Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, is one of the most rewarding safari experiences that nature lovers and primatologists can experience in the heart of Rwanda. The park is located in the northern part of Rwanda, bordering Mgahinga National Park and Virunga National Park. It’s the smallest national park in Rwanda, covering an area of about 160 square kilometers. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga conservation area, aimed to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. It is known for hosting 30% of the endangered mountain gorillas, making it the second gorilla destination in the world with the highest number of mountain gorillas after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. It became a base for American primatologist and Naturalist Dian Fossey, who researched mountain gorillas, and she is widely credited for saving the endangered mountain gorillas from extinction by exposing their unfortunate situation to the international community. Her dedication towards protecting the endangered mountain gorillas was filmed in the 1980s in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist”. The park has over 14 habituated mountain gorilla families, which are accustomed to human presence.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking is an immeasurable safari experience in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park that gives nature enthusiasts and primatologists an opportunity to see the mountain gorillas close up in their natural habitat. Trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park’s headquarters about the dos and don’ts of the activity, and later, participants are divided into groups of 8. Each group is assigned a gorilla family and an experienced park guide who gives more insightful information about the park’s inhabitants encountered. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the dense tropical rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, and the minimum age for trekking is 15 years. The duration for trekking is between 2 and 7 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas and once located, participants are strictly given one hour to observe them. They will see them grooming, playing, feeding and interacting, which is a lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers. Mountain gorillas are our closest relatives on earth, sharing 98% of human DNA; having a close encounter with them allows us to appreciate nature.
What to pack for Gorilla Trekking Safari.
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 you wouldn’t want to miss out on capturing the unforgettable moments with the mountain gorillas, a waterproof jacket, a raincoat, energy-giving snacks, a water bottle, a backpack, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a brimmed hat.
Best time to see Mountain Gorillas.
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 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.
