Rwanda is one of the premier mountain gorilla trekking experience in Africa. It’s one of the three places where these endangered species live in the whole world. The land of a thousand hills is home to over 10 habituated gorilla families which are ready to receive travelers. Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are one of the not miss travel experiences in Africa which bring in the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Over 90% of travelers to Rwanda consider gorilla trekking as their top priority.
The ease of access to volcanoes National Park, home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. Different travel packages are arranged to offer you chance of meeting face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda range between 1 Day Gorilla trek, 2 Days Rwanda gorilla tour, 3 Days Rwanda gorillas and golden monkey trekking and many more that combine gorillas with other wildlife experiences to explore the land of a thousand hills. Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda entail the following;
Get the best of primate safari only on 5 days Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee tour that takes you to Volcanoes …
Gorilla Tours in Rwanda
Where to trek gorillas in Rwanda? Mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park located in North Western Rwanda in Musanze province. It’s only in this park that gorillas of Rwanda live, so whoever wants to see these endangered gorillas must visit this small park. Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 10 gorilla families which are habituated for trekking. These gorilla groups are Hirwa gorilla family, Karisimbi gorilla family, Agashya gorilla family, Susa A gorilla group, Sabinyo gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family, Umubano gorilla group, and Bwenge gorilla family. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight people who spend an hour in the presence of the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park commences from kinigi park headquarters with registration and briefing on the rules and regulations of mountain gorilla trekking. On the day pf trekking, all travelers are expected to be at kinigi headquarters by 7:00am. A cup of hot coffee is served to each traveler while local entertainers perform dances to warm up and prepare travelers for a magical gorilla encounter. Fortunately, trekking through the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park is quite easy compared to the neighboring Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park in Uganda.
Cost of Rwanda Gorilla Permits. Each gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 paid by all people interested to see gorillas in Volcanoes National park including Rwanda local people. In 2017, Rwanda Development Board double increased the cost of Rwanda gorilla permits from the then $750 to $1500. Since then, Rwanda transformed into a luxury gorilla safari destination compared to the neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where gorilla permit costs are a bit low. However, despite the high cost of Rwanda gorilla permits, the country has continued to receive high numbers of travelers for gorilla trekking. The extensive marketing of Rwanda Development Board is one of reasons for the great performance of Rwanda gorillas and wildlife safaris in general.
How to book Rwanda gorilla permits? Are you wondering how to book a Rwanda gorilla permit? No worries, you can either book directly with Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and conservation in Rwanda. Booking can be done in person or online by visiting the website of RDB, follow the procedures to check availability and then book. A 30 % deposit is required as booking fee while full payment is expected at least 45 days to the trekking date. Failure to pay all balance in the specified time will lose the permit and no refund id given.
Alternatively, you can book a Rwanda gorilla permit via any registered and trusted travel agent offering gorilla safaris to Volcanoes National park. You can try different companies and thereafter compare their services to get the best. You should also check trip advisor reviews of a company to confirm their services and experience before booking with them. Booking with a travel company is the easiest way saving you from day to day visit to Rwanda Development Board head offices.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda? Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park can be done throughout the year. However, dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February is the best time to trek gorillas. During this time, weather is dry with less or no rains which make it easy to trek through the forest. Photography and filming is also best in the dry season. If you are traveling on budget, wet season in the months of March, April, May, October and November is the best time for you. During this time, service providers especially lodges and hotels give discounted food and sleeping services to encourage more visits.
Rules and Regulations of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. There are rule and regulations that have been out by Rwanda Development Board to govern gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park. These guidelines are put for the safety of mountain gorillas and travelers. At the start of each gorilla trekking day, travelers are gathered at Kinigi Park headquarters of Volcanoes National park for registration and briefing on gorilla trekking. Travelers must follow and adhere to these guidelines to ensure a peaceful gorilla trek. These include:
You must have a valid gorilla permit. It’s a pass to see the endangered gorillas without which no one is allowed to visit these endangered apes.
Do not visit mountain gorillas when sick. Travelers are checked to ensure no one has sickness that can be dangerous to mountain gorillas.
Avoid direct eye contact with the silverback gorilla. Looking direct into the eyes of the gorilla irritates these endangered species forcing them to behave wildly.
Avoid using flashlight cameras with the endangered gorillas. Fishing into the eyes of gorillas is irritating to the endangered species.
Keep a distance of seven meters away from the gorillas. Social distancing is encouraged to avoid chances of human wildlife diseases.
Keep within your group. Do not stray from your group of eight as you were put together by park rangers at the time of gorilla family allocation. Moving alone in the jungle is dangerous at it exposes you to wild animals.
Do not smoke in the presence of gorillas.
Do not eat or drink in the presence of gorillas.
Do not touch the baby gorillas.
If the gorilla charges at you, keep calm.
Follow the warnings of park rangers.
Turn back your face when sneezing or coughing.
Human waste should be buried at least 30 centimeters deep.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Rwanda? You ought to carry the right staff for your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Dressing right for the jungle assures you of a peaceful, enjoyable and stress free mountain gorilla encounter in Volcanoes National park. Among the things you should carry for your Rwanda gorilla safari include:
Hiking boots/shows which are closed and waterproof. These protect your feet from getting dirty in the mud. Hiking boots ease your movements through the jungle forests which can be slippery and muddy most times.
Garden gloves to protect your soft hands from thorny bushes.
Long sleeved shirts and blouse to keep your arms from being hurt.
Sun glasses are good for your eyes. They protect from direct sun.
A hat is helpful for women hair.
A rain jacket is recommended to deal with the unpredictable forest weather. It can fall any time of the day despite the season. Therefore, be ready with your rain jacket when going for a gorilla trek, the rain jacket should be waterproof and long enough to cover you whole from head to feet.
Carry a scarf and sweater to keep you warm throughout the trek.
Insect repellant protects you from dangerous insect bites. It’s obvious that you will be bitten by forest insects but a repellant makes you safe.
A first aid kit is necessary for any emergency. Accidents of falling down and getting cut by a sharp stone is obvious is inevitable in the jungle. Be ready with your first aid kit
Energy giving snacks keep you strong throughout the trek
Bottled drinking water keep you hydrated and strong
Extra battery for the phone and camera
A walking stick hired from the park headquarters will give you support and ease your movement.
Endeavor to hire porter to help you carry baggage to and from the jungle. Hiring a porter costs between $15 to $20 for the whole day. It’s an indirect support for local people to help them earn a living, support their families and improve their standards of living.
Gorilla trekking add-ons in Rwanda. In addition to your gorilla safari in Rwanda, there ae many more things you can do and see to make a complete Rwanda safari package. The other travel experiences in Rwanda include chimpanzee trekking/canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National park, Big five game in Akagera National park, Kigali city tour, Golden monkey trekking, bird watching, oat cruising, nature/ Forest walks, and mountain climbing to Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes. Conclusively therefore, Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris are worth your effort, money and time. Book today, trek one of the 10 gorilla families in Volcanoes National park and enjoy this lifetime experience.
