Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in Africa, which gives primatologists and nature lovers a rare opportunity to come up close with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. This safari activity takes place in Volcanoes National Park, a lush mountainous rainforest that forms part of the larger Virunga Mountains located in the far northwestern corner of Rwanda, bordering Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Volcanoes is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, established in 1925 to protect the endangered mountain gorilla that existed at that time. It’s the smallest national park in the country, covering an area of about 160 square kilometers. It has a rich biodiversity, home to over 30% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, with over 12 habituated gorilla families which are accustomed to human presence, 237 bird species, 13 primate species and 36 mammal species. Its rich biodiversity is supported by ecosystems that provide habitats to the park’s bird and wildlife species, such as grasslands, swamps, montane forests, and bamboo forests. Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is not only a thrilling adventure but also a powerful conservation success story.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience in Rwanda.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the life experiences which shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers and primatologists. This begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park’s headquarters about the dos and don’ts of trekking. Trekkers are divided into groups of eight, and each group is assigned a gorilla family and a knowledgeable park guide who gives more information about the park’s inhabitants encountered along the way. The guide leads the group into the dense forest in search of these magnificent mountain groups. The duration of gorilla trekking is between 1 and 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements as they move from one place to another in search of food. Gorilla trekking involves hiking on steep slopes, and participants should assess their level of fitness before coming on a safari. The search for these mountain gorillas is tough, but the joy of locating them in their natural habitats is immeasurable. Once located, participants are strictly given one hour to observe the gentle giants. They will see them as they feed, groom, play, and interact, an intimate and unforgettable experience
What to Pack on a Gorilla Safari.
Travellers planning a mountain gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda should pack essential items to have a memorable safari in the heart of Africa. They should pack comfortable hiking shoes, garden gloves, a rain jacket, light long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a backpack, a reusable water bottle, a camera and extra batteries, so as not to miss capturing those incredible moments with the gorillas, and energy snacks.
What is the best time to do Gorilla Trekking?
The Park can be visited year-round, but the best time for gorilla trekking is from June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little rainfall, the park is less muddy and slippery, making it easy to penetrate and search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Travellers can also visit the park from March to May and October to November, although these months tend to have heavy rainfall, which makes it challenging to penetrate the park since it’s always muddy and slippery in this period. However, this time of year can be beneficial for budget travellers, as there are discounted permits for this season and most accommodations and travel agencies often offer discounts.
