Discover Gorilla Trekking Adventures in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Thinking of a vacation that ends up with a lifetime experience, think gorilla trekking; an adventurous activity done in the tropical jungles of Rwanda. Gorillas are very interesting creatures, whose life is spent in mountainous areas, wrapped with lush tropical forest. You go out, get lost in the heart of the Jungle to just smile and learn to laugh with your relatives, the Mountain Gorillas.

Rwanda: a premier gorilla trekking destination in the world is the tiniest country east of the continent of Africa, landlocked and situated a few kilometers south of the equator, in the Great lakes region. The country is gifted with very cool climatic conditions, undulating hills, a breath-taking landscape, unique flora and fauna and vast waterbodies engulfed by lush vegetation cover. Countries that neighbor Rwanda include Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

About Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Found only in the continent of Africa, in the vast jungle of Virunga chain of mountains, spanning to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, these are a special group of primates and so interesting to meet. Their genes are over 98% similar to humans, as well as their character traits and unique behavior. They are social creatures, living in groups called troops, with a leader known as a dominant silverback. At the age of 13, a fully grownup mature male with a silver-like lining at the back takes up the leadership of a troop, either after a breakup or overpowering the current leader.

A silverback has the role of protecting the Group against other enemies; often other groups, grooming the young stars, finding new territories, and solidifying the group. Nests are made each night in the different territory sunset finds them.

Morning hours are their most active time, as they feed, move, and play. As the mothers breastfeed the newly born; the silverbacks monitor the territory, where the young start to run around, and also engage in several games. Gorillas are primarily vegetarians; feeding on bamboo shoots, stems, leaves, and fruits among others. They have huge bodies, covered by plenty of hair, except for the eyes, thumbs, and noise. The Gorillas are shy and wild creatures, yet also funny and friendly. They react to attack by making any of the 27 seven screams, tearing leaves, hooting, beating their chest, and running on four legs. This is done to confirm authority, like defense, and once two troops collide. Once such happens, no need of running or fighting back, but rather looking down, making a few steps back words, and squatting.

Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting safari activities in any vacation. It is a lifetime adventure, deep in the tropical forest of Africa. It is done on foot, starting with a pre trekking briefing at the perk headquarters, and then the ultimate trekking activity that can last for roughly 1-7 hours. There is no experience need to have a successful gorilla trekking safari, but rather a determined heart, and a bit of experience. Even the lame, deaf, and old can meet the Gorillas, through a tailored package for a special group of persons

Some gorilla families feed near the park entrance, whereas others go deep into the forest; a territory they feed and rest in. By 7:00 am, all trekkers are expected to be at the park headquarters for pre trekking briefing by the park rangers who talk about all things concerning gorillas, and the trekking exercise. While taking a hefty cup of coffee, the park rangers will verify your trekking permit, as well as assign you to a gorilla group of your choice, before escorting you for the search. Trekking follows the trail which the gorillas were last seen the previous day.

As you walk through the bamboo forest, the rhythm of the Jungle is followed, while encountering several other park attractions, such as the birds, Monkeys, mountains, and forest mammals. The terrain isn’t so mountainous, but the direction the Apes have taken makes the trekking duration brief or lengthy. Upon locating the Apes, you are given a one-hour allowance to take photos, closely watch the Apes, and as well ask the Ranges more about the Mountain Gorillas and their unique attributes.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda’s top safari destination; volcanoes national park is where Gorillas find refuge, food, and rest in Rwanda. It is situated in the northwestern part of the country Musanze district, at the foothills of the vast Virunga chain of mountains. The other two parks bordering Volcanoes include; Virunga national park in Congo and Mgahinga national park in Uganda. Volcanoes span through a 160sqkm of land, with mountain Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno in it. This is also the same destination where the researcher; dian fossy did her primate research, leading to the conservation, and popularity of mountain gorillas.

Safety is guaranteed, with activities commencing as early as 7:00 am with a pre-trek briefing, followed by the actual trekking adventure. The park rangers accompany rangers from the start of the adventure to the end, giving updates, giving detailed information regarding the trekking formalities.

Dos and Don’ts of Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Before meeting the Gorillas

• Up to a maximum of 8 trekkers are allowed to visit a habituated Gorilla family per day. A small group as this leaves the Jungle unharmed, and the Gorillas are not disturbed thus a reduction of a risk of transmission of human borne diseases
• Gorilla pre trekking briefing is the first thing for all trekkers, thus a must no one is expected to miss
• Every trekker must be 15 years of age and above, to access the park for trekking
• Watch hands before encountering the Apes in their natural habitat
• The park must be left as intact and authentic as possible so no littering. All rubbish must be properly disposed of before departing the park.
• Listen to every instruction given by the park rangers because they have the best knowledge of the Apes, as well as how the activity is well done. Once you draw nearer the Gorillas, remember each word by the park rangers, because they will even help you know when to put out your camera
• Follow the rhythm of the Apes, don’t make noise, or run after the Apes because it will anger them.
• Pay attention to other residents of the park; talk of the birds, plant species, and forest mammals.

While with the Gorillas

• Trekkers must stand about 7 meters off the Mountain Gorillas, to protect the apes from any risk of human-borne diseases. Gorillas getting a human illness means the entire family is at risk and conservation of the rare species.
• Make no noise in the presences of the gorillas; even when asking the park rangers questions because noise doesn’t go down well with the Apes.
• Don’t eat, or drink in the presence of the Gorillas; worst of all feeding them
• On rare occasions, the infant gorillas tend to get closer or even to the trekkers; but that shouldn’t excite or scare you. Don’t touch them, or run away because it signals danger, thus might cause a rough reaction by the adult events. Assume you have not seen them as they pose in your presence. The other thing is that Gorillas are wild animals, so no one knows how their day or mood might be
• Don’t look deep into the eyes of the Gorillas. In case the Gorillas charge at you; don’t run or react back, but rather follow what the guides say; bend down, and don’t shout because it can cause the Apes to attack you.
• Don’t use flashlights because they can affect concentration and eyesight. They are not used to the light, and anything of such can make them react. As you take photos, move slowly, and carefully.
• There is a maximum of one hour given for gorilla viewing, and photography, but once the Apes charge, then it will be less than that.
• As you see off the Gorillas, wait until you are about 200mtrs before raising the voice to interact about how the entire experience was. The Jungle is a silent world and so that must be respected and obeyed.
• You must know that disregarding the set rules not only endangers your life, but also the life of those apes, and the entire Jungle. Gorillas mind their business regardless of your presence or absence, and so don’t affect their peace. They are our relatives, and need to be safe to increase in size, and live longer.

General health precautions while with the apes.

• As humans are; so are the Gorillas vulnerable to infectious diseases, such as cough, flu, and viruses among others. A reason why it is advisable that once you feel sick, or with any, then recover before visiting the Jungle.
• However, when you get ill after reserving your permit, then the following guidelines will ensure you and the gorillas remain safe.
• Follow the rules set by the park rangers.
• When it comes to coughing or sneezing in the presence of mountain gorillas; then turn your head from the apes and cough into your elbow to prevent the spread of the germ.
• Stand about 7 meters from the Gorillas to avoid contact with them. But a case in a scenario when they get closer; especially the young ones; they don’t touch them, but rather just watch them as they move, and feed. The other idea is moving back words as they draw closer until the group gets relaxed. Don’t run because it will cause tension and make them react.
• Spend a maximum of one hour with the gorillas, because it minimizes the risk of stressing the apes in their territory.
• In case you get unwell while at the park, inform the park authorities so that a special arrangement and date is set, or there will be a refund; to avoid a situation of endangering the gorillas.
• For the sake of Human waste, you will dig the ground where to help yourself, after which you will cover it with soil. There is no toilet or pit latrine in the Jungle.
• Leave the park clean, by moving with your rubbish.

Gorilla trekking packing list.

Given that Gorilla tracking involves movements through strenuous terrains; only essential items must be carried.

No need of packing so much while out for a Gorilla trekking safari; especially when the trekking days are few. We advise trackers to carry these and more; passport, a valid tracking permit, good hiking boots suitable for mud, rain gear to help on rainy days, a good camera for photography, a bottle of water to help quench your thirst, a hat to protect your head, a good camera for photography, gloves to protect your hands, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, warm clothes, and a raincoat to protect against rain, extra storage device, and a smartphone for connecting with your relatives, and many more.

Having difficulties moving with your gadgets and other languages, there are porters on the ground to offer assistance from the start of Gorilla trekking to the point where the Gorillas will be found, and back. This is done at an extra cost.

Type of Clothes to carry for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Hiking happens in the forest and so it is wise to pack clothes that cover the skin and the head. A Jacket is very essential because rains often happen in the afternoon hours.

Best Time for Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is a very interesting activity, but when done at the wrong time, then you won’t enjoy it, though the activity runs all year round. Firstly, the best time for Gorilla trekking is in the morning hours of the day, when the Apes have just woken up very lively and looking to new territories for Fresh foliage and comfort.

For the best month; have your trip in June to September and December to February. These months receive relatively low amounts of rains or none, thus making trekking easy and the weather comfortable. Note that rains in a forest are not predictable, it can fall at any time of the day, no matter the month so be prepared and clad in the attire favoring a jungle.

For budget travelers and photography, wet months is the best time for a visit (November, late March, April, and May).

Possibility of Adopting a Gorilla after trekking

Yes; it is very possible to adopt an infant Gorilla after trekking. This is done after following the right channel of adoption through the expert authorities and government conservation bodies. However; gorillas don’t survive in captivity and warm environment, so adopting one might also be of no great use because grooming them comes at a cost.

The Cost of Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

For you to see the gorillas, a trekking permit is a Must; got from the Rwanda development board, either through a tour operator in Rwanda or personally. Only persons above the age of 15 years can purchase a permit and access a given gorilla family in their natural habitat. A permit is valid for only the trekking date, except for those ill or unfit to meet with the gorillas. A normal gorilla permit costs 1500usd per person per day.

For those who wish to meet the entire Gorilla family without other visitors, then an exclusive trekking permit costs $15000. Persons who have come for other activities such as meetings and business plans, but decide to encounter the Gorillas before departing will buy the permit at $1275, whereas tourists who visit in low seasons from November to May, get a discounted cost of $1050. The gorilla trekking cost caters for park entrance and other conservation practices; but not accommodation, other services, and porter fees. Once you miss the trekking date because of poor time management or forget fullness, then there will no refund and rescheduling of the trekking date. The trekking permit cost is fixed, and the prices never change.

Trying to book for Gorilla permits; doing it personally gets more hard and complicated thus the need to use a trusted tour operator. The important information needed to reserve a gorilla trekking permit includes; a person’s full names, nationality, age and status.

Accommodation Facilities for Gorilla Trekkers

Gorilla trekkers have where to spend a night or more once in Rwanda for a gorilla safari. The facilities in and around Volcanoes national park range from Budget to Luxury lodges, dormitories, campsites and hotels.

Other activities in Rwanda

In addition to Gorilla trekking exercise; you may also want to engage in any of these activities; facing the Africa big5 while on a Game drive at the vast Akagera national park, smiling at the chimps at Nyungwe national park, Musanze cave experience, and exploring the magnificent Kigali city. It is only wise to combine the activities with Gorilla trekking; of which they are still at a very affordable price.

Rwanda is one of the most renowned gorilla trekking destinations in the heart of Africa, it is not only a safe place for vacation but also one with a wide range of attractions to admire. About a quarter of the gorilla population call Rwanda home and can be visited daily.