Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda are the kinds of identifications that are issued by the Rwanda Development Board to show that one has paid for the activity. Gorilla trekking price in Rwanda looks at the cost of a gorilla permit issued to a tourist interested in carrying out gorilla trekking. This activity engages tourists in searching for the gorillas to experience a close encounter with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
In Rwanda gorilla trekking is carried out in volcanoes national park which is also known as Parc Nationale des Volcans. This national park is located in Musanze which is also known as Ruhengeri within the Virunga conservation area covering Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Congo.
The gorilla families in volcanoes national park include Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda, and Muhoza.
Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park engages the tourists in moving through montane forests and bamboo trees which are the habitat for gorillas in this national park. The gorillas in this national park are a major tourist attraction and they can be seen in only two other destinations which include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda and in Virunga national park in Congo.
To participate in the search for gorillas in their natural habitat a tourist is expected to possess a gorilla permit. The gorilla permits are booked in advance at least 5 months before the gorilla trek to avoid inconveniences.
Volcanoes national park is promoted as an upmarket destination and this has led to the improvement of infrastructure such as luxury accommodations which are built for tourists visiting the national park.
Description of the gorilla trekking Permits in Rwanda
A gorilla permit is a document or card issued by the Rwanda Development Board which allows any traveler above 15 years of age to trek gorillas in volcanoes national park. The gorilla permits can be purchased through a tour operator or through the Rwanda Development Board which is responsible for issuing the gorilla permits.
The price of a gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda – Volcanoes national park is at USD1500 for all nationals including nonresidents, East African citizens, and foreign residents. A group of eight people are allowed to trek one gorilla group in a day for one hour.
The gorilla permits in Rwanda are valid for one gorilla trek and the tourists are expected to follow the rules and regulations put in place for those who wish to engage in the gorilla trekking experience. Some of the rules of gorilla trekking include children below the age of 15 years are not permitted to trek gorillas, a visitor showing signs of illness will not be allowed to trek the gorillas.
Discounts on the gorilla permit price can be given to tourists who engage in gorilla trekking and also visit the other national parks in Rwanda which are Akagera national park and Nyungwe national park.
How to get to volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park can be accessed by road and air transport. Flights can be made to Kigali international airport and then proceeding to drive for a short distance to the gorilla trekking destination.
Gorilla trekking experience
Before gorilla trekking, in volcanoes national park the tourists gather for a briefing by one of the park rangers at the park headquarters in Kinigi. The rules and regulations of trekking are also discussed with the tourists during this briefing. The tourists are also allocated a gorilla family to trek according to their fitness levels during the briefing.
The hikes during the search of the gorillas vary depending on the location of the gorilla family. Porters are also available to carry the luggage of the tourists at a cost.
During a visit to volcanoes national park, tourists are also rewarded with a variety of scenic views such as the rain forest, the Virunga ranges, bamboo trees, open grasslands, and swamps.
Attractions which can be seen during a visit to volcanoes national park include golden monkeys and a variety of primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons. Other wildlife species can also be seen and they include buffaloes, duikers, hyenas, bushbucks and many others.
Different activities also take place in volcanoes national park along with gorilla trekking and they include a visit to the Dian Fossey burial site, golden monkey tracking, visit to the twin lakes which are Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, hiking, cultural tours, cave viewing.
Inclusions and exclusions of the gorilla permit in Volcanoes National Park
The gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda include the park entrance fees, fees for the time spent with the gorillas, rangers and trackers fees. The exclusions for the gorilla permits are tips for services offered, expenses of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks.
The best time for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The months of June, July, August to mid-September and in December and January favor gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park. The rainy seasons make it difficult to trek the gorillas due to the slippery trails and the vegetation grows long making it difficult to see the gorillas.
Part of the revenue generated from gorilla trekking is shared with the community living around the national park to improve their standards of living. This revenue also acts as compensation for the destruction which may have been caused by the gorillas.
Accommodation around volcanoes national park includes the following; Sabyinyo silverback lodge, mountain gorilla view lodge, and Virunga lodge.
The gorilla permit guarantees the tourists a satisfying gorilla trekking experience as they spend time with the gorillas in volcanoes national park.
