Guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda 2023/2024
Guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda 2023/2024; Gorilla trekking is an adventurous and extraordinary activity in Rwanda that involves tourists moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their habitat. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in north western region in musanze village. The national park is also a home of golden monkeys, animals like buffaloes, elephants, duikers, bushbucks and different bird species. Apart from Volcanoes national park, gorilla trekking is also done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mghainga gorilla national park in Uganda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda
Volcanoes national park is a home of 11 habituated gorilla families namely Susa, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Ugenda, Bwenge and Titus gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle in search of the mountain gorillas which takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates, animals, different bird species and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitant.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities. Volcanoes national park also offers discounted permits which are valid until 31st December 2023. The promotional rates cost 500 USD per person for foreign residents, 500 USD per person for Africans, 500 USD per person for African foreign residents, 200 USD per person for East African citizens and 200 USD per person for nationals. The promotional rates should however be purchased one month in advance before the trekking date and if the permit is bought in less than one month of the trekking date, the permit price will be 1,500 USD.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park can either be booked directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where you will contact the park headquarters on phone or telephone call. Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to trek. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the permit, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore access gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes gorilla trekking difficult.
Where to stay in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park has a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including One and Only Gorillas Nest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Wilderness Bisate, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse among others.
What to pack for gorilla trekking safari in volcanoes national park
There are a number of items that you should pack when going for your gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes national park including hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket, garden gloves, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, walking stick, warm sweater, back pack among others.
