The 1 day gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is a crash program adventure to volcanoes National Park but to pull this off you need to plan in advance and be sure of gorilla permit availability for your desired date.
To do a single day gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda, organize the necessary transport means to get to Volcanoes National Park before start of briefing time which is about 0700hours.
This Rwanda safari is feasible for last minute travelers with a long stopover in Rwanda. The drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National park is about 3 hours or less and with such time you can catch up with briefing at the ranger station which is compulsory as long as you start the drive early morning.
Highlights of 1 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
- Organise your gorilla trekking gears before travelling so that you just pick up your back pack and proceed to the ranger station
- Report to the ranger station for briefing early morning
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Departure flight must be late night to enable you freshen up.
Details of 1 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rise up early morning or disembark from your night flight at Kigali Airport and connect for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
The roads in Rwanda are winding but fairly better to drive at with less potholes. Sometimes the way is foggy so drive carefully because of the nature of the terrain of Rwanda in general as it is a mountainous country.
There is always a hot cup of tea or coffee a the ORTPN which you can purchase and some break fast snacks in case you want some refreshments.
At the ORTPN are some gorilla trekking gears to hire however these are second hand items and not all are available here so it is safer to carry your own.
Hire a porter to help you carry your belongings especially if you are tired. The porter may also give you a push to carry on incase you are fatigued.
What Happens Before Finding The Mountain Gorillas In Rwanda
- As soon as every tourist for the day is allocated a gorilla family, the ranger guide leads the way following the tail heading where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day.
- Along the way, you get to see other forest dwellers like an array of birds, other primates like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys and more.
- The trails of Volcanoes forest are usually slippery and soggy from the regular rains that fall and yet less sunlight sips through to the ground. A dense network of rivers and streams flow in Volcanoes forest and may flood leaving the ground mushy so wear sturdy safari boots that extend beyond the ankles.
- Use a supporting stick for extra support on your way to find the mountain gorillas. Wear garden gloves too to catch a tighter grip in case you tumble.
- Searching for the mountain gorillas is a double opportunity for keep birds to spot some of the 200 species of birds recoded as residents of Volcanoes Forest in Rwanda. Primatologists have the double opportunity of spotting a variety of primates including golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys and more.
What Happens When With The Mountain Gorillas In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
- Facing the mountain gorilla family is magical with a combo freight and excitement at the same time. The dark hairy body of the mountain gorillas and huge outlook is often mistaken for some aggressive creature however proof can only be confirmed when around them.
- Mountain gorillas are serene primates whose anger is hard to please however the also lose there cool once you trigger them. When agitated, the mountain gorillas normally retreat into the deeper forest ends, hoot, chest thump and more.
- When in company of the mountain gorillas maintain a gap of atleast 8 meters from them to avoid giving chances directly contacting them. At times the mountain gorillas bridge the gap and reach out to touch you but move back without causing any alarm.
- Take photos of the mountain gorillas and observe their presence too. It is hard to be around the mountain gorillas and do not mirror human life in their actions. Mountain gorillas have about 96% human DNA so some of their actions have a closer resemblance to how humans survived in the past.
- When taking photos of the mountain gorillas, do not use a flash light and use a sound proof camera. Mountain gorillas are easily scared by unfamiliar sounds in their presence.
- One hour of viewing the mountain gorillas is allowed so that you can allow they pursue their daily activities. Human presence interrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas.
- Slowly get away from the mountain gorillas to return to the main land.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth Taking While On Rwanda Safari
- Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an unforgettable African safari adventure where you get up-close with the few leftover mountain gorillas in the world. The number of mountain gorillas currently is about 1062 mountain gorillas according to the last census and these are living in only three countries in the world, Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo.
- Spending time with the mountain gorillas is like walking into history of humanity and it is hard to be around these primates and do not fall in love with them. No time table or catalogue they follow for the day but the life of mountain gorillas is full of activities including feeding, napping, disciplining and much more.
- Rwanda is the genesis of mountain gorilla conservation and it from here that the primatologist Dianne Fossey managed to stage the first gorilla Research station in Karisoke, discovered the extent to which the mountain gorillas were at the verge of extinction and called on the world to take action.
- For every Rwanda gorilla permit purchased, a portion of the money is used to support the conservation of the mountain gorillas. Steady progress so far has been registered from about 250 mountain gorillas in 1980s and the last population census was 1062 mountain gorillas living in the entire world.
- Rwanda has other safari activities one can choose to combine with gorilla trekking including Akagera National Park for game drives, birding in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park and others.
Distance From Kigali To Volcanoes National Park| How To Get There
The drive time from Kigali International airport to Volcanoes National Park is about 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours via a winding road and amazing green shaded escarpments. The distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is about 197.4 kilometers.
Road transport is the main means used get to Volcanoes National Park however you need a 4×4 wheel drove vehicle in good condition because the roads in the country side sometimes get messy.
Air transport is also available at Kigali International Airport from Akagera Aviation for more private travel. Do not forget to hire a transfer vehicle. The flight from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park may take about 30 minutes.
How Secure Is Volcanoes National Park During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
- Volcanoes National Park is secure even though it is a dense rain forest. Most of the areas where mountain gorillas live in the bamboo area which is their delicacy.
- Before opening a gorilla family to the public, the mountain gorillas are first habituated for a period until proved ready to face humans. When in the wild state, the mountain gorillas are too timid and extremely sensitive to human presence however after habituation process, they can with stand humans at least for an hour.
- On Gorilla trekking day, tourists have to attend a compulsory briefing session early morning, where the most recent details about the mountain gorillas, the forest in general are communicated. Details of the rules of gorilla trekking are explained too and these enable tourists to walk through the jungle.
- The presence of well trained and knowledgeable Rwanda Development Board Ranger guides who lead every gorilla safari provided security to tourists. No tourists is allowed to walk into Volcanoes forest without an escorting armed ranger guide.
- Every tourist is expected to adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking and advise given at briefing when around the mountain gorillas so as not to appear suspicious. Even when you notice something odd amongst the mountain gorillas, do not panic but await for the ranger guide to provide the new instructions.
- Personal security is very important so wear the right gorilla trekking gears, stay close to other trekkers, abide by the rules of gorilla trekking and others.
What Are The Requirements For 1 day Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda
Book a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit in advance as this is the only confirming document accepted at the ORTPN. The number of gorilla permits is limited per day with maximum 8 open per gorilla family per day.
Maintain some level of fitness before gorilla trekking in Rwanda so that you are able to hike as the mountain gorillas at times spend the day on the slopes or deep in the valleys. The gorilla trekking adventure of Rwanda is in quite a steep area because of the serious Volcanic action that swept through Rwanda leaving a number of highlands. Trekkers with physical difficulties can use sedan chair services.
Travel to Volcanoes National Park before briefing time which is about 0700hours per day. Tourists must arrive before gorilla trekking briefing time so that all necessary clearances can be done and document verification carried out.
Good health status is necessary before heading for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, in case you catch a communicable infection like flu, cough, Covid-19 volunteer to stay behind so as not to spread it these highly susceptible primates.
The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond. Children below this age may be incapable of adhering to the gorilla trekking rules or the conditions in the forest.
Carry the right gorilla safari gears including safari boots, rain proof gears, long sleeved shirt, camera and others.
Arrange transport to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda in advance so that you do not have to fixit at a panic. At Arch safaris And Tours, we can put this together for you, do all ground work and all other necessary logistics to make this African safari a reality.
Apply for the Rwanda Visa in advance and ensure that all necessary clearances are made in advance so that you do not waist time at immigration on arrival. Start the drive to Volcanoes National Park as soon as you can
What More To Combine With Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is an amazing African safari destination and other than gorilla trekking, there are several other activities to do in the country.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
While on Rwanda safari, you can do chimpanzee trekking in tropical Nyungwe National Park. Even though there is so far two chimpanzee communities open to the public in Rwanda with one living in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the forest. You can choose to do the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking experience.
Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest is open too where you can take an adventure on the suspension bridge which is about 160 meters long and 70 meters high. From the suspension bridge you enjoy the view of Nyungwe forest canopy, amazing features and more.
Game Drives in Rwanda
Take a game drive in Akagera National Park through the tracks so you may get to see animals like lions, leopards, giraffes, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, herds of elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and more. The scenery around Akagera National park is remarkable with several highlands that form an amazing view.
A boat ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park is unforgettable.
Birding in Rwanda
Rwanda is home to more than 700 bird species living in different habitants in the forests, swamps and others. Some of the birds in Rwanda include Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco and more.
Cultural tour in Rwanda The Rwandese rich culture is charming especially when you attend cultural festivals involving local performances such as folk dance, music, traditional marriages and so much more. Cultural center like the Ethnographic center where several ancient items used by ancient tourists are being preserved.