Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Bujumbura Burundi

Are you planning to fly to Bujumbura, Burundi and you want to book Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Bujumbura Burundi, starting a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda from Burundi is certainly feasible, as the two countries share a border and it is just 5-6 hours’ drive? Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a peerless primate experience and one of Africa’s indisputable travel highlights. Gorilla permits are very essential for gorilla trekking to see the amazing Mountain gorilla, gorillas are remarkably peaceful creatures, certainly by comparison with most primates, gorillas try to interact with their visitors, often approaching them, and occasionally touching one of the guides in apparent greeting as they walk past.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Bujumbura Burundi:

Day 1: Travel from Bujumbura, Burundi to Kigali, Rwanda

• Start your journey in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. You will visit the Royal Drums in Gishora before departing to Kigali.
• Travel by road or air from Bujumbura to Kigali, Rwanda. The most convenient option is typically a flight, which takes around 1-2 hours.

Day 2: Kigali City Exploration

• After arriving in Kigali, spend the day exploring the city.
• Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre to learn about Rwanda’s history and the 1994 genocide.
• Overnight in Kigali.

Day 3: Travel to Volcanoes National Park

• Depart from Kigali in the morning for Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of Rwanda.
• The journey takes around 2-3 hours by road.
• Arrive at the park and check in to your chosen accommodation near the park.
• Rest and prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the next day.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

• Wake up early for your gorilla trekking experience.
• Head to the park headquarters, where you’ll receive a briefing and be assigned to a gorilla group.
• Trek through the lush forest with experienced guides and trackers to find your designated gorilla family.
• Spend one hour observing and photographing the gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
• Rest and recount your gorilla encounter.

Day 5: Optional Activities

• Depending on your interests and available time, you can either relax at your accommodation or explore other activities in the area.
• Optional activities may include visiting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Karisoke Research Center, hiking to see golden monkeys, or taking part in a community-based experience.
• Alternatively, you can visit nearby attractions like Lake Kivu or the Twin Lakes.
• Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 6: Return to Kigali and Departure

• Check out from your accommodation in Volcanoes National Park.
• Drive back to Kigali or catch a flight if available.
• If time permits, you can do some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit any other Kigali attractions you missed.

For Booking Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Bujumbura Burundi, you need to secure a Gorilla trekking permit at least 3 months in advance which costs $1500 Per person per trek, this permit will give you a guarantee that you are booked to visit and trek the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The magical hour with the gorillas is relatively expensive and this can be achieved by securing a gorilla permit for this experience. The hike up to the mountain gorillas’ preferred habitat of bamboo forest involves a combination of steep slopes, dense vegetation, slippery underfoot conditions after rain and high altitude.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) which is found in North-Eastern in a small town called Musanze, Rwanda in East Africa. Volcanoes National park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda and East Africa and one of the oldest parks in Africa, it is a home to the endangered apes and primates that include the Mountain Gorillas and golden Monkeys, there also many species of birds, Monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks among others in the forest as well as the unique culture.  Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. Gorilla tourism in Volcanoes National park has earned Rwanda economic development as it has attracted more visitors every year. Gorilla trekking is a life time experience of seeing the endangered gorillas in their natural environment and half of the population of the remaining gorillas is found in East Africa.

How many gorilla permits are available in Volcanoes National Park per day?

Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves visiting the habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment, as you view the way they feed, move, rest and live in harmony. Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families for trekking every day, only 8 visitors per gorilla family are allowed to trek every day. That means there are 80 permits available each day for trekking, the chances of seeing the mountain gorillas are 99% as you are guided by trackers, guides and park rangers. Gorilla trekking starts every day in Kinigi at 7:00am with briefing on guidelines to follow while on the trek, even though the gorillas have 99% DNA as the humans, they still remain wild and you are advised to follow the dos and don’ts from the guides. The gorilla trek can take 30 minutes to more hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas in the forest.

What is the cost of Rwanda Gorilla permit?

For one to be allowed to do gorilla trek in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, you must have a Rwanda gorilla permit for a particular date secured from Rwanda development board. The gorilla permit costs USD1500 for all nationals and you are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas and taking photography. Booking Rwanda gorilla treks to volcanoes National Park is a life time experience to complete your bucket list, Encounter Africa safaris will help you book and tailor a gorilla trek tour that is affordable and memorable.

How to Book Rwanda Gorilla permit?

When you contact us at Eco Adventure Safaris about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check the availability of permits an online system of Rwanda development board and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits (We advise you book months in advance to get you the exact date). Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you a copy of the receipt with the booking ID to confirm your trek. The process of acquiring the gorilla permits is easy and transparent, you will surely give you a lifetime experience with the gorillas.

The gorilla trekking permits normally sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Booking the permits in advance is ideal for your gorilla trek.  

Booking Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Starting from Bujumbura Burundi with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure safaris is one of the best local tour operators to help you in booking Rwanda gorilla treks, we also offer amazing gorilla safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda.  Contact us for our discounted packages and also tailor-made trips to Rwanda. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have over time assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. We are highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us.