Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris| How To Book

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris| How To Book

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the sought after safari activities in Africa.  Volcanoes National Park is the only home to the mountain gorillas with so far about 12 gorilla trekking families open to the world. Some of the Rwanda mountain gorilla families open to the world include Susa, Hirwa, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya and much more. Tourists are allocated these Rwanda gorilla families after briefing. Enquire Now

Rwanda that is also referred to as the land of a thousand hills bears a humanistic atmosphere compared to the Alps of Switzerland. Rwanda may be one of smallest countries in Africa but also a gem in Africa’s nature related safari destinations. Rwanda has respect to the ecosystem and sustainable tourism is encouraged in the country.

For the gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda booking a gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board is the only confirmation to participating in this activity. Even though the demand for Rwanda gorilla permits is high, supply is restricted to maximum 8 per gorilla family. This is to minimize the effects of mass tourism to the environment where these vulnerable primates thrive.

How Many Days Do You Take On Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

2 days gorilla trekking is the least number of days one can book for Rwanda gorilla safari. This includes driving to Volcanoes National Park on the first day, do Rwanda gorilla trekking the next day and depart on the same day. The most comfortable and not rushed program for the Rwanda gorilla safari package is 3 day gorilla trekking safari. The first day is drive to Volcanoes National Park, Gorilla trekking on the next day and Departure on the third day.

In addition to the 3 day gorilla safari experience in Rwanda, activities like chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, Game safari in Akagera National Park, cultural tour in Rwanda n other can make a combo. With additional Rwanda safaris, you can make 5 day Rwanda safari, 6 day Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tour and others packages.

What are the Requirements For Planning A Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Book Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permit

Reserving the gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda as soon as you can is required. Advance booking for the limited Rwanda gorilla permits is recommended especially in the high season when demands gets over the top.

To book Rwanda gorilla trekking permits, select a date for this tour, check gorilla permit availability, book the gorilla permit and forward some personal details for identification on safari day.

You can pay in full for the gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda or instalments but donot forget to top them up according to the terms and conditions of Rwanda Development Board.

Reserve Accommodation For The Rwanda Gorilla Safari   

Accommodation to use on the Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is categorized into high-end, mid-range and basic. It is better to spend the night before gorilla trekking day within or closer to Volcanoes National Park so as to be in time for briefing which starts early morning.

The accommodations for Volcanoes National Park include Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Hotel Muhavura, Kinigi guest house, Mountain Gorillas View lodge, Gorilla Nest, Volcanoes Bwindi lodge

Note that the accommodations around or within Volcanoes National Park offer packages with plans including Full board, half board, Bed only, Camping only, Bed and Breakfast and others. You need to know some of these details so as to prepare accordingly.

Book Transport means to Volcanoes National Park

From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, road transport is the main means to use with drive time of about 3 hours. Having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended because the roads get messy at times especially during the severe rainy seasons. Volcanoes National Park receives untimely rains too no matter the season.

Pack the right gorilla Trekking Gears

While planning the Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, donot forget to make a budget for the necessary gorilla tour gears. Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda are not ordinary safaris but some preparations including particular attires are necessary. The jungle where mountain gorillas live has some rough surfaces that which may cause skin irritation to your skin when you get in contact with there surfaces.

Some of the gorilla trekking gears to pack for Rwanda safari include safari boots, long sleeved shirt, convertible trousers, safari hat, safari boots, insect repellant Read More

How Difficult or Easy is Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite difficult but exciting at the same time because of the general steep terrain. The Volcanoes forest is composed of five of the six Virunga volcanoes that is Mountain Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Gahinga.

The effects of severe volcanic actions that affected the Virunga area is felt during gorilla trekking as the mountain gorillas spend sometime on the slopes or valleys of these highlands. The mountain gorillas sometimes retreat into the deeper ends of the forest in search for better feeding grounds so you need to bear some patience.

Along the trails, the vegetation that drapes down the tree trunks, the ridges or plateaus obstructs the way necessitating trimming it to create a path. The ranger guide with a machete uses it to create that opening without over cutting the vegetation.

Which Are The Gorilla Trekking Safari Package For Rwanda    

5 day Double Gorilla Trekking Rwanda

Overview

On day 1 tourists drive to the Volcanoes National Park to prepare for this safari and relaxing from jet lag in case you embarked from a ling flight and started the safari straight away.

Day 2 is first gorilla trekking day when tourists get the chance to spend one hour with the family of these vulnerable primates some of the few only ones of this kind in the world.

On day 3 Another gorilla trekking day where you get the chance to enjoy the presence of the fully habituated gorilla family in there natural setting. Mountain gorillas can only survive in this area and nowhere else.

The Day 4 Golden monkeys trekking with some of the other endangered primate specie with still a limited number left in the world.

Day 5 Departure from the world of primate experience readily fit for adventure seekers on Rwanda safari.  Request For A Quotation

6 Day Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda 

Overview

On the first day, tourists arrive at Volcanoes National Park to plan for the next day of gorilla trekking

Next day is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park a time to immense into the aromas of the jungle filled with smells of freshness.

Day 3 includes driving to Nyungwe National Park the home of chimpanzees and several other primates.

On day 4 chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park starts from Uwinka the main headquarters of the park. Chimpanzees of Nyungwe forest live in communities and so far one community is resident in the forest and another on the outskirts at Cyamudondo

Day 5 Canopy walk over Nyungwe forest which is an adrenaline stimulating adventure. If you are afraid of heights, the canopy walk in Rwanda may be that opportunity to help you combat your anxiety

The Day 6 is departure day. Book Now

8 Day Gorilla Trekking, Game And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Rwanda

On Day 1, drive to Nyungwe National Park the pristine forest where chimpanzees survive and is home to other primates too. Drive time to Nyungwe forest is about 5 to 6 hours.

The second day is basically about chimpanzee trekking and after briefing, ranger guides lead tourists via the trails pre-constructed by regular visitors to the park. Watch out for other forest inhabitants including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and others.

Day 3 includes driving to Volcanoes National Park the home of the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The drive time is about 6 to 7 hours by passing amazing highlands that form part of the topography of the Virunga area.

The day 4 is gorilla trekking day which starts with briefing at the ranger station which is ORTPN. After gorilla family allocation, tourist in company of the ranger guides start the search for the mobile gorillas. Upon finding the mountain gorillas one hour is allowed with them and this is the time for which they are habituated.

Day 5 Golden monkeys trekking in Volcanoes National Park where tourists get the chance to trek some of the unique monkeys that are endangered too. Even though the golden monkeys are habituation, they still posses there natural characters.

On day 6 drive to Akagera National Park the home of game safaris in Rwanda. Even though the park is recovering from the trauma of wildlife extinction, progress is noticeable. At the moment the big five may be seen during the game drives in this park.

Day 7 game drive and boat trip in Akagera National Park which best started early morning. Drive on the tracks of Akagera National Park where you may get the chance to see Impalas, giraffe, waterbucks, bushbucks, rhinos, elephants, elands, zebras, warthogs and others. A boat ride on lake Ihema after a game drive is relaxing.

On day 8 Departure time from Rwanda Gorilla, chimpanzees and game safari

What Is The cost Of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is influenced by a number of factors but the cost of the gorilla trekking permit is undebatable. At the moment the price of the gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and other Africans and 300000 shs for east African citizens.

In addition to the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit, other safari logistics have to be considered when creating the entire Rwanda safari package including accommodation cost, transport cost and others.

Donot forget to add extra hard cash to your budget which you can use for on ground purchases.

How long Is Gorilla Trekking time in Rwanda

The duration of the gorilla trekking safari of Rwanda varies with a number of conditions prevailing in the forest. Some tourists have reported having seen the mountain gorillas in two hours while others can go as far as three quarters of the day.

Some of the factors that may determine the time to take on Rwanda gorilla trekking may include weather conditions of the day, mood of the mountain gorillas, location of food and much more. When you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted with them as a conservation measure used to prevent causing chances of agitating these primates. Leave the presence of the mountain gorilla family without causing suspension.

Why is fitness necessary during Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Having some level of fitness is recommended before the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda because sometimes hiking may be required. The mountain gorillas may spend part of the day on the slopes or deep in the valley so you have to follow the same path to find them.

Walking in the wilderness for a long time may cause your fit to get tired but when you are fit, you may endure the situation.

Which is the easiest gorilla family to trek in Rwanda 

The easiest gorilla family to trek in Rwanda is hard to select because the position of the mountain gorillas is determined by food location, safety of the gorilla family and much more. The gorilla family that was recorded close the previous day may be the furthest the next day.

In order to keep the candle of gorilla trekking burning, it is best to open your mind to seeing other forest inhabitants and not focus on only getting to the mountain gorillas. Carry some snacks to munch on during breaks.

Assists the ranger guide to trace the mountain gorillas by following the possible traces they live behind.

Each gorilla family is unique in its own way but enjoy each moment with them as it unfolds.

Why Choose Rwanda For Gorilla Trekking Safari

Of the three only gorilla trekking destinations in the world Rwanda has the shorted drive time to the gorilla safari destination which is about 3 hours or less. Any one in transit may make a stopover in Rwanda and go gorilla trekking then proceed to the final destination.

Other than gorilla trekking, Rwanda has other activities to combine with gorilla trekking that is chimpanzee safari in Nyungwe National Park, Game safaris in Akagera National Park, cultural experience of Rwanda and others.

From Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, tourists can also cross to other famous destinations in Africa including Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara National Park in kenya, Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Zanzibar in Tanzania and others. Book Now