Where To See & Support Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Where To See & Support Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Looking for where to see and support mountain gorillas in Rwanda? Much of human behavior can be explained by watching the wild beasts around us; seeing mountain gorillas is one of those meditative experiences that challenge your knowledge and love for nature. Sitting 32 ft away from a 400 pound grown silverback gorilla and looking straight in his graceful eyes, and understand that these creatures just want to live: they will change you profoundly!
Rwanda offers some of the most incredible encounters with mountain gorillas, its very new destination to the world, but its got extraordinary inhabitants in its rainforest mountain jungles. The country had a not so pretty end of the century, with civil wars wiping out almost half of the population. It’s quite impressive the way it’s performing on the African safari scene.
Gorillas in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are literally black gold for Rwanda’s tourism. Mountain gorillas are these giant apes, half related to those you see in zoos around the world. Those come from the Western Africa tropical rainforests. Mountain gorillas are bigger, hairier, and live up high in the mountains at 8,000 to 13,000 feet.
They’re a little more than 1000 mountain gorillas left in two separate habitats found in a small central African region. Thanks to the undying collaborative efforts of our governments, conservationists, communities, and tourism.
Rwanda protects part of the gorilla population that lives high up in the Virunga Mountains that straddle the border between Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda. Uganda has the other about 500 mountain gorillas protected in the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
About 600 mountain gorillas roam the slopes of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s side the Virungas. However, 12 gorilla groups are fully habituated for gorilla trekking, and a few others are left for scientific research. Each group commonly has a dominant male silverback, a couple of females and young ones.
Mountain gorilla movements are pretty unpredictable, but they’ve been observed to prefer sticking to a home range of up to 16 square miles. The good thing is rangers stick with them during daylight for protection and monitoring: they can easily estimate where to find them the next day because gorillas build nests every night and sleep all night.
Spending quiet moments with gorillas in a natural setting with minimal disruption to their well-being is priceless. There are gorilla trekking excursions every day into the Volcanoes National Park jungle. Expert trackers and rangers lead small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a priceless hour, just being there a few feet away from the gentle giants of the mountains.
Encounter Africa is an expert in planning those moments with you. Send us an email at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com.
Where To See Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
In the extreme northeastern border with Uganda and DRC, there’s a bunch of dead volcano mountains sitting precisely at the borders, with the highest at 14,787 feet (4,507 meters). On the slopes of the Virungas is where mountain gorillas love. The Rwanda side is protected within Volcanoes National Park.
You can see mountain gorillas in only one protected reserve in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park or Parc National des Volcans in French. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is safe, carefully monitored relatively accessible to tourists.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s side of the Virunga Mountains that protect mountain gorillas, other primates, and some of the world’s rarest species in a 160 sq km (62 sq mi) of protected rainforest reserve. Towering almost 15,000 feet above the central African gorilla region are the grand old Virunga volcanoes nearly covered with rich, green rainforest where gorillas flourish.
It is only in Volcanoes National Park where you’ll have a chance to see the incredible mountain gorillas when you visit Rwanda.
Sitting in Rwanda’s northwestern corner, at the border with DRC and Uganda, Volcanoes National Park harbors the famous mountain gorillas and protects a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp, and heath. Birders will be impressed to find that 160 bird species have been recorded in the park’s canopy.
Volcanoes National Park is on five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi (the highest at 4,507m), Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. The park borders Virunga National Park in the DRC and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Some of the most exciting attractions within the park include the endangered mountain gorillas, 160 bird species, and the golden monkeys in the bamboo forests. Other interests include Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore, and Musanze Caves, formed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic eruption.
Diana Fossey built her research center in Volcanoes National Park, in the meadow between Karisimbi and Visoke, and called it Karisoke Research Centre. It still stands as a program of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. It’s one you should visit when you come to Rwanda and find out how you can support mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Fossey made it possible for us to see mountain gorillas, and the gorillas still need our help.
Tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.
To see mountain gorillas in Rwanda, visitors gather at the trailhead in Kiningi at 07:00. According to fitness levels, an expert guide allocates a gorilla family group to each trekking group of six people. They then brief all trekkers on protocols and rules for visiting gorillas in Rwanda. But first, you must have purchased your gorilla permit, which allows you assisted entry into the park and tested negative for COVID-19 before you come to the park.
The Gorilla Permit in Rwanda
Rwanda issued six gorilla permits per gorilla family per day, ensuring that your jungle encounter with the mountain gorillas is intimate and meek. Since only 12 gorilla groups are fully habituated and available for trekking, which implies that only 96 permits are available each day in Rwanda.
The message here is, book early to get a seat next to the imposing silverback. Either book the permit online or send us a message at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com; we have the license to get you one.
A Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 per person per day. The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years. The country also gives special offers to Rwandan and East African Community residents to see the mountain gorillas.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts at 07:00 at Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. There, a guide briefs visitors on rules and protocols to observe within the park and to watch gorillas. They divide visitors into groups of six for each gorilla family available based on fitness levels and then head out to trekking trailheads and various points on the park’s boundary with two rangers and an expert tracker per group.
Rwanda’s fully habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include Susa, Sabyinyo, Kwitonda, Igisha, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Bwenge, Agashya, Umubano, Hirwa, Ugyenda, and Muhoza.
Gorilla movements are unpredictable, so trekking to find the mountain gorillas can last from 30 mins to 4 hours hiking in uneven terrain at high altitudes between 2,500 m and 4,000 m (8,200 ft to 13,120 ft).
If visitors need assistance to hike up there, porters are available at the headquarters to carry backpacks, gadgets and help you through the challenging spots. It’s also a direct way of giving back to local communities and supporting gorillas by employing a local porter.
When you find the gorillas, visitation time is restricted to only one hour, and visitors must observe a safe distance of 32 ft (10m) from the gorillas. Even though gorillas come to you, your guide will help you avoid contact. Plus, wearing a facemask, these rules help gorillas to stay safe from human respiratory diseases. We know they have 98% of our DNA, which means that they get sick of what makes us sick.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Sustainable Gorilla Tourism in Rwanda
The gorilla tourism program is designed for the sustainability of the region, including its inhabitants. 10% of Rwanda’s gorilla permit revenue is given to local community development like building health centers, schools, and roads.
Some of the revenue funds compensations to local farmers whose farms are damaged by gorillas from the sanctuary. A way of promoting peaceful coexistence.
Almost all local communities around the park are directly or indirectly employed by gorilla tourism. From rangers, trackers, and guides to porters, tour operators, drivers, and service staff at lodging facilities, thousands of men’s and women’s lives depend on gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are nature conservation’s most successful story because of this chain of people working together. You can support gorillas by coming to witness this story at the source with gorillas in their natural habitat.
The Karisoke Research Center
Founded by Dian Fossey on Sept 24, 1967, Karisoke Research Center is the source of much of our knowledge about gorillas and the only conservation program that has led to an increase in a wild ape population.
The story of Karisoke is one of enormous perseverance, courage, and vision from Dian Fossey, hundreds of staff, researchers, and supporters from all over the world. In addition to Karisoke, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, carrying on and expanding her legacy. The fund is what you can support the mountain gorillas in the Virungas.
If you’re interested in tracing the footsteps of the legendary Dian Fossey from the park headquarters, you can reach her tomb on a 2 to 3-hour hike through the Volcanoes jungle at 980 ft altitude. It’s on this healing walk through the woods that you’ll rest and meditate about the wonders of Dian. “There is no repose like that of the deep green woods. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill.” John Muir wrote.
If you’re interested in engaging conservation organizations working in Rwanda, seek out Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International mentioned earlier, Gorilla Doctors and Wildlife Conservation Society, The Gorilla Organisation, and International Gorilla Conservation Organisation.
The Annual Kwita Izina Ceremony
The best time to go see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is during the annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony. It is a special time for locals, conservationists, and Rwandans where all newborn mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are given names. The celebration is modeled off a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends.
The days leading to the event are dramatic and entertaining, with a cultural evening at lodges and celebrations in Musanze town. It’s a time to experience Rwanda’s native cultures and meet interesting people from around the world.
The celebration day is live cultural music, dancing, tales, drama, and a discussion about Rwanda’s conservation future and its challenges. Due to the pandemic travel restrictions, the 2020 Kita Izina Celemony happened online to avoid crowding. The event happens in September each year since 2005.
When To Go
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is open all year because gorilla sightings are guaranteed irrespective of the weather. However, the best time to see gorillas in Rwanda is during the dry months of June to August and in early September, December and January. During the dry months, trails are dry, and hiking is easier.
In retrospect, gorilla permits are very scarce during the dry months because every traveler is considering the same time to see gorillas in Rwanda. We highly recommend booking one with us very early in your planning process; we can also reschedule it for you if you change the date. Send us an email at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com.
The wet months of March, April, October, and November are preferable to budget travelers that want to take advantage of the low-season offers. The best weather for seeing gorillas is June to August, and the worst weather is in March and April.
What to Wear
For seeing mountain gorillas in Rwanda, you’ll need to wear a facemask, light pair of waterproof hiking shoes with gaiters, and hardy covering clothing to protect you from thorny branches and stinging creeping bugs.
Also, wear a pair of hiking gloves, which will prove helpful when you hold onto branches to balance yourself. Remember you’ll be trekking in a rainforest, so it will be crucial that you carry a light waterproof jacket and waterproof backpack.
Booking A Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Encounter Africa Safaris has an expert ready to book your gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park. With our fleet of safari vehicles and partnerships with Rwanda safari lodges, we’ll plan and operate your gorilla safari. At the same time, you enjoy the experience of traveling to one of Africa’s top destinations.
Send us an email at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com to ask for your free quote. All the information we’ll share with you through the planning process is free. Take the first step in making your dream of seeing the world’s last giant primates come true by sending us that email now!
