Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the most done activity among Rwanda tours that has impacted a lot in Rwanda Tourism Industry. Mountain gorillas are herbivores that feed on a diet that is comprised of leaves, shoots, stems, fruits, and plants. In Rwanda, they are found on the slopes of three dormant volcanoes in the park namely Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke. However, the vegetation is very dense at the ground of mountains with higher elevations and the forest is where mountain gorillas live are often cold, cloudy and misty.
Mountain gorillas are giant endangered mountain gorillas that survive in the Albertine rift valley of the montane rain forest and others live in volcanoes like gorillas in Rwanda. Mountain gorillas’ shares 98% DNA of human being.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking can be conducted in 10 habituated gorilla groups of Volcanoes National park which is positioned in the north-western direction of Rwanda and boosts with endangered mountain gorillas. Such gorilla families include Susa family, Karisimbi, Umubano, Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Ugende, Agasha and Titus Family which are splinted in different locations of the park which are open for tourism. Rwanda gorilla tours can be done in one of these groups where a traveler can be able to trek mountain gorillas in their natural inhabits.
Volcanoes National park is a home of over 400 individuals located in the north-western part of Rwanda.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is an exciting activity that starts in the morning hours after tourists’ aroma morning tea, where you will be given packed lunch. Our ranger will drive you to the park’s headquarters for a short briefing and after the guide who are good in English speaking, fluent in French will accompany you to their inhabits. Gorilla trekking takes approximately 2 to 8 hours in the wild. As you trekking one can be able to spot various bird species, trees, mammals and other primates. Once mountain gorillas are located you will be given one hour to encounter these apes as they play, feed, behave, grooming and displaying their nest high for use as well as taking photos for these great apes. This is awesome activity done with a maximum of 8 people only.
Where can we book gorilla permits in Rwanda?
Gorilla permits in Rwanda can be booked from tour companies or tour operators or even directly to Rwanda Development Board. Tourist to be able to visit mountain gorillas in Rwanda must be holding a gorilla permit which costs USD1500 per person per trek. You should book for your gorilla permits in time because there are 80 gorilla permits on a daily basis to the body that governs the park ‘’RDB’’.
Procedure for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Tourist who is willing to visit Rwanda gorilla tours is acquired to first send in his or her personal documents for easy reservation such documents they include, passport, Visa in advance for easy booking arrangements at the same reserving your accommodation facility.
Rules and Regulations followed before embarking for mountain Gorilla Trekking
- Do not touch mountain gorillas.
- Do not leave your rubbish inside the park.
- Travelers must stay in tight groups when they get near them.
- Travelers must stand for at least 7 meters away from mountain gorillas.
- You should keep voices at the low sound.
- You should respect the number of people allowed per trek.
- Professional guides are the ones to lead you to their natural inhabits.
- You should be in good health; ill people are not allowed to access them inhabits.
- Flash cameras are not allowed in the wild.
Essentials to be carried for gorilla trekking
- Rubber hiking boots,
- mineral water bottle,
- energy snacks,
- long sleeved trousers and shirts,
- rain gears,
- worm clothes since where gorilla’s live places are cool,
- clear cameras,
- insect repellents,
- hat,
- waterproof day pack bag,
- sweaters,
- binoculars,
- sunscreens and many more.
When is the best time to visit Gorillas in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done all year round though a year is categorized with two seasons Rainy and dry season. In dry seasons it’s when a number of tourists visit Rwanda for gorilla tours from June to September and December to February when the area is warm.
Accommodation in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park does not have inside accommodation or camping but a tourist can sleep in the nearby hotel or lodges through the help of tour operators by emailing or calling them and we Achieve global safaris we are good at caring for our visitor. You can book with us by emailing us because we have direct contact with ‘’RDB’’. Some of the accommodation hotels include park view lodge, Amahoro Songa lodge, La paillote gorilla palace, golden monkey guest house and many more.
Besides doing gorilla trekking in Rwanda – Volcanoe national park, there are other activities carried out in the park including Touring the lakes and caves, nature walk, Golden monkey trekking, Hiking to Dian Fossey tomb, Culture encounter, and many more other amazing experience.
How to get there
Volcanoes national park lies in the Musanze village where tourists can be able to access the park by Air and road, from Kigali International Airport. By road it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. A Traveler can decide to fly from Uganda using Uganda Airlines to and from to Kigali Airport lasting only 2 hours. After landing you will be picked from the Airport by the tour operator who will transfer you to the park by road.
