Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda | Cost Of Rwanda Tour

To do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda book the necessary permit from Rwanda Development Board. Each day, Rwanda opens maximum 8 gorilla trekking permit to the public from the so far 12 gorilla families a number that generally doesn’t match up with the demand for them worldwide.

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking happens in misty Volcanoes National Park a pristine rain forest in northwestern part of the country. Each morning, tourists gather at the ranger station for briefing where guidelines of gorilla trekking are communicated in details then later each tourist is allocated a gorilla family to trek. Request A Quotation

Rwanda gorilla trekking is generally steep due to the presence of highlands that compose the topography of Volcanoes National Park that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and more. At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands or deep in the valleys depending on the mood, condition or food available and more.

How To Prepare For Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Choose a favorable time for the Rwanda safari and find gorilla permit availability then purchase it as soon as you can.

Reserve other necessary gorilla trekking logistics in advance including accommodation, transport and more. The demand for these amenities changes with season as during the dry season that is June to September and December to January demand is high necessitating advance booking. For Flying gorilla trekking in Rwanda, advance flight booking in very important.

Do pack the necessary gorilla trekking gears with guidance from the list of item to pack for gorilla trekking. Some of what to pack for gorilla trekking include safari hat, garden gloves, backpack and more.

Engage in some exercises to keep your body fit for gorilla trekking experience where you have to walk in the jungle composed of several highlands. At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valley.

Taking a heath checkup before travelling to do gorilla trekking is very important especially checkup for communicable infections like flu, cough, as the mountain gorillas are vulnerable to these infections. Before starting the search for mountain gorillas, tourists are implored to volunteer and stay behind in case one has a communicable infection that can be transmitted to these vulnerable primates.

Book international flights to Rwanda in advance so that you do not get disappointed incase you find no flights at the last minute. It is best to be in Rwanda prior to starting date of your gorilla trekking safari in order to get everything in check for this adventure.

What is the cost of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda may range from $550 and over. Different items make up the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda but these are packaged according to luxury, mid-range and basic. All gorilla trekking safari packages includes the cost of gorilla permit which is currently $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents or other Africans and $200 foe East Africans.

In addition, the cost of accommodation to use during Rwanda safari on average

$70 to $120 basic accommodation

$150 to $250 mid range accommodations

$350 and over Luxury accommodations

Before booking accommodation to use for gorilla trekking find out the inclusions and exclusions in the cost so that you can plan accordingly.

Do not forget to carry some extra cash to use incase there is need.

When Is The Best Time To Book Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

The best time to book gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the dry season when hazy Volcanoes forest is expected to experience less precipitation. The dry season allows the mountain gorillas to spend most of the day closer to the ground to find sufficient food to support their bodies throughout the day and night.

Demand for gorilla permits in the dry season is high as this serves as the peak tourism season of Rwanda. All other amenities that accompany safaris in Rwanda is high too.

To be on the safe side, book the gorilla permit in advance so that you do not get last minute disappointments.

The wet season which is March to May and November is fine for gorilla trekking and despite the chances of experiencing heavy rains finding the mountain gorillas is guaranteed. There are some chances of finding last minute gorilla permits since the demand for them is less in this season.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is open all year no matter the season so be sure to find the mountain gorillas.

How Long Does Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda Take

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes unknown time because they are free animals that explore the wilderness. There is nothing that stops these primates from reaching different parts of the forest. From the starting point as you search for the mountain gorillas, it may take about 30 minutes to more as you search for the mountain gorillas.

Along the way, you may find other resident primates, animals, different plant species and more. Keep your self focused on finding the vulnerable mountain gorillas but you can also look out for other interesting features.

Finding the mountain gorillas is influenced by the weather conditions prevailing in the day, pace of fellow tourists, location of food source and more.

Finally, when you find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with these primates. Use the presence of these primates to the best of your interests and take photos to keep as memories of your gorilla trekking safari.

How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in the jungle but a safe destination too even though Volcanoes forest is a primeval forest. Before tourists start gorilla trekking in Rwanda, they have to attend briefing from the ranger guide where rules of this adventure are communicated in detail.

A team of well trained ranger guides from Rwanda Development Authority are on ground to offer protection, explain in details the rules of gorilla trekking, give a glimpse o what to expect during gorilla trekking and more. All these help with offering safety measures to follow during gorilla trekking. Every gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda is led by an experienced anger guide who carries simple protective tools.

Each tourist is encouraged to wear safari gears that favor moving in the dense jungle. Do wear long sleeved shirt, trousers, warmers, apply insect repellants, energy bites and more.

Keep close with the rest of the gorilla trekkers so that you are not forgotten in the dense jungle. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker but do not slow down the rest or separate from the rest. The jungle has other occupants that may be quite dangerous.

Follow the paths used by the leading ranger guide during gorilla trekking rather than creating a new path that may end in a boggy spot.

Carry a first aid kit with emergency medication during gorilla trekking. To prevent getting muscle pull during gorilla trekking, do prior exercises to keep your body in shape and ready hike the different highlands you may encounter along the way.

What to Expect During Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Expect to explore a dense forest that seems forgotten by years. The terrain of Volcanoes forest is ragged resulting from volcanic actions that left behind some amazing highlands which is the mountain gorilla sanctuary. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite steep as this is influenced by the five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi.

The gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park are quite mobile so expect variation in the return time from gorilla trekking. Do pack some snacks to enjoy along the way before locating the mountain gorillas. Finding the mountain gorillas may take about 30 minutes to more depending on factors prevailing in the forest.

Volcanoes forest is home to several other inhabitants including golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more. More than 200 bird species are residents of Volcanoes forest and show up any time of the day.

Expect to share gorilla trekking experience with other tourists as gorilla families in Rwanda are randomly allocated to tourists for the day with no specific criteria to be used.

Along the trails used by tourists when searching for the mountain gorillas is vegetation that at times falls over obstructing the way or decomposes leaving the ground slippery. Wear safari boots that extend beyond the ankles and wear socks where you can tack in your trousers. At times the rivers and streams within the forest flood leaving the ground wet most of the times.

What Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Accommodations to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda are categorized into luxury, midrange and basic.

Volcanoes National Park accommodations in Rwanda include Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and more.

Check out the inclusions in the cost of accommodation to book for Rwanda safari so that you can plan in advance. It is best to secure accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda closer to Volcanoes National Park so that you can report to the ranger station in time for briefing.

Extra Activities To Do After Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

After gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you may do a community visit. The communities close to Volcanoes National Park are open for a visit but best enjoyed if in company of a local guide. By visiting the community projects around Volcanoes National Park and support their projects, you get to directly contribute to their lives.

Nature walk in Volcanoes forest to see other inhabitants like forest birds, several plant species, other primates and more. Never move in Volcanoes forest without an escorting ranger guide as you may face some harsh conditions.

Town Musaze town visit as closer to Volcanoes National Park is a town center where you can visit the locals to know about how they run local businesses. You may try tasting local meals but ask your ranger guide for a safe local food restaurant.

A Kigali city tour can also be arranged since Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours from Kigali. While on Kigali city tour, you may visit the business centers, genocide memorials, museums, crafts centers and more.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park but you need a chimpanzee trekking permit. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens early morning or afternoon. Two chimpanzee trekking communities are open in Nyungwe National Park including Cyamudondo.

A game safari in Akagera National Park where you may get the opportunity to spot some of the big five including elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, leopards and more. Even though Akagera National Park is recovering from the effects of civil unrest. Steady progress has been attained and a number of wild animals roam Akagera National Park premises.

What Are The Guidelines of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Every tourist must attend compulsory briefing on gorilla trekking day where communication about these primates is given in details. Missing briefing before gorilla trekking may end in a penalty.

 In case you catch a communicable infection like cough, flu, Covid-19, volunteer and stay behind because these primates are vulnerable to catching these infections that may end in massive death.

Do not spit on the vegetation along the way or on the ground during gorilla trekking as this contaminates the food where these primates feed.

In case you wish to smoke during gorilla trekking or eat, do it at about 200 meters from these primates.

When taking photos, do it without using flash photography. During gorilla trekking, the flashlight may cause these mountain gorillas to feel ambushed.

Keep in the tight group and do not scatter as the mountain may feel ambushed.

Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you in case you wish to take a long call. Cover everything well without leaving trace.

Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas when you locate them because these primates are wild animals that can spread an infection to you or you to them.

Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you find them because they are habituated to be with humans for atleast that time. The age limit for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is 15 years and above.