Trek Rwanda Gorillas —
Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda, Uganda & Congo
Experience mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Virunga — the most extraordinary wildlife encounter on earth. Maranatha Tours & Travel: 5-star rated, licensed, and operating since 2009.
Gorilla Permit Specialists
We handle Rwanda Development Board and UWA permit procurement. No availability, no charge — guaranteed permit or full refund.
5-Star TripAdvisor Rated
Maranatha Tours & Travel holds a 5.0 TripAdvisor rating from verified travellers across Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo itineraries.
ORTPN & UTB Licensed
Fully licensed by Rwanda's Office du Tourisme and Uganda Tourism Board. Every tour operates within the legal conservation framework.
Custom Itineraries
Every safari is tailored. We combine gorilla trekking with Rwanda cultural experiences, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe, and Uganda wildlife in one seamless journey.
Featured Gorilla & Wildlife Tours 2026
1 Day Gorilla Trek Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park · Day Trip from Kigali
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Volcanoes National Park · Full Trek Experience
4 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Kibale Chimps
Bwindi + Kibale Forest · Uganda Primates Circuit
5 Days Gorillas & Lake Kivu Safari
Volcanoes NP + Lake Kivu · Premium Rwanda Safari
3 Day Virunga Gorilla Trek
Virunga National Park · Congo · Most Affordable Permit
Everything You Need to Know About Gorilla Trekking in 2026
Gorilla trekking is the most powerful wildlife encounter on earth — and one of the most carefully managed. Understanding how it works before you book ensures you are fully prepared for the experience.
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Gorilla Permit Costs in 2026 Rwanda: $1,500/person. Uganda: $700/person. Congo (Virunga): $400/person. Permits are non-transferable and issued per person per trek. Book Rwanda permits →
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Group Size — Maximum 8 Visitors Per Gorilla Family Only 8 visitors are permitted per gorilla family per day. Rwanda has 12 habituated families (96 daily permits). Advance booking 4–6 months is essential for peak season.
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One Hour With the Gorillas The standard gorilla trekking permit allows exactly 1 hour in the presence of a gorilla family. Rwanda also offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience (4 hours) in Nyungwe at $1,500.
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Physical Difficulty — What to Expect Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) elevation: 2,400–4,507m. Trek duration: 1–8 hours depending on gorilla family location. Porter hire available at $15 — strongly recommended for steep terrain.
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Best Time to Trek Gorillas in Rwanda Dry seasons (June–September, December–February) are the most comfortable for trekking. However, gorilla trekking is possible year-round — wet season offers lush forest scenery and fewer crowds. See Rwanda tours →
Three Countries. One Extraordinary Journey.
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest · Kibale · Queen Elizabeth · Murchison Falls
Explore Uganda Safaris ›
Congo (DRC)
Virunga National Park · Nyiragongo Volcano Hike · Most Affordable Gorilla Permits
Explore Congo Tours ›Why Rwanda Is the World's Premier Gorilla Trekking Destination
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is the birthplace of gorilla conservation — the mountain where Dian Fossey studied and protected mountain gorillas through the 1960s and 1970s, and where the global movement to save the species from extinction began. In 2026, it remains the most organised, most accessible, and most iconic gorilla trekking destination on the planet.
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Shortest Distance from Capital — 2 Hours from Kigali Airport Volcanoes National Park is just 112km from Kigali International Airport. Most trekkers arrive on Day 1, trek on Day 2, and return to Kigali on Day 3 — making Rwanda the world's most time-efficient gorilla destination. See 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari →
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12 Habituated Gorilla Families — 96 Daily Permits Rwanda hosts 12 fully habituated gorilla families open to tourism, producing 96 daily gorilla trekking permits. Families include Susa, Amahoro, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Hirwa, and Agashya — each with a distinct territory and social structure.
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Dian Fossey Karisoke Research Center Rwanda is home to the Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes National Park, where Dian Fossey lived and worked. The Dian Fossey Grave Hike lets visitors understand the history of gorilla conservation at its source.
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Rwanda's Premium Tourism Infrastructure Kigali is East Africa's cleanest and most modern capital. Rwanda's tourism infrastructure — from visa-on-arrival for all nationalities to luxury lodges adjacent to Volcanoes National Park — makes the end-to-end travel experience uniquely smooth.
Gorilla Trekking Permit Prices Across All Three Countries
Compare permit costs, park entry fees, and total tour investment across Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo to find the right experience for your budget.
| Country / Park | Permit Cost | Trek Duration | Total Tour from | Best For |
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| RwandaVolcanoes NP | $1,500 | 1–8 hours | $1,720 | Best infrastructure, closest to Kigali |
| UgandaBwindi / Mgahinga | $800 | 2–6 hours | $1,200 | Best value permit, wilder terrain |
| Congo (DRC)Virunga NP | $400 | 2–5 hours | $890 | Most affordable gorilla trek worldwide |
| Gorilla HabituationUganda Only | $1,500 | 4 hours | $1,850 | Most immersive, longest time with gorillas |
| Golden Monkey TrekRwanda | $100 | 1–3 hours | $320 | Best add-on to gorilla trekking day |
* Prices are per person and exclude accommodation, meals, and transport unless booking a full tour package. Contact us for an exact quote →
Your Gorilla Trek Funds Their Survival
Mountain gorilla conservation is one of the most successful wildlife recovery stories of the 21st century — and gorilla trekking tourism is its primary funding mechanism. When you buy a gorilla trekking permit, a direct percentage goes to the ranger salaries, veterinary monitoring, community compensation schemes, and anti-poaching operations that have grown the global mountain gorilla population from 620 individuals in 2008 to over 1,063 today.
At Trek Rwanda Gorillas and Maranatha Tours & Travel, we go further — contributing to local community development around Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and supporting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's ongoing research. Gorilla tourism, managed responsibly, is the most effective conservation tool available for a species that still teeters on the edge of viability as a wild population.
What Travellers Say About Maranatha Tours & Travel
Maranatha Tours & Travel — the company behind Trek Rwanda Gorillas — holds a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor from verified travellers across Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo safari experiences.
Maranatha Tours made our gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we arrived in Kigali to the moment we left, every detail was perfectly arranged. The guide was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about gorilla conservation. We spent a full hour with the Amahoro family — the silverback came within three metres of us. Life-changing.
Best safari company I have ever used in Africa. We did the 5-day Rwanda gorilla and Lake Kivu tour and the 12-day Rwanda-Uganda combination. Both were flawlessly organised. Permits were secured months in advance, accommodation was excellent, and the guides were among the most expert naturalists I have encountered anywhere. Highly recommend for gorilla trekking.
I was nervous about trekking as I am not a very fit person. Maranatha Tours arranged a porter for me and chose the most accessible gorilla family for our group. The trek took only 90 minutes and the gorilla encounter was beyond anything I imagined. The team looked after me the entire way. I would go back tomorrow if I could.
Rwanda & Uganda Travel Guides
Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda 2026
Everything you need to know — permits, packing list, difficulty, best time to visit, and what happens during the trek itself.
Read Guide ›
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — Uganda Gorilla Safari Guide
Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park — which country gives the better gorilla experience? An honest comparison of both destinations.
Read Guide ›
10-Day Rwanda Safari — The Complete Holiday Itinerary
Gorillas, chimpanzees, Akagera Big Five, Lake Kivu, and Kigali — the complete Rwanda wildlife experience in 10 unforgettable days.
Read Guide ›
Virunga National Park — Congo Gorilla Trek & Nyiragongo Hike Guide
The world's most affordable gorilla permit ($400) and the dramatic Nyiragongo lava lake hike — why Congo belongs in your Africa itinerary.
Read Guide ›
Nyungwe Forest — Rwanda's Chimpanzee & Canopy Walk Safari
Nyungwe National Park offers 13 primate species, a 60-metre canopy walkway, and tea estate scenery — Rwanda's most underrated safari destination.
Read Guide ›
Lake Kivu Safari — Rwanda's Hidden Jewel After Gorilla Trekking
Lake Kivu provides the perfect decompression after the intensity of gorilla trekking — boat trips, beach dining, and island excursions on one of Africa's Great Rift Valley lakes.
Read Guide ›Gorilla Trekking Questions Answered
Book the Wildlife Experience of Your Lifetime
Whether you have 1 day or 14, whether you are trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo — Trek Rwanda Gorillas by Maranatha Tours & Travel designs and operates the itinerary that puts you face-to-face with the mountain gorillas safely, legally, and unforgettably.
Or read our TripAdvisor reviews before booking.