Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the premium activities that are done in Rwanda also called the land of 1000 hills. Rwanda is among the three countries in Africa where the Mountain Gorillas are found. The other two countries are Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo. Mountain Gorillas live in high altitude areas dominated by the Bamboo forests, the parks are under the Virunga conservation area. The Virunga Conservation Area covers the four national parks that inhabits the remaining rare mountain Gorillas those are: Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda has magnificent scenic views of the over rolling green hills that include the Volcanoes mountains. In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes national park which is only 2 hours drive from the capital city Kigali. Rwanda is gifted with more primates apart from Mountain Gorillas like Chimpanzees that are found in Nyungwe forest national park, Golden monkey found in Volcanoes national park, Baboons, vervet monkey and many others. Rwanda is one of the countries which had a bad history from the time the 1994 genocide happened but now its one of the most tourist’s favourable destinations in Africa. The size of the country makes it easy to explore in a few days compared to many other tourism destinations. Rwanda has only three parks where all the wildlife tourism experience is done those are: Akagera national park, Nyungwe forest National Park and Volcanoes national park.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the oldest activity which is traced back in the time of Dian Fossey who started the habituation of the Gorillas in Volcanoes. Volcanoes national park is the oldest national park not only in Rwanda but entire Africa. Gorilla trekking is currently the brightest activity in the Rwandan Tourism industry. The tracking park takes only 2 hours drive from the capital city Kigali. Rwanda is the most expensive tourism destination for Gorilla trekking in all the three countries with Gorillas. The Rwandan Gorilla permit costs 1500$ which almost triples but doubles the Ugandan Gorilla permit and triples the Congo Gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla trekking is considered luxury gorilla trekking destination not only in East Africa but the entire world. This makes some times the budget travellers who would wish to do Gorilla trekking to opt for the other two countries as alternatives.
The cost of the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking permits which is 1500$ makes the Gorilla permits more available at any time. From the time Rwanda increased their Gorilla permits its easy one can even book in few days to Gorilla trekking. You can secure or book your Gorilla permit through the Rwanda Development Board directly on their website or through office email. Alternatively, you can book all-inclusive Gorilla trekking from Reputable operator that will book for you the Gorilla permits as well.
Like any other Gorilla trekking from any country, Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning with clearance and general briefing by the park officials. After briefing you will be grouped in groups of 8 guests per group which will be led by the ranger. The ranger will also brief you on the gorilla family you’re going to trek. Rwanda gorilla trekking takes between 1 to 8 hours depending on the movement of Gorillas. The gorilla trekking time which lasts for long hours are the trek for the Gorilla families which are found on top of the volcanoes to Karisimbi, Bisoke and other areas which are hard to reach.
Companies or operators who offer Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
There are many reputable operators that offer great deals to guests who want to do Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. You can check their credibility on different travel forums on what other travellers have written about them. This helps you get a rightful local tour operator that is credited to offer your lifetime experience. There are a good number of local operators that are fully registered and licensed by the government of Rwanda. Gorilla trekking can be combined with a visit to Akagera national park for other wildlife. Our Gorilla trekking package also has an extension of Nyungwe national park for Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk.
When to do Gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Rwanda safari package without gorilla trekking is incomplete with little activities available in the land of thousand hills. Rwanda Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes national park located in Musanze in the Northern part of Rwanda close to the border of Uganda. 90% of the travellers who go for the safari to Rwanda come for Gorilla trekking experience. Like other African countries, Rwanda has two rainy seasons with the first rains longer than the second ones. The first rains are received from March to May and the last rains are in November. These climatic conditions determine mostly the best time to do Gorilla trekking. The dry months which start from June to October and from December to February are considered the best time for Gorilla trekking. However, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done at any time of the year. The effect of the rainfalls is minimal in Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. The rains are short giving enough time to do the activity though it interferes sometimes with the Gorillas daily activity.
Why choose Rwanda Gorilla trekking?
Rwanda is one of the most popular Gorilla trekking destinations in Africa. The country hosts half of the remaining mountain Gorillas with the remaining number is shared with Uganda and Congo. Most travellers choose Rwanda for Gorilla tracking other than the two countries which are even cheaper than Rwanda. The key reason why guests choose to do Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is that:
Short driving distance between Kigali City and Volcanoes national park where the Gorilla trekking is done. It only takes 2 hours drive from the capital city of Kigali to the trekking point hence making it easy for the guests to do one-day Gorilla trekking.
However much the fee for the Gorilla permit is 1500$ but guests still flock to Rwanda for Gorilla trekking than neighbouring countries. Its easier to see gorillas in volcanoes compared to Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga gorilla national park of Virunga national park. The Bamboo forests are not thick hence good views of the Gorillas in their natural habitats.
The easy connection by Rwanda international airline. Rwandan air has direct flights to many European countries that make it easy and cheap for the travellers to directly fly from any destination directly to Rwanda.
Combination of Golden monkey and Mountain Gorillas in the same park makes it great for the travellers with the hope of killing two birds using one stone. In a nutshell, Rwanda has the best conservation and marketing efforts for the Mountain Gorillas in Africa.
