Currently, Rwanda protects ten habituated mountain gorilla groups but the process of habituating other groups still continues. In 2005, I started conducting safaris in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park. During that time, there were few habituated gorilla groups and most of them could move to far places looking for food, hide from people among other reasons.

During that period, the aged could move long distances and some times carried on stretchers to meet the gorilla group. I came to discover that some old people were fit enough to walk long distance to meet gorillas a gorilla safari in Rwanda without any hindrances. From that observation, I made a conclusion that some old people are fitter than young people – this is true especially when the aged person has no sickness.

In most cases, the aged could be allocated a group and then led by rangers to move at a slow rate until they reach a gorilla group- lucky visitors could meet gorillas after a short distance work but it was rare. I discovered that old people can move long distance if grouped. The groups of aged people were escorted by the porter to rescue any one in case of failure.

Some tomes the rangers could speculate the location of the gorilla group basing on the previous locations. Not only the aged but also sick, weak and other people with special cases were given special treatment to ensure successful mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

As time went on, the number of gorillas went on increasing after multiplication – the gorilla groups also went on enlarging and some could split to form new groups. The process of habituating other groups started and the trekking process went on simplifying.

Today, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has ten habituated Gorilla groups including Susa group, Karisimbi group, Amahoro gorilla family, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Agasha gorilla group, Kwitonda Gorilla group, Umubano gorilla group, Hirwa group, Ugenda gorilla group and Bwenge group.

Having twelve gorilla groups was a calling bell for more visitors to trek Rwanda gorillas and today the chief tourist activity. The political climate also favours tourism to prevail in Rwanda – all security agencies are alert and keep a keen eye to tourists.

Gorilla tourism today:

Today, there are many gorilla groups which every body can trek depending on the level of fitness and health condition. The aged and people with poor health condition are allocated the nearby gorilla group of approximately 2- 3 hours walk and some times gorilla can visit near the park headquarter and they are seen easily and quickly.

Tourists on tight schedules can easily track gorillas and then depart Rwanda, the same day. Therefore, I strongly recommend mountain Gorilla trekking in Rwanda to all categories of people.

The cost of Rwanda Gorilla trekking:

Currently Rwanda Development Board charges US$1500 from foreign visitors, US$200 from East African Citzens and US$500 from African Residents. The costs may look higher but the thrill of encountering gorillas in their nature habitat is incomparable.