Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

No other wildlife encounter in Africa matches the astounding experience of spending time face-to-face with some of the few remaining wild mountain gorillas. For a gorilla trek you need to be fairly fit for the humid, muddy conditions of a rainforest hike. Even in the dry season, the rainforest is a challenging environment: it is humid, wet and muddy with some steep slopes and thick vegetation. It is absolutely worth the effort to spend time with gorillas in the wild, but be prepared to exert yourself on the trek. Your professional guide and tracker lead you into the forest’s secret paths, looking for a habituated gorilla family. Once found, approach the gorillas quietly and settle down to observe them from between 7 and 10m away. You will spend up to one hour with the gorillas, watching the adults forage and groom each other while the babies tumble and play. You will be under the watchful gaze of the great silverback patriarch whose soft brown eyes constantly sweep over his family protectively. Witnessing gorillas express typically human gestures and emotions is a truly profound experience!

Nyungwe Forest is a vast stretch of massive trees, trailing creepers, orchids, and the resultant diversity of life that is breathtaking in its vividness. Take a stroll down the guided paths through dense vegetation to sight the different species of primates swing from one tree to another. Try to catch butterflies, or spot the numerous birds whose calls are clear in the silence but shapes lost in the foliage. A canopy walk suspended over ancient trees is incredible for the experience itself, as well as the view that it offers – pure oxygen for your senses. There are a number of tea plantations surrounding the Nyngwe House that add to the mesmeric beauty of the place. Explore these plantations with guides who know the terrain well and share interesting tidbits of information.