A guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
A guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda The most well-known activity that draws large numbers of people to Rwanda is gorilla trekking. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. It entails walking through the tropical rainforest to find endangered mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural environment.
In addition to Volcanoes National Park, other gorilla trekking destinations include the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Rwandan gorilla trekking
More than eleven mountain gorilla families may be found at Volcanoes National Park, and gorilla trekking begins very early in the morning with a training on the guidelines to be followed. Following the briefing, you will be paired with an experienced park guide who is familiar with the jungle’s gorilla trekking routes and a habituated gorilla family to hike with.
You can see several monkey species, bird species, plant and tree species, and more during gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park, which takes between 30 to 6 hours.
After locating the mountain gorillas, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their natural environment, where you can observe how they feed, play, breastfeed, and groom their young, take pictures and videos to share with people back home, and learn more about their habits and behaviors. An overview of Rwandan gorilla trekking.
The price of a Rwandan gorilla trekking permit
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues a gorilla trekking permit, which is a legal card or certificate that permits visitors over 15 to visit a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. For all nations, a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 USD per person.
How to reserve a Rwandan gorilla hiking permit
You can make a direct reservation for a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park by calling or emailing the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) offices. You can also reserve a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park by contacting a reputable tour operator, for as All In Africa Safaris, and providing the date, month, and year you would want to see the mountain gorillas. After getting in touch with us, we will verify whether permits are available. If they are, you will be required to pay a deposit. As soon as the funds are received, we will buy the permits for you and confirm with a scanned copy of the receipt.
Tour operators to choose for your safari and gorilla trekking
Numerous reliable tour operators, such as All In Africa Safaris, Explore Rwanda Tours, and Focus East Africa Tours, can assist you in scheduling a gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park. The aforementioned businesses can assist you in reserving a permit for gorilla trekking, lodging for the duration of the safari, transportation, and suggestions for additional activities to mix with gorilla trekking.
Things to pack for your Rwandan gorilla trekking expedition
Put on garden gloves to shield your hands from pathogens and stinging nettles.
When trekking during the rainy season, hiking boots will keep your feet dry and support your ankles.
Because Volcanoes National Park is a tropical rainforest, it can rain at any time of day, regardless of the season.
Therefore, you should bring a waterproof rain gear or poncho to protect you from the rain.
When trekking, wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to stay warm and shield yourself from insects.
During trekking, energy snacks like a packed lunch and water to stay hydrated
A cozy sweater that will keep you warm both in the morning and at night while you’re at the lodge
During the hour spent with the mountain gorillas, a camera and extra batteries are needed to take pictures and film videos.
A pair of binoculars will allow you to see the mountain gorillas clearly from a distance as well as other park fauna, including birds, butterflies, and mammals.
Use insect repellent to keep mosquitoes and tsetse flies away from you.
Carry all of your gorilla trekking necessities in a waterproof backpack, including your camera, energy foods, insect repellent, binoculars, and more.
The ideal time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking
Although gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is possible throughout the year, the ideal time to go is in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, which is also known as the peak season. In contrast to the wet/rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery, making hiking challenging, the gorilla trekking trails will be dry and manageable during the dry season because the national park receives less or no rainfall. An overview of Rwandan gorilla trekking.
Accommodations for your Rwandan gorilla trekking expedition
During your gorilla trekking safari, you can stay at any of the several lodging options in Volcanoes National Park. One and Only Gorilla Nest, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Best View Hotel, Garden Place Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Garr Hotel, Le Bamboo Gorilla Village, La Palme Hotel, Villa Gorilla, Kinigi Guesthouse, Karenge Bush Camp, and Bisate Lodge are just a few of the lodging options that range from affordable to luxurious.
Accessing Volcanoes National Park
Located in the northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is reachable by road transportation. To get there, you must first fly to Kigali International Airport and then drive for two to three hours to the park headquarters.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with All In Africa Safaris for more information on gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or visit our website to reserve a reasonably priced gorilla trekking safari.
