The Corona (Covid-19) pandemic has affected the entire world but we need to travel with the new normal. Rwanda has put up corona virus prevention measures for each body interest in a Rwanda Safari.
Since Gorilla tracking is top on the list of African travel experience that are sought after, some restriction measure have been set. This is to protect the Mountain gorillas and the people too.
1 All International tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park must test negative of Covid-19 at least 72 hours prior to visiting Rwanda.
Will take a second Covid 19 test on arrival at Kigali Airport before proceeding to Volcanoes National Park. The results must be presented to Kinigi Reception Center.
2 All guests and tourists are required to wear a mask at all times. Wear a surgical mask while in Volcanoes National Park.
3 All guests must wash hands from the points set up with in and closer to Volcanoes National Park.
4 Each person Visiting Volcanoes National Park must disinfect there foot wear before and after.
5 All visitors are require to keep social distancing at least 1-2 meters away from another. Signage and floor marks will keep reminding guests of the necessary SOPs.
6 While travelling or in a vehicle, social distancing must be observed including leaving a seat between two visitors in a vehicle or while seated on a public seat. This is required by Rwanda Utility Regulation Authority (RURA).
7 Carry a hand a sanitizer while visiting the Volcanoes National Park.
8 Temperature check-up will be done at the entrance for each Visitor and those with temperature above 37.6 degrees Centigrade will not be permitted entry. A call to the health authorities on a toll free line 114 will be made and immediately the person will be picked.
9 Each staff working in the park is tested of Covid-19 every week.
10 Electronic payment using Irembo remains the only acceptable form of payment. Use Credit Card or Mobile Money.
11 Tourists are required to fill out and sign guest registration and indemnity forms down load and fill. The form is on www.visitrwanda.com/rwanda-reopens and submit the form electronically to the park. anaclet.budahera.rdb.rw
12 Maintain a distance of about 10 meters away from the mountain gorillas to protect them from any infections and you too.
13 A maximum of 6 tourists will be allowed to see the mountain gorillas per hour per family per day. This is a measure taken to reduce on the risks of infecting the gorillas with any human communicable infections.
14 In case of seeing the golden monkeys, only 12 tourists will be allowed to see them per hour per day.
15 All other existing gorilla tracking rules will be applied alongside these.
• All travelers arriving in Rwanda must have a negative COVID-19 certificate. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) performed within 120 hours of departure (meaning travelers must be tested and get results within 5 days of their first flight). Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Test (RDTs), are not accepted.
• All travelers arriving in Rwanda must complete the passenger locator form and upload the COVID-19 test certificate prior to arrival. Please see passenger locator form and list of designated transit hotels on www.rbc.gov.rw.
• All travelers arriving or transiting through Rwanda will be screened upon entry and take a second RT-PCR test to confirm the negative results of the test done prior to arrival.
• All travelers are required to wait 24 hours for the results of their COVID-19 test in a designated transit hotel. All COVID-19 prevention measures announced by the Ministry of Health must be respected during waiting period.
• The Government of Rwanda has negotiated special rates at designated transit hotels for the 24 hour waiting period. Should a guest wish to remain in the hotel after receiving negative test results, they are
Welcome to extend their stay at the hotel’s applicable rates.
What is The Shortest Gorilla Tracking Safari to take In Rwanda
Day 1 : City Tour and Road Trip To Rwanda
Early morning, rise up for breakfast and your driver guide will pick you from your overnight hotel. Head to the city to visit the genocide memorial in Ntarama church, visit the genocide museum too and the Dome shaped Conversion Center.
Drive to Volcanoes National Park to check into your lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking In Rwanda
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the ranger station for briefing. You will be briefed about what to expect in the forest.
You will be escorted into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. They are quite mobile but you may have the opportunity to see other primates soon like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and other.
Lots of birds linger in the forest as they search for the day’s meal.
Finally when you meet the mountain gorillas, stand at a distance of about 10 meters to give them time to display there tactics.
Follow them for one hour and finally drive back to Kigali Airport to catch up with your return flight.
What To Carry As Gorilla Tracking Gear in Rwanda
Carry your Covid-19 test results confirmed at least 72 hours before coming to Rwanda.
Tracking boots will give you the chance to move freely in the forest.
Hand sanitizer will protect you from infected surfaces.
Garden Gloves to protect your fingers from thorny surfaces.
Long trousers to protect your legs from biting nettles.
Long sleeved shirt to protect your skin from biting nettles.
Large brim hat to protect your head from falling leaves and dew on the leaves.
A flash less camera will give you a lot of time with the mountain gorillas since they fear any light that is strange to there eyes.
Energy snacks will give you the opportunity to carry on when you get tired.
A poncho or rain coat will give you protection from rain that falls without warning.