Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA

Everyone’s thought of exploration in Rwanda is carried out in Volcanoes National Park which is situated in northwestern Rwanda, covering an area of 160sqkm of a rain forest and hold within five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga mountains such as; Karisimbi, mt. Bisoke, Mt Muhavura, Mt, Gahinga and mt. Sabinyo.Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is termed as luxury due to the cost of its trekking permit at $1500 and its rates on accommodation unlike Uganda where the cost of a gorilla Permit stands at $600 however to increase by $100 by 1st JULY 2020

How to get gorilla permits in Rwanda

For any visitor who would like to enjoy gorilla trekking in Rwanda is required to secure a gorilla permit. Securing permits can be difficult on short notice thus requires you to plan well ahead, It’s better to liaise with local tour operator to make arrangements for buying permits. Rwanda development board secures 80 gorilla trekking permits per day making it dependable for availability throughout the year.

Best time for trekking in volcanoes national park

The wet environment in the mountains,  home for the gorillas can make trekking difficult especially in wet seasons like march, April, October and November visa vie the dry seasons of June to august which are the best for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and hiking as well, however it is easier to trek chimpanzee in the wet. More so wet season has an advantage of being less crowded and lodges often offer lower rates and permits are easier to access.

Procedure upon gorilla trekking

On the day for your gorilla trekking in Rwanda, your driver guide will take you from your lodge (bisate lodge, sabyinyo silverback lodge, virunga lodge, silverback lodge among others.) and drive you to the headquarters in kinigi village where you will be briefed on the does and donts in the jungle and with the gorillas. The guides will take you to specific groups which are used to visitor and well known by the guides.

What to pack as preparation for gorilla trekking and habituation.

On a trip in Rwanda you can experience all four seasons. It will also be necessary to take some wet weather gear as it does rain in the mountainous areas of Uganda and Rwanda on a regular basis. We suggest lightweight rain gear for the hike to view the gorillas.

During your safari, depending on the style of trip chosen, dress code may vary slightly. Women are advised to cover knees and shoulders when in a rural village or market. None of the lodges/hotels insist on any formal type of dress – ties, jackets etc. – so the norm would be casual or smart casual depending upon the level.

Volcanoes is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings. A rain jacket is also suggested as it rains, regularly in rain forest areas, even in the drier months. Long trousers and long sleeved shirts are also recommended for general evening use to assist in the prevention of mosquito bites and also as it’s generally cooler than during the day.

Possibilities of having an experience with gorillas

Possibilities of seeing mountain gorilla on your gorilla trekking in Rwanda upon your planned safari is 99.9% as game rangers locate earlier the foot paths of the gorillas before clients are briefed to go to the jungle for trek where you get to immerse  into the  strange intimacy of the rain forest along with the live call of colorful birds. In case you fail to see gorillas after a full day of trekking you are given a second chance to trek in the next day.