Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Gorilla trekking Rwanda is the country’s best selling tourist activity that sees a number of travellers moving places to visit Rwanda for amazing gorilla trekking Rwanda safaris. Gorilla trekking Rwanda takes travellers to the only gorilla destination in Rwanda; Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is the activity that involves hiking the tropical forest of Volcanoes National Park to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. In the entire world, mountain gorillas can only be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda and the Virunga Massif Area which encompasses Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, Virunga National Park of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park. There are currently only 12 habituated gorilla families that travellers can encounter gorilla trekking Rwanda. Some of the 12 gorilla families habituated for gorilla trekking Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park include Umubano, Ugenda, Susa group, Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Hirwa gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family, Bwengye, Kwitonda and Agasha gorilla family. 8 travellers only get to visit each of the gorilla families per day, with only persons that are 15 years and above allowed to enjoy gorilla trekking Rwanda.

To be able to take part in gorilla trekking Rwanda, travellers re required to have a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit. Rwanda increased her gorilla permit price in 2017, to $1500 per person per trek. Rwanda gorilla permits can be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board offices and online, or through a reputable tour operator. Many travellers are interested in gorilla trekking Rwanda, nd there are few gorilla permits available per day. For this reason therefore, gorilla permits sell out very fast, especially in the high season. Travellers are therefore encouraged to book their gorilla trekking permits in advance say at least 3 months before your travel date so as to secure your Rwanda gorilla trekking permit on your preferred dates.

Gorilla trekking Rwanda can be quite a strenuous activity given that the forest is mountainous in nature. For this reason therefore, it is recommended that travellers have some bit of fitness to conquer the steep and rugged terrain. Also, carry essential gorilla trekking gear like comfortable hiking shoes with a grip and preferably waterproof, long sleeved shirts nd trousers of nature friendly colour, jackets and raincoats or ponchos, garden gloves, gaiters, insect repellent creams, sunscreen, among others. Energy giving snacks should also be included in your to carry items for your gorilla trekking Rwanda safari.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that ought to be protected and conserved even when they are available for gorilla trekking. There are therefore a number of rules and regulations that travellers are expected to adhere to whist gorilla trekking Rwanda and they include among others;

Do not visit gorillas when sick. This is because gorillas are very susceptible to human infections.
Maintain a 7-meter distance away from the gorillas when you encounter the gorillas.
Only 8 persons per gorilla group can track per day for one hour only. This is to limit the number of people and length of stay given the gorillas could easily feel stressed out.
Do not surround the gorillas, this threatens them that they could charge at you.
Do not look straight in the eyes of the gorillas
Do not touch the gorillas, especially the infants; their mothers and the silverback are very protective of them. You will be charged at.
Do not eat, drink or smoke near the gorillas. Eating should be done at least 200 meters away.
Do not use flash cameras when taking pictures of gorillas.
Do not litre the forest. Leave the park as you found it. Carry all waste say food wraps, tissue, snack wraps, among others.

When to go gorilla trekking Rwanda/When to go see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking Rwanda can be conducted all year round in the country’s Volcanoes National Park. The best time to go gorilla trekking Rwanda is during the dry season which falls in the months of June, July, August, September and December. During this time, there are less rains in Volcanoes National Park and the park is drier making it easy enough to hike the jungles to encounter the gorillas in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is a rainforest area, and therefore can receive rains anytime of the day, even during the dry season. For this reason therefore, travellers should know to pack appropriately.

Where to stay while on a gorilla trekking Rwanda safari

Having the best safari lodge or accommodation depends on how much one is really willing to spend on accommodation. Rwanda highly markets the gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park as luxury, and as such has a number of luxury lodges and camps set up in the park, with some lodges costing as much as $2500 per night. Some of the lodges in Volcanoes National Park that travellers can choose to stay in while gorilla trekking Rwanda include Bisate Lodge, One&Only Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge among others. For budget travellers, Hotel Muhabura is a great option.

Gorilla trekking Rwanda is an amazing and memorable gorilla safari tour that you shall enjoy. Asides gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, you could include a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park for game drives, nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee tracking, canopy walk and 12 primate species to see as well as over 300 bird species which you can sight on birding safaris in Rwanda. You could also add on a Kenya safari or safari in Tanzania to your gorilla trekking Rwanda adventure. Get in touch with your tour operator of choice for amazing gorilla trekking Rwanda safaris and beyond.