When Is The Return Time From Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

The return time from gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is about 2 hours to more depending on the location of the gorilla family assigned to you. Volcanoes National Park which is the only home to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is generally dotted with several highlands which you need to hike.

At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands or deep in the valleys so you have to use the same routes to get to them. From the starting point of the gorilla trek, finding the mountain gorillas may take about 30 minutes or more than one hour of watching and returning to the main land. Enquire Now

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park requires having some level of patience and maintain the zeal to still find the mountain gorillas no matter how long it takes.

Bearing some level of fitness before gorilla trekking tour is helpful since you may need to hike to where the mountain gorillas may be staging their day.

Carry the right gorilla trekking gears so as to feel comfortable while searching to find the mountain gorillas. The jungle has some rough surfaces however you need to wear long sleeved shirt and trousers to protect your body from such surfaces.  

What To Do Before Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Reserve the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit in advance to avoid last panic as they sell out earlier. The number of gorilla permits open to the public per day is 8 permits as a conservation measure to minimize effects of mass tourism.

Maintain some level of fitness before gorilla trekking so that you do not get tired in case the mountain gorillas are living in a far spot. At times the gorillas stage their day on the slopes or deep in the valley and so you have to follow them which is quite challenging.

Book your accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Rwanda in advance so that you are not left without options.

Pack the right gorilla trekking gears including safari attire, insect repellant, safari hat and more.

Cross check the ages for gorilla trekkers you are travelling with to Rwanda as the age limit for gorilla safaris in Rwanda is 15 years and over.

Go for a health check up before gorilla trekking so that you are well before this safari. In case you catch a cold or cough or covid 19 or any other communicable infection, you may not be allowed to do gorilla trekking. This is to protect the gorillas from effects of catching this human infection that may end in their massive death. Contact Us

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What to do During Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

On gorilla trekking day in Rwanda, wake up for breakfast and carry your gorilla safari gears to the ranger station where you will meet other trekkers. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda starts as early as 0730hours so report to the station earlier for necessary clearances.

Pay attention to the details about gorilla trekking from the ranger guides and later you are allocated the gorilla family to trek.

Book a porter before starting the gorilla trek as these help carry your belongings so that you can freely walk into the forest and can give you a push or extend a helping hand in case you are tired.

Look out for other forest dwellers other than focusing on finding the mountain gorillas that may seem to move deeper into the forest. Volcanoes forest is home to grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys and more. An array of birds are residents of volcanoes forest too.

The trails in Volcanoes forest are sometimes challenging to walk on because of the moist environment and rivers or streams that over flow sometimes. At times the way is obstructed by undergrowth that falls over or drapes down from the features along the way or the tree trunks.

No matter how long it may take to locate the mountain gorillas, remain hopeful and maintain the excitement of finally standing in the same space with the few leftover mountain gorillas.

What Happens When With The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Just like humans, mountain gorillas show different attributes when you locate them but in general, some of amazing moments may be.

The ranger guide may choose one of the trekkers to do an introduction to the gorilla family before the rest of the group is allowed to meet them.

Majority of the gorillas may seem not to care about your presence and so continue to pick food, playing, show off some skills, rest and more however do not deviate from the rules of gorilla trekking. The gorilla family may be busy however there are spies that may watch out for any mistake.

Maintain the 8 meters apart gap from the mountain gorillas even through some may violet it out of curiosity and pull over. Even then, do not touch the gorillas no matter how close they may be because they are still wild animals.

Watch the mountain gorillas play, groom, feed, discipline, nap as their day events happen.

Take as many photos or videos as you can to keep as memories of this once in a lifetime African adventure but do not forget to also get off the camera and observe.

After one hour get away from the presence of the mountain gorillas as instructed by the ranger guide.

Can Mountain Gorillas Turn Violent During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

Mountain gorillas also have moods but are generally not violent animals. They can get agitated and show signs including hooting, chest thumping, pulling grass around them, throwing fruits and more.

Note that it is not common for the gorillas to attack humans so try to maintain the rules of gorilla trekking because over time these have been tested and proven to keep peace when with these primates.

When the gorillas show such odd behavior, wait for the ranger guide to give new guidelines to follow to calm the situation or get away from it without escalating the situation. Note that the ranger guide is allowed to stop the gorilla trek incase he or she estimates that the situation may turn bitter.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda

There are 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas during Rwanda gorilla trekking. Many tourists often ask about the chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in a vast dense jungle where they freely move. The cost for the Rwanda gorilla permit is still hefty but be sure to get value for money.

Gorilla habituation process:

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda undergo gorilla habituation process that helps then withstand humans atleast for an hour. Gorilla habituation process may take about two years or more depending on how fast the mountain gorillas cope with it.

Early risers at Volcanoes National Park

Each day a team of early risers gets up to follow the mountain gorillas and find where they may have spent the night or possible direction they may be taking for the day. The ranger guides later communicate their findings to the ranger guides with tourists and these clues are also used to locate the gorilla family.

Location of food source for the gorillas

The gorilla family stays in a particular feeding location for sometime and can only move when it becomes insufficient. This is why the rangers with tourists normally use the trail leading where the gorilla family was last seen.

Follow the clues left behind by the mountain gorillas

As the mountain gorillas move in the forest, they leave behind some clues like foot prints, fresh dung, hairs, keep in constant communication with the rest by murmuring and more. Some of the clues the mountain gorillas leave behind are what ranger guides with tourists use to trace their location.

The Weight Of The Mountain Gorillas

the mountain gorillas have a bulky wait that is about 200 kilograms for the fully grown male and almost half the weight for the female gorilla. These sizes do not allow the gorillas to move fast in the jungle with several highlands so tourists can catch up with them. Gorillas also have nap time in the day so you may catch up with them during this moment.

Note

No matter the season that is dry or wet, be sure to see the mountain gorillas as they take control of their life in the jungle out human instructions of directions.

When is the best time to book Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Any time is gorilla trekking time in Rwanda however the dry season is most interesting to do this Rwanda safari. The dry season in Rwanda that is normally June, July, August, September, December and January is characterized by drier environment which allows the mountain gorillas to move freely.

Most of the time of the mountain gorillas is spent closer to the ground in the dry season in search for food. The mountain gorillas explore the forest in this season as competition for what to feed on is high. They even move into the deeper forest so be ready to walk for more time during gorilla trekking but its fun.

More tourists interested in gorilla trekking in Rwanda are expected in the country in the dry season so play in advance so that the best options do not run out before you reserve one.

The wet season in Rwanda which is normally March, April, May and November is characterized by more rains falling but the mountain gorillas are present too although they keep in sheltered spot most of the time.

Fewer tourists visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking in the wet season which is an advantage to those seeking to have no or lesser crowds during this African safari.

Why Do Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is a true-life changing adventure as you get to curb your fears of the unknown. Gorillas are mistaken to be very aggressive primates which is the opposite of their reality. Mountain gorillas are calm, shy and trouble-free creatures that live in tranquility in the jungle which many do not know.

Mountain gorillas mirror human life as they use the tools available to them in the jungle to run their lives and have feelings too. Many tourists see a reflection of human life when they meet the mountain gorillas and many have said its like a rebirth of human history. It is very easy to fall in love with the mountain gorillas.

By purchasing a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit, you contribute to the fund that supports the conservation of these primates.

When in transit and you wish to do gorilla trekking during your stop over, Rwanda is the best choice of the three homes of African gorilla trekking. From Kigali, it takes about three hours drive to get to Volcanoes National Park. Charter flights can also be arranged from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.

One needs to book the Rwanda gorilla permit before confirming this adventure or be sure of the status of the gorilla permit availability before embarking on this adventure.

What To Combine with gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Game safaris in Akagera National Park

A game drive in Akagera National park gets you to the only wildlife park in Rwanda with chances of spotting all the big five that is rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes. More animals in Akagera National Park include giraffes, waterbucks, bush bucks and more.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park

Situated closer to lake Kivu is Nyungwe National Park the home of chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda. Another chimpanzee community is in Cyamudondo on the periphery of Nyungwe forest.

Canopy walk over Nyungwe forest

Walk on the 160 meters long and 70 meters high suspension bridge canopy walk over Nyungwe forest. From the bridge, you get to see several birds that flock the forest, amazing features, stunning ever green vegetation and more.

Kigali city tour

Kigali city is where the heart of Rwanda beats so taking a city tour here is amazing as you may get to visit the ethnological museum of Rwanda, the business centers, cultural villages and more. Starting the gorilla trek earlier is recommended to catch up with jam.