Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, is a top safari activity that allows primatologists and nature lovers to come up close to the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The park is located in the northwestern corner, bordering Virunga National Park and Mgahinga National Park. It is part of the greater Virunga conservation area, which comprises three adjoining national parks: Parc des Virungas, Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is the smallest National Park in Rwanda, covering an area of approximately 160 square kilometres.
In 1967, Dian Fossey, a conservationist and primatologist, started up a research centre in the park and led many campaigns against poaching gorillas and conservation efforts. She was killed in 1985 and buried at her research centre next to her favorite gorilla called Digit. Volcanoes National Park is famous for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, which attracts thousands of travellers to come and have a close encounter with these awesome creatures. The park has 12 habituated gorilla families, which are fully acclimated to human presence. Volcanoes National Park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also hosts golden monkeys, 273 bird species and 37 mammal species. If you are a primate lover planning your dream safari in Africa, Volcanoes National Park shouldn’t be missed on your bucket list, as it provides exceptional safari experiences.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking is a guided activity which begins with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park’s headquarters in the morning at 7 am. Participants are divided into groups of eight, and each group meets their assigned game ranger, who leads the group in search of the mountain gorillas and is knowledgeable about the park’s inhabitants. Gorilla trekking takes between 1 and 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas slept at night. Gorilla trekking involves hiking steep slopes, and we advise participants to check their level of fitness before coming to the park. Participants will hike through the dense forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Along the way, they might encounter various bird species like Regal Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Copper Sunbird, and other animals like vervet monkeys, spotted hyenas, buffalo and others. Once gorillas are located, participants spend one hour with them learning more about their behaviours. They will see how they feed, mothers take care of the young ones, young ones playing, just like humans. Having a close encounter with them is one of the lifetime experiences that shouldn’t be missed by primatologists and nature lovers.
What to Pack on a Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Travellers planning their gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park should consider packing the right essentials to have a successful safari. The packing list for gorilla trekking should include waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, long sleeved cloths, a face mask, a hat, sun glasses, trekking poles, insect repellents, sun screen, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, a drinking water bottle, and energy giving snacks to mention but a few.
What is the best time to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Gorillas can be seen 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.
