Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda In The Dry Season

To do gorilla trekking in Rwanda in the dry season, you must secure a permit in advance. Gorilla trekking is the foremost safari activity in Rwanda. It is also the easiest safari destination you can choose for short notice gorilla trekking arrangements in Africa. Enquire Now

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda are open for gorilla trekking all year no matter the season but the dry season is most preferred. The mountain gorillas tend to spend the day closer to the ground in this season which provides better access to finding them.

Rwanda currently hosts about 12 gorilla trekking families open to the public some of which include Amahoro, Umubano, Susa, Karisimbi, Muhoza, Agashya and more. Each day maximum 8 tourists are accepted to visit either of the mountain gorilla families. The number of visitors is minimized as a conservation measure to protect the gorillas and environment from the effects of mass tourism.

When is the dry season in Rwanda

In general, Rwanda experiences the dry season in June, July, August, September, early October, December and January. Average temperatures of Rwanda especially North Western Rwanda May range from 7 degrees centigrade to more than 20 degrees centigrade.

No matter the season areas in North western Rwanda receive rain any time as this is influences by the presence of the rain forest and several highlands in this area. It is a water catchment area too for places surrounding with rivers, swamps and streams present. The Average rain fall received in this area of Rwanda is about 2390 mm per year.

Where to Do Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park merits as the only sanctuary where mountain gorillas live in Rwanda. The park topography is influenced by several highlands resulting from volcanic actions that affect this area. 5 of the six Virunga Volcanoes tower beautifully in Volcanoes forest Rwanda that is Karisimbi, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Muhavura.

Volcanoes forest is home to other primates too including golden monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and more. More than 200 bird species have been recorded as residents of Volcanoes forest.

What Is The Cost Of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit In The Dry Season

At the moment, the cost of gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda is $1500 international nonresidents per person, $500 international residents and others Africans per trek. The cost of gorilla permit for Rwanda includes one hour with fully habituated mountain gorillas, park entrance fees, conservation support, ranger guide fee and more.

Even though its is best to purchase the Rwanda gorilla permit in full, there is a provision of paying for it in instalments of 30% and 70% terms and conditions apply. When you confirm going for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, do book your permit upfront to avoid panic at the last minute especially in the dry season.

How Easy Or Hard Is Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda During The Dry Season

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite challenging no matter the season however the dry season provides better environment to explore the Volcanoes Forest. The trails used to explore Volcanoes forest get messy any time from untimely rains yet the forest is too dense to let in enough sunlight however the situation is better in the dry season.

Tourists are able to explore the forest in the dry season as more sunlight sips through the dense leaves to the ground and keeps minimal water. Even if you have to hike down or up the slopes in the season, the ground is not so slippery.

Mountain gorillas keep closer to the ground and can easily be accessed because there is limited food supply up in the yet competition from other forest inhabitants is also high in the dry season.

Along the trails, undergrowth doesn’t normally protrude to obstruct the way while on the search to find the mountain gorillas. This provides better chances to move in the pristine Volcanoes Forest faster.

While taking photos or filming the mountain gorillas and their environment in the dry season, the ambience is favorable with better lighting to take great shots.

What Are The Requirements For A Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda In The Dry Season

Book a Rwanda gorilla Trekking permit in advance. The demand for the Rwanda Gorilla trekking permits in the dry season is over the top with chances of finding few or less permits for last minute bookings. It is safer to book the gorilla trekking permit for the dry season at least 180 days to safari date.

Reserve accommodation to use during the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda in advance as finding space at the most preferred facility of your budget gets slimmer as season opens. The dry season in Rwanda serves as the high tourism season of Rwanda.

Start simple exercises in preparation for the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda to keep your body fit. Hiking to find the mountain gorillas in Rwanda has some challenges too.

Reserve transport to get you to Volcanoes National park in advance as choices run out as the dry or high tourism season in Rwanda unfolds. You can choose to travel for gorilla safari in Rwanda by road or charter flight arrangements.

Carry out a body check-up towards the gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda to avoid getting uncertainties that may stop you from fulfilling this dream African safari. Note that persons with a communicable infection are disqualified from going gorilla trekking to protect the mountain gorillas.

Pack for the gorilla trekking safari with the guidance of a list of this safari gears. Gorilla trekking is not an ordinary African safari but involves moving in a rough jungle but you need to wear suitable attire for this adventure.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda During the Dry season

Gorilla trekking time you may spend in Rwanda varies but some tourists have returned after 2 hour whereas others have reported 6 hours or more. The search for the mountain gorilla families takes unpredictable time as it is dependent on the location of these primates for the day.

The weather conditions prevailing in the day determines much on the time of locating the mountain gorillas too. The mood of the gorilla family contributes so much to the time when to find the mountain gorillas.

Several other forest inhabitants can be seen while on the search to find the mountain gorillas some include black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and more. An array of birds lingers the forest and you get an opportunity to see some of them.

When you locate the gorilla trekking family allocated to you, only one hour is allowed with them. The time with the mountain gorillas is limited to one hour as the way to minimize human interface with these primates.

Are Mountain Gorillas In Rwanda Aggressive?

The mountain gorillas in Rwanda are not aggressive because by nature they are not hostile. Before opening a gorilla family to the public, they first undergo habituation a process. Gorilla habituation helps the mountain gorillas gradually get used to human presence and this may take 2 years on more until proved ready for humans.

Before starting any gorilla trekking safari, tourists must attend briefing where the most recent details about the mountain gorillas are communicated. Each tourist is advised to adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking while traversing the dense jungle. Mountain gorillas are highly sensitive to intruders in their space and operate a spy network that communicates in case they notice an intruder.

At times the mountain gorillas my charge when provoked however, they are not violent so when you notice something odd, do not panic but wait for new directions from the ranger guides. To calm the situation, you may sometimes have to show submission, stay calm and more to put down the situation.

How Easy Or Hard Is Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

The terrain of Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda in general is rugged and sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time deep in the valleys so you must hike to find them.

Tourists are encouraged to try out some exercises to keep fit and help you push through the gorilla trekking safari.

Along the way, creepers and vines crisscross the trails obstructing the way so the ranger guide with a machete uses it to trim part of the obstructions.

The mountain gorillas are free to move in the dense Volcanoes forest but this affects the time of locating the mountain gorillas. The longer you take to find the mountain gorillas the more you get tired but do not lose hope and keep moving alternatively fix your focus on other forest inhabitants.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is accepted with them so that you let them continue with their day activities like feeding, grooming and more. Human presence disrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas that have to collect enough foliage to support their huge bodies throughout the day and night.

 Can I Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda With Kids

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and over as the Rwanda Development Authority and other conservation bodies in and internationally agreed that only people of this age can withstand. The mountain gorillas are quite canning and can change their mood in the moment so you must be in position to control your nerves.

Do brief children in advance so that they are in the know of meeting the mountain gorillas with nothing like a glass separating you. Even the mountain gorillas sometimes bridge the gap out of curiosity and reach out to touch your hairs.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is exciting and worth embarking on as it is once in a life time adventure.

Why Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda During The Dry Season

Choosing to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the dry season gives you better chances to move through the ever dense jungle almost all year.  During the dry season, the sunlight sips through the dense jungle creating better environment to take photos and film in natural environment.

Most of the time the mountain gorillas spend the day closer to the ground as they search for what to feed on throughout the day and night during the dry season. The other primates in Volcanoes forest also search for a meal to feast on creating survival for the fittest.

It you wish a short notice gorilla trekking safari, Rwanda is the foremost safari destination you can think about because of the proximity of Volcanoes National Park to Kigali city. It takes approximately 3 hours drive from Kigali city to Volcanoes National park. Some tourists have taken a 1 Day gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda once well planned and coordinated.

Rwanda is a diverse safari destination where you can also do a combo of gorilla trekking with other activities such as chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe, Game safaris in Akagera, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes forest, birding in Rwanda, water activities and more.

If you are a solo tourist on a gorilla trekking safari but wish to have company while in the jungle, gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the dry season provides that opportunity. Many tourists are expected to visit Rwanda in the dry season and with them you can move in search of the mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park is a water catchment area for the close by destinations so with a dense network of Rivers, streams and more in the dry season they flow within normal course. Rains falls in Volcanoes forest which is a rain forest and leaves the ground dense, close to the trail vegetation decomposes into matter that may turn slippery at times.

Why Plan Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda With Arch Safaris And Tours

 Arch Safaris And Tours is a professional and experienced safari company with over 10 years experience in planning safaris. We help clients fulfil their dreams of seeing the endangered mountain gorillas which is on the list of many adventure seekers.

Helping clients creating lifetime safari memories in Africa is one of our aims and there is a package for every client according to their interests and budget. Out team of safari consultants can tailor an itinerary to suite your need but it can only be confirmed with your approval. We offer free advise to our clients on the safari destinations within our area of operation when you request for it. Lets travel to make memories in the African jungle with Arch safaris And Tours.

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