The Rwanda gorilla trekking packages include gorilla trekking as the foremost activity, may be combined with chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, Game drives in Akagera National Park, Kigali city tour and more.
Rwanda offers the shortest itinerary you can spend on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa that is 1 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda because of easier access from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park which is about 3 hours drive.
For any gorilla safari in Rwanda, the fundamental requirement is booking the gorilla permit as this is the only confirmation to this Rwanda safari. Despite the high demand for gorilla permits, the number opened to the public per day is limited maximum 8 per gorilla family to minimize on the effects of mass tourism.
Gorilla Trekking Packages For Rwanda
3 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda
5 day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking Rwanda
6 day gorilla and wildlife safari in Rwanda
7 day gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari in Rwanda
Requirements For Booking Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Book the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit as this is the only ticket that allows you to join other tourists for this adventure.
Age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and over because of the nature of the topography of Volcanoes National Park
Secure accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda and it is best to spend atleast the night before gorilla trekking in Rwanda within or closer to Volcanoes National park. This is to enable you report for briefing at the ranger station in time and put together all necessary items for this adventure.
Pack right for gorilla trekking in Rwanda because this adventure is in the dense jungle in a destination away from civilization so you need to carry the right gorilla safari gears. Sone of the gorilla trekking gears include safari hat, convertible trousers, warmers, rain proof gears and more.
Be in good health before gorilla trekking date as tourists with communicable infections like flu, cough stand more chances of getting disqualified from this adventure.
Maintain some level of fitness before gorilla trekking because of the nature of the landscape of Volcanoes National Park composed of several highlands.
Where To Go For Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is the only destination where mountain gorillas of Rwanda are living. At the moment about 12 gorilla families are confirmed as residents of Volcanoes National Park including Amahoro, Umubano, Hirwa, Susa, Agashya and more.
Each day tourists gather at the ranger station at the ORTPN for briefing and document verification then each is randomly allocated a gorilla family.
Volcanoes National Park is a biosphere reserve hosting more than the mountain gorillas that is golden monkeys, over 200 bird species, other mammals, multitudes of natural tree species and so much more.
Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Any time is gorilla trekking in Rwanda however, the best time is the dry season that is June to September, December to January when the forests is expected to experience low humidity. Volcanoes forest is in a tropical country but is known for having low temperatures and misty all the time even in the dry season, rain falls without warning.
In the dry season, the forest is brighter with more sunlight sipping through dense layers of leaves creating a better environment to spot forest dwellers. The mountain gorillas keep most of their time closer to the ground making it favorable to enjoy their presence without straining.
This however is the high tourism season of Rwanda and more tourists compete to book gorilla permits and other safari amenities so it is best to make your Rwanda safari booking in advance.
The wet season in Rwanda which is March to May and November is great for gorilla trekking too and be assured to see the gorillas in this season.
Cost Of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking packages varies with category that is Luxury, mid-range and budget.
The cost of gorilla permits for Rwanda is non discriminatory therefore this is incurred by every Rwanda gorilla safari category. Currently, the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is:
$1500 for International nonresidents
$500 for International residents or Other Africans
$200 for East Africans
Other Rwanda safari logistics are necessary to put up the whole gorilla trekking package however these vary with category. Some of the other necessary safari logistics include accommodation, transport, driver guides and more.
On average the cost of accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda may go as high as over $1500 per night.
For mid-range accommodation the average cost may go as high as over $700
Average cost of budget accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda may go as high as over $80 per night.
Make sure to cross check inclusions of the cost of accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda so that you can plan in advance.
What To Expect On Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda
- Expect to see the mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants in Volcanoes National Park no matter the season. There are about 99% chances of locating the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
- Time of finding the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park varies as some tourists have reported seeing the mountain gorillas half an hour after starting while others take more time. Every tourist is required to maintain some level of patience but alternatively, look out for other forest dwellers.
- While searching to find the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the trails are very dump and soggy so wear sturdy safari boots that extend above your ankles. The jungle is rough too so wear wilderness friendly attire.
- Expect to share gorilla trekking with other strangers as gorilla family allocation is done randomly without considering who you have travelled with. This gives tourists chance to different opinions when you meet the mountain gorillas.
- No physical structures in the wilderness during gorilla trekking so toilet breaks are in the open wilderness. For long calls, request from the ranger guide to dig a hole for you and cover well beyond recognition.
- Expect to feel tired during gorilla trekking because of the hiking as Volcanoes National Park has five of the six famous Virunga Volcanoes that influence the topography of this park. Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys.
- Rain falls in Volcanoes National Park any time so carry water proof gears. And wear warm attire because temperatures may drop to below 7 degrees centigrade.
Safety Measures During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
While on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, some of the safety measures to follow may include
Attend compulsory briefing where the most recent details about the mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National park is communications. Even rules of gorilla trekking are explained in details as these are proved to maintain some level of harmony between humans and the mountain gorillas.
Stay closer to the rest of the tourists so that you are not lost in the dense jungle.
Never move in Volcanoes National Park without an accompanying ranger guide and a tourism police officer who carries a rifle in case of an emergency.
Wear your gorilla trekking gears including long sleeved shirt, trousers, insect repellant and more.
Avoid eating street food during gorilla trekking in Rwanda to avoid getting food poisoning. In case you wish to taste local cuisines of Rwanda, request for direction from your driver guide for the safest Restaurant.
Declare your precious valuables to your lodge manager or even request for a safe where to protect them when away for gorilla trekking. This is to avoid chances you belonging disappearing.
Do not stare in the eyes of the mountain gorillas when around them, touch their infants or violet the gorilla trekking guidelines as this may rub wrongly with the sensitive and vulnerable gorillas.
What Other Safari Activities To Do In Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park a tropical rain forest is open for chimpanzee trekking with one community of chimpanzees residing in close by Cyamudondo forest. Each day tourists gather at Uwinka the main headquarters of Nyungwe forest to attend chimpanzee trekking adventure in Rwanda.
Tourists follow different trails within Nyungwe forest including Usamo trails, Igishigishigi trail and more and along these tracks are amazing features like the sparkling Usamo falls. Enjoy several animals that are residents of Nyungwe forest.
You can choose to do either chimpanzee trekking in the morning or afternoon
A canopy walk over Nyungwe forest is a unique experience where you view the beauties of this tropical rain forest from a more elevated point. The canopy walk is on a suspension bridge of 160 meters long and at a height of 70 meters high.
Game Drives in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is open for game drives in Rwanda where you may get to see animals zebras, herds of elephants, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, leopards, lions, giraffes, rhinos end others. Taking a relaxed boat ride on Lake Ihema is rewarding where you get to enjoy the amazing features, stunning landscape, swamps and more.
Kigali city tour
While on safari in Rwanda, you can engage in a Kigali city tour where you may get to see where the heart of the country beats. Visit historical sites, museums, genocide memorials and more. A taste of Rwandese coffee that is locally prepared has some of the best Aromas in Africa and you can enjoy a taste of it from a close by café.
Birding safari in Rwanda Rwanda has over 700 bird species living in different locations of the country. You can do a Birding tour in Rwanda with the help of a professional birding guide.