Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking
Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with a Volcano Hiking Expedition
Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking is one of the popular safaris in Rwanda. The park has 12 habituated gorilla families and more than 400 Mountain gorillas. It is also home to five of the Virunga ranges. These include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Muhabura.
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Volcanoes National Park is also popular as the Parc Des Vulcans and Pariki Y’Igihugu Jibirungu. The Rwanda Development Board, a government body manages the tourism sector in Rwanda. The government gazetted the national park to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and other primates like the golden monkeys from poaching.
Trekking gorillas in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is the highest income-generating tourist activity in Volcanoes National Park. It’s part of the Virunga region and home to five Volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park has always been home to Mountain gorillas. However, due to poaching, many gorillas lost their lives and this almost led to their extinction. The emergence of Dian Fossey was quite timely and crucial to their survival. She came to the park and started researching and conserving gorillas. Since then, the numbers have greatly increased and Mountain gorillas are no longer part of the critically endangered but are not just endangered species. There are over 400 Mountain gorillas in the Park and 12 habituated gorilla families.
Gorilla permits
A gorilla permit is the only document that will give you access to the habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. You can buy it directly from the Rwanda Development Board. However, using a trusted local tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services is the best option. Contact us to help you with the purchase of the gorilla permit in Rwanda. Also, remember that you have to do this in advance so that we can plan the safari efficiently.
Rwanda markets itself as a luxury safari destination. This thus means that the gorilla permits here are higher than the other gorilla trekking destinations. The cost is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens, and $200 for East African citizens. You can only use a permit once when RDB issues it to you. Also, you need to inform your safari operator in advance if anything goes wrong.
What is the cost of Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking?
The cost of the combined gorilla safari in Rwanda with Volcanoes hiking expedition depends on several factors and decisions that you make when it comes to planning your combined expedition and these include:
The number of people you are traveling with or the size of the group you are traveling. This will determine whether you are going to spend more on your safari or have a luxury combined safari. When traveling with a large group, you will get to pay less for the safari. This is because of the cost that you share, such as car hire, fuel, and guide fees. Also, the number of days you spend on the safari determines the cost. The more the days, the more the cost of Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking.
Additionally, various safari activities on your itinerary affect the cost. The more the activities, the higher the cost of the safari. If you are traveling on a budget, you should travel in large groups. Also, you should avoid the peak/dry season and travel for a few days. Lastly, reduce the number of activities you are participating in and the numerous personal expenditures.
Volcano Hike in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes hikes are carried out on 4 of the five Virunga massifs that are in the national park. These are; Mount Bisoke, Muhavura, Gahinga, and Karisimbi since Mount Sabinyo was declared dangerous. Combining a Volcano hike with gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the best safari you can think of. Since there are numerous trek trails in the park, tourists have a chance to explore the different parts of the national park.
Volcano hike trails in Volcanoes National Park
Mount Bisoke is located along the border of Rwanda with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a massive dormant volcano that rises to about 3711m above sea level. Bisoke has a crater lake measuring 400 m in diameter at the peak offering hikers some of the best sceneries. The Crater Lake trail is the most popular and it takes 4 hours to climb and 2 hours descending.
Dian Fossey’s Tomb trail
This tomb is between Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi leads you to the tomb of Dian Fossey. The researcher advocated for the conservation of the Mountain gorillas and lost her life to a poacher. The trail starts at the foot of Mount Bisoke leading to the research station of Karisoke where she used to research and was buried. The round trip to the tomb is 3 to 4 hours. As you trek to the tomb, you get to see bird species and other primates.
Lake Ngezi trail
This trekking trail on Mount Bisoke is just adjacent to Mount Gahinga. The trek is also easier to trek as compared to the trek to the peak. It takes 4 to 5 hours depending on your physical fitness.
The Gahinga trail
This is the least used and it leads to the peak of Mount Gahinga rising to over 3474 m above sea level. Although it is least used, it is the recommended start of a hike for non-seasoned hikers before taking on the challenging Mountain hike trails.
Mount Muhavura rising to 4127m above sea level is found along the border of Rwanda and Uganda and is located at either the start or end of the volcano chain depending on where you have started your journey from. The round trip is 6 to 8 hours but it requires one to be of good physical fitness and patient to be able to enjoy the volcano hike.
Mount Karisimbi in Volcanoes National Park
What to bring for the volcano hike
You need to properly prepare for the hike. Some of these things to bring for your hike include the following;
- Sturdy comfortable hike boots
- Camping equipment for the Bisoke trail
- A waterproof rain jacket or windbreaker
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long lightweight pants
- Gardening gloves
- A walking stick
- Adjustable gaiters
- A camera and binoculars
- Snacks and bottled drinking water.
Other activities carried out in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking
Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered Golden monkeys and the best destination to go for the safari. Golden monkeys are easier to trek because they live on the lower grounds of the park. They also leave bamboo foliage on the ground which makes it easier to follow during the trek as you track the playful golden monkeys.
Bird watching
Volcanoes National Park is home to over 200 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine region. You can best do Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park during the rainy season. However, you can still go any time of the year. Some of the bird species that you should look out for include the Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori Batis, collared Apalis, and Grauer’s rush warbler among others.
Iby’iwacu village experience
The village is one of the best places to visit on your combined safari in Volcanoes National Park. This is home to locals who formerly lived in the national park and former poachers. All locals who live in the Ibyiwacu village have helped in the conservation of the Mountain gorillas. Trips to the village are tailored so that tourists learn more about the gorillas and the culture of the Rwandese people.
A visit to the Dian Fossey tomb
This is one of the most famous activities that tourists carry out during a safari to Volcanoes National Park. The hike serves the purpose of commemorating the life of Dian Fossey. She spent most of her time in the park protecting the Mountain gorillas and creating awareness of the primates that were critically endangered. She was killed by a poacher and was buried in the park. The hike is about 3000 meters.
Where to Stay in Volcanoes National Park
There are several lodge/hotel options to choose from when Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking. These come in three categories, budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities. The different facilities you can choose from include Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback, One&Only Gorilla Nest, Hotel Muhavura, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kinigi Guest House, Bisate Lodge, and Hotel Muhavura among others.
A Luxurious stay at One&Only Gorilla Nest
When is the best time to go for a combined gorilla and volcanoes hike in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking and Volcano hikes are all-year-round exercises. However, the best time is during June to September and December to February. The permits are usually in high demand during this period and sell off fast. These months are the best because you not only get to spot the Mountain gorillas easily because of the dry and passable trek trails, but the vegetation within the forest is easier to go through, unlike the rainy season when they are impassable.
The rainy season is also a good time to spot the Mountain gorillas. However, note that there will be rain and muddy and slippery trek routes. Note that Virunga National Park receives rainfall throughout the year even during the dry season. You need to prepare for the rains that come at any time. Hiking through Volcanoes National Park is not an easy fit. You thus need to be ready for the rains and muddy routes.
Tips on how to plan Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking with Volcano Hiking
When planning a combined gorilla and volcano hike safari in Rwanda, you will need to have a few tips that will help you plan the perfect combined safari and these include:
Choosing the right tour operator
This is very crucial when planning a safari to ensure that you have a successful safari. A good tour operator will always provide you with all the information that you need. It should be flawless regarding the best accommodation facilities, transport options, and experienced guides. Make sure you conduct diligent research about the tour operator you are to use to avoid scammers.
Choose the right season of travel
You can go for the gorilla and volcano hike safari all year round. However, the best time is during the dry season to carry out many outdoor activities in Volcanoes National Park. You should however note that the dry season is the busiest time making it the peak season. Therefore, you need to secure permits and pay for the safari in advance.
Get fit
You are going to be trekking through an unfamiliar territory. The hikes can be long and strenuous, so to be able to enjoy the hike, you need to get fit and be healthy. No one will have permission to trek if they have health issues and are not fit enough.
Follow all the rules
Trekking and hiking have rules and regulations and if you want to participate in the combined safari, then you have to follow all the rules regulations, and guidelines given to you by the experienced guides.
How safe is gorilla trekking and volcano hike expedition in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking and Volcano hikes in Rwanda are safe. This is because of the joint security forces that offer protection to the trekkers through armed rangers and other security agents that provide 24/7 security around Volcanoes National Park. You should also however maintain personal security by following all the rules and regulations. You should also stay closer to the trek group, and leave all your personal belongings in the hotel. Lastly, you should avoid counting large sums of money in public.
For more information about organizing a combined gorilla trekking and volcano hike expedition to Rwanda, get in touch with us at Safari Vacations and Travel Services by filling out the form below.
