Seeing Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Walking through the thick forests of the Volcanoes National Park is a rare chance to see mountain gorillas. This part of the country sits in the north. It is home to many gorilla families that are used to humans. Most people travel here because it is easy to reach from the main city. You can land at the airport and be at the park in less than three hours. This makes the trip very different from other places where you must drive for many hours. The hike starts early in the morning. You will meet other travelers and the park staff. They will tell you which gorilla group you will visit. Some groups stay low on the hills. Others live high up where the climb is hard. You should be ready to walk through mud and bushes. The time you spend with the gorillas is limited to sixty minutes. This rule helps keep the animals safe and healthy.
The Cost of the Rwanda Gorilla Permit
The price for a permit to see the gorillas is $1500. This is a set fee from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). It may seem high, but the money goes to good causes. Ten percent of this money goes to the people living near the park. It helps build schools and clinics. This ensures the locals want to protect the gorillas, too. Another part of the fee goes to the rangers and vets who watch the groups every day. You must book your permit months before you arrive. Only eight people can visit one gorilla family each day. This means there are very few spots available. If you want to visit during the dry months, you should book even earlier. You can buy the permit through a tour operator or directly from the government. When you have the permit, it covers the park entry fee and the staff who lead your hike. It does not cover your transport or stay.
What to Expect During Your Hike
Your day begins at the park office in Kinigi. You need to be there by seven in the morning. The staff will check your permit and your passport. You will get a briefing on how to act near the gorillas. They 
will tell you to keep a distance of seven meters. You must not eat or drink when you are near the animals. If you feel sick, you should not go on the hike. The gorillas can catch human colds very easily.
After the briefing, you will drive to the start of the trail. The hike can take anywhere from one hour to six hours. It depends on where the gorillas moved during the night. The trackers go out even earlier to find them. They use radio sets to tell your group where to go. You will walk through bamboo forests and open fields. The ground is often wet and slippery. You will have a staff member with you to show the way. You can also hire a local person to carry your bag. This is a good way to help the local economy.
When you find the gorillas, the clock starts. You will see them eating, playing, or resting. The silverback, who is the leader, will likely be watching you. He is very big and strong, but usually calm. You can take photos, but you must not use a flash. The sixty minutes go by very fast. Once the time is up, you will walk back to the start. You will receive a certificate to show that you finished the trek.
Rwanda vs Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Many people ask if they should go to Rwanda or Uganda. Both countries have mountain gorillas. However, the trips are very different. Rwanda is known for being easy to get to. The drive from Kigali is short and on good roads. In Uganda, the drive from the main airport to the park takes nine hours. This is a very long day in a car. The cost is also a big factor. A permit in Uganda is $800. This is much lower than the Rwanda price. If you are on a tight budget, Uganda might be better. But if you have little time, Rwanda is the best choice. The terrain in Rwanda is also a bit more open. This can make it easier to see the gorillas and take clear photos. Uganda’s Bwindi is a very thick forests where the light is low. Rwanda has a better selection of high-end places to stay. If you want a room with a great view and top service, you will find it here. Uganda has many middle-range options. Another point is the altitude. The parks in Rwanda are high up. You might feel the thin air when you walk. You should drink plenty of water and take your time.
Habituated Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park
There are twelve gorilla groups that people can visit. Each family has a unique story and a leader. Understanding these groups helps you appreciate the trip more.
The Susa A Group. This is one of the most famous families. It was the group that Dian Fossey studied for many years. It used to be very large with over forty members. It was hard to keep the 
group together, so it split into two. Now, Susa A has about twenty-eight members. It has three silverbacks. This group usually lives high on Mount Karisimbi. The hike to find them is often very long and tough.
The Karisimbi Group (Susa B) This group split from Susa A. They live on the slopes of the Karisimbi volcano. They stay in very high areas. Because of this, only fit hikers should visit them. The group has around fifteen members. Seeing them is a reward for a very hard climb.
The Sabyinyo Group. This family lives between Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga. A silverback named Guhonda leads them. He is one of the biggest silverbacks in the park. The group is easy to find because they stay near the park edge. They have about nine members. This is a great choice if you do not want a very long hike.
The Agashya Group Agashya means “the News.” When this group was first found, it only had thirteen members. Now, it has over twenty-five. The leader, Agashya, won the group from another silverback. He is known for being very protective. If he senses danger, he takes the whole family high up the mountain.
The Amahoro Group. Amahoro means “Peaceful.” The leader, Ubumwe, is very calm. This group lives on Mount Bisoke. The hike to see them is medium in difficulty. They have about seventeen members. They are known for being very quiet and easy to watch.
The Umubano Group. This group split from Amahoro. The leader is Charles. He did not want to follow Ubumwe anymore, so he took some members and started his own group. They have thirteen members. They live in the same area as the Amahoro group.
The Kwitonda Group. This family came from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They moved to Rwanda to find peace. Kwitonda means “Humble One.” The leader was very shy. The group has around twenty-eight members. They live in a large area, so the hiking time can change a lot.
The Hirwa Group Hirwa means “Lucky One.” This group was formed by members from Sabyinyo and Agashya. They are lucky because they often have twins. Seeing twin gorillas is very rare. They move around a lot, sometimes even going into Uganda.
The Bwenge Group. Bwenge means “Wisdom.” This group was formed by a silverback named Bwenge. They live on the slopes between Karisimbi and Bisoke. This family was filmed for the movie “Gorillas in the Mist.” They have about eleven members.
The Ugenda Group: Ugenda means “On the Move.” This group is always changing its home. They have eleven members and two silverbacks. They live in the Karisimbi area. The hike can be hard because they walk a lot.
When to Visit and What to Carry
You can see the gorillas at any time of the year. However, the weather changes. The dry months are from June to September. There is also a shorter dry time in December and January. These are the best times for hiking. The trails are not as muddy. During the rainy months, the hike is harder. But the gorillas often stay lower on the hills because there is plenty of food. This can make your hike shorter. You should pack the right gear for the forest. The weather can change fast. It might be sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon.
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. This protects you from stinging nettles.
Bring a light rain jacket.
Wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip.
Bring garden gloves to pull yourself up on branches.
Carry a hat and sunblock.
Bring enough water and a light snack.
Use a waterproof bag for your camera.
The Gorilla Trekking Rules
Keep your voice low when you are near the gorillas.
Do not leave any trash in the forest.
Stay in your group and follow the staff.
If a gorilla moves toward you, stay still and look down.
Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
If you need to cough, turn your head away and cover your mouth.
These rules ensure that the gorillas stay wild and do not get sick. The staff are there to help you and make sure the rules are followed. They have a lot of knowledge about the forest and the animals. They can tell you the names of the plants and the birds you see.
Popular gorilla trekking safaris
3-day gorilla trek and Karisimbi hike
