Rwanda gorilla trekking tours

Mountain gorilla hiking in Rwanda is among the most famous activities at Volcanoes National Park because it is considered one of the best places to see mountain gorillas in Africa.

Volcanoes National Park protects the fascinating mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas can only be seen in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Volcanoes National Park extends over an area of approximately 16,000 hectares and is located in the north-western part of the country.

Volcanoes National Park is made of afro-montane forests, savannah grassland, bamboo forests, vast swamps, and five volcanoes (such as Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Karisimbi). Mount Karisimbi is among the four tallest mountains in Africa.

Volcanoes National Park also protects spotted hyenas, forest buffaloes, duikers, forest elephants, bush bucks, and the beautiful golden monkeys, among other mammals.

Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda enchant many tourists to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and the chances of viewing mountain gorillas are very high. Mountain gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park involves moving into the dense bamboo forests and steep mountain slopes to search for gorilla families in Rwanda.

The final experience with the primates is regarded as one of the most fascinating and memorable wildlife encounters in Africa. To have the best of both worlds of mountain gorillas, tourists can also cross-track mountain gorillas in Uganda in what is known as double gorilla trekking.

Some travelers even opt for mountain gorilla trekking, where they also tour the gorillas in the Virunga National Park of the Congo. It's more exciting when they also try to visit both the mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Congo.

Trekking gorillas is so challenging, but when you finally see the gorillas, it is considered an ultimate wildlife experience.

Travelers must book a Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking permit in advance so as to be sure of getting a chance of spotting mountain gorillas on a specific date.

Mountain Gorilla trekking permits can be sold out during the peak seasons, like from June to September and December to February. Mountain gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda currently cost $1500.

Travelers should note that part of the money gotten from mountain gorilla permits is used to support gorilla conservation programs and local community projects.

Booking mountain gorilla trekking permits can be done through a tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board. In order to book the gorilla permit, individual passport details are a must for the Rwanda Development Board.

There are 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking, and only 8 tourists are allowed to visit a particular gorilla group a day. This indicates that there are only 80 mountain gorilla permits available each day for all the habituated gorilla families.

The Volcanoes National Park's mountain gorilla trek begins at around 7:30 a.m. with a briefing from park staff and rangers. Participants are divided into groups and allocated to a specific gorilla family during the briefing.

The groups that are closer to the park offices are given to the hikers who are less fit. The group sets off to look for the gorillas at 8:00 a.m. with the help of the Volcanoes National Park Rangers.

Travelers can choose one of the 10 habituated groups or families when doing gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. It doesn't matter whose group you end up with; witnessing mountain gorillas is magnificent.

Just watching the young gorillas roll about and play may keep you occupied for hours. Mountain gorillas are constantly curious and playful.

Some may approach you directly, but they don't mean any harm. It's crucial to follow your guides' instructions and maintain your composure when spending time with the mountain gorillas.

Depending on the gorilla group you are assigned to and their exact location on the day of the walk, gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park can take you from one to six hours.

Note: If you have any heavy luggage or equipment, travelers are allowed to hire one or two porters. At the gorilla trekking starting point, porters are always available.

Many of these porters were poachers in the past, but they now support initiatives for gorilla conservation. They are prevented from returning to their prior vices by the money they make from providing their services.

Mountain gorilla tracking services for senior citizens are available if you intend to travel with your parents. Costs for porter services range from $15 to $20. Tourists also need a raincoat, sturdy cotton gloves, and a comfortable hiking boot.