Must have’s for travelers to Rwanda for gorilla trekking during rainy season

Must have’s for travelers to Rwanda for gorilla trekking during rainy season. When planning a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda during the rainy season first acquire the gorilla trekking permit from Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is a document that gives tourists permission to do this adventure. Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are issued per day on first come first served basis.

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Other items that a traveler on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari must have include the Rwanda visa where necessary, safari boots, safari attire, camera, garden gloves, insect repellant and much more.

Rwanda is generally a cold country most of the year so you need to carry some warmers. Rwanda is a country nicknamed land of a thousand hills because of the general topography of the country which was affected by volcanic action. A number of physical features are situated in Rwanda including ridges, plateaus, deep valleys, mountains and others.

Rwanda gorilla trekking is also considered steeper than her counterparts Uganda and D.R.Congo. Sometimes even the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys of the highlands so tourists must hike to find them. Get in touch for more information.

Brief Information About Where To Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is the habitat for mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is forested with vegetation that is believed to have survived the ice age era. The long list of fauna and flora within the park is attributed to the so many years that the volcanic forest has survived

At the moment 12 gorilla trekking families are open to public viewing some of them include Hirwa, Susa, Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi and others. These gorilla families are known to spend time around the different highlands in the park but the most notable include Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Muhavura, Bisoke and Karisimbi.

Volcanoes National Park also hosts other primates including golden monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey and several others. More than 200 bird species have been registered as residents of Volcanoes Forest including Albertine rift endemics.

What A Traveler Must Have For The Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda During The Rainy Season

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit

To qualify to attend the Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure, tourists must have a permit from the Rwanda Development Board. At the moment Rwanda has 12 gorilla trekking families open to the public but a maximum of 8 tourists are allowed to visit these gorilla families per day.

On gorilla trekking day, tourists report to the ORTPN for briefing and document verification. No client is allowed to join the gorilla trekking party without this permit.

Even though Rwanda gorilla permits for the low or rainy season are normally available at the last minute, it is not a guarantee so to be on the safe side, it is better to book one in advance.

Safari boots

The nature of the terrain of Volcanoes National Park is that it is ragged with several highlands and the mountain gorillas may spend time on the slopes so tourists have to follow them too. One needs footwear that can maneuver such conditions and even the logged jungle so you need to wear waterproof safari boots. The ground sometimes gets slippery, boggy and tough to walk through therefore you need safari boots that can cover you beyond the ankles.

Long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers

Pack long sleeve shirt and convertible trousers to walk through the jungle that is normally covered with dark green vegetation. Pack clothes that are wilderness friendly other than camouflage, which is related to the military uniform in Uganda.

Rwanda Visa

Rwanda is very strict with presenting the necessary documents especially if you are not their national. Apply for the Rwanda Visa in advance so that you do not have to stand in the long queue at immigration on arrival.

Some hard cash

Having some hard cash as you travel to Rwanda is very helpful because you can easily do on ground transaction which is more convenient in Africa, Credit card are not commonly used in most African countries because of the long process of obtaining money from them.

Raincoat or poncho

Expect rain to fall in the Virunga area where Volcanoes National Park is part without warning no matter the season. Do not forget to pack a raincoat or poncho to protect yourself from getting wet and cold.

A torch with extra batteries

The accommodations around Volcanoes National Park use solar power for lighting, water heating, charging and others but at times the solar batteries do not store enough energy to support through the night. When lights go out, you need a torch for lighting.

Warmers or sweater

The temperatures of Volcanoes forest are normally low most of the year especially early morning and late afternoon so you need some warmer.

Safari hat

Protect your head from the buzzing insects that roam the forest, water dripping from up the tree, or drizzling rain that falls almost the entire day by wearing a safari hat.

Garden gloves

As you explore the forest in search for the mountain gorillas, you my land your hands on some tough surfaces especially the stinging nettles that may react with your skin so you need to wear Garden gloves.

Sunglasses.

In the wilderness there are flying insects that may buzz around and land in your eyes so you need sunglasses. Even as you drive to Volcanoes National Park, you may be hit by the scorching sun on the way even during the rainy season.

 A camera

Pack a soundproof camera to keep memories of the moments shared on safari with the mountain gorillas and other inhabitants you encounter in the wilderness. The camera has to be soundproof because mountain gorillas are easily intimidated by unfamiliar occurrences in their vicinity.

Extra fully charge batteries

In case your gadgets need recharging by battery, carry extra ones to exchange with in case one runs low. Every moment in the jungle with the mountain gorillas counts.

Foldable Water bottle

To quench thirst, you need drinking water which you can carry in a water bottle along with other gorilla safari gears.

Energy Snacks

Having some energy bites while searching for the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is very important because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time in the wilderness and back

Insect repellant

The wilderness has several stinging insect that may hurt you so you need insect repellant . Wear clothes in colors that do not attract these insects so you must desist  from wearing colors like blue, black and blue and  bright colors

Toiletries

Feel comfortable by using Toiletries that fit perfectly with your skin texture so carry your own even if most accommodations avail them.

Water proof backpack

Carry a backpack where you can place your belongings and protect them from getting dirty or misplaced while on a search for the mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking gears are easier to handover to the porter when in one container.

Flip Flops

Gorilla trekking take unknown time which may mean wearing safari boots for some time so in return, you may change into flip flops.

A pair of binoculars

On the way, you may some far ranging features that you may require to see using a pair of binoculars.

Duffle Bag  

If you have to carry your own bags, use a Duffel bag to pack so that you can easily carry it when on the ground. Even when you have to transfer from your lodge to another location in Rwanda, it is quicker to carry.

A pair of stockings

For extra safety, you need to tack in your trousers to protect yourself from any creeping insects that may make their way into the trousers and hurt you.

How Much Is The Cost Of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari In The Rainy Season

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we categorize our safari packages into Luxury, Mid-range and basic. The cost of the Rwanda  gorilla permit is first considered no matter the safari package you choose. At the moment, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for International residents and Other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

In addition to the Rwanda gorilla permits, other safari logistics are included in the safari quotation including accommodation, transport and others.

To get the best deal for your Rwanda gorilla safari in the low season, one can work around with our tours consultant so that negotiations with some service providers can be made.

Note that Rwanda sometimes offer discounted gorilla permits in the low season through the Rwanda Development Board however this is not a guarantee all the time.

When Is The Best Time To Book A Gorilla Permit For The Rainy Season In Rwanda

The best time to book gorilla permits for the rainy season in Rwanda would be at least 3 months in advance. During the low season, the demand for gorilla safaris in Rwanda tends to get low so even those who book at the last minute may get an opportunity however this is not a guarantee.

During the dry season which is normally June to September and December to January the demand for Rwanda gorilla permits is at its peak unlike the rainy season which is normally the low tourism season of the country.

Chances of securing accommodation to use on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari at a discount are more open in the low season so those with a limited but wish to do this Rwanda safari activity may try this season.

How safe is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is safe for gorilla trekking because the mountain gorilla families that are opened to the public are first habituated until proved ready for public visits. On ground are well trained ranger guides from the Rwanda Development Board who conduct the gorilla safaris and often do routine patrols within and around Volcanoes National Park.

Every tourists is expected to attend briefing at the ORTPN before proceeding to search for the mountain gorillas and it is from here that details of the guidelines of gorilla safari are explained. No tourists is expected to move in the forest without an escorting guide. the ranger guides on the gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda also follow the pace of the slowest trekker so that none is forgotten in the wilderness.

At a personal level, the security on safari starts with you so keep your belongings away from the public. Do not carry around your precious valuables that you may be afraid to misplace. Avoid engaging with unlawful individuals while on safari in Rwanda because law enforcement may catch up with you and you land in the unbearable African prisons or pay a hefty penalty

Rules of Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

• No feeding the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking because they are wild animals that must search for their own food.
• Only maximum 8 tourists are allowed to see the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking for conservation purposes.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas when you find them for conservation reasons.
• Littering the forest where mountain gorillas live is forbidden as you alter the nature of the environment where mountain gorillas live.
• When you locate the mountain gorillas, stay close to so as not to make them feel ambushed.
• Provoking or mimicking the mountain gorillas is not allowed as you may communicate something offensive that can agitate them and push them into hiding.
• When you wish to cough or sneeze, do it in at least 200 meters from the mountain gorillas to avoid chances of passing an infection to them.
• Before finding the mountain gorillas talk at a low tone so as not to appear suspicious when you finally met them. The mountain gorillas get to notice your presence before you do to them.
• When taking photos, use flash-less camera so as not to scare the mountain gorillas. They are agitated by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you find them.

For more information about gorilla trekking in Rwanda, please contact us here.