Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda : In the world there is nothing more magical nor more worth in term of African wildlife experience than a gorilla trekking safari. Gorilla trekking is a highlight activity done on African safaris basing on three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. And one of the last remaining homes to see these rare mountain gorillas is in the Virunga Mountain that span the northern border of Rwanda, Congo in the eastern and southwestern side of Uganda in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The best places to encounter these great mountain gorillas is Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, each park has its number of gorilla families /groups which has undergone through habituation process over the year that gradually makes them to be used to humans. Someone to be part of gorilla trekking, requires you to hold a gorilla permit to access their nature environment, which can be booked in advance. If you are to visit in peak seasons of June to August and December to February.
Volcanoes national park is one of the top visited safari for Luxury gorilla trekking among the three countries, although Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the best and has the cheaper gorilla trekking permit compared to Rwanda’s cost of permit. Volcanoes is one of the oldest national park to be created in Africa, located in the northwestern Rwanda and was gazette to protect our unique endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other small monkeys, buffalo, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, elephants, spotted hyenas, grassland, swamp and heath.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is truly a rewarding destination to experience your luxury gorilla trekking experience. Although Rwanda is the smaller country, it boosts as one of the top visited destination for gorilla trekking. So travel time between the airport and the Volcanoes National park is two hours.
The park lies at lower altitude that makes trekking easier and across shorter distances, it’s also made up of lush bamboo forest home to mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking activity is quite awesome that starts early morning after your aroma coffee tea, drive to the briefing point with in the Volcanoes national park at 7: 00am.Then at 8:00am meet the park ranger in search for gorilla group, as you are trekking your able to see other species such as birds, vegetation, monkey’s species among others. Gorilla trekking can take 30 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas in the forest, in group of eight persons. Once you meet the gorilla group you are trekking, one hour will be allowed to visitors to spend with them as you learn about their stunning life style and enjoy primates photo shooting for your future remembrance. Gorilla permits are purchased at fee USD1,500 per person per trek.
Along your gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you can choose to combine a gorilla safari with wildlife safari in Akagera National Park a great location to spot leopards.
You can also choose to do Golden monkey tracking in volcanoes national park on your luxury gorilla trekking safari.
In Volcanoes National Park there are number of excellent accommodation options ranging from Mid-range to Luxury lodge. We recommend you to book an accommodation that fits your wallet in order to enjoy your luxury vacation safari.
What to pack for Luxury gorilla trekking?
Gardening gloves –helps us to protect from sharp bamboo grasses
Comfortable hiking boots, suitable for steep muddy slopes
Waterproof hiking jackets and hats
Long trousers and shirts
Good walking socks
Sunscreen lotion
Insect repellent
Enough mineral water bottles
Walking sticks are provided by the lodge or park rangers at the park headquarters
When you are with Gorillas-Rules
You will have to keep 7 to 9 meters away from gorillas, the further back you’re, the more relaxed the group will be.
Keep your voice at low level all times while in the jungle.
Do not smoke neither eat or drink are prohibited here, which might cause risk of transmission of diseases.
Flash cameras are permitted; they scare our apes.
Only one hour is given to trackers.
Do not litter rubbish with in the park.
Your guide will be instructing you and always follow the instructions.
Wash your hands before and after trekking
Regular sanitization and wearing of the mask
Never look direct to the eyes of gorillas, they might think you want to attack them.
Best time of the year to enjoy Luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda
The best time to do luxury gorilla trekking is along dry season from June to Mid-September. December to November receives short dry season within period of the year, gorilla trekking is quite unforgettable and worth an activity. Above all, Rwanda can be visited all year around.
