Introduction
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s primate destination located in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It is famous for hosting mountain gorillas which is the most visited national park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is said to be among the best places where you can track gorillas in East Africa. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that can only be sighted in 3 East African countries for example you can track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Massifs composed of 5 of the 8 Virunga volcanoes. These include Mount Gahinga, mount Bisoke, mount Karisimbi, mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo. The park is on the border of Uganda and Congo. Volcanoes National Park is also famous for other wildlife for example forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, duikers, baboons, monkeys, and over 200 bird species which can be sighted here. There are 10 mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and every gorilla family is visited by 8 people. Therefore, this means that there are 80 gorilla permits sold in Rwanda every day.
Mountain gorilla trekking involves climbing steep slopes and valleys searching for the mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking experience will take you about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on how far the gorillas are. After you have encountered the gorillas, you will have an hour in their presence as you take pictures and videos creating undying memories that will last in your memory forever. To have more engagements with the gorillas, some travelers tend to cross to Uganda in Bwindi or Mgahinga to do double gorilla trekking. They can also head to Kahuzi-Biega Gorilla National Park and experience Eastern Lowland gorillas, or mountain gorillas in Virunga for a double touch of the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts with a briefing at the Kinigi guest information center at 7 am. This is where you are given information about gorilla trekking and a gorilla family to track. In the same place, you will hire porters who will help you carry your luggage and be assigned a ranger guide who will help you locate the gorilla family to track.
Volcanoes National Park is just a 2-hour drive from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda. This proximity attracts more travelers to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking even those with a short time to track gorillas. They can do 1-day gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park unlike other countries like Uganda where you have to travel over 9 hours to meet the gorillas.
How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?
For one to track gorillas in Rwanda, you have to book in advance at least 3 months before the day of tracking. This is because the permits are on high competition and they easily get done. You have to go through a trusted tour operator who will book for you this permit from the Rwanda Development Board a body that governs protected areas in Rwanda.
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda varies depending on the nationality, for example, for foreign non-residents, the permit costs USD 1500 per person, for foreign residents and in the rest of Africa, a permit is USD 500 per person and USD200 for Rwandan residents, and East Africans.
What to carry for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
For any gorilla trekking experience, you need to equip yourself with the following items so that your trip can go on smoothly.
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Trousers
- Hiking boots
- Gloves
- Woolen socks
- A rain jacket
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- A camera, etc.