Why Is Gorilla trekking In Rwanda Over-Rated

Have you ever asked yourself why gorilla trekking in Rwanda is overrated and very expensive compared to Uganda and The Democratic Republic of Congo? Gorilla trekking in Rwanda has an over-the-top price for a gorilla permit amongst the other two counterparts but it’s just the full experience you would remember for life. The cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 per person per trek. Uganda and D.R. Congo have lower costs of a gorilla permit in the region.

Volcanoes national park is the gorilla trekking sanctuary for the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. This is the most sought-after Rwanda national park and a primate haven too. Birding in Rwanda cannot be complete without visiting Volcanoes Nationals Park. This is how special Volcanoes National park is to Rwanda’s tourism sector conserving it is a priority.

Highlights Of Why Gorilla trekking in Rwanda Is Overrated

• Mountain Gorilla Conservation Funding
• Volcanoes National Park Ranger Guide support
• To limit the number of gorilla trekkers
• Community Support from gorilla trekking proceeds
• Easy access to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda
• Quicker Access To Mountain gorillas In Rwanda
• Presence of other Activities in Volcanoes National park

Mountain Gorilla Conservation Funding

One reason why gorilla trekking in Rwanda is said to be overrated and expensive is the fund that is injected into the conservation of these great apes. One of the ways to support mountain gorilla conservation is by selling gorilla permits. these funds cater for a number of activities like mountain gorilla census, health care for wounded gorillas and so much more.

The conservation of mountain gorillas in the 1980s was in the hands of a few who battled with the rest of the community to protect these endangered primates. An American Philanthropist called Dian Fossey was dearly in love with the survival of mountain gorillas but her desire was put to an end in 1985. She was brutally massacred by unknown assassins

She had staged work still in Karisoke where she established the Karisoke Research center. Most of the current findings about mountain gorillas are based on the work. The mountain gorillas in the entire world had reduced to about 250 gorillas by the 1980s. For gorilla trekking to get into high gear now, Dian Fossey had earlier realized that gorilla habituation by getting humans into the lives of the mountain gorillas is necessary.

Setting the Rwanda gorilla permit cost of currently $1500 per person per trek is a way to support the existence of the endangered mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park Ranger Guide support

Range guide support in Volcanoes National park is so necessary to create that unbreakable bond between the rangers and the mountain gorillas. These selfless ranger guides of Rwanda also have personal things to take care of. To appreciate their work and encourage them to uncover more about the mountain gorillas, they need some funds.

Going on safari with an informed and knowledgeable ranger guide gives you the confidence to talk about the details of your gorilla trekking safari back home.

The funds from gorilla permits are used for revamping the Rwanda range guide’s knowledge about the different occupants of the forest to give clients well-balanced information and facts.

To limit the number of gorilla trekkers

To minimize the number of people booking gorilla trekking permits the price has to be high since this can only be done in three countries in the world. Rwanda, Uganda, and D.R.Congo are the only countries in the world with mountain gorilla trekking in the world.

Mountain gorillas are generally vegetarian therefore to reduce the chances of trampling on the vegetation, the numbers must be limited. Despite the high competition to secure a gorilla permit, the number of those allowed to go gorilla trekking are limited to a maximum of 8 trekkers.

The trails leading to the gorilla are very small to allow enough vegetation to grow and feed the heavy bodies of mountain gorillas. The gorilla delicacy is mainly bamboo but can feed on leaves, soft stems, branches, and wild fruits and may supplement with ants once found.

Saving your hard-earned money to trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda at $1500 per person per trek is worth the treasure you meet in the wilderness. A few people get that chance because it’s like winning the lottery.

If a big number of people is allowed to go for gorillas trekking may distort nature like dump garbage in the forest, spit on the vegetation, spread infections and so much more. Controlling a crowd in the forest may be impossible too.

Community Support from gorilla trekking permit proceeds

The annual profit from selling gorilla trekking permits is given to the local community living closer to the Volcanoes National park. This supports their community projects and in return, they join the conservation team is ensuring the mountain gorillas are protected from human cruelty. The roads are maintained, water source maintenance is done, children are sent to school and so much more.

One of the community projects supported by these funds is the Gorilla Guardian Village. This is a community project owned by reformed poachers.  These deal with taking tourists into the life of a local Rwandese by showing them craft making, craft making, basket weaving, cow dung painting, and much more.

Easy access to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda

Amongst the three countries where mountain gorilla trekking is done in Africa, Rwanda has the best advantage where you can do a 2day gorilla trekking safari. This is because of the quick proximity of volcanoes National park to Kigali International Airport. It takes about 3 hours to get to the starting point of gorilla trekking from your international flight excluding Airport clearances.

The roads leading to Volcanoes National park are smooth and well curved whereas in Uganda or D.R. Congo the roads are still under construction bumpy and remote too.

It is also possible to access Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or D.R. Congo Virunga National park gorilla trekking parks through Rwanda in a shorter time.

 In terms of time taken to locate the mountain gorillas, Rwanda mountain gorillas may be quicker to locate despite the very steep slopes that make up the topography of Volcanoes National Park. This park is not as vast as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The Presence of Other Activities in Volcanoes National park

 Volcanoes National park is a biosphere reserve so it’s not only gorilla trekking that you get off the permits but can see a range of other wildlife. Over 90 bird species are residents of Volcanoes National Park including some Albertine endemics.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park is a double blessing for keen birders who may identify over 50 bird species during the trek.  The presence of the golden monkeys in the forest which is an activity on its own makes the trek to see the mountain gorillas more interesting. You cannot stop the golden monkeys from appearing as you walk to see the mountain gorillas.

The beautiful landforms in the forest that make up sparkling waterfalls is unmatched.

Golden monkeys trekking is another activity in the parks. You get to follow the golden monkeys which are among the endangered primate in the world.  Their bodies are bigger than the normal monkeys with brown golden hairs that are rare.

How To Book Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit

Knowing the date when you wish to do your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is vital in checking availability. The number of gorilla permits you expect to secure for your trek also matters as a maximum of only 8 permits per trek are released per family per day.

Our safari consultants in Rwanda check availability upon receiving an Enquiry and get back to you within at least before 24 hours.  The Rwanda Development Board is the governing body for selling all Rwanda Gorilla trekking permits.

At the moment, each Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 for foreign tourists per person per trek. Currently, Rwanda has about 13 gorilla trekking families open for tourists to book per day.

Accommodations To Book During Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park

A wide range of accommodation facilities to book for an overnight during gorilla trekking in Rwanda are available. They are graded according to Up-Market, Midrange, or Budget facilities.

Some of these facilities are within, close to the park, or outside the park premises. Some of the facilities include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Hotel Mille Collines, Best View Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Kinigi Guest House, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel.

When Is The Best Time to plan Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is open all year round but June to September and December to mid-January are more interesting. This area is known for unpredicted rains but during this timeless rain is received. The trail ground is less muddy because of the sunray penetration that dries the passages.

March to May and November receive heavier rain that causes flooding in the forest at times. The ground is usually soggy and slippery with gorillas feeding from the slopes.

How To Get To Volcanoes National park In Rwanda

By Road

Driving from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National park may take about 3 hours winding around meandering around the foothills. Watch out for beautiful green vegetation cover that shed the hills that you pass by.

Public transport from Kigali City center that ends in Musanze is available however you must hire a privately to transfer you to Volcanoes National park headquarters in Kinigi.

Alternatively, you can cross from Bwindi Forest National park in Uganda to Volcanoes National Park through Cyanika Border.

By Air

Domestic Rwanda Charter helicopter service is available through Akagera Aviation and can be booked upon request. All necessary procedures must be cleared before starting your gorilla trekking safari.

For more information about why Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is overrated and expensive, kindly get in touch with our consultants at Encounter Africa Safaris who will provide you with much-needed assistance. To book your Rwanda gorilla safari, kindly contact us by email or WhatsApp. To know more about our service, kindly visit our Safari bookings and Trip advisor pages.