Gorilla trekking runs all year in Rwanda, including the rains. Expect muddy, slippery trails, a wet forest and slower climbs, but the gorillas are still found and the one-hour visit still happens. Good boots, a proper rain jacket, gaiters and a waterproof bag matter far more than the month you choose.
Table of Contents
- Do gorilla treks still run in the rain?
- When the rains fall
- What the trail is really like
- The comparison: rainy season and dry season
- What to wear and carry
- Should you hire a porter?
- Photographing gorillas in the rain
- Fitness and safety on wet ground
- Why the gorillas do not mind the rain
- The advantages of going in the rains
- Combining the trek with other days
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do gorilla treks still run in the rain?
Yes. Rwanda does not close gorilla trekking for a rainy season. Permits are sold all year, the trackers go out at dawn every day, and your one hour with a habituated gorilla family goes ahead whether the sky is clear or grey. The forest of Volcanoes National Park is a rainforest at altitude, so it is wet for much of the year anyway. What changes in the rains is how wet, how muddy and how cold you are on the way there.
If you are still deciding whether to book at all, start with our main page on gorilla trekking in Rwanda, which explains permits, groups and how the day works. This article deals with one question: what does the rainy season change, and is it a good time to go?
When the rains fall
Rwanda has two wet periods. The long rains run roughly from March to May, and the short rains from October to November. The two dry seasons sit between them, from June to September and from December to February. Weather does not follow the calendar exactly, and the mountains make their own conditions, so a dry morning in the wet months and a soaking day in the dry months are both normal.
Volcanoes National Park sits high on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, so it is cooler and wetter than Kigali. Even in the dry season you should pack a rain jacket.
For a fuller picture of how the weather affects the whole country, read our guide to visiting Rwanda in the rainy season.
What the trail is really like
The trek begins at the park headquarters at Kinigi, near Musanze, about two to two and a half hours by road from Kigali. From there you walk through farmland, cross a stone wall at the forest edge and follow trackers on the gorillas' trail. In the rains the farmland section can be slick red mud, and the forest floor is soft, with roots and fallen stems hidden under leaves.
Three things change:
- Your pace slows, because footing matters more than speed.
- Some families are found closer to the boundary, since gorillas often stay lower on wet days when food is plentiful, while others move higher. The trackers decide, and you cannot predict it.
- The walk can be shorter or longer than in the dry months. Your guide will tell you which family you are assigned and how hard the walk is likely to be.
Nothing about the rules changes. The group is small, you keep your distance, and the hour starts when you reach the family.
The comparison: rainy season and dry season
| Factor | Rainy season | Dry season |
|---|---|---|
| Trail surface | Muddy, slippery in places | Firmer, dustier |
| Views from the trail | Often clouded, greener | Clearer, especially early |
| Photography | Softer, darker light, wet lenses | Brighter light, easier settings |
| Crowds | Usually fewer visitors in the park | Busiest months |
| Lodge availability | Easier to find rooms | Book well ahead |
| Comfort | Cooler and damper | Cooler mornings, drier afternoons |
Neither season is wrong. The dry months are easier on the legs, and the wet months are quieter. Our article on the best months for gorilla trekking compares them more fully.
What to wear and carry
Most of the discomfort in the rains comes from wearing the wrong clothes. Dress in layers, because you will sweat on the climb and cool down when you stop.
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip, already broken in. New boots cause blisters on a wet day.
- A proper waterproof jacket, not a light shower layer. Ponchos catch on branches.
- Waterproof trousers or quick-drying long trousers, tucked into your socks or gaiters to keep out mud and insects.
- Gardening gloves with a good grip. Vegetation is wet, and you may grab stinging nettles or thorny stems.
- A waterproof rucksack cover, and a dry bag or zip bag for your phone, camera and permit.
- A change of dry socks and a top in the car, so the drive back to your lodge is comfortable.
Our complete guide on what to pack for gorilla trekking has the full list.
Should you hire a porter?
In the wet months a porter earns their fee. A porter carries your bag, gives a steadying hand on slippery slopes and supports a local household. Porters are hired at the park headquarters on the morning of the trek, and many visitors decide on the spot once they see the conditions. Read our note on whether to hire a porter for how the arrangement works and what is customary.
Photographing gorillas in the rain
Rain makes photography harder, not impossible. The forest is already dim, and grey skies reduce light further, so use a higher ISO than you would in sunshine and a wide aperture. Flash is not allowed near the gorillas. Keep the camera in a plastic bag with a hole for the lens, and carry a microfibre cloth to wipe droplets from the front element.
Wet gorillas make striking pictures. Water beads on the fur, colours look richer and the foliage is dense and green. Our guide to photographing mountain gorillas explains settings and composition for low light, which apply in any wet weather.
Fitness and safety on wet ground
You do not need to be an athlete, but the rains raise the effort. Slippery ground uses more energy, and a walk that takes an hour in the dry season may take longer. Be honest with your guide at the briefing about your fitness, because the park assigns a family with a suitable difficulty level where it can.
Our article on how fit you need to be for gorilla trekking explains the effort involved. If you are worried about knees or balance, tell your operator when you book, and consider a porter and trekking poles.
Why the gorillas do not mind the rain
Mountain gorillas live in a cold, wet habitat. They have dense, long fur and are used to mist and drizzle. In heavy rain they may sit still, sheltering under vegetation, and you may see a silverback hunch with his head down. Young gorillas still play in between showers.
Because food is plentiful in the wet months, families can stay in a smaller area, which sometimes shortens the search. This is not a rule, though. To understand what you will be watching, read our guide to how a gorilla family works.
The advantages of going in the rains
The rainy season has real benefits for the right traveller. There are fewer visitors in the park and at the lodges, so the whole experience is quieter. The forest is at its greenest. Rooms are easier to find, and some lodges lower their rates in the wettest weeks, though you should ask each one directly.
If you like to plan around comfort and price, this can be the best time to go. If you have only a few days in Rwanda and cannot risk a poor day, the dry months are safer for your plans.
Combining the trek with other days
Rain on one morning does not ruin a trip, and it helps to leave a buffer. A 3-day gorilla trekking tour from Kigali gives you a night in Musanze either side of the trek, so an early start is less rushed and you have a spare day if you are tired. Plan the trek for the day when you are freshest, and keep something gentler, such as a cultural visit or a drive around the lakes, for the day after.
Learn more about the animals before you go with our mountain gorilla facts, and read about why mountain gorillas are endangered to see why your visit matters to their survival. As of this writing, a Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 per person, and the fee supports conservation and local communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gorilla trekking cancelled if it rains?
No. Treks go ahead in normal rain, and the park does not cancel for weather in the way a flight might. Very rare conditions such as severe storms could change plans, in which case the park and your guide decide on the day.
Will I see gorillas in the rainy season?
Yes. Gorillas are tracked every day in every month, and the rainy season does not reduce your chances of finding your assigned family. The walk may take longer because of mud, so leave enough energy and time.
What is the hardest part of trekking in the rain?
Slippery ground. Roots and mud make the climb tiring and increase the risk of a slip, so good boots, gaiters and a walking stick help. A porter is also very useful.
Do gorillas behave differently when it rains?
They are calmer and may sit still or shelter under vegetation during heavy showers. Once the rain eases, they usually resume feeding and playing, and the hour with them is as rewarding as on a dry day.
Is the rainy season cheaper for gorilla trekking?
The permit price is set by the park and is the same across the year unless an official promotion is announced, so ask your operator to check. Lodges and transport may cost less in the wettest weeks, so ask about seasonal rates.