Africa Travel Update: What’s it like to go Rwanda Gorilla Trekking now?

Covid Travel Update: What’s it like to travel to Africa during Covid? Find out what to expect if you go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda now, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the story of three South African women who traveled to East Africa in May 2021 using African Budget Safaris. They went gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes Park and then took a safari in Tanzania, traveling via Ethiopia. This is what they experienced on their gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park and on their travels in Rwanda.

• Skip to Jenny's email feedback about their experience with African Budget Safaris.
• See what their Private Tanzania Safari experience in May 2021 was like.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari - Covid Travel Update (May 2021)

Arriving in Rwanda

We had been booked into Chez Lando Hotel in Kigali. We were instructed to remain in our room until our Covid test at the Kigali International Airport results were confirmed negative. 

Chez Lando Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda

We were on a high, we had passed through the city which was clean, has pristine gardens, well-kept roads, and everyone adhered to robots (which have second count downs to change) and watched in awe as thousands of motorbike taxis competed with a few vehicles to get their passengers to destinations, at peak rush hour traffic. 

Confirmation was sent at 21h30 by African Pearl who had been watching and waiting for our results on the official Rwandan Government website. As we waited for the results we were fine, we had had an incredible dinner, served to us in our room, and had sipped on the local beers. BUT all the while, we were each secretively anxious that the promised itinerary may never materialise, due to Covid and... after all this was also Africa.

Chez Lando Hotel room, Kigali, Rwanda

You made it happen ;-) Fred and Cyprien from African Pearl were waiting for us outside reception, at 04h30 on the morning of the 6 May. Fred briefed us and Cyrprien packed us up and we headed for Volcanoes National Park and we were there in time to trek to Dian Fossey's tomb. 

Arriving at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

It was just the 3 of us with 2 porters and our guide Lois. It is very peaceful there and we could all feel a calmness or dare I say a "safe presence". It seems that very few people get up there (it is at a very high altitude) and it is hard to believe someone would stay there, almost alone, and dedicate their entire life to saving the gorillas. How grateful we should all be to her, not only for what she did to save them from extinction but for what was to come in tourism as a source of revenue to the Rwandan economy.

Dian Fossey trek in Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park

The next day we trekked the gorillas. It was us three plus an American, three porters, and Lois was our guide again.

There are very few words that can describe meeting up and interacting with gorillas. It was pouring with rain but we didn't feel a drop. They are more magnificent in real life. 

Rwanda gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park

Their eyes speak volumes and they are very accommodating of visitors, staring at them and the sounds of cameras, etc. The Silverback charged at us beating his chest and because we were all standing close together there was no place to run, so we all just went down and turned our back on him. He grunted and moved away a bit and we all just gently moved out of his space. 

Experiencing and seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat takes your breath away. No picture could ever capture how incredible these animals are.

Gorilla on Rwanda gorilla trek

We learned so many interesting facts about them that are not normally shared, what and how much they eat. The fact that they don't drink water but how they get water and salt from certain plants. The age group behaviour patterns, and so forth.

I am in awe of their size and intelligence and hope one day I'll be able to find adequate words to describe them and the experience of being close up.  At the moment, the privilege of being there is still so overwhelming and surreal.

Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes, Rwanda

I'm so glad we stayed in Rwanda and didn't go to Uganda. Covid did us a favour, as each experience was almost arranged solely for us. 

We spent 2 nights at La Bambou Lodge. Nestled close to the park entrance amid subsistent farmers. Each time we returned from trekking Daniel and his team were there to help us strip down. We were covered in mud on both days.

Preparing for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes Park

Trekking is not for sissies. There are times where you are knee-deep in mud as thick as cement, which sucks you in and leaves you caked in runny brown goo. They miraculously washed and cleaned our gear and within hours (whilst we wined and dined) was all returned to us dry and ready for reuse.

Rwanda gorilla trekking in Volcanoes

Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwa National Park

Travelling to Nyungwa National Park in the southwest of the country, gave us an opportunity to see the countryside and experience how the people live. 

Rwanda travel, countryside

We travelled for 5 hours on beautiful mountainous roads with plenty of twists and bends and never lost sight of the great Kivu Lake.

Kivu Lake, Rwanda

Another first was to actually see a live volcano. It falls within DRC and was visible for many kilometres along the route.

Cyprien our guide casually alerted us to the "live volcano" on your right. When we dawned on the enormity of what he was saying..."What, really, sherbert!" we were all talking at once scrabbling for our cameras. 

Live volcano in DRC, viewed from Rwanda

He informed us that scientists believed it could erupt anytime but it normally gives warning...a few earthquakes etc and it last erupted in 2002. Little did we think or comprehend that would be within 14 days of seeing it. Cyprien continues to correspond with us on all matters of interest that we shared whilst visiting his country and immediately shared pics of the volcano's eruption.

After interacting and seeing the gorillas we all certainly didn't believe that the Chimps and other primates would measure up to much.

How wrong we were! They have their own uniqueness and our guide, Clever, was extremely informative about them and all other primates and every living organism in and around the park. 

Later we entered another section of the park to do the canopy walk. 

Nyungwa Park, Rwanda

We climbed down into the park - trekked about and an hour and a half all downwards to the canopy walk! It is 70ms above the ground. 

Canopy Walk in Nyungwa Park, Rwanda

Trees reach 60ms in places. There are many hundreds of different trees and along with them different primates and plenty of birdlife.

Nyungwa Park tall trees on forest walk

The guides, Christoffel and Jean-Pierre were very kind, supportive, and encouraging and with plenty of conversation on all sorts of topics which cleverly allayed any fears, before we knew it we had crossed the suspension walks which sway with movement, wobbly knees and all.

Suspension bridge in Nyungwa Park, Rwanda

We also saw lots of tea and coffee plantations. We noticed that many crops are grown by small and subsistence farmers.

Tea and coffee plantations in Rwanda

Their Rwanda travel experience

Rwanda is a beautiful and clean country.

Our accommodation was clean and comfortable. The meals were superb and we also enjoyed some local beers.

All the people we encountered were friendly, busy working, and very aware of building up their economy. They are a testimony of forgiveness and unity. Everyone has a vested interest in growing the economy, their country, and themselves. 

Rural Rwanda travel experience

Before heading to the airport we paid our respects at the Genocide Museum. It's heart wrenching to see what happened and what they were subjected to. We walked away in awe and have an even greater admiration and respect for all the people of their country in what they have been able to achieve in forgiveness, re-uniting, and ultimately by practising real "Ubumuntu". 

Kigali genocide memorial

About Cyprien, their tour guide in Rwanda

All the time in Rwanda, Cyprien was our guide. What an incredible young man. We wanted for nothing. We felt so safe with him, not only because he is a very good driver but because he gives off peace and security and is always the same. 

Gorilla trekking group and guide

He is extremely knowledgeable about Rwanda, its history, geography, economy, wildlife, and birds. 

He went beyond the call of duty to ensure we did not have to worry about anything. He set the path for our Covid tests and followed up on ensuring we got the results and arranged for printouts. 

He listened to our interests and before we knew he included a stop that related (coffee, tea farms, purchasing items). He knew Nydia-Lee is a vet and had made contact with one of the gorillas' vets, Dr. Noel, and when we were near the gorilla vet station in town he especially accommodated time for them to meet up.

He went the extra mile to ensure our safety and had Ileen's hiking shoes fixed after trekking the gorillas where the sole had come away from the shoe. He even managed a stop at the hotel that Dian Fossey stayed at when she went into town. He has a great command of the English language and is well-read. 

In the four days we spent in Rwanda, we struck up a tremendous bond with Cyprien, so much so it was difficult to say goodbye to him when we had to fly out. Please would you share our review on Cyprien with African Pearl? They can be very proud to have such an intelligent young man on their staff. He is a true ambassador to their organisation and the country and they can feel confident to put him with any of their visitors. He is truly a very special person.

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Email feedback from Jenny (our client who shared her experience of gorilla trekking in Rwanda this year)

Dearest Claire and Bron,

This trip landed up being much more than a bucket-list wish and dream. It landed up being a trip of hope, trust, faith, awe and admiration, plus, topped to the brim and overflowing with plenty of love.

It all started many years ago when voicing your bucket list was not only fashionable but was "making a statement about yourself". "I want to see the gorillas" I would say and many would ooh and aah but deep down I knew this wish was not going to materialise unless I "put my money where my mouth was" and so I started putting away, a little, every month.

As the savings grew I started to search the internet for travel agents that could meet our expectations. I mention, our, as initially there were more than 8 of us fired up and definitely "in for the adventure".  Agent after agent with beautiful websites offering and promising much more "than your wildest imagination" holidays, quoted electronically all what they believed would be better and safer, for you to do whilst travelling in Africa, without taking any heed or really hearing what we wanted to do. Again and again, the quotes and emails came as packages and I really began to believe the trip would remain just that, a dream.

Until... I called African Budget Safari and you, Claire took my call. You allowed me to speak and before I knew it, things were coming together exactly as and how we discussed. 

Nothing was too much, things were grouped and where savings could be made, you initiated them.

Then... it was time to make deposits and pay for tickets!!! Sherbet! my accountant brain and gut were not ready for that...what if?? What if, African Budget Safari was a hoax and were just waiting for payment then would evaporate into thin air like mist!!!  How was I going to prove that you were living souls and a reputable organisation that delivered on brief? With much prayer, guidance and trust we deposited our funds and the journey of faith started and even included a delay due to Covid-19, right up until we boarded the plane on 4 May and into the days that followed.

Added to the above was the fear of travelling during Covid-19.  Fear of being tested positive in a foreign country and the thoughts of logistics and costs nearly resulted in us cancelling the entire trip a few times.  Luckily that too was overcome.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you again to both of you for helping to make it happen.

Claire, for all your help initially, setting the path and understanding what we wanted to do, keeping us abreast of info and changes right up to when you took maternity leave. Bronwyn, for stepping in and up and ensuring things stayed in place, chasing up on changes so that the critical items would not be affected. 

Then you both prompted and guided us on what to expect whilst travelling during Covid-19. And even whilst on the trip, you followed up on us and assisted us with completing locater online forms etc. Everything was done with such calmness and reassurance. 

The service we received from start to finish was incredible, friendly and professional and can only be highly commended. African Budget Safari is truly blessed to have you both on their staff.

With much love,
Jenny

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Dear Jenny and friends,

THANK YOU for taking the leap of faith and trusting us with your travel arrangements during Covid-19. 

We are delighted that your trip was a success and that we were able to help. Especially, at this time when our local tour operators and economies are in great need of the support tourism brings.

We also want to thank you for sharing your experience so that others can see what to expect when travelling to East Africa during Covid-19.

It was a great pleasure and privilege to play a part in your journey. We hope to welcome you back on another African adventure again someday!

- Claire, Bron and the rest of us at African Budget Safaris

Sabyinyo group of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes Park, Rwanda. by Kate Tann

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Their Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari was based on this Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Primate Tracking Tour itinerary that visits both Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

This is the Private Tanzania Safari that Jenny and her travel companions did after gorilla trekking: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Tanzania Lodge Safari. Find out all about their Private Tanzania Safari Experience here.

Private Tanzania Safari experience

Contact us at African Budget Safaris about private safari tours at affordable prices. Get expert advice and help planning, customising and booking your African safari. Our friendly African travel consultants are ready to assist you, at no extra charge.

• Browse our Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris to Volcanoes Park

More Covid Travel Updates from African Safaris during Covid-19

• Chris and Kayla's Tanzania Safari photos (including tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara Park) from July 2021
• Photos and feedback from Jenny's Budget Tanzania Safari (including the Great Migration in Serengeti) traveling in a group of 3 women in May 2021: What’s an African Safari in Tanzania like right now?

• Chris and Kayla's Serengeti Safari photos (plenty of amazing Great Migration Safari images) from July 2021

  For more African Safari Travel Updates, Photos & News subscribe here.