Combining gorilla trekking in Rwanda with a volcano hiking expedition

Combining Volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the safaris that is carried out in the Volcanoes National Park which is home to 12 habituated gorilla families, more than 400 Mountain gorillas, and five of the Virunga ranges including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Muhabura.

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Volcanoes National Park also known as the Parc Des Vulcans and Pariki Y’Igihugu Jibirungu is managed by the Rwanda Development Board, a government body that manages the tourism sector in Rwanda. The National park was gazetted off to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and other primates like the golden monkeys from poaching. 

Trekking gorillas in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is the highest income-generating tourist activity in Rwanda carried out in Volcanoes National Park which is part of the Virunga region and home to five Volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park has always been home to Mountain gorillas but due to poaching, many lives were lost and this almost led to the extinction of the primates after Dian Fossey came to the park and started the research and conservation of the gorillas, the numbers have greatly increased and Mountain gorillas are no longer part of the critically endangered but are not just endangered species. There are over 400 Mountain gorillas in the Park and 13 habituated gorilla families.

Gorilla permits: Gorilla permits are the only document that will give you access to the habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and these can be bought from the Rwanda Development Board but the best option is by using a trusted local tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. Contact us to help you with the purchase of the gorilla permit in Rwanda and remember that this needs to be done in advance so that the safari is planned efficiently.

Rwanda markets itself as a luxury safari destination and this means that the gorilla permits here are higher than the other gorilla trekking destinations. The cost is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens, and $200 for East African citizens. A permit can only be used once and only by the person to whom it is issued and you need to inform your safari operator in advance if anything goes wrong.

What is the cost of the combined gorilla and volcanoes hiking expedition in Rwanda?

The cost of the combined gorilla safari in Rwanda with Volcanoes hiking expedition depends on several factors and decisions that you make when it comes to planning your combined expedition and these include: 

The number of people you are traveling with and the size of the group you are traveling with will determine whether you are going to spend more on our safari or have a luxury combined safari. When traveling with a large group, you will get to pay less for the safari because of the shared costs, and smaller groups or one-person tailored safaris tend to cost more.

Volcano hike in volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes hikes are carried out on 4 of the five Virunga massifs that are found in the national park which are Mount Bisoke, Muhavura, Gahinga, and Karisimbi since Mount Sabinyo was declared dangerous. Combining a Volcanoes hike with gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the best safari you can think of and since there are numerous trek trails in the park, tourists have a chance to explore the different parts of the national park.

Volcano hike trails in Volcanoes National Park

Mount Bisoke is located along the border of Rwanda with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a massive dormant volcano that rises to about 3711m above sea level. Bisoke has a crater lake measuring 400 m in diameter at the peak offering hikers some of the best sceneries. The Crater Lake trail is the most popular and it takes 4 hours to climb and 2 hours descending.

Dian Fossey's tomb trail found between Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi leads you to the tomb of the researcher who advocated for the conservation of the Mountain gorillas and lost her life to a poacher. The trail starts at the foot of Mount Bisoke leading to the research station of Karisoke where she used to research and was buried. The round trip to the tomb is 3 to 4 hours and as you trek to the tomb, you get to have sights of the different gorillas, bird species, and other primates.

Lake Ngezi trail is also a trekking trail on Mount Bisoke just adjacent to Mount Gahinga. The trek is also easier to trek as compared to the trek to the peak and it takes 4 to 5 hours depending on your physical fitness.

The Gahinga trail is the least used and it leads to the peak of Mount Gahinga rising to over 3474 m above sea level. Although it is least used, it is the recommended start of a hike for non-seasoned hikers before taking on the challenging Mountain hike trails.

Mount Muhavura rising to 4127m above sea level is found along the border of Rwanda and Uganda and is located at either the start or end of the volcano chain depending on where you have started your journey from. The round trip is 6 to 8 hours but it requires one to be of good physical fitness and patient to be able to enjoy the volcano hike.

What to bring for the volcano hike

You need to properly prepare for the hike and some of these things to bring for your hike include the following.

• Sturdy comfortable hike boots
• Camping equipment for the Bisoke trail
• A waterproof rain jacket or windbreaker
• long-sleeved shirts
• Long lightweight pants
• gardening gloves
• A walking pole
• Adjustable gaiters
• A camera and binoculars
• Snacks and bottled drinking water.

Other activities carried out in Volcanoes National Park

Golden monkey trekking: Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered Golden monkeys and the best destination to go for the safari. Golden monkeys are easier to trek because they live in the lower grounds of the park and leave bamboo foliage on the ground which is easier to follow during the trek as you track the playful golden monkeys.

Bird watching: Volcanoes National Park is home to over 3bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine region. Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park is best carried out during the rainy season however you can still go any time of the year. Some of the bird species that you should look out for include the Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori Batis, collared Apalis, and Grauer’s rush warbler among others.

Iby’iwacu village experience: The village is one of the best places to visit on your permit safari to the Volcanoes National Park for the combined safari. This is home to locals who formerly lived in the national park and former poachers. All locals who live in the Ibyiwacu village have helped in the conservation of the Mountain gorillas and trips to the village are tailored so that tourists learn more about the gorillas and the culture of the Rwandese people.

A visit to the Dian Fossey tomb: This is one of the most famous activities carried out by tourists during a safari to Volcanoes National Park. The hike was set up in memory of Dian Fossey who spent most of her time in the park protecting the Mountain gorillas and creating awareness of the primates that were critically endangered. She was killed by a poacher and was buried in the park. The hike is about 3000 meters and it is a form of remembering the pathologist and contributing to the awareness of the Mountain gorillas.

The cost of the combined gorilla and volcano hike safari

The cost of the combined safari is affected by several factors that can either increase or reduce the cost of the safari. The factors that affect the cost of the combined safari include the season of travel, the size of the group of people traveling for the safari, the various safari activities on your itinerary, the number of days spent on the safari, and personal purchases among others. If you are traveling on a budget, you should travel in large groups, avoid the peak/dry season, travel for a few days, and reduce the number of activities you are participating in and the numerous personal expenditures.

Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park

There are several lodge/hotel options to choose from during the combined gorilla trekking and volcanoes hike in Rwanda and these come in three categories, budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities. The different facilities you can choose from include Le Bamboo Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback, Hotel Muhavura, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Bisate Lodge, and Hotel Muhavura among others.

When is the best time to go for a combined gorilla and volcanoes hike in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking and Volcano hikes are an all-year-round exercise but the best time is during June to September and December to February. The permits are usually in high demand during this period and are sold off fast. These months are the best because you not only get to spot the Mountain gorillas easily because of the dry and passable trek trails, but the vegetation within the forest is easier to go through, unlike the rainy season when they are impassable. The five volcanic mountains are also easy to use during the dry season unlike during the rainy season which is from March to May and October to November.

The rainy season is also a good time to spot the Mountain gorillas but note that there will be rains and muddy and slippery trek routes. Note that Virunga National Park receives rainfall throughout the year even during the dry season and you need to prepare for the rains that come at any time. Hiking through Volcanoes National Park is not an easy fit and you need to be ready for the rains and muddy routes. 

Tips on how to plan a combined gorilla and volcano hike safari in Rwanda

When planning a combined gorilla and volcano hike safari in Rwanda, you will need to have a few tips that will help you plan the perfect combined safari and these include:

Choosing the right tour operator: this is very crucial when planning a combined safari to ensure that you have a successful safari. A good tour operator will always provide you with all the information that you need when it comes to planning like the best accommodation facilities, transport options, and experienced guides. Make sure that you carry out diligent research about the tour operator you are to use to avoid scammers.

Choose the right season of travel: the gorilla and volcano hike safari can be carried out all year round but the best time is during the dry season is the best to carry out many of the outdoor activities in Volcanoes National Park. You should however note that the dry season is the busiest time making it the peak season so you need to secure permits and pay for the safari in advance. 

Get fit: you are going to be trekking through an unfamiliar territory and the hikes can be long and strenuous to be able to enjoy the hike, you need to get fit and be healthy. No one will be allowed to trek if they have health issues and are not fit enough.

Follow all the rules: Trekking and hiking have rules and regulations and if you want to participate in the combined safari, then you have to follow all the rules regulations, and guidelines given to you by the experienced guides.

How safe is gorilla trekking and volcano hike expedition in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking and Volcano hikes in Rwanda are safe and this is because of the joint security forces that offer protection to the trekkers through armed rangers and other security agents that provide 24/7 security around Volcanoes National Park. You should also however maintain personal security by following all the rules and regulations, staying closer to the trek group, leaving all your personal belongings in the hotel, and avoiding counting large sums of money in public.

For more information about organizing a combined gorilla trekking and volcano hike expedition to Rwanda, get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris.