Universal Ventures -Gorilla trekking Rwanda-wildlife safari Rwanda-visit Rwanda.

“Gorilla trekking was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and worth every step of the hike. Seeing mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat was unforgettable. The guides were very kind and professional. Our trackers did an incredible job locating the gorilla family, and we never felt rushed during our time with them though technically we only stayed with the gorillas for 45 minutes instead of the advertised hour. Honestly, 45 min was plenty and I didn’t even notice until i reviewed the time stamps on my photos. The trek itself can be physically demanding due to the mud you sink into with every step. It took my group of 6 about 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the gorilla family. The porters were amazing and made a huge difference. I highly recommend hiring one — not only does it help you enjoy the trek more, but it also directly supports the local community. If gorilla trekking is on your bucket list, do it. I recommend this tour to anyone who values animal encounters. Honestly, Pictures and videos don’t do it justice but I still documented the entire trek on my YouTube channel so I could relive the experience whenever I want since Rwanda is quite the commute ! lol”

“This experience will leave you speechless and if you're here for an answer to the big question; YES, the price of the permit is definitely worth it. Our driver picked us up in Kigali early in the morning for a drive to Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda. There, we met our ranger guide and they paired us with other people who would be visiting the same family. The trek began by driving about an hour up rough, dirt roads to the trail head where we were given walking sticks and the option to hire a porter (10 USD) to help carry your bags. The hiking time is dependent on the family you visit and can be anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours. We were fortunate and seen a family that was lower on the mountain and only had to walk about an hour from the trail head to the families location in the park. Words cannot describe how amazing this experience was. We were fortunate to visit the famous Susa Family and the ability to stand 3 feet from a Silverback and observe how the babies, females and juveniles interact in their home, was truly a privilege. These beautiful animals welcomed us into their home and allowed us to share an hour with them. The ranger and trackers are well equiped for your protection (machetes to cut thought the jungle and AK47s to guard the family from poachers). There was not a single moment I felt unsafe or uncomfortable and the staff shared in our excitement. Tips are expected but there is no pressure on how much to give (we did 5,000 RWF per tracker and 10,000 RWF for the ranger/guide and our driver). Tipping in foreign currency should only be done in USD. This was one of the best things I've done in my life and is something I will never forget. The experience is breath taking and hard to put into words just how amazing it was. If you have the time and the means, visit the mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is a must do when in Rwanda.”