Discover everything about gorillas, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the history, gorilla destination, gorilla permit prices, booking process, best time to go for gorilla trekking, rules and regulations. This article also includes other exciting activities in Rwanda apart from gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda
Rwanda is home to only the endangered mountain gorillas. These are a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla. Out of the current estimated 1063 mountain gorillas in the wild, about 30% of them survive in the jungles of Rwanda. These apes share around 98% of their DNA with humans making them our closest relatives.
Mountain gorillas are among the biggest and most powerful living primates in the natural environment. An average silverback gorilla weighs around 180kg and measures up to 170cm tall when standing.
Mountain gorillas are typically vegetarians. Over 85% of these ape’s diet comprises leaves, stems, and shoots. But these primates also feed on snails, larvae, barks, roots, and rotting wood.
Mountain gorillas only reside in the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. They can be spotted in family groups, each group is always headed by the silverback gorilla.
Gorilla tourism in Rwanda began in 1902 when Robert Von Beringe –a Germany captain and the first European observed the mountain gorillas around Mt. Sabyinyo. In 1903, they were named ‘Gorilla gorilla beringei by Matchie.’
In 1925, Volcanoes National Park was created as Albert National Park. This park was designed mainly to protect the present endangered mountain gorillas.
Around 1929, Albert National Park boundaries were extended and in 1969, it was halved into two. This led to the creation of Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The two parks were created after Rwanda and Congo attained their independence. Dian Fossey then began her first long-term gorilla study journey in the Virunga region, settling into Volcanoes National Park. She came to Rwanda in 1967 and set up the Karisoke research center between Karisimbi and Bisoke. She conducted research about gorillas in Virunga up to 1985 when she was murdered.
The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Park Development was established in 1973. It was around this era when new laws were put in place to govern national parks and wildlife.
Gorilla tourism and education were introduced as a measure to prevent anti-poaching efforts to achieve better gorilla conservation. 2 gorilla families around Karisoke that is Group 11 and 13 were among the first to undergo the habituation process and then later opened for gorilla tourism.
In 1979, the first experimental trekking began with residents from Kigali. Then followed by the non-residents from Europe who visited the park in November 1979. At the time, only 6 pax were allowed to track one gorilla group and only an hour was allowed for a face-to-face encounter.
When gorilla tourism was re-opened after the insurgencies of the historic 1994 Rwanda genocide, gorilla permits were issued to visitors at USD 250 per person. Since then, the cost of gorilla permits has kept on increasing to currently USD 1500 per visitor.
Gorillas in Rwanda can be trekked only in one location which is Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcano). Volcanoes National Park Rwanda lies in the Northwestern part of the country. This park was founded in 1925 and occupies only 160sq.km making it a compact protected area.
Within Volcanoes National Park, there exist five (5) Virunga Volcanoes out of the 8 Virunga Massifs which include Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, Bisoke, and Karisimbi.
About 13 gorilla groups have undergone through full habituation process. They include Sabyinyo, Group 13, Bwenge, Hirwa, Susa A, Kwitonda, Karisimbi (SusaB), Umubano, and Amahoro, etc.
A single Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1500 per person for a single gorilla trekking experience. You can book 30% discounted permits which applies to combined trips to other destinations in Rwanda, especially Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park.
The 30% discount translates to USD 1050 or consider a 15% discount offer (USD 1275) which caters to those of you on conferences or MICE events in Kigali. That is if you stay pre/post-MICE event to see Rwanda gorillas. Visitors can also go for the Behind the Scenes experience available at USD 30,000 for a minimum of 3 pax visiting for 3 consecutive days.
Booking process
- First, consider choosing the preferred date and destination you want to trek gorillas and for this case, it is Volcanoes National Park.
- Contact a recognized or certified local tour operator to help you arrange a gorilla tour and also book a gorilla permit.
Tour operators make the process easier and faster, a reason you should consider dealing with them. Beyond booking permits, a certified tour operator also goes ahead to book transportation and accommodation options for you.
- Provide all the necessary information including your full name, nationality, passport number, and others. These are required in the process of booking your gorilla permit.
- After you have sent your inquiry, our team will cross-check with the Rwanda authorities about the availability of gorilla permits and the dates you intend to go for gorilla trekking.
Our reservation team will reserve a permit on your behalf if the dates available are matching with the ones you plan to visit gorillas.
To book a gorilla permit and other facilities for your gorilla safari in Rwanda or any destination, the tour operator will request for certain percentage for you to pay. The deposit you make is aimed at helping the local tour operator secure a gorilla permit and also have accommodation as well as transportation in advance.
The gorilla safaris in Rwanda are best done during the peak dry months. There are 2 phases of dry season –the first which starts from June to September (long dry months), and then December, January to February (short dry months). Weather conditions during these dry months are more relatively favorable than if you travel during the wet or rainy season.
The dry months received low or even no rains with the park ground kept drier than the wet season which comes with a heavy downpour. The wet or rainy months in Volcanoes National Park occur around March, April, May, or October to November.
- The distance of 8-10 meters should be respected all the time on a gorilla trekking adventure.
- Do not touch the gorillas or get tempted to do it even when they come rubbing themselves to you.
- A valid gorilla permit should be obtained and presented on the actual gorilla trek.
- You should be free from sickness/illnesses to be allowed to go to trek gorillas.
- Do not make noise when trekking gorillas.
- No flashlight is allowed when taking photos of gorillas.
Essentials to consider on your Rwanda gorilla trekking packing list include a yellow fever vaccination certificate/card, waterproof hiking boots, a daypack, a rain jacket, a camera, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a first-aid kit, insect repellents, and others.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey tracking is one of the most rewarding primate adventures awaiting you to enjoy in addition to mountain gorilla trekking. Rwanda protects a section of golden monkeys with about 2 troops already available for golden monkey trekking. In Rwanda, golden monkeys are tracked in Volcanoes National Park.
Game drives
Game drives in Rwanda offer unforgettable Big 5 game encounters in the finest savanna plains of Akagera National Park. Game drives are enjoyed in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and expect to encounter the African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, and rhinos. Other savanna wildlife to encounter on a guided game drive in Rwanda include zebras, giraffes, and a variety of antelope families.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda allows you to encounter chimpanzees in the natural environment. This primate adventure is enjoyable on a Rwanda tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Birding or bird-watching
A total of about 700 species of birds are distributed across the major birding sites in Rwanda. The birds to enjoy sight on bird watching or birding tour in Rwanda include stripe-breasted tit, handsome francolin, Congo bay owl, Ruwenzori turacos, Willard’s sooty boubou, red-faced woodland warblers, Neumann’s warblers, Dwarf honey guide, and others.
Cultural experiences/homestay tours
Rwanda is known for its enriching cultural experiences. You can incorporate gorilla safaris in Rwanda and cultural experiences in Iby’Iwacu cultural village, and Azizi homestay experience. You can also visit the nearby communities at Akagera to engage in milking the cow experience, learn the different local/traditional practices, and more. The key cultural opportunities around Akagera include the Imigongo art and craft center, heritage, and Humure refugee village.
Kigali city tour
Kigali city tour is perfect for visitors in need to explore the historical/cultural sites in the heart of Kigali- the capital city of Rwanda. Top sites to explore on the Kigali city tour include the State House Museum, the Kigali genocide center, Kimironko, Inema Art Centre, and others.
In conclusion, Rwanda gorilla safaris offer a thrilling mountain gorilla encounter in the natural environment. Book your gorilla safaris and tours in Rwanda to explore mountain gorillas in the lush Volcanoes National Park. Talk to our reservation team to plan and book your holiday without any challenges.
