Reasons to trek gorillas in Rwanda
Reasons to trek gorillas in Rwanda; Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in Rwanda that attracts big numbers of tourists and it involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in volcanoes national park which is located in north western region. Volcanoes national park is also a home of golden monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, bush pigs and over 200 bird species. gorilla trekking is also done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experience park guide who is well conversant with the gorilla trails to follow. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park 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 primate species, mammals, bird species among others and once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviours, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities. Volcanoes national park also offers discounted/promotional gorilla trekking permits which are valid until 31st/ December/2023. The promotional gorilla trekking permits cost 500 USD per person for foreign residents, 500 USD per person for African foreign residents, 500 USD per person for Africans, 200 USD per person for East African citizens and 200 USD per person for Nationals. The promotional permits should be purchased one month in advance before the trekking date. If the permit is bought in less than one months of the trekking date, the price will be 1,500 USD.
Reasons to trek gorillas in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking and there are various reasons why travellers should trek gorillas in Volcanoes national park including easy accessibility of the park from Kigali as it takes about 3 hours’ drive from Kigali international airport to Volcanoes national park.
Volcanoes national park also has easy gorilla treks in Africa compared to other gorilla trekking destinations.
Golden monkey trekking
Volcanoes national park also harbours the endangered golden monkeys which can be visited during your safari. Golden monkey trekking is an interesting and active activity in volcanoes national park which starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow at the park headquarters. After the briefing, travellers will start trekking in the forest following trails of leftover bamboo shoots and leaves and once the golden monkeys are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat where you will get a chance to watch them feed, play, jump up in tree branches, take photos and record videos.
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is another interesting activity that you can engage in during your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. Volcanoes national park is a home of five of the eight Virunga volcanoes that travellers can hike including mount bisoke which is 3,700 meters above the sea level, mount karisimbi which is 4,507 meters above the sea level and Mount Muhavura which is 4,127 meters above the sea level, mount sabyinyo which is 3,674 meters high and mount gahinga which is 3,474 meters high.
Bird watching
Volcanoes national park is a home of over 200 bird species including Albertine endemic birds, forest birds, migratory birds among others which makes it one of the best birding destinations in Rwanda. bird watching in Volcanoes national park can either be done early in the morning or in the evening with an experienced park guide who will help you to spot different bird species including African Green Broadbill, Ruwenzori Batis, Palm Nut Vulture, Archers Robin Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Crested Barbet, Lesser Honey Guide, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Baglafecht Weaver, Common Stonechat, Brown Woodland Warbler, Black-crowned Waxbill, Dusky Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin among others.
Iby’iwacu cultural tour
Volcanoes national park also offers the exciting iby’iwacu cultural experience where you will be able to interact with the local people in the neighboring communities, learn about their culture, way of living, visit their traditional houses, engage in their traditional dances, buy their craft souvenirs among others.
There are other activities that you can engage in during your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda for example hiking to the Dian Fossey grave, visiting the Dian Fossey gorilla fund, visiting the twin lakes, Kigali city tour where you will visit Kimironko market, Kigali genocide memorial centre among others.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari 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 time the park receives less rainfall therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable hence making trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make gorilla trekking difficult.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari
There are a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Kinigi Guest House, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Eagle View Lodge, Gorillas Nest Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa among others.
What to pack for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda
When going for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, there are a number of items that you should pack or carry including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket/poncho, long cotton socks, warm sweater, camera and extra batteries, energy snacks and drinking water, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, back pack, face masks among others.
You can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris for more information or visit our website to book a gorilla trekking safari package.