Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Nairobi

Can i do gorilla trekking in Rwanda starting from Nairobi Kenya? YES, starting the Rwanda gorilla trekking from Nairobi is amazingly one of the best ways to embark on a journey to enjoy up close with the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Embarking on gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Nairobi presents you with a chance to explore Volcanoes National Park. Besides up close with mountain gorillas, there is a chance to have a combined holiday.  Superfine Safaris Limited offers customized Kenya and Rwanda safari holidays, giving you an opportunity to explore the treasures of Kenya and Rwanda on the same trip.  Embark on our personalized 10-day Kenya and Rwanda wildlife safari, taking you to Maasai Mara National Park for exclusive gam viewing, Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and golden monkeys, ending with a tour to Lake Kivu.  Also, our 30-day East African safari is a chance to explore Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania, rewarding you with lifetime safari memories.

Planning for your Rwanda gorilla trekking from Nairobi

First things first –when you think of setting off from Nairobi in Kenya to explore the Rwanda gorillas, how you connect to Kigali matters a lot. You must plan and secure your connectivity between Nairobi and Kigali. Luckily, there are multiple airlines offering flights to Kigali from Nairobi, Kenya.

The available airlines operating from Nairobi to Kigali include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and others. Visitors can take nonstop flights or other available options depending on the schedule. Planning early and securing your space is essential for you to kick-start your connectivity journey to explore the Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Why start your gorilla trekking in Rwanda from Nairobi?

Organizing a gorilla safari to Rwanda, which begins from Nairobi, is possible thanks to the flexible nature of itineraries. The amazing part is that you have an option to add some of the Kenyan safari destinations to your travel plan. The prime places to explore include Nairobi National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and many others.

Wildlife tours in Kenya take you on a magical encounter with the Big 5 game. You may also have great moment as you witness the Great wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara savanna plains or get amazed by the powerful Mara River wildebeest migration. Nairobi is also close to Kigali –these are all the East African Community cities. With available national airlines, visitor connectivity between these cities has become easier than ever before.

Upon landing at Kigali

When you land at the Kigali International Airport (KGL), expect to be picked up by an experienced driver guide from Rwanda. From the airport, you will get transferred to the hotel in Kigali city. Kigali Airport is a short distance from the heart of the Kigali Capital City.

Connectivity to Volcanoes National Park is simple. Road travel to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali takes only 2-3 hours. This makes Volcanoes National Park the most accessible gorilla safari destination compared to the rest of the places where mountain gorillas are trekked. Even by air, visitors have the option of reaching Volcanoes National Park by flight. You take a flight from Kigali International Airport up to Ruhengeri Airport where you can safely drive a short distance to the lodge inside or adjacent to Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri

Gorilla safaris to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri, marks a journey to interact with mountain gorillas in the wild. Volcanoes National Park is situated in the Ruhengeri/Musanze area, Northwestern Rwanda. The park lies in the Virunga region and has a land area coverage of 160 sq. km. Gazetted in 1925, Volcanoes National Park protects up to 13 habituated gorilla families, each being visited by a maximum of 8 (eight visitors. The gorilla groups to visit on the Rwanda gorilla tour include the Muhoza gorilla group, Agashya, Igisha, Isimbi group, Susa A, Umubano, Ugenda, Bwenge, Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa, and Karisimbi, etc.

All Rwanda gorilla families are open for trekking, provided you have a valid gorilla permit. A valid gorilla trekking permit is a ticket to Volcanoes National Park for you to begin your adventure to see gorillas. The cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit covers the park entrance fees and guide services. Currently, each of the Rwanda gorilla permits can be booked at USD 1500 per person.

When to visit Rwanda to track gorillas

Rwanda gorillas have no specific time to be visited. It is possible to arrange a gorilla tour to Rwanda for you to engage in a trek to interact with a family of mountain gorillas. But the dry months are best and recommended, especially for trekkers interested in gorilla treks with less stress from muddy ground or dense vegetation. The longest dry months happen from June to September whereas the short dry months begin from December till February.

Rwanda gorilla trekking is an all-year-round experience; visitors can also organize a gorilla tour around the wet or off months of the year. The rainy months run from March, April, May, October, and November.

Places to stay in and around Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

A checklist of comfortable safari lodges and camps to consider for overnight stays in and around Volcanoes National Park includes Amakoro Songa Lodge, Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Muhabura Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Bisate Lodge, La Bambou, and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.

Things to carry for gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda

Essentials to consider on the gorilla trekking packing list include long safari pants, a raincoat, a pair of binoculars, waterproof hiking boots, first aid kits, long-sleeved shirts, cameras, extra camera batteries, gardening gloves, bottled drinking water, snacks, a tin of insect repellents, and sunscreen.

Suggested Travel Plans

Gorilla trekking adventures in Rwanda can be enjoyed depending on the package you book. There are lots of itineraries to consider booking for you to engage in a gorilla trek, including 3–day Rwanda gorilla tour, 4-day Rwanda gorilla safari, 2–day gorilla tour Rwanda, and many options.