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Our Tour Experts
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Gorillas
Watch endangered mountain gorillas emerge from the mists of the Virunga Mountains.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team
Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Land of 1000 Views: Gorilla Trekking in Style
Rwanda is undoubtedly the best place in Africa to go gorilla trekking, with accommodation to match. Spend several days at the uniquely designed Bisate Lodge, trekking twice for mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga Massif.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Rwandan Landscapes
Soak up the panoramic views over crater lakes and cloud-topped volcanoes.
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Trek Twice
After the thrill of a first trek, return again with a steadier hand to capture those shots you missed.
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Unique Architecture
Stay at Bisate Lodge, with its otherworldly thatched design.
Why we like it
There is no escaping that a gorilla trekking is now a luxury experience. Rather than fight this, we chose to embrace it. This holiday makes the most of your time in Rwanda by spending time in a lodge almost as special as the trekking experience itself – the incomparable Bisate Lodge.
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Day 1
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
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Days 2-3
Volcanoes National Park
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Day 4
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali
Day 1
Kigali - Volcanoes National Park
Unique Architecture
Stay at Bisate Lodge, with its otherworldly thatched design.
Days 2-3
Volcanoes National Park
Gorillas
Watch endangered mountain gorillas emerge from the mists of the Virunga Mountains.
Day 4
Volcanoes National Park - Kigali
Rwandan Landscapes
Soak up the panoramic views over crater lakes and cloud-topped volcanoes.
More details
Volcanoes National Park
Depart Kigali for a scenic three-hour drive, winding up and over ridges of lush, steeply terraced hills to the world-renowned home of the mountain gorilla, Volcanoes National Park.
Spectacular and full of drama, the free-standing volcanoes and forested slopes of the national park are home to local snake spirits, active volcanoes and the place where Dian Fossey lived – and died – for mountain gorillas.
With peaks reaching nearly 4,500 metres and a network of rugged trails, this is a park that is as challenging as it is thrilling. Despite its popularity, it remains the best place to see mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking
Set off into Volcanoes National Park, climbing steadily in search of the world’s largest primate. Led by knowledgeable guides and park rangers, leave the terraced crop fields behind and enter the dense forest that carpets the lower slopes of these dormant volcanoes.
After several hours of trekking, draw close to the gorilla family. Leaving bags behind, and holding cameras at the ready, creep closer and enter their domain. Spend an hour amongst the mountain gorillas, as they play, groom and eat. Watch as youngsters roll through the lush grass and see the dominant silverback stalk through his relaxed family.
Bisate Lodge
Stay at one of the finest lodges in Rwanda. Bisate Lodge sits just outside the park, positioned on a forested hillside, looking out towards the towering volcanoes. Just six unique rooms make up this exclusive lodge.
The entire lodge is themed around a traditional Rwandan palace, with each room formed from thatch, rising to a conical peak on its roof. Inside, beautiful textiles and colourful patterns decorate the interiors. Thatch balconies allow you to step out into the forest, where birdsong mixes with the hum of insects and the occasional howl of monkeys.
Suggested Extension: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Extend your time in Rwanda with a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park, in the west of the country. This swathe of verdant montane forest is home a colourful array of birdlife, as well as monkeys, frogs and chimpanzees.
One of the chimp families is habituated to humans, meaning there is the chance to trek in search of them. Unlike in Uganda, trekking group numbers are strictly managed here, making for a better experience when you encounter the chimps.
Also head into the forest canopy, along the suspended cable walkway that links a pair of high towers. This provides a beautiful view over the trees around and below, with turacos and L’Hoest’s monkeys spotted from here.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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When Rwanda’s gorilla permits rose from $750 to $1,500 in 2017, this also triggered a significant increase in tourism sharing revenue. Now, local communities benefit from 10% of all permit sales, which is reinvested into public services and local infrastructure. This means that Rwandans living on the edge of Volcanoes National Park see the tangible benefits from tourism on a daily basis, ranging from better schooling to the provision of clean drinking water.
Bisate Lodge not only gives the impression of being immersed in the natural habitat, it also lives up to this with its sustainable practices. The electricity is all derived from hydropower, the hot water is heated using thermodynamic geysers and reverse osmosis is used to provide purified drinking water. Everything about the lodge is designed to leave the smallest possible impact on the local environment.
Mountain gorillas would almost certainly be extinct if it weren’t for tourism. Now, they are viewed as a prized natural resource in Rwanda, with the permit scheme creating jobs and allowing Rwandans to realise the economic potential of this resource. The success of gorilla trekking has been such that mountain gorillas were reclassified as endangered, rather than critically endangered, in 2018 and the population continues to grow.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
A note on price
Two gorilla permits are included.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchase through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £8,625 Per person
When to travel
Rwanda in January
From late December until early February the weather is typically drier, although showers are still very possible. This is the hottest time of year and can feel very tropical. However, the altitude means that temperatures remain manageable and still drop quickly at night.
Rwanda in February
The long rains begin in February and last until May. During this time, road travel can be a challenge and delays are frequent. However, gorilla trekking continues unaffected, although you should expect to get wet and muddy.
Rwanda in March
The long rains begin in February and last until May. During this time, road travel can be a challenge and delays are frequent. However, gorilla trekking continues unaffected, although you should expect to get wet and muddy.
Rwanda in April
The long rains begin in February and last until May. During this time, road travel can be a challenge and delays are frequent. However, gorilla trekking continues unaffected, although you should expect to get wet and muddy.
Rwanda in May
The long rains begin in February and last until May. During this time, road travel can be a challenge and delays are frequent. However, gorilla trekking continues unaffected, although you should expect to get wet and muddy.
Rwanda in June
The coolest and driest time of year is between June and early September. This is one of the most popular times to visit, although both mornings and evenings can be very chilly at higher altitudes.
Rwanda in July
The coolest and driest time of year is between June and early September. This is one of the most popular times to visit, although both mornings and evenings can be very chilly at higher altitudes.
Rwanda in August
The coolest and driest time of year is between June and early September. This is one of the most popular times to visit, although both mornings and evenings can be very chilly at higher altitudes.
Rwanda in September
The short rains arrive in late September and continue until December. However, travel is still possible and the overcast skies can make for some fantastic photographs.
Rwanda in October
The short rains arrive in late September and continue until December. However, travel is still possible and the overcast skies can make for some fantastic photographs.
Rwanda in November
The short rains arrive in late September and continue until December. However, travel is still possible and the overcast skies can make for some fantastic photographs.
Rwanda in December
The short rains arrive in late September and continue until December. However, travel is still possible and the overcast skies can make for some fantastic photographs.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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