To book the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, you need to find gorilla permit availability first based on the dates of your preference. Know the number of Rwanda gorilla permits you would like to book because only 8 gorilla permits are open to the public per day.
Currently Rwanda has 12 gorilla permits open to the public but to minimize the effects of mass tourism to the environment where these primates thrive, the number of visitors per day is maximized to 8 trekkers per day. Request For A Quotation
Volcanoes National Park the ever misty forest is the only home to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Several other primates find comfort in living in volcanoes forest including endangered golden monkeys and more. The gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park is quite steep because of the several highlands including five of the famous six Virunga Volcanoes that make up the topography of this park.
What Is The Procedure For Booking Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda
Select a date when you wish to do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. It can be either a confirmed or tentative date.
Find gorilla permit availability and incase your first dates are sold out, open your mind to close by dates in case they are still available. On several occasions the gorilla permits are sold out earlier especially in the peak season.
Purchase the gorilla permits as soon as you find availability because they sell out fast. First come first served basis is used when selling these permits yet none is reserved without payment.
Avail some personal details like your full names, nationality, date of birth and more. These details are added to your gorilla permit for identification.
Note
It is best to book your Rwanda gorilla permits atleast 6 months to 12 months in advance to avoid the last minute panic when searching for the permits.
When you choose to do Rwanda gorilla trekking as last minute plan, ensure that you confirm and purchase the gorilla permit before travelling as this is the only confirmation to participating in this adventure.
The full gorilla trekking safari package includes booking accommodation, transport, driver guide and more as desired.
Requirements for Booking Gorilla Trekking safari in Rwanda
- Book Gorilla permit as advised above
- Cross check the ages of gorilla trekkers. Age limit for engaging in gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is 15 years and over. This is because of the nature of this Rwanda adventure where you have to walk through the dense jungle with no specific direction to take every time where to find the gorillas.
- Having some level of fitness is very important because of the uneven nature of the topography of this area. At times the gorillas spend time deep in the valley or on the slopes so you have to hike to locate them.
- Pack the right gorilla trekking gears to use during this Rwanda safari including safari boots, garden gloves, safari hat and more.
- Maintain good health before or during gorilla trekking in Rwanda because having a communicable infection like flu, cough as these primates are susceptible to such infections. Volunteer to stay behind in case you acquire a communicable infection.
- Book other necessary gorilla trekking logistics that support this Rwanda safari in advance to avoid disappointments when the best options in your safari package category run out.
- Select other Rwanda safari activities to combine with gorilla trekking in advance so that the right itinerary is drafted and reservations made.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda
From the staring time of gorilla trekking in Rwanda which is usually 0730 hours each day, time to find the mountain gorillas varies from about 30 minutes to more depending on factors prevailing in the wilderness.
To maintain the urge for finding the mountain gorillas when searching for them, divert your attention to seeing other forest dwellers like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys and others. An array of birds live in Volcanoes forest and keen birders have this double opportunity.
Finding the mountain gorillas is influenced by weather conditions of the day, pace of fellow trekkers, mood of the gorilla family and more.
When face to face with the mountain gorilla family only one hour is allowed with them as a conservation measure.
How Sure Can I Be To see the Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorillas are present in Volcanoes national park all year and even though the forest is vast and seems to be endless, be sure to see these primates no matter the season.
Each day, a team of trackers follows up on the mountain gorilla families from where they nested and estimate the possible direction they may be taking for the day. Some of these clues are used by rangers with tourists to locate these primates.
Mountain Gorillas leave behind some clues which the ranger guides with tourists may use to find the mountain gorillas. Some of the clues include freshly chewed foliage, fresh dung, listen to the sounds these animals produce and more.
Before the gorilla family is opened to the public, it is first habituated until tested and proved ready for public viewing. The gorilla families are able to stay with humans atleast for an hour as long as you abide by the rules of gorilla trekking.
Even though gorillas relocate in search for new feeding grounds, they do not move very far from their previous location. In addition, the mountain gorillas have bulky bodies that do not allow them to move very fast and far so you can catch up with them.
Finding the mountain gorillas is guaranteed no matter the season but note that these primates are very insecure with intruders in their vicinity. Follow the guidelines of gorilla trekking to enjoy the presence of the mountain gorillas.
How To Be Safe During Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is in a dense jungle where you have to walk while searching for these primates. In the forest there are some rough surfaces so wear long leaved short and trousers to protect yourself from getting into contact with these surfaces,
During briefing before starting the search for the mountain gorillas, tourists must attend briefing where rules about gorilla trekking are communicated in details. Keep a distance of atleast 7 meters from the mountain gorillas to reduce on the chances of appearing suspicious. Try not to touch the infants of the mountain gorillas even though out of curiosity they bridge the recommended gap.
Each group of trekkers is escorted by an armed ranger guide and tourist police officer with a riffle in case of an emergency. No tourists is allowed to move in the forest without the company of a ranger guide. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker so that none is forgotten in the dense jungle.
Apply insect repellent before starting the gorilla trek to keep away possible stinging insects. Do not forget to wear garden gloves incase you tough them as you try to find your way in the forest.
Do some simple exercises before gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda so that you do not get muscle pull while hiking.
Incase you notice something odd amongst the gorilla family do not rush to get away because you will appear suspicious before the mountain gorillas throwing the entire forest into a stampede.
What To Expect During Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Seeing the mountains gorillas in Rwanda is guaranteed no matter the time you get to locate them.
Expect to find other tourists on gorilla trekking safari especially in the peak season. The Low season which is may open chances to taking a solo gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda incase you are the only client for the day.
During the search for the mountain gorillas, expect rain to fall any time without warning so pack the suitable gears.
Sometimes the mountain gorillas may tease you by staging a fight, chest thump and more but don’t panic to get away because this may send misconception to the already tense gorillas pushing them into hiding. Wait for the ranger guide to provide the direction to take in case the gorillas charge.
The terrain of Volcanoes National Park is quite steep with several highlands so expect to hike, by pass some creepers that drape the ridges, tree trunks and more.
Expect to see other forest inhabitants but these are wild so may not withstand human presence some include black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and more. A plethora of birds spend time in volcanoes forest so keen birds have so much to enjoy while on the search to find the mountain gorillas.
Do not expect to find structures of toilets in the forest during gorilla trekking so expect to take breaks in the bushes but cover everything well beyond recognition.
Carry packed lunch in preparation for lunch break in case you do not return to the lodge in time for lunch after gorilla trekking.
Try to stay closer to the group you are trekking gorillas with so that you are not forgotten in the jungle.
When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
The dry season which is June To December and January To February is the best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda. The precipitation in the forest is less creating a better environment to search for the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is all year and no matter the season, expect to see these primates.
The paths to use when exploring the forest are quicker to navigate in the dry season opening more chances to move faster and find the endangered mountain gorillas.
During the dry season, the mountain gorillas spend more time closer to the ground so you can easily spot them. More sunlight penetrates through the dense leafy trees creating better environment to take photos or film the mountain gorillas.
Even though more tourists are expected to visit Rwanda in the dry season, reserve the gorilla permit in advance to avoid last minute disappointment.
March to May and November is normally the wet season in Rwanda but you must not be afraid of booking the gorilla trek because these primates are present no matter the season. During the wet season, the mountain gorillas spend most of their time in the sheltered spots.
What To Combine With Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda
In Nyungwe National Park is chimpanzee trekking adventure where you get up close with the closest human relatives. Several trails are used to explore Nyungwe forest in search for the mountain gorillas. These endangered primates live in communities under the leadership of the alpha male.
One must book a chimpanzee permit to be accepted to join the morning or afternoon chimpanzee trekking adventure. Nyungwe forest has one chimpanzee community and another in Cyamudondo on the outskirts of the forest.
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda
The golden monkeys are an endangered primate species that are residents of Volcanoes National park. Before opening the golden monkeys to the public, they are habituated for sometime until proved ready for public viewing. Even when opened to the public, the golden monkeys still show off their traits keeping watchers on their toes most of the time.
One must secure a golden monkey permit before being accepted to join other trekkers. The golden monkeys have a unique physical body appearance with golden brown hairs in the back
Game drive on Rwanda safari
Akagera National Park is the home of game drives in Rwanda hosting a wide range of wild animals including the big five. It is best to start the game drive in Akagera National park early morning before these animals disperse for the way.
Some of the animals you may find during game drive in Akagera National Park include zebras, giraffes, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, elands, impalas, Rhinos, leopards, lions, hyenas and more.
Cultural tour in Rwanda
Rwanda has rich culture that they shared with the world to those interested. Through participating in folk songs, traditional dance moves including Intore, folk tales and more, the culture of the people in Rwanda is communicated. Paying a visit to the crafts center like Nyakarimbi where locally made crafts are sold, including products from pottery, weaving, sculpturing and more. A visit to the Ethnological center where the items used by Rwandese in the past are communicated.