Travel advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Travel advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Travel Advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an incredible and memorable experience, but it requires some planning and preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here is the Travel Advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda:
Book Your Gorilla Permit in Advance:
Gorilla trekking permits come with a limit and can sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons. It’s advisable to book your permit well in advance at least 3 months ahead of your planned visit.
Choose the Right Tour Operator:
Select a reputable tour operator Safari Vacations and Travel Servicesthat offers gorilla trekking packages in Rwanda. They can assist you with permit acquisition, transportation, accommodation, and other logistics. Look for operators with good reviews and certifications.
Get in Shape:
Gorilla trekking can involve hiking through dense forests and rugged terrain. It’s essential to be in reasonably good physical condition to endure the trek comfortably. Regular walking and hiking leading up to your trip can help prepare you.
Pack Appropriately:
Bring sturdy hiking boots, lightweight clothing that can be layered, a rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and a small backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, and a camera. Avoid bright colors as they may disturb the gorillas.
Follow the Guidelines:
Respect the rules and guidelines provided by your guides. These may include maintaining a safe distance from the gorillas, not making sudden movements or loud noises, and avoiding direct eye contact.
Listen to Your Guides:
Your guides are experienced and knowledgeable about the gorillas and the terrain. Follow their instructions closely for your safety and to maximize your chances of a successful encounter with the gorillas.
Be Patient:
Gorilla trekking can be unpredictable, and it may take some time to locate the gorilla family you’re tracking. Be patient and enjoy the journey through the beautiful forest while keeping your eyes peeled for signs of gorilla activity.
Respect the Gorillas:
Once you’ve found the gorillas, maintain a respectful distance and avoid touching them or making sudden movements. Observe them quietly and cherish the opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Capture Memories Responsibly:
During gorilla trekking, be mindful of your surroundings and the gorillas’ comfort. Turn off the flash, keep noise to a minimum, and follow any additional photography guidelines provided by your guides.
Support Conservation Efforts:
Your participation in gorilla trekking contributes to the conservation of these endangered animals and their habitat. Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations dedicated to gorilla conservation like Gorilla Doctors and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
By following these Travel Advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, you can make the most of your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda while ensuring the safety and well-being of both yourself and the gorillas.
To participate in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you will need to obtain a gorilla trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). These permits are limited in number and can sell out quickly, so it’s essential to book yours well in advance through a Rwanda Tour Operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a memorable and life-changing experience, and Volcanoes National Park is the best choice to embark on this adventure.
How is Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) which is found in North-Eastern in a small town called Musanze, Rwanda in East Africa. The Park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda and East Africa and one of the oldest parks in Africa, it is home to the endangered apes and primates that include Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, there are also many species of birds, Monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks among others in the forest as well as the unique culture.
Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Bisoke. Gorilla tourism in Volcanoes National Park has earned Rwanda economic development as it has attracted more visitors yearly. Gorilla trekking is a lifetime experience of seeing the endangered gorillas in their natural environment and half of the population of the remaining gorillas is found in East Africa. Travel advice and Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
How many gorilla permits are available in Volcanoes National Park per day?
Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves visiting the habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment, as you view the way they feed, move, rest, and live in harmony. Volcanoes National Park has more than 12 habituated gorilla families for trekking every day, only 8 visitors per gorilla family are allowed to trek every day. That means there are 80 permits available each day for trekking, the chances of seeing the mountain gorillas are 99% as you are guided by trackers, guides, and park rangers.
Gorilla trekking starts every day in Kinigi at 7:00 am with a briefing on guidelines to follow while on the trek, even though the gorillas have 99% DNA as the humans, they remain wild and we advise you to follow the dos and don’ts from the guides. The gorilla trek can take 30 minutes to more hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas in the forest.
What is the cost of the Rwanda Gorilla permit?
To allow you to do a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you must have a Rwanda gorilla permit for a particular date secured by the Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla permit costs USD1500 for all nationals and it’s only one hour of viewing the gorillas and taking photographs. Booking Rwanda gorilla treks to Volcanoes National Park is a lifetime experience to complete your bucket list, Safari Vacations, and Travel Services will help you book and tailor a gorilla trek tour that is affordable and memorable.
How to Book a Rwanda Gorilla Permit?
When you contact us at Safari Vacations and Travel Services about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check the availability of permits on an online system of the Rwanda Development Board and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits (We advise you book months in advance to get you exact date). Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you a copy of the receipt with the booking ID to confirm your trek. The process of acquiring the gorilla permits is easy and transparent, you will surely give you a lifetime experience with the gorillas.
The gorilla trekking permits normally sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Booking the permits in advance is ideal for your gorilla trek.
Last minute Booking 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour
Booking Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda. We also organize last-minute booking of Volcanoes Mountain gorilla permits in Rwanda for travelers, you may visit Rwanda for a conference, Seminar or you may have a change of program while in Rwanda/East African countries/ Africa and instead opt to do a gorilla trek on a weekend or any day you are free, once you contact, we shall try our best to get you a gorilla permit from either Rwanda development board or from those reselling the gorilla permits for you not to miss out.
Booking the gorilla permits will require you to make payment for the permit to secure a spot for trekking. Once you contact us, we shall send you a quote for the number of days you require, and then you fix dates which we shall consider when booking you’re your permits and accommodation as they are key priorities. Once you make Payment, we shall pay off all your services as per the travel plan and ensure all is for your gorilla safari.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
