Why Consider Volunteering While On Your Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trek

Why Consider Volunteering While On Your Rwanda Gorilla And Chimp Trek. To volunteer during Rwanda Gorilla And Chimpanzee trekking safari, you need to choose the category where your interests and professionalism are backed up by necessary documents.

During gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda but wish to also do volunteering in Volcanoes National Park, you need to seek permission from the Rwanda Development Board. For volunteering in Uganda in other fields including social, religious, health sector, education and more you need to avail suitable documents as requested.

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For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, one needs to obtain a permit per each activity from the Rwanda Development Board. For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the only home and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda happens in Nyungwe National Park.

Where To Do Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking happens in Volcanoes National Park a pristine forest which has survived for so many years. At the moment over 12 gorilla trekking families are open to the public some include Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya and more.

A number of other primates are residents of Volcanoes National Park including golden monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey and more. Over 200 bird species are residents of volcanoes forest and more.

To test your fitness level, guided excursion hiking in Volcanoes National Park can be arranged on mountains like Mountain Muhavura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi.

Nyungwe National Park

Closer to Lake Kivu is Nyungwe National Park where chimpanzee trekking happens. The head quarters of Nyungwe forest are in Uwinka where briefing starts. Another part of Nyungwe forest is Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the park and home to a community of chimpanzees.

Nyungwe forest is explored foot and you have the opportunity to spot other forest dwellers including grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons and more.

A canopy walk over Nyungwe forest which is on a suspension bridge of about 160 kilometers long and 70 kilometers high can be arranged. From a more elevated point, you get to enjoy the stunning view of Nyungwe forest and features around it.

When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla, Chimpanzee Trekking And Volunteering Combo In Rwanda

The dry season is the best time to do gorilla, chimpanzee trekking and Volcanoes National Park. Even though Rwanda is generally cold most of the time, the dry season which is June to September and December to January is quite different with lesser humidity expected. During gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, tourists are expected to explore the forest on foot and the ground is usually expected to be drier. The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees  spend most of their time closer to the ground in the dry season so you get to see them from a closer range.

Note that more tourists are expected top do gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in this period so advance arrangements are required. If you hope to volunteer during the chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari destinations, expect to encounter several other tourists in the dry season.

The wet season is great too for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda though most of the times these primates keep in sheltered spots. The wet season which is March, April, May and November is characterized by untimely rains and the ground is wet most of the time but no matter the weather changes seeing these primates is guaranteed.

Since fewer visitors are expected to visit Rwanda for gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in the wet season, expect to encounter less disturbance even when volunteering at the parks. You may get more time to ask questions and deeper explanation from the ranger guides in your company.

When volunteering in the Rwanda, the country is open all year with no extreme weather conditions expected in the country. For volunteering in Rwanda during the dry season especially in the community, the dry season is preferred especially if the activities to engage in are outdoors.

What assurance can I have to see the gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda

After paying for the Rwanda gorilla permit, every tourist would wish to get value for money and see the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees. There are 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda even though these primates are free to explore the forest.

Each day, a team of ranger guides wakes up earlier to follow up on where the gorillas or chimpanzees may have nested or even estimate their possible hangout spot for the day. Some of these clues are used by ranger guides to lead tourists to where these primates may be spending the day.

The gorillas and chimpanzees leave traces as they migrate including freshly chewed foliage, dung, keep communicating and these may be some clues to lead tourists to where they may be.

Chimpanzees and gorillas are habituated for a period until proved ready to be in company of humans atleast for an hour. This enables the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees to stay around humans and not get suspicious amongst strange visitors.

Even the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees move, they do not relocate to far spots so the are traceable.

Volunteering in some organizations or areas in Rwanda may require prior arrangements so that all that is necessary can be made in advance. Depending on your interests and qualifications or credible recommendations that accompany your application to volunteer in Rwanda, sometimes protocol has to be followed before accepting your cause.

How Safe Is Rwanda To Do Volunteering With Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking

In general, Rwanda is a safe country to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking because in ground is  a team of well-trained ranger guides from Rwanda Development Authority. These routinely monitor the forests and surroundings where the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees live to protect the forest inhabitants, the forest and visitors from possible wrong doers.

Compulsory briefing before gorilla or chimpanzee trekking is for every participating tourists and a penalty is applied for those who defy. During briefing the rules and regulations of gorillas and chimpanzee trekking are communicated. No tourist is expected to move into the forest without the company of a Rwanda Development Board ranger guide as part of the security.

While with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, stay closer to the people trekking with so that you are not forgotten in the wilderness. The ranger guide ensures that he or she follows the pace of the last trekker but during breaks, you may be forgotten in case you sneak away.

Having some level of fitness enables you to hike when searching for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Rwanda and you have less chances of getting muscle pull. Do not forget to pack a first aid kit with some emergency medication in case of an injury.

As you volunteer in the community in Rwanda, keep your valuables away from public reach especially if you are afraid of losing them. Ensure to report to the local authorities about your activities in the community as one of the formalities before volunteering.

How To Prepare For Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking And Volunteering In Rwanda

• Book the gorilla and chimpanzee permits per your dates of preference and note that eligibility for Rwanda gorilla trekking is 15 years and beyond and chimpanzee trekking 12 years and over.
• Do reserve accommodation and transport to use during gorilla, chimpanzee and volunteering service in advance.
• Exercise in preparation for Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking because of the nature of the terrain in both Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
• Pack the right Rwanda safari gears taking note of the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears in preparation for the Rwanda tour.
• Do not forget to carry some extra cash to use on ground purchases because credit cards are not a common means of exchange in Rwanda and Africa at large.
• Carry out necessary medical checkups because in case you catch a communicable infection, you are requested not to participate in gorilla or chimpanzee trekking.
• Apply for the Rwanda visa in advance so that all necessary preparations can be made even though it can be applied for on arrival at immigration. At immigration in Rwanda, there are usually long ques which you may not need especially after a long flight.

What Is The Return Time From Gorilla Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda

From the starting time of either gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda it takes between 2 hours to 6 hours to trace the mountain gorillas. At times you may take more time but having some level of patience gets you to these adorable primates. Finding the gorillas depends on factors in the forest including food location, weather conditions of the day and more.

After briefing, the ranger guide leads the gorilla or chimpanzee trekkers in the wilderness to start searching for the endangered primates. Along the way, you may encounter other primates, forest elephants, duikers, a number of birds and more.

Even though it may take some time to locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, open your mind to seeing alternative features around the dense rain forests. Upon meeting the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, their adorable appearances may make you forget the challenges encountered in search for these primates.

As you draw closer to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, you hear them before finally facing them. The ranger guide will prepare you to face the gorillas or chimpanzees using some communication sounds to let them know you are harmless.

Only one hour with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees is allowed with the fully habituated primates communities.

Later return to your lodge after gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventure.

 Why do Volunteering in Rwanda During Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

Rwanda has several Volunteering opportunities as long as you go through the right procedure that as the country is very careful about any dealings that may lead towards the 1994 tragedy.

If you choose to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda with volunteering in these wildlife destinations, you need to coordinate with Rwanda Development Board. Do wait for authorization but this is best arranged prior to travelling. You may be required to carry out some inoculation especially if you are to get up close with the chimpanzees or gorillas beyond the required distances recommended for chimpanzee or gorilla trekking adventure.

For community volunteering, the Rwandese people are hospitable to strangers as long as you have good intensions towards them. Try not to be judgmental about the way of life of the locals so that you can freely interact with them.

When you participate in community activities and help support their initiatives, you contribute to community sensitization about the relevancy of having the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in their community. The habitants of the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees are still under thereat from the community necessitating sensitization.

What Are the rules of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda

The safety of the gorillas and chimpanzees is key in this Rwanda safari which need to be controlled by the rules.

• No one with a communicable infection is allowed to do gorilla or chimpanzee trekking. Infections like cough, flu, covid-19 may lead to the massive death of these vulnerable primates.
• When with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, maintain a distance of about 7 meters away from them. At times the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees may get closer but try to retreat without causing any alarm.
• Stay in a tight group when you locate the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees as the surrounding them may cause them to feel ambushed.
• Flash photography is forbidden when with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because this may send them into the deeper forest.
• Do not eat or smoke when close to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees and do not feed these primates because the forest is their sole providers.
• When you wish to cough or sneeze, do it away from these primates.
• Avoid spitting on the vegetation or the ground because this may contaminate the surrounding where these primates find food.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

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