trekking, you’ll need to book your gorilla permit in advance. Excursia Adventures will handle all the logistics for you, including acquiring permits through the Rwanda Development Board. Once you confirm your travel dates, we’ll check for availability and notify you. After making the necessary payment, we’ll immediately purchase the permits and send you a confirmation along with a scanned copy of your permits.

How Much Does Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Cost?

The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda varies depending on your residency status:

• Foreign Non-Residents: USD 1500 per person
• Foreign Residents: USD 500 per person
• East African Citizens: USD 200 per person

These permits grant you access to a one-hour encounter with the gorillas. Additional costs for transport, accommodation, and guiding are also required to complete your safari package. For example, our 3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Express Tour starts at USD 2,375 per person (sharing a group of 2).

Exploring Botswana: A Safari Destination Like No Other

After your incredible experience in Rwanda, you can continue your adventure in Botswana. Known for its exclusive and pristine safari experiences, Botswana is home to some of Africa’s most famous wildlife areas, including:

• Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this unique inland delta is a haven for wildlife.
• Moremi Game Reserve: Located within the Okavango Delta, it offers some of the best game viewing in Africa.
• Linyanti and Chobe National Park: These parks are renowned for their high concentrations of big game, including elephants and lions.

Botswana safaris are an ideal way to immerse yourself in Africa’s wild beauty, from the wetlands of the Okavango Delta to the savannah landscapes of Chobe.

How to Combine Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with a Botswana Safari

There are several ways to combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda with a Botswana safari. You can either start with gorilla trekking in Rwanda and then fly to Botswana for your safari, or begin your Botswana adventure and head to Rwanda for the gorilla trek. Flights connecting Rwanda and Botswana are available with several airlines, including Kenya Airways, Rwandair, and Airlink, making it easy to plan your multi-destination journey.

What is the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

The best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the dry seasons, which run from June to October and December to March. During these months, the weather is milder with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The vegetation is not fully grown, making trails easier to navigate and offering clearer views of the mountain gorillas, perfect for photography.

In contrast, the wet season—usually from April to May and November— brings heavier rainfall, which causes the vegetation to grow thicker, making gorilla sightings less clear. However, treks during this time are generally shorter since the gorillas stay closer to their feeding grounds, with food readily available in the park.

While the dry season is ideal, gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done year-round, and you’ll have a 99% chance of spotting mountain gorillas, thanks to the well-organized and structured trekking experience at Volcanoes National Park.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets. For those seeking luxury, there are upscale lodges such as:

• Sabinyo Silverback Lodge
• Bisate Lodge
• Virunga Volcanoes Lodge
• Five Volcanoes Hotel
• Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge

Prices for these luxury accommodations typically range from USD 300 to USD 1000 per person per night.

For those looking for mid-range options, consider staying at:

• Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Lebambou Gorilla Lodge
• Davinci Lodge

Budget-conscious travelers can choose from a variety of more affordable options, including:

• Kinigi Hotel
• Hotel Muhabura
• Gorilla Solution Lodge
• Villa Gorilla
• Virunga Hotel
• Faraji Hotel
• La Palme Hotel
• Home Inn

All lodges in Volcanoes National Park adhere to strict health and safety protocols, in line with the recommendations from the Rwanda Health Ministry and WHO, ensuring a safe and comfortable stay for visitors.

How to Access Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is easily accessible by road, with a scenic 2-3 hour drive from Kigali. Your driver guide will meet you at your hotel for a briefing before embarking on a journey through the stunning 1000 Hills of Rwanda, offering opportunities to stop for photos and take in the breathtaking landscapes.

Why Book Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with Excursia Adventures

At Excursia Adventures, we pride ourselves in creating unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and Rwanda, and we are proud of our highly rated reviews on TripAdvisor. We offer a range of eco-friendly, high-end safaris that include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris, game viewing, mountain hiking, boat cruises, and cultural encounters.

Our tours are designed to help preserve biodiversity, protect wildlife, and uplift local communities. In addition to gorilla trekking, we also offer safaris in popular African destinations like Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and Namibia.

Whether you’re planning a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or combining it with a Botswana safari, Excursia Adventures is here to help make your dream safari a reality. Contact us today for more information!