Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Safe

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is safe as on ground there are Rwanda Development Board well trained ranger guides to protect the mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers. On ground are other Rwanda security agencies to help keep law and order in and around Volcanoes National Park home to the mountain gorillas.

 Although Rwanda has a genocide history but over the years there has been peace prevailing for over two decades and the country is trying to revamp its glory into one of the best tourism destinations in Africa. The Visit Rwanda campaign is one of the promotions that is trying to change the face of Rwanda Worldwide. Book Now

Volcanoes National Park is the only home to the only mountain gorillas in Rwanda situated in North western part of the country. This pristine forest is one of the few special homes of the few leftover mountain gorillas in the world. Currently about 12 gorilla families living in this country are fully habituated and opened to the public.

Even though Gorilla trekking happens in this thick forested National Park, there is security prevailing and be sure to return safely after completing the adventure. Every tourist needs to abide by the rules and regulations of the gorilla trek as these help to add to the your too.

When moving in the forest to search for the mountain gorillas, you must be in company of a ranger guide because the rangers have protective gears in case of an emergency.

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How To Book Gorilla Trekking Tour In Rwanda

First book the gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda as this is the only ticket that allows you to take part in this adventure. The number of Rwanda gorilla permits open to the public per day is maximum 8 per day per gorilla family. At Arch Safaris And Tours, can help our clients to book there gorilla permits and

For one to book a gorilla permit, you must select a date when you hope to do the gorilla trek with the number of people hoping to do the adventure with. These details helps to check gorilla permit availability from the list of Rwanda Development Board

As soon as you gorilla permit availability it is best to secure your permit in advance because they sell out fast and it is first come first served basis. None of the gorilla permits is sold without payment. You may fully pay for your gorilla permit or do partial payment according to the rules.

Pre-book accommodation to use during the gorilla trek and it is best to do stay closer or within Volcanoes National Park. This enables you to arrive in time for briefing before starting the gorilla trek in Rwanda.

Reserve transport means to use to get to or from the Volcanoes National Park. It is best to book a vehicle to use for gorilla trekking that is 4×4 wheel drive with a professional driver guide.

When Is The Best Time To Book A Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Depending on the season you hope to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, it is best to book your gorilla permit in advance. During the peak season that is June to September and December to January to be on the safe side, you have to book your gorilla permit atleast 180 days or a year in advance.  Note that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an all year around activity.

In this high season, there is high demand for the limited Rwanda gorilla permits from world over yet supply is restricted. Even other logistics hat support the gorilla trek like accommodation, transport and other supplies run out of options in the high season.

The dry season also gives better excitement to tourists on gorilla safari because the mountain gorillas spend most of there time and move closer to the ground even though the topography of Volcanoes forest is generally volcanic with several highlands. The environment in the forest where the mountain gorillas live is more exciting to go through in the dry season even though it is noted for being wet all year around.

The wet season opens more chances for those with a limited budget to get the opportunity to do gorilla tours at a more subsidized cost that some service providers may offer in this season. Since gorilla trekking is all year, even those wishing to have less company while on gorilla trek may grab the opportunity of the low season that is March to May and November to do the gorilla trek.

How Sure Can I be To see The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda?

Be sure to see the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park no matter the season because they are always present in the park. Before opening a gorilla family to the public, they are first habituated for sometime until proven ready for the public to visit. A team of researchers and trackers help a gorilla family to get used to humans presence without altering there nature.

Daily, a team of ranger guides must patrol Volcanoes National Park in pursuit for where the gorilla family nested the previous night and possible hangout point for the day. Some of these details are what ranger guides in company of tourists may use to lead tourists during the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park.

As tourists, you can spice up your gorilla trekking experience by engaging in searching for the mountain gorillas by following the fresh clues left behind by the mountain gorillas like fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, listen to the gorilla murmurs and much more.

How much Is The Cost Of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari?

The cost of gorilla trekking safari in  Rwanda is categorized into up market, mid-range and basic. The cost of the Rwanda gorilla permit all costs included in the safari packages that is at the moment the gorilla permit cost for Rwanda is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents and $200 for East Africans.

Additional safari costs that can be included in the Rwanda Gorilla Safari package may include accommodation, transport to mention but a few.

Although we have prepackages for the gorilla safaris, we can also tailor your itinerary to your desire and within your budget. We have an experienced team of tours consultants ready to work with you to make your dream African safari experience come true.

Which Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park accommodations in Rwanda vary with category that is up scale, midrange and basic. During the peak season, the accommodation options of Volcanoes National Park run out because of the high demand yet there isn’t enough accommodation to match this up.

Here are some of the options of accommodations to book during gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda include

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lode, Le Bambou, La Palme Hotel, Amoka Singo Lodge, Hotel Muhavura

How Difficult Or Easy Is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking?

In nature, the topography of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite steep compared the counterpart Uganda and D.R.Congo. The terrain if Volcanoes National Park is influenced by the presence of five of the six Virunga Volcanoes That is mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Sabyinyo.

The nature of the terrain of volcanoes National Park is steep but requires you to have some level of fitness in order to enjoy the entire experience. You may also have to wear the right attire in order to complete the entire walk in the jungle. There are some rough surfaces like stinging insects, stinging nettles and much more.  

Because rains fall often in Volcanoes National Park yet less sunlight is let in to the ground, the ground is left slippery and soggy. When tourists traverse the forest, it is quite challenging to complete the trek in a short time because of the challenges you may encounter but finally when you locate the mountain gorillas, you may forget all the troubles you may have through.

Along the trails in Volcanoes forest is natural vegetation that has culminated over years plus creepers that dangle down the several highlands. These may obstruct your way to locate the gorillas so they may require to be trimmed. The vegetation along the trails also over grows obstructing the trails.

At times the mountain gorillas spend there day life deep in the forest prompting all tourists to walk for sometime but you need to bear some level of patience.

Are The Mountain Gorillas harmful?

Mountain Gorillas are naturally serene and calm even though there outlook seem to stimulate some nerves at a glance. The physical look of the mountain gorillas is covered with dark fur from head to toe. They are larger bodies and walk by knuckle locomotion which is quite scaring for first time gorilla trekkers.

 The reality of the life of the mountain gorillas doesn’t seem as you see it on the outside. They are naturally cowards that run into hiding when agitated.

Despite the serene life of the mountain gorillas, they can also charge when agitated and may show this by hooting, thumping there chests, pull grass around them and much more drama.

Upon seeing these odd behaviors, donot panic but wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. The ranger guides sometimes discover much more as at times the mountain gorillas are trying to tease each other, putting up a show, fighting for supremacy and much more.

When faced with these the ranger guide will show you direction of how to deal with the situation so you must follow what the ranger guide directs you to do in order not to cause a stampede in the wilderness. After the situation is back to normal with the gorilla family, keep following the rules of gorillas trekking and after an hour, get away slowly from the mountain gorillas.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking Safari In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes about 2 hours to more depending on the factors happening in the forest. From the starting point of the gorilla trek, the ranger guide follows the path leading where the gorilla family allocated to you was last spotted the previous day. This doesn’t necessary mean you are to find the gorillas in the same spot as they keep changing where they spend the day.

Some level of patience is required at this moment in order not to loose the morale for doing gorilla trekking and finding the mountain gorillas. Keep your mind open to finding other interesting inhabitants like the olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and much more.

Expect to take some breaks while on the way to locate the mountain gorillas so pack some energy treats to munch on while walking in the forest. The joy of finding the mountain gorillas is unrivalled and hard to explain as every person reacts differently upon seeing the mountain gorillas. This is the moment when dreams come into reality.

Finally upon when you locate the mountain gorillas, ensure you religiously follow the rules of gorilla trekking and finally get away slowly back to your lodge.

Are Children allowed to Do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Only children 15 years and over are allowed to engage in gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking has ruled and guidelines which children below 15 years may not be in position to follow. The trek to locate the mountain gorillas includes walking in the forest which has some tough vegetation that may be quite hard to bypass.

The first sight of on the look of the mountain gorillas may send a chill down your spine causing you to show some signs of freight but you must be in position to control this. Children below 15 years may be find it hard to control there adrenaline even when the gorillas reach out to touch them. For mountain gorillas, any display of suspicious behavior sends them into hiding.

The topography of Volcanoes National Park has some highlands where mountain gorillas may at times spend there day so you need to follow them by hiking. Children below 15 years may not be fit enough to hike the slope in order to locate the mountain gorillas.

In case you hope to travel with children eligible for gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, ensure you take then through what they can expect on the gorilla trek so that they are not shocked on arrival. They need a briefing from you the parent or guardian. Gorilla trekking is a great opportunity worth enjoying.

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