A travel guide to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
A travel guide to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park; Gorilla trekking is and adventurous activity in Volcanoes national park where travelers get an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze village and its one of the national parks that harbors the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa. Gorilla trekking is also done in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in Volcanoes national park that attracts many travelers and this article will help you to plan a successful gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is a home of over 11 habituated gorilla families namely Agashya, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Titus, Susa A, Umubano, Karisimbi, Kirwa, Kwitonda, Bwenge and Ugenda group which are available for trekking daily. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primates, birds and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, take photos and record videos to show people back home.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to any visitor above the age of 15 year allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non residents.
Rwanda also offers promotional or discounted gorilla permits for nationals, foreign residents, east Africans, Africans and MICE which are valid until 31st December 2023. African foreign resident are charged 500 USD per person, 500 USD per person for foreign residents, 200 USD per person for East African citizens and 200 USD per person for nationals. The promotional rates should be purchased one month in advance before the trekking date and if the permit is bought in less than one month of the trekking date, he permit price will be 1,500 USD.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park
Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park can either be booked directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where you will contact the head offices in Kigali through email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month and year when you wish to visit the mountain gorillas. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your desired dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, we will be able to acquire the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Booking gorilla trekking permits through Trusted Tour Operator is the best option to use in that we will not only purchase to permits on your behalf but also plan for your entire safari which includes accommodation where you will stay during the safari, transportation to the park, other activities to engage in and other destinations to visit during the safari.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season during the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is little or less rainfall in the park therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in volcanoes national park
There are a number of essential items that travelers can pack when going on a gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes national park including insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm and protect you from itching plants, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, warm sweater to keep you warm, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall, energy snacks and drinking water to keep you hydrated, camera and extra batteries to take photos, garden gloves, long socks, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, back pack to carry your trekking items among others.
Where to stay in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park has a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Fravan Eco Resort, Kataza House, Wilderness Bisate, Garden Place Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge among others.
How to get to Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Rwanda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kigali international airport to the park headquarters which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive.
Volcanoes national park can also be accessed by public means of transport from Kigali to Musanze and then hire a private taxi to the park headquarters.
For more information about the travel guide to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris.
