Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Spotting Mountain gorillas in Rwanda is one of the best adventures in the country and is a growing popular activity among tourists visiting Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park, located in northeastern Rwanda, is the prime destination for gorilla safaris. Covering over 160 square kilometres, it is home to five dormant Volcanic Mountains, which include Gahinga, Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Bisoke and Muhabura. The National Park is home to 12 gorilla families which makes it one of the best gorilla tracking destinations in the world. The 12 habituated gorilla families are trekked throughout the year but all tourists 15 years and above have to first purchase a gorilla permit before gaining access to the Mountain gorillas.

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Booking and purchasing a gorilla permit in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking is not possible without a gorilla permit which has to be purchased from a trusted tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board. We are going to look at an overview of the cost of the gorilla permit, how to book it, and the important rule that has to be followed when booking a gorilla permit.

The cost of the permit: A gorilla trek permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and citizens from other African countries and $200 for East African citizens per person. Rwanda offers discounts on the gorilla permit for EAC citizens, foreign residents and other conference guests. A 30% discount is always offered to you if you visit other national parks in the country, either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park, while spending two or three days in these national parks.

The age requirement: The gorilla permit in Rwanda is only available to tourists who are 15 years and above. Anyone who is below 15 years will not be allowed to purchase the permits and the age verification is done when you send a copy of your valid passport.

The availability of the permits: The Rwanda Development Board issues a maximum of 96 gorilla permits per day, 8 for each trekking group. The printed permits are few as compared to the tourist population and this is one of the reasons why tourists are advised to purchase the gorilla permits in advance to be able to participate in the exercise.

How to purchase the Rwanda gorilla permit

The gorilla trek permits in Rwanda can be purchased directly from the Rwanda Development Board by either contacting their offices via email or phone or using their online website. This is the best way to purchase a permit especially if you wish to take on a solo gorilla safari. However, the best way of purchasing the permits is through a tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. Encounter is a safari company that has experience in organizing gorilla safaris in Rwanda. You need to get in touch with details of your trekking dates to the tour operator so that the operator can be able to check for the availability of the permits for your dates. Once it is proven that the permits are available, an invoice will be sent so that you make the necessary payments for the gorilla permit. After payments have been confirmed, the permits will be purchased on your behalf and you have to come with the copy that is sent to you.

We always advise tourists to book their permits 6 months in advance, especially if they are traveling in the peak season of December to February and June to September. Get in touch for more information.

The gorilla trek experience in Rwanda

The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda starts with a briefing, allocation of the gorilla families, and trekking and after one hour with the gorillas, you head back to the park headquarters, where you are awarded a certificate for participating in the exercise. Below is a brief explanation of the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.

The briefing: The briefing is to be attended by all tourists participating in the trekking and this starts early morning at the Kinigi park headquarters around 7:00 am in the morning. During the briefing, the park rangers and guides give tourists an insight into what to expect during the trek, gorilla behaviors, and the safety measures that are to be followed by all tourists, you will also be allocated gorilla families during the trek.

The hike: Immediately after the briefing, the groups will set off into the forests of the Volcanoes National Park in search of the gorillas. The trekking experience can take between 1 to 6 hours depending on the distance of the gorilla family you have been allocated, and the physical fitness of the trekkers. While on your trek, you will also be able to spot other wildlife species, especially birdlife and other primates, among others.

Finding the gorillas: Once you locate the Mountain gorillas, you will all be allowed an hour with the gorillas and in this one hour, you can observe the gorillas as they socialize with each other, feed, hunt for food, rest and care for their young ones. Encountering the Mountain gorillas for that one hour is a life-changing experience, and when the hour is up, tourists have to trek back slowly to the park headquarters.

Packing list: Some of the things that you need to pack for your gorilla safari in Rwanda include a camera, binoculars, hiking shoes, neutral-coloured long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a day backpack, refillable water bottle, snacks, first aid kit, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, sweaters, socks to keep warm, a sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent and toiletries among others.

Safety measures taken when gorilla trekking in Rwanda

A Rwanda gorilla trip is a safe and enriching experience, but this is only possible if you follow all the rules and regulations that were set up to protect the gorillas and the trekkers. Rwanda, first of all, is one of the safest countries in the world with a low crime rate; there is also park security where all park rangers and guides are trained to handle all the threats and ensure that the gorillas and tourists are safe. Accommodation should also be made in a safe area, and tourists should book their accommodation through a trusted tour operator because they know accommodation is safe.

• Visitors to Volcanoes National Park have to follow these safety measures and below are the rules that have to be followed throughout the safari trek.
• All participants should be able to attend the briefing because this is where the trek rules and regulations are outlined. These rules are meant to conserve the natural habitat of the Mountain gorillas, and tourists who miss out on briefing might not be allowed to participate in trekking.
• Tourists should also communicate with the guides and rangers in case they are sick with diseases like cough and flu, and this is because trekkers who are sick will not be allowed to participate in the trek to ensure that the gorillas are safe. You will be requested to volunteer for the trek.
• Tourists 15 years and above are allowed to trek Mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
• No one will be allowed to participate in the trekking exercise without an experienced guide and park rangers.
• You have to always keep a 7-meter distance between you and the gorillas after locating them. This is to ensure that in case you are sick, you will not be able to contaminate and infect the Mountain gorillas.
• Spitting on the vegetation when trekking in Volcanoes National Park is not allowed because you will be contaminating the gorilla’s food since most of them feed on the vegetation that is found in the national park.
• When you locate the Mountain gorillas, you do not have to surround them gorillas because they will feel threatened, but all tourist groups are advised to at least make a curve and keep a distance from the Mountain gorillas so that you don’t disturb their day-to-day behaviours.
• When you are observing the Mountain gorillas, make sure that the flash of your camera is off. Mountain gorillas are not used to the camera flash and might retreat further into the national park.
• A maximum of 8 people treks the habituated gorilla families per day. This is to make sure that the Mountain gorillas are not overwhelmed by large crowds of tourists.
• Eating and feeding the gorillas is not allowed and is prohibited.
• Avoid touching the Mountain gorillas when you are with them. This reduces the risk of infections from human to gorilla infections.

The physical fitness needed for a gorilla safari in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a physically demanding safari activity that requires one to have at least a moderate level of fitness to undertake the exercise. Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park involves hiking through the thick forests and uneven terrain and this can visibly be hectic if you are not ready for the safari. Some of the reasons as to why you need to be physically fit include:

The duration of the trek: The Rwanda trek duration can last 30 minutes to several hours and all this depends on the location of the Mountain gorilla family that you have been allocated. In some cases where the family is far away, the hours can be longer, but regardless of the duration; you will be able to see the Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

The terrain: Tourists should expect to have terrain changes throughout the trek as you will be trekking through hills, streams, muddy paths, valleys and steep slopes. You need to have a good balance of the body, stability and physically fit to take on the terrain.

The best time for a Rwanda Gorilla Safari

The best time for a gorilla safari trip in Rwanda is influenced by the weather patterns, and these are dry and wet seasons. Gorillas can be trekked all year round however, the best time depends on your preference.

The dry season: June and September make up the dry season and it is also the peak season for gorilla tracking in Rwanda. The weather during the dry season is practically dry and sunny; the trek trails are easier to use as well, but note that there will be rain even though it is the dry season. The advantages of trekking in the dry season include the ideal trekking conditions characterized by less risky rainfall and clear trek trails that are easily accessible. The disadvantage that comes with trekking in the dry season is the large crowds of tourists during this period, and it is an expensive time to travel. The shorter dry season in Rwanda is from December to February whereas the long dry season is from June to September.

The rainy season: The rainy season in Rwanda is experienced twice with the long rains from March to May, and this period is characterized by heavy rain; April has the highest rainfall, and the short rains are from October to November. There are rains experienced during this period; the treks are muddy and slippery, but note that it will not rain throughout the day as the sun comes out as well. The advantages of travelling for gorilla trekking during the rainy season are that it is a cheaper time to travel, and there are fewer crowds.

Accommodation options in Volcanoes National Park

There are several accommodation options to choose from when planning a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and these are in categories of budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. When choosing accommodation, make sure that it is close to the trekking area and some of the accommodation facilities to choose from include the One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bisate Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, The Bishop’s House, Mountain Gorilla View Hotel, Kinigi Guest House, Villa Gorilla, and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge among others.

How to get to Volcanoes National Park

You can get to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking in Rwanda by either road or air. The most convenient way to get to the national park is by driving from Kigali to Volcanoes, and this takes 2 to 3 hours. It is the budget-friendly way to get to the national park providing the best and most scenic route. Helicopter flights are much easier and quicker to use. However, it is the most expensive way to get to the national park. The chartered flights can be arranged from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip and this takes about 30 minutes.