Rwanda Safari Details You Must know Before Traveling For Gorilla Trekking  

Rwanda safaris are some of the exquisite but authentic wildlife encounters that are getting scarce to find overtime. For gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, the number of permits open to the public is minimized to regulate the possible effects of mass tourist to the environment that feeds the mountain gorillas. The presence of big groups of people is uncomfortable for the shy and vulnerable mountain gorillas.

Before travelling to Rwanda for a gorilla safari, you need to book the gorilla trekking permits first. This is because the gorilla permits to Rwanda are on high demand yet supply is controlled. At the moment about 12 gorilla trekking families are open to the public. No one without a gorilla trekking permit is allowed on this Rwanda Safari.

Obtain a visa for Rwanda before travelling for Rwanda safari to prevent inconvenience at immigration in case you must have one before being entering to the country.

Rwanda is a pro-ecosystems promoting country so donot carelessly dump garbage because you will be penalized by the authorities. Keep environment green and no driving on shoulders are some of the rules you must abide by during Rwanda safari.

No carrying narcotics or unauthorized drugs when travelling for Rwanda safari because when detected, you will end in the prisons without considering what your reason for traveling into the country is.

The local currency for Rwanda is Rwandese Franks but some international currencies are authorized such as US dollars, Pounds and others. Note that credit cards are not often used as a form of exchange in Africa including Rwanda so carry some hard cash which you may have to exchange into local currency.

Pack relevant gorillas trekking gears for the Rwanda safari because of the nature of the entire adventure that includes walking in the dense jungle with a moist environment most of the time. Some of the gorilla trekking safari gears you need to add to your travel baggage include safari boots, safari hat, long sleeved shirt, camera and others. The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is in quite a steep area because of the serious volcanic actions that affected the general topography of Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi on whose slopes these primates spend time. At times the mountain gorillas also spend time deep in the valley.

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What To Expect On Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

During gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, expect to spend sometime in the wilderness because you are not sure when to find these primates. The mountain gorillas are mobile primates whose life entirely depends on foliage especially bamboo which is there favorite cuisine. When the food supply is insufficient for the mountain gorillas the family moves to a new spot and you have to follow them.

Expect to share the gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda with other tourists. The maximum number of tourists allowed to visit each gorilla trekking family in Rwanda is 8 per day no additions. Most tourist reserve there gorilla permits in advance that is why it is hard to close off a fully booked gorilla family at the last minute for exclusive gorilla trekking.

Briefing before gorilla trekking search is compulsory no matter how many times you do this Rwanda safari. There are some rules of gorilla trekking safari that are communicated during briefing and the most recent updates about the mountain gorillas that may be vital during the face to face moment. Later each participant is allocated a gorilla family to trek with no particular criteria to follow.

The way to the mountain gorillas is always wet because of the regular rains that fall. Volcanoes National Park is a rain forest that receives rain without warning and this may last an entire day. The dense canopy of Volcanoes forest allows less sunray penetration to the ground therefore keeping the ground wet most of the time. The Volcanoes forest is a water catchment area for those close to the park so more rivers and streams crisscross the ground. Wear safari boots and long trousers for extra protection.

Volcanoes forest is dense with fully grown natural trees that speak volumes about there existence. The trees, ridges and plateaus are draped by creepers that may obstruct the way but the ranger guide uses a machete to trip the way.

Expect the mountain gorillas to change mood as they have feelings too. By nature, mountain gorillas are shy and calm primates but get agitated when provoked. Some of the odd behavior that the mountain gorillas show when charged include chest thumping, hooting, pulling grass and others. Donot panic upon seeing such behavior but wait for the ranger guide to find the cause of the matter. Follow new tactics that he or she applies to control the situation including submitting, pretending to chew foliage and others.

How to Book Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

• Choose a date for the gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and the number of permits to book
• Check for gorilla permit availability from Rwanda Development Board or through a safari company you wish to plan and arrange your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking tour with. At Arch safaris And Tours, we can plan and customize your Rwanda safari to suit your needs and wants but within your budget.
• Book the gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda as soon as you can to avoid last minute disappointments. No gorilla permit is reserved without payment but it is best to make full payment for it. An alternative partial payment for the Rwanda gorilla permits is allowed that is 30% and 70% terms and conditions apply.
• Avail some personal details to include on your gorilla trekking permit.
• Include the cost of accommodation, transport, meals and other relevant logistic to the total cost of gorilla trekking safari. Most of the Rwanda safari activities require advance booking because availability is minimal. Carry some hard cash to use for personal expenditures during the gorilla trekking safari which you can use to tip, purchase personal souvenirs and much more. the lengthy process of collecting money from the credit cards makes it hard to use in Africa.

Cost Of Gorilla Trekking safari In Rwanda

The current cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person and this is universal no matter the category of safari you choose. Rwanda safari are categorized into upmarket, midrange and basic. The cost of other necessary safari logistics to support gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda vary with the inclusions in the package.

Other factors that may contribute to the total gorilla trekking package for Rwanda include number of people travelling with, number of days on safari and others. For exclusive gorilla trekking experience Rwanda you may choose to incur all the safari costs or share some expenses with other tourist. 

How long is gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda may take about 2 hours to find the mountain gorillas from the starting point or more depending on prevailing factors in the forest. No matter how long it may last to find the mountain gorillas, the feeling of standing a few meters from them is hard to explain. Being face to face with the mountain gorillas is filled with mixed feelings excitement and anxiety.

While with the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them because they are habituated to be in company of humans for just that time. The presence of humans does interrupt the busy schedule of the mountain gorillas that need to feed on enough foliage that can take them through the day and night.

During the time with the mountain gorillas watch and take as many photos as you can to protect as souvenirs to get back to when doing safari review.

The gorilla trekking adventures in Rwanda are quite steep because of the nature of the topography of Volcanoes National Park so this may take some time especially if you are not fit enough.

Who Is Eligible For Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond so before committing to purchase a gorilla permit, ensure that participants are eligible to be part of this adventure. The Rwanda age limit to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda was set to this to enable even capable children to part of this adventure. A glance at the mountain gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline but you have to keep your cool.

Children below 15 years may not be in position to walk through the forest to find the mountain gorillas because of the factors prevailing in the wilderness.

To prove your age, every tourist must present the true document with factual details at the ranger station for verification before briefing.

What Guarantees Finding The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda     

Finding the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a sure deal as these primates are first habituated before opening them to the public. The gorilla habitation process may take about two years or more depending on how long they cope without altering there needs. Gorilla habituation process helps the mountain gorillas to withstand human presence atleast for an hour. Ensure to abide by the rules of gorilla trekking.

The mountain gorillas may be free to explore the forest but there bulky size of about 140 kilograms for a grown male and the female about half the size of the male does not enable them to move fast. This is one reason why the ranger guides leading the gorilla trekking group follows the trail where the family was last seen.

Each day, a team of ranger guides wakes up earlier to find where the mountain gorillas may have spent the night. Some of the clues they provide are used to lead youwhere the mountain gorillas may be spending the day.

The ranger guide may request tourists to assist with tracing the mountain gorillas using the fresh clues they love behind including there fresh dung, chewed fresh foliage, footprints and others. Listen to the unique calls of the mountain gorillas as they try to communicate with one another.

Note that tracing the mountain gorillas doesn’t guarantee that they will stay around the entire time allowed with them so try to be at your best behavior in order not to agitate these primates.

What Are The Guidelines For Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

No feeding the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals that must look for there own food and not depend on human provision

In case you have a human communicable infection like cholera, covid-19, cough flu and others, volunteer to stay behind as the mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to these human diseases.

Never surround the mountain gorillas when you find them because this makes them feel ambushed.

While taking photos, avoid using flash photography as this scares the mountain gorillas that are very vulnerable to unfamiliar occurrences.

Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas when you locate them to reduce chances of passing an infection to them or them to you.

In case you wish to eat or smoke, do it 200 meters away from the mountain gorillas to prevent chances of the mountain gorillas pulling it away from you.

If you wish to sneeze or cough, do it away from the mountain gorillas or in a handkerchief to prevent spreading viruses to the mountain gorillas.

Do not provoke the mountain gorillas or mimic them because you may not know what you are saying.

Burry all fieces in a hole of over 30 meters and cover well beyond recognition. This may be exhumed by the forest dwellers causing them to get an infection that may affect a big group.

Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them.

The age limit for the mountain gorillas is 15 years and beyond

When you locate the mountain gorillas try not to make loud noise or sudden movement.

Littering the forest with indecomposable materials or any other is forbidden as this is where the mountain gorillas feed.

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