What is it like to trek both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda

When on the gorilla and golden monkey trek in Rwanda, expect to see some of the endangered primates in Africa. The mountain gorillas according to the recent census are about 1000 there are in the world. The population of the golden monkeys is about 40000 living in the world.

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To go either gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, one is required to have a booked permit. The number of Rwanda gorilla or golden monkey permits is restricted to maximum 8 per trek as a conservation measure to regulate mass tourist effects.

During gorilla or golden monkey trekking experience in Rwanda, tourists follow the trail network within the forest to get to the location of these primates. Along the way, there are several plants that protrude through, drape the tree trunks and these may obstruct the paths.

Volcanoes National Park is the only home to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda. Other primates are residents of volcanoes forest too including olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others.  

The treks in Volcanoes National Park is quite steep because the topography of these parks is influences by the five volcanic mountains that form part of this forest. Some of these mountains include mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Muhavura. There are other lands forms that form part of the topography of this forest resulting from the serious volcanic actions that affected this area.

What happens on gorilla or golden monkey trekking day in Rwanda

Every tourists must attend briefing before the gorilla or golden monkey trekking adventure in Rwanda. At this point ranger guides provide in-depth details about the rules of gorilla or golden monkey trekking. There is the provision of hiring a porter to help with carrying your gears at this point.

Each tourist is allocated a gorilla family or golden monkey troop using a criteria that is normally known by the ranger guides. Sometimes gorilla or golden monkey troops are allocated to tourists according to age, physical fitness and more. But no matter where your luck lands you the excitement is enormously unique.

The ranger guides lead the trekkers using the trail head towards where the gorilla family or golden monkey troop was last seen. The ranger guides also lead tourists using clues providers by early trackers to find either the gorilla or golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.

The trek to find the gorillas or golden monkeys in Rwanda is quite steep because these primates are free and at times they spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys. Enjoy the presence of other forest inhabitants because Volcanoes forest is a biosphere reserve with a longlist of residents.

Time of finding the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys nay vary from just 30 minutes of starting the trek to over there quarters of the day. Do not give up on your excitement of finally finding the gorillas or golden monkeys because meeting them is a moment filled with perplexing feelings. Some tourists have reported having forgetten the past challenges upon finding the gorillas or golden monkeys.

Only one hours is strictly allowed with the gorilla trekking family or golden monkeys to allow the go about their daily life. Even though humans are allowed to visit these endangered primates, their presence interrupts the day time table of these primates so time with them is minimized.

As you get away from the mountain gorillas or golden monkey presence, do it without seeming to be suspicious.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Mountain Gorillas Or Golden Monkeys In Rwanda

The price of the Rwanda gorilla permit is quite high but what guarantees seeing the mountain gorillas is:

• The gorilla families or golden monkeys troops are first habituated a process that helps them get used to human presence without altering their nature. This process helps the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys to endure the one before humans but you must follow the rules of this primate safari.
• When golden monkeys or gorilla families occupy a feeding location, they stay here for sometimes and so rangers are able to trace them for the time they are in that feeding spot. Even when the troops relocate, it is normally not far from the previous spot.
• Early morning a team of trackers follows up on the gorilla families and golden monkey troops to where the nested and estimate the possible direction they may take for the day. Some of these clues are what ranger guides with tourists use to find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
• The gorillas or golden monkeys leave clues of their fresh leftovers, foot prints, keep communicate and much more. These help with tracing the way abouts of these primates in the jungle.
• Mountain gorillas have heavy bodies that do not favor their fast movements and there are vines that tangle in the forest reducing on the possible speed of these primates. The golden monkeys are quite swift and hard to control but they have bodies that are larger than other monkeys so their speed is not scaring that they will disappear beyond trace.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking and golden monkey permits for Rwanda

Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents plus other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda includes one hour with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide fees, park entrance, security, conservation support and more.

At the moment the cost of Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit for Rwanda is $100.

The cost of Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit includes one hour of golden monkey trekking, ranger guide fees but excludes Park entrance fees.

Other costs necessary to support the gorilla and Golden monkey safaris in Rwanda include cost of accommodation, transport, meals and more. Ensure to make advance bookings on these Rwanda safari logistics especially in the peak season when demand is over the top.

What else to see in the gorilla and golden monkey safari destination in Rwanda.

On the way to find the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys in Volcanoes national Park Rwanda, you may spot a number of other primates. Some of the other resident primates in Volcanoes forest Rwanda include olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and others.

An array of birds over 200 species are confirmed as residents of Volcanoes forest. Some of the resident birds of Volcanoes forest include, Rwenzori Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Alpine chart, Malachite sunbird, montane White tailed Blue Flycatcher and more.

The Volcanoes forest is a natural rain forest with some unique tree species and several rare medicinal plants for botanists and herbalists to identify.

The topography of Volcanoes forest is jagged with serried highlands that tower beautifully and creating a stunning nature photo backdrop.

A number of other big mammals are residents of Volcanoes forest including giant forest hogs, duikers, forest elephants and more.

How Secure Is The Gorilla And Golden Monkey Trek In Rwanda

Even though both gorilla and golden monkey treks happen in the dense jungle, security is tight. The Rwanda development board is the body responsible for providing security to Volcanoes National Park and its inhabitants but there are other Rwanda safari agencies to assist.

Every gorilla or golden monkey trekking safari in Rwanda must be led by a professional Rwanda development Board ranger guide with an armed tourism police officer carrying a rifles. The ranger guide carries a machete. Both weapons may be used in case of an emergency during the gorilla trekking or golden monkey safari.

On the way to find the mountain gorillas or golden monkey search tourists are requested to stay closer to the rest of the trekkers. This is to avoid getting lost in the seemingly endless Volcanoes forest even though the ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest tourists.

Each tourist must wear the right gorilla or golden monkey trekking gears that can withstand the rough surfaces in the jungle. Some of these gears include safari waterproof boots, rain proof gears, garden gloves, long trousers and shirt, safari hat, insect repellent and more.

Abide by the rules of gorilla or golden monkey trekking as explained by the ranger guides at briefing. These guidelines are to assist tourists have a great time before and after finding the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Do not provoke these primates because they can charge even though they are fully habituated.

When the gorillas or golden monkeys show some odd behavior, do not panic but maintain your cool as you wait for the new directives from the ranger guide. Tryout the new tactics to try and settle the mood of the troop as you try to show that you presence is in good faith.

How Long Is The Walk To Find The Gorilla Or Golden Monkeys In Rwanda

From the starting point of the Rwanda gorilla trek or golden monkey trek, time the walk may take is hard to determine because its is influenced by factors prevailing in the wilderness. Time of finding the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys may take 30 minutes to more depending on factors prevailing in the wilderness.

To maintain the urge of finding the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys, tourists are encouraged to open their mind to meeting other forest residents.

Do not forget to hire a porter before starting the trek to find the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys. A porter helps you carry your gorilla or golden monkey trekking gears so that you are not slowed down by the weight of these items. The porter may give you a push when tired or a hand to cross some hard spots you come across.

When you find the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons. Human presence interrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys so it is minimized to atleast one hour.

As you get away from these primates, do it without causing any suspensions.

Some of the factors that determine when to locate the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys in Rwanda include:

• Location of feeding area of the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys
• Pace of fellow tourists
• Weather condition prevailing
• Physical capability of tourists but you can use sedan chair or basket stretcher services in case you are unable to trek and find the gorillas or golden monkeys
• Overgrown protruding undergrowth that may obstruct the way such as creepers, vines and more.
• Mood amongst these primates and more

No matter the factors affecting the trek to find the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys, seeing them is 99% sure deal.

What To Pack For Gorilla And Golden Monkey Trekking Safari

• Camera
• Safari boots
• Insect repellant
• Garden gloves
• Backpack
• Snacks or energy bites
• Extra fully charged batteries
• Long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers in colors like beige, Khaki, tan but try avoid camouflage because these are regarded as arm attire.
• Drinking Water bottle
• Extra clothes
• Warmers including a sweater, fleece or poncho
• binoculars
• Flip flops
• A pair of stockings
• A torch
• Safari hat
• Wildlife guiding book
• Some hard cash
• Toiletries

Why choose Encounter African safaris to Plan the gorilla and golden monkey safari in Rwanda

Encounter Africa safaris is a professional and registered safari company with over 10 years experience in organizing different African safari. Our safari team is ready to work with you in planning this Rwanda primate safari and offer necessary advise to the best of our knowledge.

Our safari team professional and have on ground experience about the destinations where we operate. For every safari we plan, we aim at providing value for money and helping tourists turn their dreams into memorable realities.

We offer a wide range of safari packages that cut across all budgets that is Luxury safari packages, Midrange safari packages and Basic safari Packages. On our website, we have prepackaged African safaris and can tailor custom made safaris to suit your desires. Contact us today.