Are you guaranteed to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda from 2024 - 26?

Are you guaranteed to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda in 2024-26? Yes, tourists are guaranteed to see Mountain gorillas in Rwanda from 2024 to 26. All the safety measures that have been put in place to protect the Mountain gorillas, like the trekking rules and regulations and safety measures, have increased the population of the Mountain gorillas in the country, therefore ensuring that the Mountain gorillas can be seen in Rwanda in 2024-26.

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Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park, and every year, there is a Kwita Izina ceremony where baby gorillas are named with the president and other dignitaries available. This is also a measure that has been used to ensure that the population of the gorillas increases for future generations to see as well.

Volcanoes National Park, also known as Parc Des Vulcans, is a gorilla trekking destination in Rwanda located in North West Rwanda. The park was formed in 1929 and was greatly affected during the 1994 Rwanda genocide with poaching from locals and other gorillas who migrated to either Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the genocide, the Rwandan government has done its best to ensure that the park is safe for gorilla trekking. Poachers are punished once found, increasing the number of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to over 400. There are ten habituated gorilla families in Rwanda. There is a chance that more are being habituated, and they will be open to trekking once the habituation process is done.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is best carried out during the dry season, from June to September and December to February. It is easier to spot the gorillas during the dry season because the vegetation is not as thick, the routes are dry, and there is little or no rainfall to cut the trek short. This is the best time; however, if you are not a fan of large crowds, the best time is during the wet months, October to November and March to May, and traveling on a small budget.

Securing gorilla permits in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking permits are issued and printed by the Rwanda Development Board, and these can be purchased directly through the RDB or a tour operator. The permits control the number of people who trek gorillas in the country and protect the endangered gorillas because, without the permits, no one is allowed to trek the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

When planning a gorilla safari, we help you purchase the permit, and after contacting us, our staff will ask about the desired dates and your names. We check for availability on the RDB online system, and once we confirm their availability, we will send an invoice. You will be required to make payments as soon as possible because no purchase will be made if you do not pay the total amount of the gorilla permit. Once we receive payment, the permit will be purchased, and a copy you will be required to present will be sent to you.

Note Rwanda prints only 80 gorilla permits per day, and these sell out fast, so all tourists must plan and book in advance.

The cost of the gorilla permits in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla permit cost is higher than gorilla permits in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cost as of 2023 for a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens, and $300 for East African citizens per person. Rwanda offers discounts to tourists visiting the country for a conference if they are bought in bulk and tourists who have pre-planned to visit Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park with a 10% discount. The gorilla trek permit is valid for the trek date, and after the one hour spent with the gorillas, it cannot be used, exchanged, or used by anyone else.

What is included in the gorilla permit, and is the money worth it?

The cost of a gorilla trek permit includes bottled drinking water, park entry fees, security, ranger fees, government tax, and a certificate awarded after gorilla trekking. It does not include transport, accommodation, personal purchases, tips, porter fees, and meals.

Gorilla trekking is an expensive safari, with Rwanda being labeled as a luxury safari destination, and one of the most frequently asked questions is whether the money paid is worth it. The answer is yes, gorilla trekking is worth all the money spent because you do not only get time to spend and study the Mountain gorillas but part of the fee is used to conserve and care for the gorillas, increasing their population and it also helps the neighboring communities.

Rwanda gorilla rules and regulations

Trekking gorillas in Rwanda is a fun activity, but since the main of the trek is to protect the gorillas from poaching and trekkers from attacks, there have been rules set, and the Rwanda Development Board ensures that the rules are followed. During the briefing on the trek day, the rules and regulations are repeated so that you don't make mistakes as you trek, and below is a list of the rules that need to be followed by all tourists.

• The gorilla trek age in Rwanda is 15 years and above, and anyone below 15 will not be allowed to trek the primates. The age limit was set because children are more challenging to control, which might cause problems during the trek. For tourists traveling with children, there are other activities that they can engage in that are less tiring.
• After making contact with the gorillas, you get to spend an hour with the gorillas before returning to the park headquarters where you will be rewarded a certificate for participating in the trek.
• Only groups of 8 are allowed to trek a gorilla family per day. The main reason for the limited number of trekkers is not to overwhelm the Mountain gorillas, reduce disease transmission, and conserve them.
• Each trek group is to keep a distance of 7 meters after locating the gorillas. The distance prevents disease transmission; tourists cannot touch the gorillas from this distance, and the primates can go on their day without feeling constricted.
• One of the ways gorillas are conserved is by keeping the park clean. This means that you have to keep rubbish and any other thing that you brought with you to the park and take it out because it might affect the gorillas, leading to death.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed/have been prohibited near the gorillas.
• The flash on your camera should always be turned off when taking photos of the gorillas. The primates are not used to the flash, and it causes them to go into hiding.
• Sunglasses must be removed after locating gorillas because they might attack when they see their reflection in the glasses, thinking other gorillas are challenging them.
• You are prohibited from touching the gorillas at all times.
• Communicate using low tones to avoid disrupting the gorillas.

Is gorilla trekking difficult?

Volcanoes National Park is mountainous because of the volcanic activity years ago. The park has different terrain throughout, and there are flat lands, steep slopes, and slippery routes when slopping, so you need to have some level of fitness to trek the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Request a walking stick and a shorter or easier trek if you are not fit enough, and you also have the option of using a porter to help you carry your luggage at a fee so that you get to enjoy your trek.

What to wear for a gorilla trek in Volcanoes

You need to be comfortable to enjoy your gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park, and below is a list of essential clothes to carry for the trek. The clothes need to be of neutral color, and you should avoid colors blue which attracts tsetse flies, and black absorbs a lot of heat.

• Lightweight pants. At least two pairs will be enough; they shouldn't be jeans.
• Undershirts
• Long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin from bug bites and tree scratches.
• Hiking boots must be waterproof, ankle-long, comfortable to avoid blisters, and sturdy to prevent slipping during the trek.
• Long socks keep you warm and tuck in the trousers during gorilla trekking.
• Adjustable gaiters and these should be waterproof.
• Flip-flops or sneakers to use after the trek
• Gardening gloves protect your hands from blisters and scratches because you do not know what you will hold onto during the trek.
• Waterproof rain jacket, a warm sweater, or a shawl.
• A multi-pocket vest.

Is it safe to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park?

Yes, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is very safe for all tourists. Measures have been put in place to ensure the trek is safe. For example, security checks at the park entrance, surveillance cameras, and the rules and regulations all help make gorilla trekking safe in Volcanoes National Park.

What do I need to consider when booking a gorilla permit?

Booking gorilla permits needs to be done as early as possible, and you should consider how you will purchase them. Do extensive research about the tour company you are willing to use by reading reviews on TripAdvisor and getting recommendations from the people who have used the company before; find out if the permits are available on your trek's desired dates, and you also need to consider the season of travel. The dry/peak season (June to September and December to February) has many tourists, permits are sold out fast, and it is hard to get last-minute gorilla permits.

The cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda

The cost of the gorilla trek safari in Uganda is determined and affected by numerous factors that might make it a budget, mid-range, or luxury safari. The permit cost is $1500, which has to be paid by every tourist planning on trekking gorillas in Rwanda. Other factors that will affect the cost of the safari include the type of accommodation chosen, transport, personal purchases, transport means used, tips, and the number of days spent on the safari. The more days you spend on a safari, the more money you spend.

What to pack

Your packing list is essential because you want to avoid packing unnecessary luggage, and you will want to get the list right to enjoy your gorilla safari. Some of the things that you need to bring on your gorilla trek safari include:

• Sunscreen and a sun hat for protection from the sun
• A camera and the necessary camera equipment include extra batteries, storage, a waterproof camera bag, and a tripod, among others.
• Binoculars, especially if you plan other safari activities after gorilla trekking.
• Toiletries. Although some are provided by the lodges/hotels, you might feel comfortable carrying your own.
• Cash for tips and personal shopping. You must exchange the money into local currency for better and easier transactions.
• A flashlight and batteries.
• First aid kit
• Insect repellent
• A day backpack to carry the essentials you might need during the trek.

Are seniors and people with disabilities allowed to trek gorillas in Rwanda?

Seniors and people with disabilities can trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. During the briefing, the lead guides check passports to ascertain their ages. If you are not fit enough, especially seniors, you will be assigned a more leisurely trek. Trekkers with disabilities are also catered to, but you need to inform the tour operator during the trek about any disabilities you might have for proper planning. Sedan chairs have been introduced to help those with disabilities move around. These are supposed to be booked in advance at an extra cost of over $500 and are carried by the porters. The cost of the sedan chairs can change at any time, and in case of any changes, we will be able to inform you on our website.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.