Gentle giants of Rwanda

Overview
Dates and Itinerary
More Information
Booking information
Testimonials

Information & FAQ

2025 Trek Report

After a 9 year absence we returned to Rwanda for gorilla trekking in March 2025 and wow what a great experience it was. The gorillas were as epic as ever, all the treks were different and as magical as each other in such beautiful surroundings. My guides are my best friends, we have a great relationship, together with the friendly park management they understand what I need for my photography groups and do their best to go the extra mile. Hardly surprising as Rwandan's are such lovely people, living in a safe and clean country. The biggest change for our tours was our new hotel we tried, wow what a wonderful place full of such friendly welcoming staff, great food with an attentive chef, lovely rooms, hot showers on tap and just a lovely place to be. 

Rwanda 2025 was very special on a personal level for me as I completed by 60th gorilla trek with the same group, Hirwa, that I had visited on no1! Here's me and my two awesome guides celebrating afterwards!

Gorilla Treks

There is no doubt that coming face to face with a silverback gorilla is one of the most special wildlife encounters out there. This trip is deliberately timed for the short rains season in Rwanda, the reason for this is simple; hopefully this will afford us the greatest chance of seeing the Gorillas in an atmospheric mist, rather than sunshine, which can be very difficult to work with photographically. And of course by visiting in the rainy season there is also a chance that we will get Gorillas in the rain with their beautiful rain covered fur.

Included in this tour are three Gorilla treks, there is no point coming to Rwanda for one trek, each trek is amazing and different and we feel that three treks is a good number for you to make the most of the experience. It is likely that each trek will visit a different group of gorillas, so each day the habitat and individuals will be different giving you the best variety of images possible.

Your three days of trekking will follow the same pattern. After an early breakfast we will head to the national park centre to get a briefing from our guides. We will then begin the trek which can last between 1 and 3 hours depending on the location of the group that we are allocated to visit for that particular day (they are found each morning by trackers).  When we find the gorillas we will get 1 hour with them, which will be strictly controlled by Andy and the guides. Usually we arrive back at the hotel around 1 p.m., just in time for a welcome lunch! The afternoons are at leisure, we can arrange a visit to a local craft centre or for an extra cost canoeing. This year everyone was happy chilling in the hotel, looking at pictures and conserving energy for the next day!

Golden Monkey Trek

As an extra to this tour we are now also offering an additional trek on the day of departure to visit the amazing and endangered golden monkeys of Virunga.

This is a new addition to the tour after a successful trial during our last trip, where these beautiful monkeys captivated everyone with their antics. They are so engaging, the trek is easy and we have experienced trackers with us. This will be something a little different to the gorillas and a really great way to end our time in Rwanda. We had experiened trackers with us and the hikes were easy

Client Testimonials

Here are three genuine testimonials from clients that came trekking with us this year….

“Seeing wild Gorillas is a truly magical experience. But what elevates this trip to the very highest level is not just Andy’s usual organizational efficiency, but the clear, deep mutual trust and respect between Andy and the park staff. When a guide runs across the field to greet Andy like a long lost friend, you know you are in good hands. A memorable trip that once again delivered the very best."

"The whole trip was meticulously planned. From the quality of the transport, the accommodation and the guides, to the overwhelming experience with the gorilla groups, the trip could not be faulted.  I’d recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience wild mountain gorillas in their natural environment."

“I can 100% attest to the fact that this amazing experience is a thrill for both photographers and non-photographers alike. Andy’s knowledge, insights, and connections in the community make this an unparalleled opportunity. As a non-photographer who simply wanted to experience these magnificent gorillas in their natural habitat, it was incredible and I felt lucky to have Andy as our leader.”

Accommodation

As mentioned before we will be staying in a boutique hotel that is very local to the National Park. All of the rooms at the hotel are of a good size and very comfortable and clean. The electricity is reliable and there is decent wi-fi too. The rooms are a decent size and very comfortable with reliable electricity , internet and lovely hot showers. All the staff at the hotel are very friendly with complementary foot massages and boot cleaning available after each trek. The food is also excellent and they can cater for most dietary requirements.

Fitness & Health

Everyone who wants to come on this trip will be asked to confirm their fitness level. This is both for your sake and that of the other clients on the trip. You will need to be reasonably fit to do the 3 days of trekking. We do not mean gym fit, being able to walk uphill for 2-3 hours without a break at a decent pace is what we will need. 

Too much is made of the fitness required for gorillas; you will have time to prepare and get ready for this adventure, if you have average fitness then you can do it!  The terrain is generally uphill, the pace is fairly quick and there will be difficult bits where you will be fighting through dense jungle. There will be little time to rest on the way up - this is for good reason which is part of our experience and will be explained on the trip. The good news is that you will not have to carry your kit; the local porters will do this for you for a reasonable charge of $20 per day (which you will pay locally) and on our trips this contribution is mandatory as this is part of community involvement. So all you will have to carry is your waterproofs and water, plus the walking stick you will be given. These porters are fantastic people and will always be there to give you a helping hand when needed.  You will start the treks at an altitude of 6000ft and usually reach 8500ft for the gorillas. The average trek duration depends on where the gorillas are but usually it's 2 hours up, 1 with the gorillas and 1 hour down. 

Whilst the treks are not very strenuous if you have any kind of heart or respiratory condition, or if you are naturally unfit then please be honest enough not to apply, as this trip will not suit you. It is essential that you commit to having a good degree of fitness with no outstanding medical conditions. If you do come and we find that you are not fit enough for the treks we will not allow you to participate, this is for yours and other clients benefit. If in doubt please email us and we will assess any issues, in total confidentiality, with our medical consultants. 

Why an Andy Rouse tour?

Many companies run tours to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda and so you may wonder why Andy Rouse tours are special? Well the difference is experience. Andy has great experience at how to get the most out of the trip, with 60 treks under his belt, and how to ensure that you make the most of your opportunities. He works closely with, and has the respect of, the local national park authorities, rangers and trackers. This trust has been built up over years and all previous groups agree that their experience would not have been the same quality and their gorilla encounters would not have been as good without this. 

Of course the photographic side goes without saying. Gorillas can be very difficult to photograph as the conditions can be tough. As a multi award winning professional wildlife photographer you will be in the best hands. Andy will always be there to help you overcome any photographic issues and get the best images that you can. Before the trip he will provide you will a comprehensive pre-departure guide which details everything you need to take with you, photographic and otherwise. Of course there will always be people offering cheaper trips, but they are cheaper for a reason.

Your guide for this trip will be Andy Rouse, one of the most experienced gorilla photographers in the world, Andy has recently completed 60th gorilla trek, and knows exactly how to shoot beautiful portraits of gorillas in all weather conditions. Travel with Andy Rouse and you are guaranteed to be in safe hands, with someone who truly understands how maximise each trek.

Wildlife & Wilderness are an ATOL (6330) bonded tour operator. I am running this tour in partnership with them and they will be handling all financial dealings with you, booking your flights and confirming your land arrangements. They will handle your registration and your day to day dealings will be with them.

Together with us you will be in safe hands throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In short - they are not easy walks. You will need to be able to walk uphill at a good pace, without breaks for upwards of an hour. If you are a regular hiker or dog walker then this should be enough but if you are in any doubt then please talk to us before booking. You will have time to train and prepare for this but it is always best to be honest with yourself. This trip is more about being conditioned to walk, rather than fitness as such.

  • No, one the extra ways in which we give back to the community via this trip is mandating that our travellers do not carry their own kit and instead pay for porterage. This makes it easier for you as all you will carry is your water, waterproofs and your trekking pole, but it also helps the sustainability of the trekking

  • You will start the treks at an altitude of 6000 ft and usually reach 8500 ft for the gorillas, but this can vary dependent upon the group that we are visiting. We have had no issues with this in all of our experience.

  • This tour is timed so that we visit the gorillas in the rainy season. There are several reasons for this; firstly it keeps the temperature down, making the treks more comfortable. But more importantly it means that we are very likely to get cloudy conditions; this is good, it means that portraits of the gorillas are much easier and more detailed. It also means that we have a chance of getting portraits of the gorillas with beautiful glistening and damp fur.

  • This trip is for anyone who wants to spend time with groups of wild gorillas. There is no doubt that you will get all the photographic guidance needed to get some beautiful images of these great apes, but you do not need to be a photographer to enjoy and join this trip.

    Our tours are inclusive, anyone is welcome irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We just ask that you come with a smile and a love of wildlife.

  • It is mandated by the authorities of the treks that the group size is eight participants. This essentially means that to take anything other that seven travellers would mean that our group would get ‘made up’ to the correct size by other participants wishing to trek that day. Therefore to ensure that we have total control over everything we will have 7 clients in the tracking group plus Andy. This ensures that we have our own group with our own chosen guides and that everyone has the same objectives and interest. This is vital for gorilla trekking and one reason why group tours here are the best for photographers and you should never go it alone, Andy's relationships and experience here make the difference.

  • All the treks are morning activities only, that means that you have after lunch at your leisure. What you choose to do with that time is up to you, there are canoes that you can hire, craft markets to visit or even simply pictures to look at and sleep to catch up on!

  • As for all of our trips before departure you will be fully breifed on all the kit that you will need, including cameras, and clothing. However as a rough guide we suggest that the most useful lens to take will be a 70-200, 100-300 or 100-400mm.

  • Before embarking on any foreign travel trip it is essential that you discuss any vaccination requirements with your own healthcare provider.

  • The hotel that we use is of a really good standard and they should be able to cater for most diets, however if you are unsure then please get in touch to discuss your requirements and if necessary we can always check with the hotel!

  • Yes - Rwanda is very safe with extremely low crime rates. Of course Rwanda has experienced horrors in the past and on the first morning of the tour we will visit the world famous Genocide Memorial. This is a tasteful yet moving reminder of Rwanda's past. We consider this an essential part of any tour as you need to understand why Rwanda has needed to change and become the wonderful place it is today.