Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Challenging / Difficult?

Frequently asked question about gorilla trekking is “Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Challenging (Difficult)?” Mountain gorilla trekking involves hiking or trekking through difficult terrain within thick vegetation on high altitudes and valleys.

Therefore the nature of the activity can be challenging and strenuous enough to leave some trekkers exhausted especially if one is not used to hiking or trekking for long hours.

Rwanda is one of the only three countries in the world that are home to mountain gorillas and the desired destination for many travelers especially those on luxury tours which makes the need know the need to know of the difficulty of the hike.

Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda live at Volcanoes National Park which is very accessible from the country’s capital of Kigali as well as Kigali International Airport.

Volcanoes National Park rises to an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level. To see the mountain gorillas therefore individuals have to go trekking or walking through the forest for several hours.

How challenging or difficult gorilla trekking in Rwanda is can entirely be determined by factors like the age of the trekker, physical ability, and what time of the year one goes for Rwanda gorilla tours. The difficulty of gorilla trekking in Rwanda will probably vary for each individual.

Physically fit individuals and hikers will find it very easy to go trekking and return without many hardships. However, persons who are physically unfit or have difficulties hiking may find it difficult to trek gorillas in Rwanda.

Fortunately for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, each group that goes trekking is allocated a gorilla group that they can trek in accordance with their physical ability.

The group is guided by skilled trackers who help you go through the forest. Each group also treks depending on the speed of the slowest trekker.

In Rwanda however, gorilla groups like Agashya, Kwitonda, Hirwa, and Sabyinyo have proved to be less challenging for most travelers taking between 2 to 5 hours of tracking depending on the location

It actually isn’t hard to trek gorillas in Rwanda, however, this may vary for different trekkers. In case you have any hiking difficulties ensure to inform the guides during briefing such that you are allocated an appropriate group.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Challenging/Difficult?

Being disabled or having problems with mobility does not mean that you cannot go gorilla trekking especially in Uganda and Rwanda.

You can hire porters and a sedan chair that can be used to carry you to where the gorillas can be found. When you reach the gorillas, you are put down to take pictures and then returned to the trek start point.

Trekking Gorillas in Rwanda amidst COVID 19

There are mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda that tourists can trek any time of the year. These rare apes are one of the greatest primates to watch in the wild as they go about their daily lives.

Rwanda recently discounted the cost of gorilla trekking permits amidst COVID-19. The discount was for foreign residents in Rwanda and East African citizens living in Rwanda.

Rwandan nationals, as well as East African citizens, will pay US$ 200 for a gorilla permit and foreign nationals will pay US$ 500 for each permit, a huge discount from the US$ 1500 previously paid by all tourists.

For those who qualify for discounted gorilla permits, this is the best opportunity as this is the only country open for gorilla tours currently and with easy trekking trails than any other.

However, foreign nonresidents will still pay US$ 1500 for a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit. Only charter flight tourists are allowed for now, but soon commercial flights will be allowed to the country. It is the only park open for gorilla trekking now, therefore take advantage.

As long as you are willing to have a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, worry not just book your trip and hire a sedan chair if need be.

Rwanda has set very high standards for gorilla safaris and can be tailored to any other wildlife safari in East Africa especially for Kenya safaris and Tanzania safaris after experiencing herds of wildlife on tour.

Here are some of the recommended itineraries that tourists can choose when going on the East Africa safari.

3 days Volcanoes park Rwanda gorilla trekking safari

6 Rwanda wildlife safari

10 Days Rwanda wildlife safaris tours

14 Days gorilla safari Rwanda and wildlife tour

5 days gorilla safari Rwanda

6 days Rwanda wildlife safari

7 days best Rwanda safari

3 Days Murchison Falls Safari Uganda Tour

3 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable Park Tour

3 Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari

4 Days Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda Safari