Rwanda Gorilla Trekking is exceptional to do as you get to trek and watch the amazing Mountain Gorillas in their natural vegetation habitat. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park situated in Ruhengeri District with 12 habituated Gorilla Families that can be trekked and visited by tourists.
Each Gorilla group has a unique social structure. Before a Gorilla Family is opened for trekking by tourists, it goes through the habituation process in which they train the Gorillas to become comfortable with human presence.
The Gorilla family takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be habituated by researchers, rangers and conservation teams. After habituation, the Gorillas are open to be trekked by travelers in groups of 8 per day.
Other than Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, travelers can enjoy Golden Monkey Tracking as well as hiking along the various Mount Volcanoes i.e Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke.
Sabinyo Gorilla Group is trekked in the lower slopes of Mount Sabyinyo and includes 8 to 12 members led by the prominent Silverback Guhonda one of the largest silverbacks in the Park. The Groups is known to be the easiest to trek. It is also known to be stable, calm and very excellent for first time trekkers.
Amahoro Gorilla Group is trekked and located along the slopes of Mount Bisoke with about 17 members led by the silverback Gorilla. The Gorilla Group is known to be peaceful and gentle requiring you to follow moderate difficult trails to get to watch the Gorillas in their natural habitat. The term Amahoro means peace in Kinyarwanda.
Umubano Gorilla Group is located and trekked in the Mount Bisoke region with about 10 to 15 members. The Gorilla Group separated from the Amahoro Group and is led by dominant Silverback Charles who left with some adult females. It includes tighter family bonding with curious infants.
Susa A Group (Susa Group) is located and trekked in the high slopes of Mount Karisimbi with 40+ now 20 to 28 members and famously known for the Dian Fossey’s research group. It includes playful twins and large numbers.
Susa B (Karisimbi Group) is situated and trekked in the upper slopes of Mount Karisimbi (3,000+ meters) with more than 15 members. The group is known to be the most difficult to trek and watch due to the steep terrain hence the best for adventurous trekkers looking for a rugged experience that is hard to conquer.
Agashya Group (Group 13) is located and trekked along Mount Sabinyo with more than 25 members led by the dominant silverback called Agashya. It is known to be on frequent movement hence very ideal for moderate hikers interested in watching the Gorilla Group.
Kwitonda Gorilla Group is located and trekked along Mount Muhabira Volcano with 20 to 25 members known to have migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was named after the silverback Kwitonda known to be humble and shy. It is known to typically travel longer distances that are moderate and hard to trek.
Muhoza Gorilla Group is located and trekked at the base of Mount Sabyinyo with more than 12 members including many juveniles and playful babies. Trekking them is usually easier depending on daily movement.
Hirwa Gorilla Group is located and trekked in Rwanda with 17 members including twins that were born in 2011. They are also usually watched in Uganda at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Igisha Gorilla Group is located and trekked along Mount Bisoke/ Karisimbi Volcano with more than 25 members led by silverback Igisha who is energetic and protective. It split from Susa Group and one of Rwanda’s initial habituated Gorilla Groups.
Pablo Gorilla Group is located and trekked along the distant slopes of Mount Karisimbi Volcano. It is a research Group not for Tourists hence very ideal for trekking in purposes of conservation research. It includes many famous silverbacks.
