The Republic of Rwanda, a country that suffered terribly from the Rwandan genocide of 1994 yet has risen to become a prosperous country with a happy and thriving integrated population once again. Rwanda is one of only three countries in the world where the critically endangered mountain gorillas live. Its renowned Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park encompasses 4,507m-tall Mt. Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. In the southwest is Nyungwe National Park, with ancient montane rainforest that’s a habitat for chimpanzees and other primates.

Volcanoes National Park lies in north-western Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is estimated that there are only 880 mountain gorillas left in the Jungles of Central Africa. They are considered extremely endangered as they cannot be breed in captivity.

Budget gorilla trekking designs affordable budget gorilla tours in Rwanda experiences that brings you the lowest price for budget and luxury gorilla tracking in Rwanda. We arrange affordable Rwanda tours from 1 day to 2 weeks of gorilla trekking adventure.

On arrival in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, one is immediately struck by the cleanliness and well maintained town making it the cleanest town in Africa. The terrain consists of mountains and gently rolling hills, with plains and swamps in the east. This mountainous country, including mountain gorillas and other wildlife, have led to a fast-growing tourism sector. English and French are the official languages although other languages are spoken in the country.

The late Dian Fossey spent 18 years in the Volcanoes National Park researching and studying the Rwandan Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.  The Karisoke research Centre in Rwanda was founded by Dian Fossey on 24th September 1967. Dian Fossey’s Gorilla Fund International – Gorilla protection in Africa, through anti-poaching and daily monitoring, is central to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International’s historic mission.

The Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda was founded by Dian Fossey on 24th September 1967. The camp was located in Rwanda, between Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Visoke, and was therefore given a name which was a mixture of these two mountains. Over and above her research she fought against poachers who killed mountain gorillas for body parts to make witch doctors medicines. She buried all slain mountain gorillas in the gorilla cemetery which she established. After her murder she too was buried high up in the mountains next to her beloved gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can be done all year round, but you can still make a better trip than others depending on your season of travel when you look at these months, April-May and November is the rainy season, which means the ground is constantly wet, and it is rainy and cold. It can be quite challenging to hike through the forests in the rainy season.

The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. Although rain in these parts of Rwanda can fall at any time of the year, these particular periods are drier than the rest of the year.

In order to trek mountain gorillas of Rwanda, you need a gorilla trekking permit. In Rwanda there are 80 gorilla permits available per day per person, the smart thing to do is purchase a permit for your desired dates of gorilla trekking early enough. A gorilla permit in Rwanda now costs $ 1500. We here at Budget gorilla trekking can make all the necessary arrangements on your behalf, including booking your gorilla permit.

Start in Kigali and visit the Volcanoes National Park to get up close and personal with the Gorillas. After early morning breakfast at your lodge or hotel, transfer to Volcanoes National Park in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of volcanoes reach more than 4,500 metres tall at their highest point.

This is the start of your unforgettable mountain gorilla experience. You’ll be guided on a trek through verdant forests where you will enjoy one of the world’s greatest wildlife encounters as you spend an hour observing gorillas in their natural habitat. Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. The journey back can take just as long, but you are often carried along by the euphoria you feel at seeing the gorillas.

The thick bamboo provides the perfect vantage point to get an up-close and intimate look. Despite their size, these powerful primates are very peaceful and, at the end of your visit, you’ll understand what kept conservationist Dian Fossey here for 18 years researching and protecting these gentle giants.

Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid nettle stings. Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should walk slowly and drink plenty of water. No one should feel deterred from making this trip. Steady walking shoes or hiking boots are essential and rain gear is useful. Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge. Photographs are permitted, although you may not use flash.