Rwanda Gorilla Trekking With Kevin Hart’s Family
Comedian Kevin Hart went gorilla trekking in Rwanda, had an incredible, life-changing experience, and even participated in the annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony in 2023, naming a baby gorilla, all documented in his Netflix special and social media, highlighting the magic of encountering mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Key Details:
Location: Rwanda, specifically Volcanoes National Park.
Experience: A close encounter with mountain gorillas, considered a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Kwita Izina: Hart named an infant gorilla during this traditional Rwandan ceremony in September 2023, boosting tourism and conservation efforts.
Netflix Special: His experience featured prominently in his 2024 Netflix special, Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given, where he dedicated a significant portion to Rwanda and the gorillas, as noted by this YouTube video and an Instagram post.
Impact: The trip transformed his view of nature and conservation, encouraging others to visit and support gorilla protection.
Kevin Hart Recalls Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Rwanda
“Acting My Age,” a new Netflix special by American comedian Kevin Hart, recounts a hilarious and detailed story of his family’s trip to Rwanda, with a focus on a close encounter with mountain gorillas.
In July 2023, Hart, his wife Eniko, and their children travelled to Rwanda to see some of the country’s most famous landmarks, such as Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park, which are home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
As he explained his decision to take the family on vacation to Rwanda, Hart mentioned that he was seeking a place with a lot of cultural significance.
“Our intention was to go on a vacation,” he stated. We travelled to Rwanda. Something fresh, that may expose us to other cultures, was what I was hoping for. ‘No’ is never an option when we’re on vacation. We welcome everything.
Going gorilla trekking was one of the initial suggestions, and Hart went along with it—on one crucial condition.
It was because I was thinking, “There must be glass,” that I consented to go. There hasn’t been any glass in my experiences with gorillas.
The 12-person expedition consisted of small groups; however, Hart, his wife, and their two teenage children were the only ones allowed to participate due to age limits.
Hiking through the park is the only way to reach the jungle. “The park becomes the jungle,” he recalled.
The event would not have been possible without their guide, Antoine. He had extensive knowledge of gorilla behaviour and had “dedicated his life to understanding gorillas,” according to Hart.
Antoine gave the group a rundown of the ground rules before the encounter, including not making eye contact, staying cool, and demonstrating submission when asked. Some of his movements, like striking the ground and rubbing eucalyptus leaves, were even shown.
About fifteen to twenty minutes into the walk, the group was startled to see multiple female gorillas peering out from the underbrush—much closer than Hart had anticipated, and with no obstacles in sight.
The appearance of a huge silverback escalated the situation, forcing the trekkers to resort to their previously taught submission behaviours. In a comedic turn of events, Hart confessed that he had forgotten about the no-eye-contact rule until his kid brought it to his attention.
Hart brought international attention to Rwanda’s gorilla tourism program by recounting this adventure. This program allows tourists to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat while also contributing to conservation and community projects.
He had previously been a part of the 2023 Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony.
1 Day Gorilla Trek Rwanda
A 1-day gorilla trek in Rwanda is a long but feasible adventure, starting very early from Kigali (around 4:30 AM) for the 2.5-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll trek to see mountain gorillas and return by evening, ideal for time-constrained travelers but requiring the $1500 permit plus tour costs. It involves an early start, briefing at park HQ, a hike (moderate to challenging), and a limited hour with the gorillas before returning to Kigali, with tours including transport, guide, and lunch but excluding the permit.
2 Days Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes
A 2-day gorilla trekking trip to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda offers a quick, impactful adventure to see mountain gorillas, typically involving travel from Kigali, an overnight stay near the park, an early morning briefing, the thrilling hour-long gorilla encounter in the bamboo forests, and return travel, perfect for those with limited time but seeking a life-changing experience in the Virunga mountains.