Private Gorilla Trekking for Honeymooners

While standard gorilla trekking in Rwanda offers an intimate experience due to small group sizes (maximum 8 people), a truly “private” gorilla trek, where you have a gorilla family exclusively to yourselves, is not officially offered by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The focus is on conservation and minimizing disturbance to the gorillas.

However, you can enhance the romance and exclusivity of your gorilla trekking experience in several ways:

Request a Specific Gorilla Family: When booking your permits, you can express a preference for a particular gorilla family. Some families are known to be more relaxed or located closer to the park boundary, resulting in a shorter/easier trek. While this is not guaranteed, the RDB tries to accommodate requests where possible.
Book Well in Advance: Booking your permits far in advance (several months) increases your chances of getting your preferred date and potentially influencing the group allocation.
Choose a Luxury Lodge: Staying at a high-end lodge (see Section 127) ensures exceptional service, personalized attention, and often the ability to arrange private transport to the park headquarters, making the experience smoother and more exclusive.
Hire a Private Vehicle: While you’ll still trek with other permit holders, you can arrange for a private 4×4 vehicle and driver for your group, offering more comfort and flexibility.
Communicate with your Tour Operator: Clearly communicate your desire for a romantic and special experience to your tour operator. They can help tailor the logistics and add special touches, such as a celebratory champagne toast after the trek.

While a completely private trek isn’t possible, the inherent magic of encountering gorillas in their natural habitat, combined with thoughtful planning and luxurious accommodations, makes for an unforgettable honeymoon experience.