Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda: Explore Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking Rwanda: What you need to know. Gorilla trekking  is one of  the  most  thrilling  and venturous activity that is popular in Rwanda and it is experienced in the Volcanoes national park, a mountain gorilla conservatory sanctuary with  wondrous scenic views of the Virunga mountains   creating an awe-inspiring setting that is remarkable and that is said to be hardly forgotten.

Why Choose Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

• The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is not strenuous hence it’s not as physically demanding like in other gorilla wildlife sanctuaries because the trails are easily traversable.
• The vegetation that covers most of the parts of the Volcanoes national park is less dense since it’s covered by the bamboo woodlands and this also contributes to the accessibility of the hiking trails making the adventure more thrilling.
• Volcanoes national park ensures top gorilla conservatory measures by ensuring the safety of their habitat and by paying for the gorilla safari experience in Rwanda, tourists get to contribute to the conservation efforts of the mountain gorillas and also it helps in alleviating of the local community.
• The gorilla trekking guides are highly qualified experts and at the same time they are also accommodative which makes this experience more exciting and fun.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking Rwanda safari

The ideal timing for this safari in Rwanda is from early June to Late September and from early December to Late February when the season is dry in order to capture the astounding views of the Virunga Mountains that create a dramatic background landscape of the Volcanoes national park. The temperatures during these months are also supportive of the gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.

Worst Time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The most challenging season for the gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda s in the months  of March, April and May   because during these months there heavy downpours and this would lead to flooding of some parts of the trails used in the volcanoes national park   which makes the hiking routes inaccessible.

 When is the peak season for gorilla trekking safaris?       

The peak season for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda is in between early  June to September since this period is  renowned  worldwide many tourists  usually flood the Volcanoes national park and this impacts on the  number of  gorilla trekking permits that are available and  this experience becomes  less intimate  because of the many groups  of people that  are involved  therefore people could chose the less crowded month of December to January.

Where to Go for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes national park is the mountain gorilla trekking safari destination in Rwanda and it is locate in the Northern parts of the country and it has an approximate of 380 mountain gorillas that are grouped in 10 families. Some of the gorilla family groups in Rwanda are; the Susa group, Amahoro Gorilla group, Hirwa gorilla group, Ugenda gorilla group, the Kwitonda gorilla group and many others.

How to get to Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

From Kigali( the capital city of Rwanda) to the Volcanoes national park  it will take one  a time period of about   3 hours  by road and it will take one 3 to 4 hours to reach the Volcanoes national park from Kigali International Airport.

Where to Stay During Rwanda gorilla tours at Volcanoes National Park

Budget-friendly accommodations near Volcanoes national park.

• Cyuza paradise Island; 20$ (Nyarugina).
• Mozy guest house ;36$ ( Nyarugina)
• Virunga Hotel ;32$ (Ruhengeri)
• Volcano Vacation Rooms; 43$
• Kwetu Villas Musanze(Ruhengeri)

Mid-range accommodations near Volcanoes national park.

• Footprints-Kinigi; 240$(Kinigi).
• Under Volcanoes View Guest House;111$(Nyarugina)
• Ingagi Park View Lodge; 441$( Kinigi)
• Davinci Gorilla Lodge; 310$(Kinigi)
• Brotta Resort; 207$ (Gasanze)

Luxurious accommodations near the Volcanoes national park.

• Amarembo by Touch down; 2,025$(Kigali)
• Sambora Kinigi;1,165$(Kinigi)
• Virunga Inn Resort& Spa; 846$(Kinigi)

NOTE; each of the above accommodations has their own distinct offers and the price specifications listed above for one person per night could change according to the season.

How to prepare for gorilla trekking Rwanda safaris

• Hiking boots are the recommended foot wear for the Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris.
• A warm jacket and light clothes should also be packed since the weather change conditions are unpredictable.
• Insect repellent to mitigate the risk of getting diseases caused by insects especially the mosquitoes that usually infect people with malaria.
• A camera to capture the breathtaking Mother Nature panoramas in Volcanoes national park.
• Hat and sunscreen to protect one from the sun during the gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.
• Garden gloves to protect one’s hand from injuries that could be gotten when one grips on thorny plants while in need for support.

 Safety Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

• People are forewarned to take a distance of 7m from the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park.
• Feeding the mountain gorillas and making non-required noises is to be avoided while in the Volcanoes national park.
• If one has any kind of diseases or they start feeling sick before the gorilla trekking safaris they should resist from indulging in this activity so as not to spread the diseases the mountain gorillas.
• In case of any threat, people are advised to stay calm and relaxed and show submissiveness by bowing their head.
• While capturing photography of the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park, use of flashlights are prohibited as it may disrupt the behavior of these endemic species.
• The visitors at the Volcanoes national park are to follow instructions given to them by their guide during briefing and not go off the paths/hiking trails that they are supposed to use.
• Littering in any parts of the Volcanoes national park is not allowed as it might negatively impact on the environment by degrading it.

 Other Tourism attractions to Combine with Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

• Hiking/climbing the volcanic mountains such as the Mount Bisoke in the park.
• Golden Monkey tracking.
• Exploring the Iby’iwacu community by engaging and interacting with the local people.
• Caving safaris and experiences at the Musanze caves.
• Bird watching safaris.
• Visit of the Dian Fossey tombs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

How to get the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?

The Rwanda Development Board is the   management that offers gorilla trekking permits to people who would want to carry gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda however, tour operates who offer this experience usually put the gorilla permits to their clients.

What is the cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?

The foreigners are charged 1500$, the East African citizens are charged 200$ and on the other hand foreign residents of Rwanda are to pay 500$.

When to book for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda?

It is advisable to book this safari 5 months before so as to get the best gorilla trekking offers in Rwanda.

How many people are allowed to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

8 tourists are put in a group with a highly skilled guide and about 2 armed rangers for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.

What is the age limit for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda?

People that are aged 15 years and above are the only individuals that are legitimate for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda because this experience is quite physically demanding  for the people below this age.

What does a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda cover?

The gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda   covers the guide fees, the encounter and interaction of the visitors with the mountain gorillas for 60 minutes and the entrance fees of the Volcanoes national park.

How long are the people supposed to interact with the gorillas during gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

The time limit for  the people to socialize with the mountain gorillas is 1 hour, however if one wants a longer  period for interacting with these endemic species they can opt for gorilla habituation which takes a time period of 5 hours.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda – which is better?

Comparing the gorilla trekking safari destinations in Rwanda and Uganda.

Uganda is more endowed with safari sites for gorilla trekking compared to Rwanda because you can experience gorilla trekking in Uganda in either Bwindi Impenetrable Park or the Mgahinga national park whereby in Rwanda you can experience gorilla trekking ventures in only the Volcanoes national park.

Comparing the gorilla safari experience in Rwanda and Uganda.

Rwanda is more accessible compared to Uganda because of the  well-structured hiking trails in the Volcanoes national park compared to the   mountain gorilla sanctuaries in Uganda that have a steep terrain and  a landscape covered by the dense tropical rainforests that are hardly traversable. However Uganda has provides greater hiking adventures because of the   concentrated bio-diversity of the parks that is greater in comparison to the Rwanda.

 

Comparing the gorilla population in Rwanda and Uganda.

 

Rwanda has a low population of the mountain gorillas compared to Uganda that has half of the population of these wild species world wild with over 1000 of this individuals therefore during gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, people are at an advantage of sighting more family groups than in Rwanda.

 

Comparing the gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda and Uganda.

 

Rwanda is  charges the gorilla trekking permits at a higher cost compared to  Uganda  for instance in Uganda foreigners pay 800US dollars for the gorilla trekking permits while in Rwanda Foreigners have to pay 1,500 US dollars for gorilla trekking .

 

Comparing the accommodation for Rwanda and Uganda during gorilla trekking safaris.

Rwanda has more of the luxurious and greater accommodation facilities than Uganda even though Uganda has more of the budget-friendly safari camps compared to Rwanda.

In conclusion, each country has its own pros and cons for the gorilla trekking safari experience but this experience is still enjoyable in both countries.