Why is gorilla trekking the best safari experience in Rwanda

Why is gorilla trekking the best safari experience in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking is the best safari experience in Rwanda as these primates are some of the few mountain gorillas left in the world. The Volcanoes National Park a prehistoric forest is part of the great Virunga area where mountain gorillas are surviving. The mountain gorillas are an endangered primate species whose population according to the recent census is estimated to be around 1000 existing in the entire world.

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The mountain gorillas are residents of Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo only and visiting these countries is the only opportunity anyone can use to have a moment in the presence of these primates.

In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, the mountain gorillas are first habituated to get them used to the presence of humans a move that is aimed at getting them used to human presence without altering there nature. The process of gorilla habituation in Rwanda takes an unknown time as some may take 3 year and more depending on how they cope.

At the moment, Rwanda has about 12 gorilla trekking families some include Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Hirwa, karisimbi and others. A maximum of 8 permits are open to the public each day as a measure taken to prevent mass tourism. Contact us for more information.

Where to do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the only home of the mountain gorillas in the country. The Volcanoes National Park is a primeval forest with tangled vegetation that has survived millions of Years that for accumulating its long list of fauna and flora.

For gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, you need a permit from the Rwanda Development Board but not that only a maximum 8 permits are open to the public per day per family. On gorilla trekking day, all tourists are expected to report at the ranger station (ORTPN) for briefing early in the morning. Afterwards, each tourist is allocated a gorilla family but the criteria used is not easy to determine.

Tourists with ranger guides use the trails constructed by regular visitors to the park when searching for mountain gorillas. Along the way, the chances of locating other forest dwellers are more possible some include blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, golden monkeys, olive baboons, L’hoest and others.

An array of birds is recorded as residents of Volcanoes National Park including Handsome Francolin, Dusky’s Crimsonwing, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Rwenzori turaco to mention but a few. Keen birders may use the opportunity to identify a good number of birds along the way.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park opens other opportunities to see a number of forest dwellers.

Finally, when you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them but maximize the entire time to your best by taking as many photos to preserve as memories and watching the gorilla family. Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas so that you can let them go about their daily activities.

When is the best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Even though gorilla trekking in Rwanda is open all year, the dry season is most preferred for this activity. The dry season of Rwanda is normally June to October, December to Mid-January and this is the high tourism season in the country.

In general, Volcanoes National Park is known for being wet almost all year because of the regular rains that fall yet less sunray penetration is allowed to penetrate through to the ground. The dry season is quite different although not completely excluded from these conditions. The trails are drier since more light gets to the ground and reduces on the amount of water.

The vegetation along the trails in the Volcanoes forest doesn’t protrude over to obstruct your path during the dry season. Even the mountain gorillas may be quicker to locate in the dry season as you can trace them using the clues they leave behind or other traces.

Volcanoes National Park has a dense network of rivers and during the dry season, they flow in the normal course there for reduce on the chance of flooding the area therefore keeping it drier.

Other than the mountain gorillas, volcanoes and other forest dwellers are quicker to spot in the dry season as the forest is generally busy. Expect to share the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda with many other tourists, high Rwanda safari costs and find limited logistical supply options.

Don't give up visiting Volcanoes National Park in the wet season which is usually March to May and November. Finding the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is sure deal no matter the season you decide to travel. These primates tend not to move so fast and very far in the wet season since they have to fund shelter and there is normally plenty of food available in the forest.

The number of tourists on Rwanda safaris is generally lower in the wet season providing chance for those who wish to have less disturbance or no company while on gorilla trekking safari. For those with a limited budget, the low tourism season in Rwanda may open that chance for you to enjoy this adventure at a more pocket friendly cost. Get in touch with our team for more information.

How much is the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda

The cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking safari varies with the safari package you choose to travel whether is Up-market, mid-range or basic. The cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is the foremost expenditure that every tourist is expected to incur no matter the package you choose.

The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is now $1500 for International nonresidents, $ 500 for International residents, $500 for other Africans and $200 for East African citizens.

Other expenses likely to be incurred during Rwanda safari include accommodation, transport.

For better planning, book the Rwanda gorilla trekking safari in advance at least 90 days to the date of trekking in order to avoid disappointment at the last minute. Contact us for bookings.

How To get To Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

From Kigali the distance to Volcanoes National Park is about 109.4 kilometers for about 3 hours. Along the way, you enjoy a ranger of interesting features including the rolling hills, ever green shade on the slopes and much more. Having a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle is very important for you to get to Volcanoes National Park even though the main road is well done, the road that gets off to the park gets messy sometimes.

Charter flight services are also available from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking but advance booking is recommended in order to make all necessary clearances.

Public transport is available too from Kigali city to Mutare but you need to connect to Volcanoes National Park by hiring private transportation

What Accommodation To Book During Gorilla Trekking Safari In Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park has a variety of accommodation options to book categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. Most of these facilities offer Full board services however you need to find out what is included in the cost of accommodation for Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park accommodations Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorillas View Lodge, Hotel Lebambou, Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura, Gorilla Nest, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge and others.

Note other accommodation options to use during the gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda are available in Kigali but you need to wake up very early in the morning to drive in the dark in order to get to the briefing point in time for document verification and briefing. Get in touch with our team for more information.

What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. This was set based on the nature of the terrain of Volcanoes National Park. Amongst the hosts of the mountain gorillas, Rwanda gorilla trekking is steeper as a result of the nature of the terrain of this area which may be hard for children below this age to overcome.

Volcanoes National Park has five of the six Virunga volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi. The mountain gorillas sometimes spend part of their day on the slopes of these highlands then tourists have to hike to get to them which requires some level of fitness that children below this age may not have.

At a glance the mountain gorillas are frightening especially for first time trekkers which may cause a child below 15 years to try running yet this may send the wrong message to the mountain gorillas. this is why at least the age limit was set to 15 years.

Why Do Gorilla trekking Safari in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking destination Volcanoes National Park is the closest to the international Airport that is Kigali International Airport compared to Entebbe Airport in Uganda and D.R.Congo. The time taken from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 3-hour drive.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Rwanda offers a number of other safari activities including Chimpanzees trekking in Nyungwe National Park, Game safaris in Akagera National Park, hiking the mountains in Rwanda, birding safaris in Rwanda, Rich Cultural experience in Rwanda and others.

During the low season, the cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit may be discounted so this may be a chance for those with a limited budget to visit the mountain gorillas terms and conditions apply. Even other logistics that support Rwanda safari activities may be discounted in the low season as they try to break even.

Rwanda is a safe safari destination worth adding to the list of African safari destinations to visit.

During gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, it is a chance to test your level of fitness from the steep environment that composes the biggest part of this park. The search for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park provides such challenges.

Rwanda has an environment that is conditioned by the severe highlands that for most of its terrain and the lush vegetation that shades these highlands. This beautiful scenery is what makes many who visit Rwanda to relate it with the Swiss alps.

Amongst the three famous homes of the mountain gorillas that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo, Rwanda is the only one with the least number of days to spend on gorilla trekking safari. 2 days gorillas trekking is only possible in Rwanda as in Uganda or D.R. Congo the least number of gorilla trekking tour days is 3 days gorilla trekking safari.

What Guidelines to follow on Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari

• Try not to surround the gorillas when you locate them because this makes them feel ambushed. They are very sensitive primates that you need to follow the advise given by the ranger guides to enjoy every moment.
• Wearing a clean mask before meeting the eastern mountain gorillas is compulsory after the outbreak of Corona Virus. This is one of the preventive measures to reduce on the chances of passing this infection to their endangered primate species.
• In case you wish to cough or sneeze, do it away from the gorillas or in a handkerchief to prevent spreading of germs.
• Spitting on vegetation or soil is forbidden because it may contaminate the food on which the eastern mountain gorillas depend.
• Use of flash photography is forbidden because this may scare the gorillas. They are highly sensitive to new occurrences in their vicinity.
• In case you wish to take a long call, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you at least 30 centimeters deep and cover everything well beyond recognition. This is to prevent forest dwellers from exhuming what you may have covered.
• Provoking the gorillas is forbidden because they have moods too. They may get agitated and move into hiding.in nature they are shy and serene creatures but do not test their patience.
• Eating or smoking 200 meters from the gorillas may cause them to move and grab it from you. The mountain gorillas are wild animals that must search for their own food and not depend on human provision.
• On tourists ages 15 and above are allowed to do gorilla trekking. This because of the hardships that come with searching for the gorillas like the time of locating the gorillas is unknown, the way to the gorillas is sloppy at times, the provocative nature of the gorillas and much more. A child below this age may not withstand such so in case they make noise they may cause a stampede in the forest.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the gorillas when you locate them. this is to reduce on the chances of passing an infection to the mountain gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human infectious diseases. Even when they approach, try  to stealthily move back.
• Littering the forest or dumping garbage in the forest is forbidden because this alters the nature of the forest where the mountain gorillas feed. They are vegetarian in nature  so when you dump indecomposable garbage, it may prevent growth of plants on which the gorillas and other forest dwellers feed.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them.

For more information and bookings, please do not hesitate to contact our team.