After a 9 year absence we returned to Rwanda for 4 gorilla treks and wow what a great experience it was. The gorillas were as epic as ever, all 4 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!

Here are genuine testimonials from some clients who came 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.”

There are two groups planned running consecutively, overview as follows....

Dates: 

Group 1 - March 10th to March 14th 2026

Group 2 - March 15th to March 19th 2026

Availability: 

Group 1 - 7 / 7 places

Group 2 - 2 / 7 places available

So here are all the essential facts that you need for this trip of a lifetime to see these awesome giant apes...

Gorilla Treks - we have 3 Gorilla treks included and one easy one to see the amazing golden monkeys (on departure day). There is no point coming to Rwanda for one trek, each trek is amazing and different and we feel that 3 is a good number for you.

Golden Monkey Treks - as a new trek this year we are going to see one of the habituated troops of golden monkeys. We'd always wanted to do this and organised it for this years treks, and wow was it great. They are such beautiful monkeys and were real posers. We had experiened trackers with us and the hikes were easy. This trek will happen on the morning of departure and will be a lovely way to end the Virungas experience.

Weather - we are deliberately going in the short rains to benefit your photography, we want cloudy skies as the sun makes gorilla photography very tough. We may photograph in the rain too, which is also epic!

Daily Plan - 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!

Accommodation and food - as said above we have found a superb hotel that is close to the park centre, quiet, modern and safe. Rooms are a decent size with reliable electricity and internet, showers are awesome and there is a bath if you need a soak. The staff here are amazing, we get a foot massage after each hike and our boots / gaiters are perfectly cleaned and dried each day ready for the next trek. Food is fresh and plentiful, they can cater for most common dietary requirements with a smile! It's a great part of our package....

Photography Stuff - The ethic of the trip is very much on learning about Mountain Gorillas and experiencing them in the wild. All are welcome on this trip, from the most accomplished photographer to the gorilla hugger, you will all benefit equally from the Rouse experience on the ground. Photographic opportunities, if the gorillas are in the right place, can be amazing or equally they can be frustrating. You will need every bit of Andy's knowledge to make the most of this trip and he will ensure that everyone gets the help and advice that they need. The most useful lens to take is a 70-200 or 100-300 or 100-400mm.

Fitness and 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 good pace is what we will need. 

Too much is made of this fitness 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 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 which is mandatory as this is part of community involvement. So all you will carry is your waterproofs and water, plus a 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. 

Health awareness - 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 your and other clients benefit. If in doubt email us and we will assess them, in total confidentiality, with our medical consultants. 

Group size - 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.

Why an Andy Rouse safari?- 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 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.

Genocide Memorial Visit - on the first morning of the tour we will visit the world famous Genocide Memorial, which 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.

Bonded tour operator - The tour is being run in partnership with the superb Wildlife & Wilderness, a bonded tour operator. This will give you peace of mind on all levels and of course they will be assisting you with your international flights too (a requirement of the tour).

Pricing - Gorilla trekking is no doubt one of the most expensive eco adventures you can have for the amount of time you get. The permits are very expensive and so is the accommodation comparatively with the rest of Africa. This is just a result of demand and the fact that a portion of your money is used to support local communities. So please don't think that we are making excessive profits on this trip, it is the lowest profit trip that we do BUT is one of the most rewarding as we are helping the local community. The amazing feel good factor of spending an hour with mountain gorillas will stay with you a lifetime.

One or two tours? - As we said above we are hoping to run two tours back to back, which reduces the overall cost per person as Andy's costs are split between more people. If we cannot get 14 people but we can get 7 then we will run just one tour at a slightly more expensive cost, it is that simple!

2027 Tours - a few of you have already said that you cannot do 2026 but want to do this tour in 2027. We are sorting this now as well so if this applies to you then click here to email us and let us know you want 2027.