A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Are you planning your gorilla safari in Rwanda? This guide to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will help you prepare for your safari in the heart of Africa. Gorilla trekking is one of the most rewarding safari activities in Volcanoes National Park, which gives nature lovers a chance to come face to face with these amazing creatures. Volcanoes National Park is one of the few destinations in the world hosting the endangered mountain gorillas and is home to over 30% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. The park is situated in the northern part of Rwanda, bordering Uganda and DR Congo. Volcanoes National Park is home to over 14 habituated mountain gorilla families, which are fully acclimated to human presence. These gorilla families include Ugenda gorilla family, Bwenge gorilla family, Umbano gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family, Sabinyo gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family and more. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the dense forest in search of the endangered mountain gorilla family with the help of an experienced park guide who gives more insights about the park’s inhabitants. Once the family is located, participants are strictly given one hour to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.
What is the Cost of a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Volcanoes National Park.
A gorilla permit is an official document that allows primatologists and nature lovers to have a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. A gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for Foreign residents, $500 for the rest of Africa and $200 for East African residents. Travellers can obtain the permits directly from the Rwanda Development Board, or they can contact a licensed travel company like Caracal Explorers to purchase the permits for them. Gorilla permits are few, and they are subject to availability on a first come first serve basis. Visitors are highly advised to book their permits at least 3 to six months in advance to avoid disappointment.
What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: Travellers planning their gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park should pack essential items which will allow them to have a memorable gorilla trekking safari in the land of a thousand hills. They should consider packing comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes, a camera with extra batteries, and they wouldn’t want to miss out on capturing the unforgettable moments with the mountain gorillas. They should also pack a raincoat, energy-giving snacks, a water bottle, a backpack, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a brimmed hat.
Best time to do Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, though some months are better than others. The best months to trek the Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are from June to September and December to February. These months are in the dry season, meaning there is less rain and more sunshine. The dry trails make it easier to walk and provide clear views of the gorillas and the forest. This is because the vegetation cover is short due to little rainfall received, hence enhancing visibility of several wildlife species. This is ideal for tourists interested in photography. Tourists can still visit the gorillas during the rainy season.
The rainy season in Volcanoes National Park is from March to May and from October to November. There is a lot of rain and little sunshine, making trekking difficult due to muddy and slippery trails. The tall vegetation makes it hard to see mountain gorillas clearly for recording, especially for photography.
How to Access Volcanoes National Park.
A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: Volcanoes National Park is one of the nearest national Parks in Rwanda, about 2 to 3 hours drive from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Travellers can access the park either by road transport or Air transport. By road transport, they can do self-drive or hire a private vehicle through a trusted travel agency like Caracal Explorers to organise the transportation for you. The road transport allows travellers to enjoy the breathtaking views of the countryside. Alternatively, travellers can use a chartered helicopter from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip, which takes about 30 minutes; this is the fastest way to reach the park.
