An important part of Rwanda’s revival is its wildlife ecotourism, centered on the rare and remarkable mountain gorilla that lives in the dense forests of the volcanic Virungas range in the northwest. About a third of the world’s approximately 800 remaining mountains gorillas live in Rwanda. Your visit to their natural habitat may be the only hope for their future.

There are 8 gorilla families available for tourists with 8 tourists allowed per group:

Susa – the largest group with 41 gorillas, Sabyinyo –  led by the powerful silverback Guhonda,  Amahoro – led by the calm and easy going Ubumwe, Amahoro is made up of 17 members and means “peaceful”, Group 13 – when first habituated this group had only 13 members hence its name, Kwitonda – this 18-member group is led by Kwitonda which means “humble one” and has two silverbacks and one black back, Umubano – a family of 11, Hirwa – this group emerged recently and was formed from different existing families, namely from Group 13 and Sabyinyo, Karisimbi – a family of 15, a new group.

Aside from the Gorillas, few people know that the golden monkeys, are also listed as endangered species that need our attention to conserve.

The golden monkeys live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and have overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists.

You will trek to find the golden monkeys in a similar way to the gorilla trek – in a small group of no more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them.

choosing to trek gorillas with us in Volcanoes National Parc is the only way you will be able to see other primate species such as vervet monkeys, baboons, and a variety of bird species and butterflies.

The game drive here is like opening a present and each game drive holds a full new surprise as nature reveals its treasures in form of wonders that are so scenic, the wildlife like buffalos, antelopes including; the elands, topis, Maasai giraffes, monkeys, savannah birds, civets, leopards, the hyenas, as well as the serval cats. The game drives also mean that you will be accompanied by the guide who is so knowledgeable about the flora and the fauna that is found in the park.

As you are carrying out the game drives, one should remain in the vehicle unless the park guides see that it’s safe for you to get out taking a look. For the longer game drives, you are advised to take a snack or lunch and a lot of drinking water.

About the Nocturnal, the night game drives are so thrilling since you adventure out with a spotlight to view the wildlife creatures of the night that are found in Akagera National Park. This night game drives through the park is different from that of during the day since, at night, there is a big opportunity to view the predators on the prowl as they look for dinner. You will also see a few leopards, lions, civets, serval cats, the hyenas, birds as well as the bush babies with their large eyes. This nocturnal drive is also about 2 hours and will surely give you a different perspective altogether.

The park is also a good location where you can add chimpanzee trekking to your gorilla trek with in volcanoes national park without driving long distances. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda also starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, have long trousers, the long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots, and the hat. There will also be a maximum of over 8 people in your group that sets out to track the chimpanzees. These chimps at Nyungwe forest have been and are being habituated which means that they are used to human beings. Even though gorilla tracking, however, many set out to track these closest cousins as they play in Nyungwe forest national park.