Introduction
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. It is the most visited national park in Rwanda since a huge crowd of tourists are interested in tracking gorillas in their natural habitat. Volcanoes National Park is among the Virunga massifs and one of the few places in East Africa where you can trek mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas can also be trekked in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Among all these other destinations, Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla trekking permits. However, the price is discounted sometimes especially in the low season to boost the tourism industry in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is about 160 km2 in size giving ample space for the gorillas to flourish. The park is famous for accommodating over 10 habituated gorilla families ready for tracking. There are over 96 gorilla permits available daily and they can be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board through a local registered tour company.
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda goes for USD 1500 for foreign non-residents however when discounted the permit goes for USD 1050 which is a fair deal for travelers. The Rwanda Development Board dictates the discounts for East Africans to be over USD 200. However, before the purchase, a national identification card, valid passport, or birth certificate is required. A discounted gorilla permit makes the entire safari to Rwanda cheap. It should also be noted that a discounted gorilla permit doesn’t include meals, accommodation, transport, and other personal expenses. To secure a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, you have to contact a trusted local tour operator to help you reserve and purchase a trekking permit.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park always starts with a briefing at the Kinigi information center at 7 am. During this briefing, the ranger guides take you through the rules and regulations of trekking and the expected code of conduct while in the presence of the primates. The guides then group you into categories of 8 trekkers and each group is allocated a gorilla family to track and also a ranger guide to lead you. The rangers guide you through the dense tropical forest and thick vegetation to the allocated gorilla family. Porters are also available in case you need them to help carry your luggage at an agreed fee. Upon locating the gorilla family, you a given an hour in their presence to share a moment with them as they roam around with their daily chores. Be sure to capture these precious memories on camera as evidence of the great time you had with our closest gentle giant primate cousins, the mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is done throughout the year. However, the dry season presents the best time to trek the mountain gorillas. The dry season dominates from June to September and December to February. This is when the tracking trails are dry and navigable. The dry season is the peak season for tourism with the highest number of travelers. The discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda are always available in the wet season which is the low season. This is during March to May and October to November. Therefore, discounted gorilla permits are issued to boost the industry in the low season.
What to carry when going for a gorilla trekking safari
On planning your safari, you need to be physically fit, your body must be healthy with a calm mind. While you plan to encounter the giant mountain gorillas in their natural environment, you should endeavor to carry essential items. These include hiking boots, a rain jacket, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, a pair of light trousers, insect-repellent gel, wet wipes, water for drinking, a camera, and gloves among others.
Why, prefer gorilla trekking in Rwanda to other gorilla destinations in East Africa?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is been preferred compared to other destinations of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda. This is because of the park’s proximity to Kigali the capital city of Rwanda which is about 2 hours to the park.
Rwanda’s infrastructures are so modern compared to other gorilla destinations and Kigali is the cleanest city in Africa.
Additionally, the habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park make it so easy for the trekkers to choose Rwanda over other destinations.