Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris

The frequently asked questions with answers about gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda help with planning the perfect tours. Some may ask about how to book a Rwanda gorilla permit and the answer is select the safari date, identify people travelling with, find gorilla permit availability and purchase the permit. Enquire Now

When is the best time do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. The answer may be the dry season because the gorilla habitant us dryer even though its known to receive untimely rains all year. The trails in the Volcanoes forest in Rwanda are quicker to navigate too during the dry season. The wet season should not scare one to do gorilla trekking because finding these primates is a sure deal.

Where to do gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. The answer is Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern part of the country. Volcanoes National Park is a tropical rain forest and a biosphere reserve too hosting a variety of inhabitants including more than 200 bird species, a variety of primates and others. How much is the cost of gorilla permits for RwandaWhat Is The cost Of Gorilla trekking Safari In Africa the cost may change but currently the price is $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and $200 for east Africans. Inclusions in the cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit are park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas and others.

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How much is the cost of gorilla permits for Rwanda the cost may change but currently the price is $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and $200 for east Africans. Inclusions in the cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit are park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, one hour with the mountain gorillas and others.

What is the cost of Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari. The answer depends on a number of factors including number of days on safari, eligible people travelling with, season, category of safari and others. The cost of the gorilla permit for Rwanda is a must expense to every tourists on gorilla trekking safari and its universal no matter the package you choose.

How long is the Gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda. The time to spend on the gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda varies and is determined by a number of factors. From the starting point finding the mountain gorillas may depend on there food location, weather conditions of the day, pace of tourists and others. Upon finding the mountain gorillas in Rwanda only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons.

Which is the easiest Rwanda gorilla family to trek. Determining the easiest gorilla family to trek in Rwanda may be a challenge because these are free wild animals. The mountain gorillas are not stopped by any barriers when exploring Volcanoes National Park therefore finding them depends on factors prevailing in the forest. The Gorilla family that was situated closer to the starting point may be the furthest the next time.

What Time does Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda start. According to Rwanda Development Board, the starting time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 0730 hours per day but sometimes it may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Tourists are expected to report to the ranger station earlier for document verification. Attending briefing before gorilla trekking safari is compulsory for every tourist.

How difficult or easy is gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda. In general, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite challenging because of the nature of the topography of this area. Volcanoes National Park was affected by volcanic actions that ended in the formation of some highlands. Volcanoes National Park has five of the six Virunga volcanoes that is Mountain Bisoke,  Karisimbi, Mgahinga , Muhavura and Sabyinyo.

At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys and therefore you have to hike to find them. This is why gorilla trekking in Rwanda is considered to be steep.

What is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

15 years and beyond is the age limit for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. The first glance at the mountain gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline causing one to act in a manner that may be suspicious to these primates but you have to control the situation. It may be hard for child below this age to control their nerves that may end in a stampede.  

The way to find the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is quite steep so having some level of fitness is recommended but for child below 15 years, it may be hard to walk through.

How safe is gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda

Rwanda is a safe destination to do gorilla trekking. On ground is a professional and well trained team of ranger guides from Rwanda Development Board who often patrol the forest and do routine checkups in and around the forest

Every tourists must attend briefing where details about how to be safe during gorilla trekking adventure are communicated. Even elaborate details about the rules of gorilla trekking are explained. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker so that no one is forgotten in the wilderness.

Each tourist is expected to mind personal safety during gorilla trekking safari so that no one is forgotten in the wilderness. No entering Volcanoes forest without an escorting ranger guide.

Can I Reschedule A Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit?

Yes, Rwanda Development Board accepts gorilla permit reschedule as long as you follow the right procedure. Write to Rwanda Development Requesting to reschedule the gorilla permit and state the date to which it can be moved. State a genuine reason why you are unable to use the gorilla permit on the pre-booked date.

Moving the gorilla permit for Rwanda depends on the status of availability per the new date of your choice. The gorilla permit is then moved to the new date but may attract a surcharge.

Can I get a refund on a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda

Gorilla permit refund in Rwanda follows a lengthy process because of bureaucracy in Rwanda Development Board. To qualify for Rwanda gorilla permit refund, your query must be within the gorilla permit refund policy. Having some patience as you wait for the gorilla permit refund is recommended because it may take some time.

What to expect on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda

During gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, expect to share this experience with other tourists because gorilla family allocation is randomly done.

Expect the trails on Volcanoes National Park to be wet and soggy from the regular rains that fall yet the forest canopy is too dense to allow more sunrays to penetrate to dry up the ground. Wear the suitable safari boots that can protect you from getting hurt on the way.

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Why Do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is a dream come true adventure but limits participants so being one of the lucky few to be part of this is a lifetime achievement.

By purchasing a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, you contribute to the fund that supports the existence of these highly endangered primates. World over the population of mountain gorillas is about 1000 per the last census. This number of mountain gorillas is resident to Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo only.

If you want to give back to the communities around the gorillas trekking destination in Rwanda, hiring a porter to assist with carrying your gorilla safari gears would be that attempt.

Rwanda has the shortest time to take on a gorilla trekking tour that is 2 days gorilla trekking which is impossible with her counterparts Uganda and D.R.Congo. You can choose Rwanda as your stopover destination to do gorilla trekking before proceeding to your next destination. You need to ensure that you have a gorilla permit or there is permit availability otherwise you may get disappointed.

What Guarantees Seeing Mountain Gorillas On Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Finding the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is a sure win no matter the season. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda undergo the gorilla habituation process which help them to get used to human presence without altering there nature. This enable the mountain gorilla to stay atleast for an hour allowed for gorilla trekking.

Each day a team of ranger guides wakes up earlier and follow the gorilla families to find where they nested and possible hangout spot for the day. Some of these clues are what ranger guides with tourists use to trace where the gorilla family may be spending the day, it is not guaranteed that it is always an accurate move.

Mountain gorillas have bulky bodies that donot allow them to move fast and vary far therefore it is easier to find them in a closer location even when they move.

The presence of the mountain gorillas is not affected by weather conditions whether it’s a wet or dry season, the mountain gorillas are present. In the wet season, the mountain gorillas sometimes may prefer to stay in a sheltered spot.

Are Rwanda mountain gorillas dangerous

By nature mountain gorillas are calm primates despite the perception many have about them based on there physical appearance and how they are portrayed in films. The physical appearance of the mountain gorillas is that they have a dark furred body, huge in size about 140 kilograms for a grown male and the female about half this weight.

Note that mountain gorillas have feelings too despite being shy and serene. When agitated, the mountain gorillas may react by hooting, chest thumping, pulling grass around them and much more.

Don’t rush to panic upon seeing this but wait for the ranger guide to find the cause of the matter. Co-operate when new instructions are given to try and calm the situation which may include showing submission, pretending to chew foliage and others.

Try not to stare into the eyes of the mountain gorillas because they may charge or run into hiding.

How to get to Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla trekking safari and how far is it from Kigali?

Road transport is the main means used to get to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali. The distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is about 179 kilometers but you need a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition. Having the company of an experienced and professional driver guides is cherry on top of icing. It is best to have full gas tank before proceeding into the park because refueling may be quite hard when in the park

Flying gorillas trekking safaris can be arranged in Rwanda on request however advance reservation helps with preparing necessary arrangements. Donot forget to arrange a transfer vehicle to the lodge.

What accommodation to book on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda

A number of accommodations options are available in and around Volcanoes National Park. These accommodations are categorised into luxury, Mid-range and budget.

Accommodations in Volcanoes National Park include Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Hotel Muhavura, Kinigi Guest House

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

A camera to take photos and keep memories of this once in a lifetime adventure with the mountain gorillas.

Safari foldable hat with a large brim to protect your head from buzzing insects in the jungle.

Safari convertible trousers and log sleeved shirt in wilderness friendly colors like tan and Khaki to use while in the jungle. Camouflage is not accepted in Rwanda as this is related to military wear.

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and late afternoons so you need to keep warm.

Foldable waterproof bottle to carry with water in order to quench thirst

Waterproof backpack on wilderness friendly colors that you are not afraid to get dirty.

Safari waterproof boot to use when walking through the jungle which is quite slippery and soggy from the decomposing matter.

Garden gloves to hold a tighter grip on to the vines while walking along the trails

A pair of binocular to capture a better vision of the far ranging features in the jungle.

Rain coat in case it falls as these tropical rain forest may receive rains the entire day

Hard cash to use as a means of exchange when purchasing on ground items like souvenirs as credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them.

First aid kit with medication for emergency treatment.

Insect repellant to apply and keep away insects that may hurt you while in the jungle.

Sunglasses to protect your eyes from insects that buzz in the jungle.

Fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one run low.

Energy treats to munch on as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time you are in the jungle. An adopter and charger in case you need to recharge your gargets. Request A Quotation