A Journey Rooted in Harmony

High on the mist-wrapped slopes of Volcanoes National Park, where bamboo forests sway gently in the mountain breeze, Rwanda offers one of the most peaceful and intimate wildlife encounters in the world: gorilla trekking. Many travellers feel drawn to this experience yet still wonder—Is it truly safe for us? And is it safe, even appropriate, for the gorillas?

In Rwanda, the answer—supported by decades of science, conservation leadership, and community stewardship—is a reassuring yes. Here, human presence is not an intrusion. It is a carefully guided, deeply respectful exchange that protects both the visitor and the gorilla families who call these forests home.

This is the Rwanda story. And it is one of coexistence, trust, and a conservation model that has become an inspiration far beyond its borders.

How Habituation in Rwanda Makes Gorilla Trekking Safe for Humans and Gorillas

The foundation of Rwanda’s safety lies in its pioneering practice of gorilla habituation—a gentle, gradual process through which wild Mountain Gorillas become accustomed to calm, non-threatening human presence.
This approach was first developed here in Rwanda in the 1960s through the work of Dr. Dian Fossey and Rwandan trackers. Over years of patient observation, gorillas learned that humans were neither predators nor competitors.

Today, habituation is carried out exclusively by trained professionals from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and conservation partners. Only when a gorilla family demonstrates consistent comfort and neutrality around humans do they become available for trekking.

This means that when you encounter a habituated gorilla family, you are stepping into a space where:

• The gorillas do not perceive humans as a threat
• Their behaviours remain completely natural
• Visitors are gently guided to ensure calm, respectful distance
• Every encounter unfolds on the gorillas’ terms

Your presence is not disruptive. It is familiar, ordinary—even safe for them.

Further reading:
Rwanda Development Board – Conservation Initiatives: https://rdb.rw/tourism/conservation/
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – Habituation Practices: https://gorillafund.org

Why Rwanda Is the World’s Safest Destination for Gorilla Trekking

Rwanda’s conservation framework is designed to protect both the visitor and the gorilla family. As a result, Rwanda is widely recognised as the gold standard in safe, ethical gorilla tourism.

Here’s why:

• Expert rangers and trackers accompany every group, highly trained in gorilla behaviour, forest navigation, and visitor safety.
• Small group sizes (a maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family) keep encounters calm and controlled.
• Strict health protocols—including mask usage and rescheduling if unwell—protect both species from disease transmission.
• Clear distance guidelines ensure comfort and reduce behavioural disturbance.
• Highly predictable gorilla behaviour resulting from habituation makes trekking remarkably safe.

Incidents are exceedingly rare, and visitor safety is one of the strongest reasons Rwanda has become the preferred destination globally for gorilla trekking.

Further reading:
International Gorilla Conservation Programme: https://igcp.org
Gorilla Doctors – Gorilla Health & Safety: https://gorilladoctors.org

A Conservation Model Where Communities, Gorillas, and Visitors Thrive Together

What truly sets Rwanda apart is that its conservation success is woven into the lives of the communities who live near the park. Through the country’s visionary revenue-sharing policy, 10% of all gorilla trekking permit fees go directly to local communities.

This approach has:

• Dramatically reduced poaching
• Strengthened livelihoods and infrastructure
• Created a culture of pride around gorilla conservation
• Ensured that communities themselves safeguard the forest

This is why Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas are not only surviving—they are increasing in number.

Further reading:
Rwanda Revenue Sharing Policy Overview: https://www.nationalparks.gov.rw

The Experience: Calm, Intimate, and Safe for Everyone

When visitors trek into the rainforest with Sambora Private Journeys, they often describe a profound sense of peace—an emotional resonance with the land and the gorilla family they meet. What surprises most is how calm the gorillas are. A silverback may rest under a tree, juveniles play at your periphery, mothers gently cradle their infants. They are aware of you, but entirely untroubled by your presence.

That tranquillity is the clearest proof that Rwanda’s habituation process works.
You are entering their world respectfully, briefly, and under the watchful care of conservationists who have dedicated their lives to protecting these gentle giants.

Ethical, Safe, and Deeply Meaningful: The Heart of Rwanda’s Gorilla Trekking

Because humans and gorillas share 98% of our DNA, health protections are essential—and Rwanda leads the world in implementing them. Visitors wear masks, maintain distancing, and follow strict trekking guidelines. Rangers monitor both the gorillas and the guests. If at any moment a family shows signs of stress, the visit is concluded or adjusted. The welfare of the gorillas is always the priority.

This shared safety—between species, between visitor and wildlife—is the essence of Rwanda’s approach. It is what makes gorilla trekking here not only safe, but ethical, sustainable, and deeply moving.

What This Means for You as a Traveller

If you are considering a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, you can do so with full confidence that:

• You are safe.
• The gorillas are safe.
• Your visit contributes directly to their protection and the wellbeing of local communities.

This is the rarest kind of travel—one where your presence supports conservation rather than burdens it.