Guide To Gorilla Trekking And Golden Monkey Safari in Rwanda

When planning a gorilla trekking and golden monkey safari in Rwanda, book the necessary permits in advance. The number of gorilla and golden monkey trekking permits in Rwanda is regulated to reduce on the effects of mass tourism as these primates depend on the supplies from the forest all their lives. Enquire Now

Cross check the ages of people travelling with for gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda because the age limit is 15 years and over. Both gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking have rules which are strictly followed yet children below this age may be unable to comply with these rules.

Exercise frequently to keep your body fit for gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda. This is because of the nature of the topography Volcanoes National Park which is rugged with several highlands where mountain gorillas and golden monkeys spend most of the day in the trees canopies.

Reserve necessary safari logistics including accommodation, transport and more to used during the Rwanda safari. The availability of these safari amenities gets so competitive as the peak season opens which is normally June to September and December to February.

Abide by the rules of gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda when on ground because violating them may end in a penalty.  Do not panic when you observe something odd about the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees because you may end in causing a stampede in the forest.

It is better to spend the night before starting the Rwanda gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking safari within the country. This to enable you start the journey to Volcanoes National Park and beat car jam that may end in delaying you. The drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours.

Plan to spend an extra day in Rwanda to enjoy its beauties including Kigali city tour, visit to the Ethnological museum where items used by ancient Rwandese are preserved and more.  As a land of a thousand hills, the environment of Rwanda offers amazing evergreen views.

Plan the entire gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking safari in advance to avoid last minute inconveniences. It is more convenient to do gorilla trekking atleast 6 months to a year in advance so that you have the advantage of rescheduling your permit where necessary depending on available permits.

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When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking And Golden Monkey Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is best done in June to September and December to January when the environment is drier and ground quicker to navigate. More sunlight sips through the dense canopy of pristine dense Volcanoes forest creating a favorable environment to walk in the forest.

 The wet season must not be ignored when planning to do gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda because it has its advantages too. No matter the season, wet or dry, mountain gorillas and golden monkeys are present all the time. During the wet season, fewer tourists visit Rwanda so if you wish to have less disturbance, you can take advantage of this period which is normally March to May and November.

In general Rwanda is open for gorilla and golden monkey trekking adventure all year find the most convenient time that suits you to enjoy this lifetime adventure.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking and golden monkey safari in Rwanda

The cost of gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking safari in Rwanda varies with package that is luxury, mid-range or basic. The cost of safari permits takes cuts across all budgets. Currently, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking or golden monkey permits is:

Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit cost for Rwanda $1500 for international nonresidents

$500 for international residents and other Africans

$200 for East Africans

The gorilla permit cost includes park entrance fees, one hour of viewing the mountain gorillas and more.

Rwanda Golden monkey trekking permit cost $100

The cost of golden monkey trekking permits excludes park entrance fees.

Additional safari costs to incur during gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda include accommodation, transport and more.

Do carry extra cash for unforeseen expenses likely to incur during the Rwanda safari holiday.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking And Golden Monkey Trekking Safari In Rwanda

From the starting point, time of finding the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys varies with mainly factors prevailing in the wilderness including weather conditions of the day, food location, mood of the troop and more. Having some level of patience is very important during gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking because rushing may seem suspicious to these sensitive primates.

On the way to locate the golden monkeys or mountain gorillas you may encounter other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, olive baboons and more.

Volcanoes National Park terrain is rough with several highlands which you have to navigate before finding the mountain gorillas which is quite challenging too. Finally, when you locate the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys utilize the available time to the best of your interests without forgetting the necessary rules.

When you find the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys only one hour is allowed with them. As you get away, do it without causing any inconveniences.

What To Expect During Gorilla Trekking And Golden Monkey Safari In Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking include moving in the jungle to search for these gentle primates. Golden monkeys and mountain gorillas are very sensitive primates that easily run away when they sense something suspicious.

Expect to find out tourists on gorilla trekking and golden monkey safari activity in Rwanda. All trekkers for the day gather at the ranger station early morning for briefing because it is better to enjoy this adventure earlier because to allow these primates to carry on with their day today activities.

Along the way during gorilla trekking or golden monkey safari in Rwanda, you use trails with undergrowth protruding over and times get slippery when matter decomposes. When the gorillas stage their day on the steep slopes or deep in the valley, you have to follow them.

Even though the golden monkeys are habituated, they keep you on your toes because they are naturally restless. Watch the troops of golden monkeys are they hope from one branch to another and be in the moment. Take as many photos to preserve as your African safari memories with these endangered primates.

Less sunlight filters through the dense leaves to the ground so sometimes the forest ambience is quite haze for clear photographing or filming. Remember no flash photography is allowed when you locate the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys because this scares them.

Time of locating the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys is quite hard to determine but having some level of patience gets you to them. From the time you start the gorilla or golden monkey trek, you may take about 30 minutes to more depending on where these primates are staged for the day.

How Easy Or Hard Is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And Golden Monkey Safari

Gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda is quite steep because of the nature of the topography of Volcanoes National Park. During the day, the mountain gorilla or golden monkeys may relocate to the slopes or deep in the valley where you are required to hike.

Because of the regular rain that fall yet less sunlight is allowed through the dense canopy leaving an ever moist environment with rivers and streams that sometimes flood. Wearing the right safari boots that extend beyond the ankles is safer.

The ranger guide with a machete uses it to trim the protruding vines that may obstruct the way. Requesting for a walking stick before starting the gorilla trekking or golden monkey trek for extra support in case you need it, hire a porter too to lift off your shoulder the weight burden of your baggage.

Encountering other forest dwellers including the forest elephants, duikers and more is possible along the way. Do not under estimate these wild animals’ reaction to your presence because they are not habituated. Try to keep a distance from these wild animals.

Expect no modern toilets in the wilderness during gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking but ask your ranger guide to dig a hole for you atleast 30 centimeters deep and cover well after use beyond recognition.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Mountain Gorillas And Golden Monkeys In Rwanda

During gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, be sure to see both primates in their natural setting no matter the season.

The gorilla family or golden monkey troop allocated to you is first habituated for a period until proved ready for public viewing. During the habituation process, these primates are helped to get used to human presence without altering their nature. The mountain gorillas can get accustomed to human presence

Gorillas live in cohesive families of some time over 20 members and so even golden monkeys form troop and through these groups they find a feeding ground. These primates stay at a particular feeding ground until proved that food is insufficient then move.

When gorillas or golden monkeys relocate to new feeding grounds, they leave clues like foot prints, freshly chewed foliage and more. Some of these clues are what trekkers used to locate the new feeding spot for these primates.

Gorillas or golden monkeys never stay in a particular location without making noise or murmuring as away of communicating and it’s this that leads trekkers to find them. As a troop or family gorillas or the golden monkeys lookout on each other as a security measure against possible intruders.

The bulky size of the mountain gorillas which is about 200 kilograms for a male and almost half this weight for female gorillas doesn’t allow them to move fast. Golden monkeys have a body larger than normal monkeys so they are not as swift as these monkeys. As trekkers, you catch up with these primates.

Guidelines of gorilla trekking or golden monkeys were set to minimize the chances of causing these primates to feel agitated. When trekkers abide by most of these rules, the gorilla or golden monkeys may stay in the location known to the ranger guide.

 Can mountain gorillas or golden monkeys in Rwanda turn violent

Mountain gorillas or golden monkeys are not violent primates even though they can charge when provoked.

During gorilla trekking or golden monkey trekking, these primates may show some odd behavior but there is no need to get upset or run away because this may escalate the situation. Remain still and wait for new instructions from the ranger guide.

Some of the unusual characters from the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys may be hooting, chest thumping for gorillas, a staged fight, retreating into the deeper for and more. Wait for the ranger guide to provide new instructions on how to go about this.

When with the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys, adhere to the rules given at briefing so that you can enjoy that moment with these primates. The rules of gorilla trekking and golden monkey safaris were developed by researchers who had observed the behavior of these primates and established how to avoid inciting them.

What are the rules of gorilla trekking and golden monkey safari in Rwanda

Avoid provoking the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys because the entire forest may end in a stampede.

When with the gorillas or golden monkeys, avoid staring into their eyes as this may seem suspicious.

Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas as a conservation measure.

Feeding the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys is unacceptable because these are wild animals that must depend on the forest to survive and not human supplies.

Avoid spitting on vegetation or the ground as you search for the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys because it contaminates the food of these primates. Avoid using flash photography when with the gorillas or golden monkeys because this may scare them

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