Two decades of progress have made Rwanda a safe, stable and prosperous country with low levels of crime, perfect for your next African adventure. Some other quick facts you should know:

• In 2016 more than 8200 Australians travelled to Rwanda
• Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and tourism accounts for 13% of GDP and 11% of employment.
• Over the next 10 years the country will experience 4.5% year-on-year tourism spending growth.
• It has more women in Parliament than any other country in the world (64 per cent)
• The official languages are Kinyarwanda, English and French
• In 2017 there was over 1,000 mountain gorillas counted in the annual census, covering Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Close to half of the endangered species live in Rwanda’s Parc des National Volcans.

Rwanda is wet in general but if you pack the right gear it’s no barrier to having a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla encounter.

March to May and October to November are rainy seasons and a quieter time of year to travel. The entire country is lush and green, and the clear air provides better opportunities for photos than the dry season.

June to September and December to February are dry seasons, which means less muddy jungle paths, and fruiting trees attract gorillas making viewings more likely. These times are also peak season, so it’s worth contacting Forth & Wonder early to ensure your preferred travel time is available.

Australian passport holders can receive a visa upon arrival at any Rwandan entry point without prior application. The fee is currently US $30.

However, gorilla trekking permits, which can be secured by Forth & Wonder, must be obtained prior to arrival in Rwanda and currently cost US $1,500 per person. Funds raised through permits ensure the sustainability of gorilla conservation initiatives and contribute to the development of communities living around the Parc des National Volcans.

To follow in the footsteps of the legendary Dian Fossey and track mountain gorillas you will need a minimum of four days in Rwanda. Depending on flight arrival and departure times the first and last night are often spent in Kigali.

Private transfers to your chosen lodge in Parc des National Volcans will take approximately 2.5 hours and along the way you will pass by local villages and beautiful scenery, including majestic views of the 12,000-foot high Virunga volcanoes that dominate the landscape.

With the popularity of gorilla trekking growing year on year, luxury accommodation options within the national park are increasing, though still limited. Forth & Wonder recommend booking early to guarantee your spot and can make all your reservations.

• &Beyond Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is hidden amongst the foothills of the spectacular Virunga volcanoes and includes eights stone cottages, each with a large sitting room, fireplace, ensuite bathroom and private veranda.
• Wilderness Bisate Lodge is a newly opened eco-sensitive safari camp with six opulent ensuite forest villas. Bisate is within easy driving distance of the park headquarters where gorilla treks depart daily.
• Singita Kwitonda Lodge will open in late 2019 on a breathtaking 178-acre piece of land right on the edge of the national park. The property will strive to embody the gentle, regenerative spirit of Rwanda and will feature eight suites and a four-bedroom villa linked by volcanic rock pathways to a central lodge.
• One & Only Gorilla’s Nest will also open in 2019 under the eucalyptus trees at the foothills of the Virunga volcano range and will include a spa and fitness centre – every part of the lodge will feature the luxurious amenities that One & Only are well known for.

As it gets quite hot during the day, cotton clothing is the most comfortable, but the nights tend to be chilly, so a heavy sweater and boots are essential.

For gorilla trekking, you will be in rainforest so warm clothing is required as well as walking/hiking boots, a hat and lightweight raincoat. Garden gloves, to avoid stinging nettles, and bushwalking gaiters are recommended and are usually supplied by the luxury lodges in the area to make your trek more comfortable.

There are 12 habituated gorilla families in Parc des National Volcans and each morning around 7.30am you will meet at the park headquarters where you will be briefed by your guide and assigned a gorilla family to visit.

You do need to be in good physical condition as some of the treks can be physically demanding. The treks normally start in the cultivated land at the base of the volcanoes and then you are guided up into the beautiful dense misty forests where the ground can often be wet and muddy.

The treks normally last between two and five hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family.

Once you reach the gorillas you are permitted to stay for one hour to view them and watch them interact and go about their day-to-day lives playing, feeding and resting. You will likely see an imposing Silverback and a baby or two.

A maximum of eight visitors is allowed per gorilla family so it makes for a very intimate experience. Visitors are requested to maintain a distance of seven metres from the gorillas. No flash photography is permitted when taking images of the gorillas.

On day two you will trek again and most likely be allocated a different family and the terrain will vary. To witness these amazing creatures at such close proximity can be quite overwhelming hence the importance to trek twice – it gives you a chance to sit back and take in the experience.

While gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and tracking conditions.

While most people only stay a short time in Rwanda for the gorilla tracking there is a lot to see and do around the country.

Whilst in the capital Kigali you can do a private tour and visit the memorial for victims of the 1994 genocide, which puts into perspective the miraculous transformation and recovery the country has gone through in just two decades.

Or add a few days in Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to thirteen different primate species, among them chimpanzees. We recommend staying at One & Only Nyungwe House where expert trackers will guide you on a deep forest trail to encounter chimpanzees playing – it will be an experience you will never forget.

Start your journey

Encountering mountain gorillas in the Rwandan rainforest is an experience you will always treasure – talk to us today to start planning your once-in-a-lifetime African holiday.
e: curious@forthandwonder.com.au
p: +61 3 9045 9819