Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are the most amazing Rwanda safari tours that tourists that visit Rwanda do enjoy, any time of the year. Gorilla trekking is an amazing active tourist activity that involves travellers trekking and hiking through mountainous and dense forest jungles in search of the endangered gorillas. Rwanda is one of the few African countries with gorillas in the world, particularly hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorillas in Rwanda that travelers can enjoy gorilla safaris are found in only Volcanoes National Park.
In the whole world, the endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda and the Virunga Massifs that encompass Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. With about 1000 gorilla individuals recorded to still inhabit the world, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda has about half the total world population of mountain gorillas with the rest being shared by the Virungas. Rwanda has about 200 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are possible with the presence of the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. It is only the fully habituated gorillas that travelers can encounter on gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. With this in mind, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda has 10 gorilla families that are fully habituated for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. Each of the 10 gorilla families or groups habituated for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda allow only 8 people per trek, per day.
To be able to take part in the amazing gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas, travelers ought to purchase gorilla trekking permits. Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per person per trek. The price of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is quite high s compared to the other gorilla destinations, but is well worth the price when you do encounter these giant apes in their natural habitat, with much of the cost going towards the conservation efforts of the already endangered mountain gorillas.
What to expect while on gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda
As you get to experience and encounter the gorillas on gorilla safaris in Rwanda, you shall have a number of highlights for your Rwanda gorilla safari. A typical Rwanda gorilla trekking safari experience has travellers waking up early and heading to the park headquarters from where you shall find park officials and other travellers. You shall embark on a briefing about what to expect, safety precautions at around 7am. After briefing as you await gorilla family allocation, you shall enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, as well as a traditional cultural dance of the Rwandan culture. After, you shall embark on the search of the gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park takes anything between 30 minutes to 4 hours or more depending on the location of the gorillas and the terrain. Once you encounter the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you shall spend up to 1 hour with them taking in the magnificence of their beauty.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda only take place in Volcanos National Park. Travellers therefore have to access Volcanoes National Park to be able to take part in gorilla safaris in Rwanda. From Kigali International Airport, Volcanoes National park is about 2 hours and a few minutes only by road, making it easy to access the park and enjoy gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. The total distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is approximately 109km. volcanoes National Park can be accessed by both road and air. Road transfer to access Volcanoes national park is however more rewarding as travellers get to enjoy the amazing scenery and rolling hills of Rwanda and the typical countryside of the locals.
Where to stay while on gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda
There are a number of accommodation facilities in and around Volcanoes National park that travellers can stay in while on gorilla safaris in Rwanda. These accommodation options range from luxury to midrange, with few budget lodging options available given Rwanda markets herself as a highly luxury gorilla destination. Some of the accommodation facilities that travellers can stay in while on gorilla safaris in Rwanda include Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, among others.
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda are an amazing Rwanda safari activity, which brings more and more tourists to visit the country every other year. Beyond gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park Rwanda, travellers can engage in more tourist activities in Rwanda say wildlife safaris in Akagera National park, chimpanzee tracking in nyungwe Forest National Park, among so many other activities in Rwanda. In addition, travellers could choose to combine gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda with other Africa destinations like Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for especially the great wildebeest migration, among so many others. Reach out to your preferred tour operator for amazing Africa safari packages and include gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda to enjoy encountering the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
