All-inclusive Gorilla Trekking Staying At Singita Kwitonda Lodge

How much does a trekking permit cost?

In Rwanda, gorilla-trekking permits cost US$1,500 per day per person (non-refundable). There are only 96 permits available each day, so it’s best to get yours ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Your permit fee will help fund long-term conservation efforts to ensure the survival of mountain gorillas, protect irreplaceable ecosystems, and foster growth in the communities that surround Volcanoes National Park.

What gear do I need to bring?

Walking sticks, hiking boots, water-resistant pants (gators), and jackets, gloves, and backpacks are all available for rent in our Gear Room at Singita Kwitonda Lodge on the day of the hike. A comfort kit (including a buff, hand sanitizer, sunblock, and a sweat towel) and day-of supplies (snacks, packed lunch, water bottle) are also provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own hiking footwear because our selection is limited. Remember to bring along a pair of sturdy footwear with high traction, as the ground is typically slick and muddy.

How do I prepare just ahead of the trek?

The day before your walk, the Singita Conservationist at Singita Volcanoes Park will brief you on all you’ll need to know. Our hike briefings are held in the Conservation Room at Singita Kwitonda Lodge. This conversational discussion goes into the nuts and bolts of the conservation effort and helps guests understand why it’s important.

The Conservationist will brief you on the logistics of your hike, from the day’s schedule to any necessary safety procedures. They may also fill you in on the several gorilla clans that make these jungles their home. At last, they’ll lead you into the Gear Room and help you try on the many pieces of gear that are at your disposal. Enjoy dinner in the lodge while your luggage is brought to your room.

What will the day itself hold?

A light continental breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed Rwandan coffee will be waiting for you when you arrive at the main lodge at 6 a.m. on the morning of your journey. The staff at the lodge is on hand and ready to help with everything you might require.

You’ll be on your way to Volcanoes National Park’s trekking headquarters (about a 10-minute drive from the resort) by 6:45 in the morning. After arriving, you can relax with a cup of coffee while your Driver Guide makes reservations with the gorilla families (they’ll choose the best family for your needs, but there are no guarantees).

The next step is for guests to join their tour group and their Volcanoes National Park Guide for a comprehensive orientation. At 8 a.m., transport will leave for the trailheads, with trips taking anything from 15 minutes to an hour depending on which gorilla family visitors are seeing. At the trailhead, guests can request a porter to help them with luggage and navigation through the rough terrain. The porters can only be paid in cash (a minimum of US$10).

How long will we trek for?

It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three or four hours of hiking to reach the gorilla family, and you’ll gain an elevation of 2,500 to four thousand meters along the way. As you get closer to the park’s border, the landscape changes from farming to dense bush. The length of your journey may also increase if you are placed with a family that frequently relocates.

Once you find the family of gorillas you’re looking for, you’ll have an hour to relax and watch these incredible creatures. There will be trackers there to help facilitate communication and guide excursions up the mountain in search of individual families. After your allotted time has passed, you will return to your porter, eat lunch, and take in the sights before beginning your descent.

You might get back to the lodge between 12 and 5 in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please, from relaxing in your private heated pool while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the surrounding landscape to reflecting in your room while gazing out at Mount Sabyinyo in the distance and enjoying an in-room treatment. We advise you not to schedule a hike on the day of your departure, as the timing is unpredictable and the experience is best appreciated without haste.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda: epic & moving adventure!