How long is gorilla trekking in Rwanda? Mountain gorillas are rare species inhabited only in the lush rain-forests of Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri Rwanda, Virunga National Park D.R. Congo; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is a lifetime opportunity where tourists get into the jungles to look for family of habituated gorillas. The process involves trekking through the dense vegetation, steep slopes and tourists are likely to spend 2 to 6 hours.
Gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park begin after a briefing at Kinigi at 8:00a. During briefing, Volcanoes National Park official will allocate you a park guide and gorilla family group to visit in a group of 8pax. Trekkers begin the whole trek right at the slopes of the Virunga Mountain ranges and significant physical fitness level is required.
Treks often begin in the cultivated area at the base of Volcanoes National Park and the park guide introduces you to the lush vegetation. This is expected to last between 2 and 6 hours and upon finding a family of Rwanda gorillas, tourists enjoy a complete one hour face to face with an assigned mountain gorilla group.
The one hour of close encounter includes in-depth exploration about behaviours, lifestyle, daily activities, copulating habits, feeding habits, socialization habits of mountain gorillas, and above all, take as many pictures as you can. This is the period when nature lovers create mesmerizing memories in the jungles with endangered mountain gorillas.
Who is eligible to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
To visit a habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri, only persons above 15 years are considered eligible. Persons of this age brackets stand a chance to be issued with a valid gorilla trekking permit. Anyone with plans to visit any of Rwanda’s gorilla groups should not be sick.
How many gorilla families are in Rwanda?
Over 44 gorilla families exist in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo but, Rwanda alone hosts up to 20 groups but 13 are fully habituated and open for gorilla tourism. 13 gorilla groups translate to about 104 gorilla permits available each day for booking in Rwanda. Gorilla groups in Rwanda include Susa A, Bwenge, Karisimbi or Susa B, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Group 13/Agashya, Hirwa, Titus, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Pablo, and others.
Cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits
A total of about 104 gorilla permits are open for reservation by visitors on Rwanda safari tours. Gorilla permits are issued per day and each permit costs USD1500 per person.
When to book for Rwanda gorilla trekking permits?
It is possible to have your gorilla safari permit booked at any time, but we advise that you do it in advance. Advance gorilla permit booking means, do it 3-4 months before the actual date of visiting Rwanda to track gorillas. The high demand particularly during the dry season is characterized by high demand for gorilla permits and booking on last minute means, higher chances of not getting one.
The peak months of the year in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park begin from June to September and December, January to February. High number of tourists is recorded during these months and demand for Rwanda gorilla permit often hikes up unlike during the wet or rainy months of the year from March, April, May or October, November.
What to carry on a gorilla trekking safari
The essentials to consider packing for Rwanda gorilla trekking safari include items such as valid gorilla permits, daypack- should be waterproof, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots, camera free from flashlight. Other items include toiletries, sunglass, sunscreen, trousers, insect repellents, medical or first aid kit, bottled water, high energy providing snacks, rain jacket or poncho, extra camera battery, walking stick etc.
How to get to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park – Ruhengeri
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is only 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali city and compared to the 3 other gorilla safari parks, it is the easiest to reach. Also, there is an alternative of reaching the park from Kabale/Kisoro 3-5 hours’ drive.
