Rwanda

Gorilla Photo Safari with Andy Rouse

7 Days

3 Gorilla Treks & a golden monkey trek

Experience one of the most personal wildlife encounters on the planet, gorilla trek not once but 3 times with award-winning professional wildlife photographer who has trekked to photograph gorillas himself 60 times making him among the most experienced in the world. Learn nature photography from a great wildlife photographer and enjoy the friendly culture of Rwanda.

Highlights

	Gorillas of course!
	Golden monkeys
	Trekking staff and porters who know Andy well and help make the trip truly memorable

Activities

	3 gorillas treks
	Golden monkey trek
	Kigali sightseeing at Genocide Museum

Itinerary

	Depart UK
	Arrive Kigali. Tour to Genocide Museum and to Kinigi near Volcanoes National Park
	Gorilla trek
	Gorilla trek
	Gorilla trek
	Golden monkeys trek. Return to Kigali and depart Rwanda
	Arrive UK.

Description

Words from Andy:

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.

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.

Essential Info

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....

Client Testimonials

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.”

Best Time To Travel

March 2026 - fixed small group departure

Expected Wildlife Species

Highlight species