Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour : Gorilla trekking is an emotional activity and one of the top selling activity that has impacted a lot on Rwanda’s tourism board. However, trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda it is worth an activity which can be done in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park one of the three national parks in the world where you can encounter gorilla trekking experience.
Note, mountain gorillas are herbivores which feeds on diet comprised of shoots, stems, leaves, fruits and plants. Mountain gorillas of volcanoes national park live on the slopes of three dormant volcanoes with the park namely; Mikeno, Karisimi and Visoke. And the vegetation along here is very dense at the ground of mountains on a higher elevations and the bamboo forest inhabits of gorillas are often cold, cloudy and misty.
Mountain gorilla are endangered species that survive in the Albertine rift valley of montane rain forest and others live in volcanoes such as mountain gorillas of Rwanda. However, this great ape are intelligent species that share 98% DNA of Human.
Rwanda gorilla trekking can be conducted in 10 habituated gorilla families of Volcanoes national park located in the north-western region of the country such as gorilla families include; Susa family ,Karisimbi ,Umubano ,Ugende ,Agasha ,Hirwa ,Sabyinyo ,Bwenge ,Titus family which are stipulated in different location of the park and are officially open for tourism .These is where tourists do there gorilla trekking on their Rwanda gorilla tour as they can be able trek them in their protected natural inhabits.
Volcanoes national park has become the top safari destination for gorilla trekking where millions of people visit yearly and the number keeps on increasing because of these unique creatures. The park is home over 550 individuals.
Special Highlight in Volcanoes National Park;
Gorilla trekking is an ideal encounter which starts early in the morning, wake up at 6pm have breakfast with packed lunch boxes, enough mineral water. After be picked up with your driver guide to drive you to park headquarter for briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Then you will meet the park ranger to locate you to a family you’re meant to trek and you will be accompanied by the ranger with good English speaking, fluent in French. Take note, gorilla trekking is unpredictable it can take 2 to 8 hours while trekking depending on where were last seen the previous day.
As you will be trekking in slow mountains you are likly to view variety of bird species, trees, mammals and other small primates. Once you locate them one hour will be given to you to spend with mountain gorillas as they feed their younger ones, behave, play around and displaying their nest high in evening hours as well as having memorable photography. Gorilla trekking is recommended with 8 people per trek per day. It is truly a privileged experience and quite unforgettable life time one wouldn’t miss! The time is now to engage in this worth an activity.
Where can we book gorilla permits in Rwanda
Rwanda gorilla permit can be booked or bought direct from Rwanda development board or by the help of the trust worthy tour operator. Rwanda gorilla permits costs USD1500 per person per trek and during peak season they can be on high sale in the months of June to September and December to February and we advise you to book your permit in advance because 60 gorilla permits can be on sale daily. Some tend to visit the park in wet season that starts from March to May and October to November within this period of the year accommodation rates turns lower and it can be easy to purchase a gorilla permit at the last minute.
Documentary required for gorilla trekking
Before your time of arrival travellers are acquired to first send in their scanned personal document for easy identification and reservation such as; passport and Visa.
Rules and Regulations for gorilla trekking
Do not touch mountain gorillas because they are wild animals
Do not litter your rubbish within the park always go back with it.
Stay in tight groups when gorillas
Keep a distance of 7 meter away from mountain gorillas
Always keep your voice at low sound while trekking
Respect the number of people allowed per trek
8 people allowed to participle in gorilla trekking
Sick people are not allowed trek gorillas because they can be easily attacked with human diseases like fever, diarrhoea, flue.
Flash discs are not allowed in the wild, they scare gorillas.
Essentials carried for gorilla trekking
They include; energy giving snacks, insect repellents, water proof day pack bag, binoculars, worm clothes, enough mineral water bottle, rain gears, long sleeved trouser and shirt among others.
Best time to visit Mountain gorillas in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking can be done all year around but the best season of the year to visit gorillas without being interrupted with heavy rainfall starts from June to September and December to February.
Accommodations in Volcanoes national park
The park does not have inside accommodation or camping site, tourist on their visit can book lodges or hotels in the nearby places by the help of the recognised tour operator through emailing or contacting them. If you don’t mind you can contact Achieve global safari because customers are our first priority. Some of nearby hotel and lodges include; Park view lodge, Amohoro songa lodge, La paillote palace, Golden monkey guest house.
Apart from gorilla trekking, there are other activities one can engage in after gorilla trekking experience such as Hiking to Diana Fossey tomb, Culture encounter, Nature walk, Golden monkey tracking, Touring the lakes and caves.
Accessibility to Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park can be easily accessed both by Car or by Air.
From Kigali International Airport by road takes 2:45 hours.
From Kigali the capital city of Rwanda takes 2:30 hours to access the main destination.
Alternatively, you can fly from Uganda by a domestic flight ‘’Aero link to and from to Kigali Airport within 2hours, then you will be picked up by Rwanda safari driver to transfer you to the park by drive.
