The cost of trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is US$1,500 per person per trek. A gorilla permit is only booked and issued by the Rwanda Development Board through a registered tour company like Monteero Safaris. The strong relationship we have with the Rwanda Development Board allows us to efficiently secure your gorilla permit. We advise you to book your gorilla permit 3 months before your trekking date.
How to book your gorilla permit
The booking process involves contact with us, via our various communication platforms including website, email, mobile phone, WhatsApp and Facebook. We will request you to state you preferred trekking date, before we confirm with the availability of a gorilla permit for that day in particular. When we get confirmation for the available permit, we will send a soft copy of a quotation to your email that shows the amount of money you should pay and where to send it. As soon as you make the payment, we will buy the gorilla permit.
Best time to travel to Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trek
You can track the endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park through out the year. For an uninterrupted experience with low chances of rainfall, visit the park during the dry season, which occurs twice a year. This is during the months of December to February and from June to September. This time offers relatively drier gorilla trails that are much easier to traverse.
The foliage is also less dense to ensure that the gorilla family is more visible. However, for a treacherous or demanding gorilla trekking experience, adventurous visitors should go for gorilla trekking during the rainy season.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
You have only 2 transportation options available to travel to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Either by road or air transport, you can reach Volcanoes National Park in comfort. For road transport, a picturesque road trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours. It covers approximately 102 kilometers from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern direction. On the other hand, air transport is a much faster means of travel. A helicopter flight takes 30 minutes from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip. You will arrive at Musanze Airstrip, near the park headquarters, and complete the rest of the journey by ground transportation.
At Monteero Safaris, we offer car hire services and knowledgeable guides to provide comfortable and insightful transportation experiences. There is a broad span of vehicles to choose from. They include 4-wheel safari land cruisers, saloon cars, drones, or minibuses. We also offer pick-ups and drop-offs to either your accommodation, a national park, or Kigali International Airport.
Essential rules and regulations to follow while trekking gorillas in Rwanda
To have a successful gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you need to adhere to the following protocols,
- The minimum age to acquire a permit and be allowed to trek a habituated mountain gorilla family is 15. Kids are not allowed because they might lack the necessary judgement to handle the challenging terrain as well as respect the rules and regulations for their safety and the mountain gorillas.
- Once you encounter the gorilla family, ensure that you maintain a safe distance of at least 7 meters from the primates. This is key to avoid spreading diseases to the vulnerable gorillas. Also stay within the group of fellow hikers to avoid encircling the gorilla family. They might perceive that you have attacked them and they will respond aggressively.
- Never attempt to run away when a gorilla, especially a silverback approaches you, instead you should stay calm with your face down and your body motionless. You can also squat, which is a sign of submission. Wait for the ranger guide to give you further instructions.
- Do not eat while in the presence of the gorilla family. And if you have any waste, do not litter within the forest, but dispose them at the park headquarters in a designated bin.
- Only an hour or less is granted for you to spend in the presence of the gorilla family and this depends on their comfort level as instructed by the ranger guide.
- You must have a valid gorilla permit and it should be presented at the park headquarters before you are allowed to trek.
- You should only take photos of the mountain gorillas when instructed by the ranger guide. Ensure that you do not use flash photography as this may startle the mountain gorillas.
- Do not touch the gorillas to minimize spread of diseases which might kill these fragile apes.
- In a group, a maximum of 8 individuals excluding the ranger guide and armed ranger are allowed to trek the mountain gorilla group in a day. This is significant in reducing stress to the mountain gorillas.
- If you are to communicate to each other, maintain a low volume to avoid startling the mountain gorillas and other wild animals in their natural home.
- Ensure that you are physically fit and free from illnesses that might affect your ability to walk during a heart-pounding activity like a gorilla trek. This is also to avoid spread of illness to the vulnerable mountain gorillas.
- When you want to sneeze, you can either turn away or even cover your nose using a tissue or your elbow. This is better way of preventing the spread of air borne diseases to the mountain gorillas.
- In case you want to relieve yourself, request the ranger for help because they will provide a tool for digging a hole in the ground, which you will cover up after helping yourself.
What to pack for a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park
To take pleasure in the exciting gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, kindly pack the following items or gear,
- Neutral colored pair of trousers and long-sleeved shirt
- Sturdy pair of hiking shoes or boots
- Gaiters
- A pair of waterproof socks
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Warm sweater
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Bug repellent
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen with UV protection
- Camera
- A pair of binoculars
- Facemask
- Trekking poles
- Gorilla permit
- First aid kit
- Backpack
- Travel documents