Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Deep within the misty slopes of the Volcanoes National Park, the heartland of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, you can find one of Africa’s most thrilling and intimate wildlife experiences. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure was on my bucket list and I can honestly say, so far, it has been one of most intimate wildlife experiences I have experienced yet.

Rwanda is one of only three countries in the world where mountain gorillas still exist in the wild. With a strong focus on conservation and eco-tourism, the country has earned its reputation for sustainable wildlife encounters, warm hospitality and accessible and highly organized gorilla trekking.

Perfectly located and within 10 minutes of the Park’s Headquarters my home for two nights was the impeccably designed Singita Kwitonda which offered a seamless blend of eco-conscious luxury sitting right on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park. I embraced as much as I could during the short stay at Singita Kwitonda and especially liked the breathtaking views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes which constantly changed as the fog came and went. Whilst I did not have much free time for activities other than the gorilla trek and a visit to the Dian Fossey Museum there is an array of activities that can be done from Singita Kwitonda. These include golden‑monkey tracking, bird‑watching, hikes to Dian Fossey’s grave, cycling, yoga, spa treatments, cookery classes, village visits, Kigali tours and wine tasting.

My Gorilla trek began early in the morning at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. After meeting the guides and being briefed about the trek, we were divided into small groups and assigned one of the habituated gorilla families. The Agashya family was the family that I was assigned to which consists of 19 gorillas including silverbacks, adult females, black -backs, adult males, juveniles and infants. The trek to find the gorillas took two and a half hours, firstly through farmland and then thick bamboo forests. Although it was coming to the end of the rainy season much of the trek was done in fog, damp conditions and in very muddy terrain. However, that did not take away from the excitement and trepidation. I loved the adventure of it all and on reaching the Agashaya family the fog cleared a bit and the rain stopped allowing us to spend the most magical hour face to face with the family watching them play, feed, interact and groom literally only a few meters away from where I stood.

Words cannot really describe the feeling of trekking through Rwanda’s rainforests to stand just feet from a 400-pound silverback. It was emotional, humbling, and a deeply inspiring experience. For me it was more than a safari—it was a powerful connection to our closest wild relatives and a tribute to what conservation can achieve. Whilst the permits are expensive, at the time $1500, you don’t mind so much knowing that the fee supports anti-poaching efforts, community development, and conservation programs that have helped the mountain gorilla population recover from the brink of extinction. Whilst the overall cost of a trip to Rwanda is pricey it helps to understand that Rwanda’s model of high-end, low-impact tourism ensures that gorilla trekking remains sustainable.

Helen travelled to Rwanda in May