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FROM US$10,170-US$13,040

Silverback Gorilla Safari

Fly into Rwanda and you can be trekking to meet a family of mountain gorillas the next morning. An itinerary like this could easily be combined with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania.

Silverback Gorilla Safari: Summary

Silverback Gorilla Safari in a nutshell

For many people, an encounter with a family of mountain gorillas on the steep, forested slopes of Volcanoes National Park is the culmination of years of dreaming and planning. This sample itinerary is an example of a focused trip to western Rwanda to do just that – spending four nights in a warm and comfortable trekking lodge with three days of treks to see the endangered primates for which this region is so famous.

On your first morning, your driver-guide will take you to the park headquarters to register for a trek to visit a troop of habituated golden monkeys, a beautiful monkey that feeds in the thick stands of bamboo. This is the perfect way to acclimatise, and to check your clothing and camera gear.

On your second morning in the mountains, you’ll undertake the first of your two gorilla treks, accompanied by a specialist park guide, rangers and a porter if you want one (very helpful, both to you and the local economy). When you meet up with the gorilla family you’ve been assigned, the impact can be almost overwhelming. Gorilla toddlers are often very curious, and silverbacks are implausibly huge. The sixty minutes of watching, listening and breathing in their forest home are utterly unforgettable and over far too soon. Which is why we recommend a second trek the next morning.

At a glance

Starts: Kigali International Airport
4 nights Sabyinyo Silverback - Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Full Board
Ends: Kigali International Airport

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Days 1-5

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated in the foothills of the volcanic Virunga Mountains in north-western Rwanda, on the edge of the Parc National des Volcans – known in English as the Volcanoes National Park. It is built at an altitude of 2,515m, with spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes, mountains and countryside. The lodge is just a 20-minute drive from the national park headquarters, and is one of the more luxurious lodges in the area.

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Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Silverback Gorilla Safari.

  • Meeting mountain gorillas in their forest home
  • Trek through bamboo forest to watch golden monkeys
  • Learning about Rwanda from your expert driver-guide
  • The rolling landscapes of this “Land of a Thousand Hills”
  • Capturing beautiful bird photos in the lodge grounds

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Silverback Gorilla Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • Birdwatching

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Helicopter

  • Primate trekking

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Key species to see on the Silverback Gorilla Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Silverback Gorilla Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Mountain Gorilla

100% chance

Buffalo

56% chance

Elephant

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Spotted Hyena

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Silverback Gorilla Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Canoeing in Rwanda

Canoeing in Rwanda

Half day - approx. 3 hours on the water

This half-day adventure takes place through lush farmland, on the meandering Mukungwa River near Musanze town. Discovering Rwanda’s countryside in a canoe is great fun: the launch spot is just half an hour from Volcanoes National Park and you'll be guided along the shallow waterway by an expert local canoeist. Your driver-guide from Kigali will operate your transfers and introduce you to your canoe group and guide.

More about Canoeing
96% (9 reviews)
Mount Bisoke Trek

Mount Bisoke Trek

Full day

For something a little different, set out on a one-day hike to the summit of Mt Bisoke in the Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s famous mountain gorillas. Discover the beautiful scenery of the Virunga Mountains, spot birds and wildlife, and enjoy spectacular views from the crater lake.

More about Mount Bisoke Trek
95% (4 reviews)
Mount Karisimbi Trek - 2 day trek

Mount Karisimbi Trek - 2 day trek

Two days - overnight on Mt Karisimbi

Set out on a two-day hike to the summit of Mount Karisimbi, which at over 4,507m is one of the highest in Africa. This is a challenge for the adventurous! With a local guide, you’ll traverse bamboo forests and rugged terrain, then camp on the slopes of this dormant volcano before enjoying sunrise from the summit.

More about Mount Karisimbi Trek
100% (1 reviews)
Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave

Trek to Dian Fossey’s Grave

Half day, usually five hours

Dian Fossey is best known for her research and conservation work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. She dedicated her life to researching and protecting these ‘gentle giants’ from harm, however she was tragically found murdered at her research camp in 1985. Today visitors can join a local guide to trek through the tropical forest to visit her grave, and learn about the impact of her work.

More about Dian Fossey Trek
100% (1 reviews)

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