Rwanda gorilla trekking/ Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is the world’s most famous gorilla adventure. Actually gorilla trekking is Africa’s highlight for the rest of the adventures.
Gorilla trekking adventure is the highlight of adventure in Rwanda. An adventurous walk through rush bamboos and rain-tropics searching and making your own paths, its gorilla trekking. Mountain gorilla are endangered species endemic to only two forests of Virunga Conservation Area, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rather than that, mountain gorillas can’t be found anywhere else.
Before the trekking experience, gorillas first undergo habituation process. The process lasts for not beyond 2 years until the apes get used to human presence. The habituation process jolts as a follow-up with the newly discovered wild or splinted gorilla family. The family is followed until they’re ready and used to human presence to be trekked. Volcanos National Park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families for trekking.
Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze village bordering with Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Before gorilla trekking at Volcanos National Park
Having that interest of trekking the gorillas is the first set of mind to any trekker. Then must possess/ purchase a permit the trekking permit to those qualifying to trek the gorillas. When at the trekking starting point before trekking, everybody must undergo trekking briefing which is done by the park warden at the Kinigi information center. There are severe don’t and does which must be followed when on a search of the gentle giants. Briefing etiquettes are guidelines which ensure that gorillas and their habitants are maintained authentic.
Gorilla trekking etiquettes
Children aged 14 and below are not sanctioned to trek gorillas. Sick people and those suffering from cough and flu and precluded to trek. You have to wear in the descent trekking wears, trekking pants, long sleeved shirts, jungle trekking boots, cap, walking stick, enough drinking water, have sugary energizing eats and a rain coat. Also advised to maintain a reason silence and controlled talks when trekking, when before gorillas silence is called for. When trekked and found the gorilla, you strictly have a limit of an hour in their presence. As you are taking pictures, you’re advised to use cameras without flashlights.
How is gorillas trekking at Volcanos National Park?
Gorilla trekking is not for the faint hearted, to take this walk, it calls for a certain energy and a level of fitness. The trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing on the trekking etiquettes, here you get subdivided into groups of 8 people to a trek a single habituated gorilla family. Then you will drive to the starting point according to which kind of gorilla family to trek, and it location. The trek at Volcanoes national park cam last for 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located.
Every day the gorillas move from one place to another particularly searching for food. A day they can move a distance of 3km, this makes it possible for a search to be long before finding them on a trek. On finding the gorillas, you realize it one of the hectic thing to do. But once you’re before them then you realize it’s all about special moments in the jungle, all the tiresomeness is forgotten and concentrate on enjoying the view of the mountain gorillas.
You’re allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, playing, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Rates of a gorilla permit to trek in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes National Park has statured it’s self as the upmarket gorilla trekking destination. And to trek here, a permit cost doubles that trekking in Uganda, and triples that of trekking in DR Congo. A gorilla permit is legal documents issued to visitors who have paid the full amount of the permit. A permit is only issued to trekkers aged 15 years and above allowing them to visit the habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them. A gorilla permits to trek at Volcanoes National Park cost 1,500 USD per person to trek per day.
Buying a gorilla permit in Rwanda
The gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) a government body in charge of tourism in Rwanda. The booking of a permit can either be by either contacting RDB directly or using trusted tour operators.
Gorilla trekking is a competitive jungle undertaking where the demand surpass the supply. So to have a permit available is a case of booking in advance. At least in the space of 3 to 6 months is advisable before your trekking date. And in the peak season, the permits availability is not guaranteed. This is during the months of June to September and December to February (dry months).
When to trek gorillas at Rwanda’s volcanoes national park
Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park can be trekked throughout the year. However, the dry months being the peak season has preferably been the best time to trek gorillas. The dry season in Rwanda is experienced during the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. The dry season experiences less or little rainfall, so by this the trekking trails are in most cases dry and passable making the trek comparably easy than the rainy season when trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
What to pack on a gorilla trek in Rwanda
When heading into the jungle for a trek, alongside your gorilla permit must also ensure to have a certain things in your day trekking pack. Your gorilla trekking pack should include; long sleeved shirt and trouser, garden gloves, insect repellent, hiking boots, rain jacket, warm sweater, energy snacks and drinking water, back pack, walking stick, sunglasses and a hat, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars among others.
Accessing Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Uganda. And can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kigali international airport to the park headquarters which takes about 2 hours’ drive.
Accommodation at Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Volcanos National Park is a luxury Rwanda Gorilla Trekking destination. So, most of the accommodation facilities here are offering that amazing luxurious services. Accommodation facilities here range from 5-star lodging facilities, amenities and services. Below are some of the accommodation facilities to stay for a gorilla trekking adventure at Volcanoes National Park.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bisate, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, One and Only Gorillas Nest lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Faraja hotel, Best View hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla lodge, Garden Place hotel, Gorilla Solution lodge, Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Gorillas Volcanoes hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Virunga Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Garr Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, La Palme hotel, Amakoro Songa lodge, Eagle View Lodge, My Hill Eco Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Kataza House, Urugano Virunga Palace, Karenge Bush Camp, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Garden Place Hotel etc.