What are the chances of seeing gorillas in Rwanda during the rainy season?

What are the chances of seeing gorillas in Rwanda during the rainy season? There is a 98% chance of spotting Mountain gorillas in Rwanda during the wet season because there are about 12 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and each tourist has a chance of spotting the gorillas. The government of Rwanda has made sure that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is organized so that all trekkers get a chance to spot the gorillas on their safari.

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On the morning of the trek, trackers are sent out early morning to follow the gorillas from their last seen place so that they can easily guide the trekkers on the route to use when trekking the different gorilla families. The trackers are always in constant communication with the guides, and this is done to make sure that you can spot gorillas on your safari.

There are two rainy seasons experienced in Rwanda and these are the long rains from March to May and the short rain season from October to November. Volcanoes National Park is however a rainforest and seasons can change other factors remaining constant so expect to receive rainfall or no rainfall throughout your trek in the rainy season and it can still occur during the dry season. Note that although it is the rainy season, this does not mean that the rains are received throughout the day. 

Where is gorilla trekking done in Rwanda?

Gorillas in Rwanda are trekked in the Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwestern part of the country. This is the only place in Rwanda where gorilla trekking is carried out, and it borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has 12 habituated gorilla families and these include the Susa gorilla family, Agashya gorilla family, Kwitonda family, Amahoro family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugenda family, Umubano gorilla family, Titus gorilla family, and Bwenge gorilla family.

To be able to participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you need to first purchase a gorilla permit, which can be bought from the Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator. The gorilla permit in Rwanda can be bought at $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens and $200 for East African citizens. Rwanda offers a 30% discount on permits and this offer only works if you have planned on spending at most two nights at either Nyungwe Park or Akagera National Park.

After deciding on the dates of trekking gorillas in Rwanda, contact us with your dates, and we will check for the availability of the trek permits on your desired dates. After confirming the permit availability, we will send you an invoice to make payment. As soon as we confirm that payment has been made, we will proceed to purchase the gorilla permits and send you a scanned copy as proof. 

What to expect during gorilla trekking in the rainy season in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts as early as 7:00 am at the park headquarters with a briefing from the lead guides about what to expect during the trek and to re-echo the rules and regulations to be followed during the exercise. After the briefing, you will be placed in groups of 8, assigned gorilla families and thereafter go to the trail heads to start gorilla trekking. The duration of the exercise is determined by the location of the gorilla family you are assigned and when you get to the family, you will have an hour with the gorillas taking photos, observing and recording videos before heading back to the headquarters for the awarding of the certificate.

Trekking rules and regulations in Rwanda

As a way of the continued preservation of the Mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board, together with other conservation partners, came up with gorilla trekking rules and regulations, and it is a must for all tourists to follow all the trekking rules, some of which include:

• The minimum trek age in Rwanda is 15 years and this is because adults follow instructions and are easy to handle as compared to children.
• You are to leave at least 7 to 10 meters from the gorillas. This protects you from the gorillas in case they are agitated and prevents human gorilla infections.
• As you approach the gorillas, make sure that you do so without your luggage.
• The flash on your camera has to be turned off at all times when taking photos of the Mountain gorillas.
• A maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek a gorilla family daily.
• Littering in the national park has been prohibited.
• Do not put on your sunglasses because they show the gorilla's reflection, and they might think that they are being challenged by another, especially the dominant silverback.
• You are not allowed to feed the gorillas.
• You will not be allowed to eat or drink in the presence of the Mountain gorillas.
• There are no toilets in the national park, but if you feel like using one, dig a 30 cm hole and cover it up so that the gorillas do not find the waste.
• You are not allowed to get close or touch the gorillas.
• Always make sure that you cover your mouth and nose and turn away from the gorillas when you want to sneeze and cough, especially when with the gorillas.
• Tourists who are sick will not be allowed to trek gorillas.
• Do not leave the trek group and follow the guide throughout the trek.
• Follow all the guidelines that are given to you by the guides.

What to bring for your gorilla safari in Rwanda

There are a lot of things that need to be brought for a gorilla safari in Rwanda because these will determine whether you will enjoy your safari or not. Some of the things that you need for the gorilla safari include the following.

Clothes: The best clothes for a gorilla safari are long-sleeved shirts and trousers. The trousers should not be jeans because when they get wet, it becomes hard to trek as they slow you down. The extra layer of the shirts keeps you warm and also protects your skin from insect bites and scratches.

• Thick socks are a necessity. They protect you from insect bites and crawling up your trousers (trousers are tucked into the trousers to prevent this). The socks also keep you warm during cold weather.
• Adjustable gaiters should be part of your gorilla safari to Rwanda during the rainy season. These keep the dust, rain, and mud off your trousers.
• Garden gloves protect your hands during the trek. You are going to be tracking through unfamiliar territory and don't know what you might be holding onto, so it is advisable to carry garden gloves to protect your hands from blisters and branch scratches.
• Strong hiking boots are a necessity and should be one of the first things to pack for the Rwanda gorilla safari during the rainy season. The boots should not necessarily be new but ensure that they are waterproof, fitting, comfortable and ankle length.
• A warm sweater and waterproof rain jacket should be packed for the safari. Volcanoes National Park's weather changes at any time, and the waterproof rain jacket will keep off the rain while the warm sweater keeps you warm when it gets cold.

Refillable water bottle: Tracking gorillas can take between 30 minutes and 6 hours and although it is a rainy season, you will still need to carry a refillable water bottle because of the hours spent trekking through the forest. If possible, carry a refillable and foldable water bottle.

Gadgets: A Rwanda gorilla safari is incomplete without gadgets, including a camera and binoculars. Any type of camera can be brought as long as you can operate it, but ensure that the flash is always off when taking photos of the Mountain gorillas. Some of the things that you should bring as camera accessories include extra batteries and lenses, a tripod, storage, and a waterproof camera bag.

Insect repellent: Any type of insect repellent is okay because it will help you keep off the many bugs that are found within the national park.

Safety of gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the rainy season

Rwanda is known to be one of the safest countries in the world and the government has done all it can to ensure that the gorilla trekking exercise is safe for all tourists. There are many steps that have been taken some of which are the introduction of rules and regulations when it comes to gorilla trekking, there are security checks that are carried out at the park entrance and anything that is deemed illegal and can cause harm to the gorillas is confiscated, Security cameras have been set up around the national park and armed rangers are always around to provide 24/7 security. 

Is gorilla trekking during the rainy season in Rwanda worth it?

Yes, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in the rainy season is worth the money because you get to meet the mountain gorillas one-on-one and contribute to their conservation. 

Why you need to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the rainy season

Gorilla trekking is one of the most organized safari activities in Rwanda throughout the year and besides the rain, the advantages of gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the rainy season include:

Rwanda offers permit discounts during the low season which is during the rainy season but this only applies to tourists who have pre-booked to spend at least two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera National Park.

Some service providers like accommodations offer discounts because of the few tourists who visit the country for gorilla trekking during this season.

It is the perfect time to go and trek gorillas if you are not a fan of large crowds. Many tourists avoid the rainy season because of the rains and muddy trails but if you dont mind a little rain, this is the best time for you to go for a gorilla safari to Rwanda.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is just a few hours away from the capital city of Rwanda Kigali and the most commonly used mode of transport is the road. After getting to Kigali International Airport, you will be driven through Kigali in a 4x4 safari vehicle before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park which is a 2 to 3 hours' drive. Get in touch with us to help you organize the best transportation means available to Volcanoes National Park.

Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park has accommodation facilities ranging from basic, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. There are a few factors that you need to consider when booking accommodation including your travelling budget, the closeness of the facility to the trailhead, security at the lodges and the amenities provided. Tour operators are always available to help with booking the lodges after making a choice and these include the Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, One & Only Gorillas Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, The Bishops House, Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Davinci Gorilla lodge, Tiloreza eco-lodge and Bisate lodge among others.

During the rainy season, there is a lot of food that the mountain gorillas can easily locate. This prevents them from going further into the forest in search of food, making it easy to trek them. However, you need to be ready for the rains and trek trails that might be impossible to use because they are wet, muddy, and slippery.

Are you planning a gorilla trek safari to Rwanda during the rainy season? Encounter Africa Safaris is the best tour operator with years of experience in organizing safaris in East Africa. Contact us for more information about the safari and let us plan an unforgettable gorilla trek safari in the rainy season to Rwanda.