What to consider while planning a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda
What to consider while planning a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda: I well know that you have a variety of unanswered questions running in your mind as you think and plan of booking your gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda the land of a thousand hills. In this article, I will probably be answering some of those questions like the number of gorilla families in Volcanoes national park Rwanda, the number of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda, the cost of gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, packing list for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, getting to volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking safari, where to stay during gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and other more information you ought to know while planning your gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda.
First and foremost, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is one of the 4 national parks in African continent and the world at large that harbor these endangered mountain gorillas. Other mountain gorillas are found in Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
Therefore as you plan your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, keep in mind that it will be done in only Volcanoes national park situated in Northern province of Rwanda covering a land area of 160Square kilometers in border with Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda and Virunga national park of Congo all standing within Virunga massif which houses 8 volcanoes including Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamulagira, Mount Mikeno, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo that are shared with in Uganda , Rwanda and Congo.
Volcanoes national park is famous for the mountain gorilla trekking thus mountain gorillas are the major attractions of the park plus other primates like Golden monkeys, mammals like Buffaloes, forest pigs, forest hogs, duikers, elephants, bird species like Rwenzori turaco, Red-faced woodland, handsome francolin, butterflies and many other attractions that thrill in Volcanoes national park.
Habituated gorilla families in Rwanda and number of permits,
While planning a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda, you need to know that there are 10 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes national park including
- Amahoro gorilla family
- Kwitonda gorilla family
- Ubumwe gorilla family
- Sabyinyo gorilla family
- Agastya gorilla family also known as group 13
- Umubano gorilla family
- Suza B gorilla family
- Bwengye gorilla family
- Suza A gorilla family
- Titus Gorilla family
The cost gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda,
As you plan a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda, you need to know that the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit of 2021 goes for $1,500 per person which is equivalent to the cost of Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda. Well, this permit is valid for just 1 day thus once you miss the trek, there is no refund for the gorilla trekking permit. This permit to trek gorillas in Rwanda is expensive as compared to trekking similar gorillas in Uganda at $700 and in Democratic Republic of Congo at $400 per person.
Since Rwanda has 8 habituated gorilla families and each family allows 8 trekkers per day, this implies that Rwanda issues out 80 gorilla trekking permits on a daily basis to 80 trekkers. At Achieve Global Safari based in Uganda or our sister company Explore Rwanda tours based in Rwanda we can easily help you in booking your gorilla trekking permits at any given period of time. These Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board the responsible body for all protected areas in Rwanda the land of a thousand hills. All that is required is to check availability of the permit then receive your money and proceed to secure your permit. We can as well proceed and plan your entire Rwanda gorilla trekking safari including transportation as well as accommodations since we always bargain with lodges and obtain the best rates.
Getting to Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking in Rwanda,
The park is accessed both by road and by air.
Most travelers enjoy getting to Volcanoes national park by road which takes about 2 hours’ drive from the capital city of Rwanda Kigali and Kigali international airport to the home of Mountain gorillas. The park can as well be accessed from Ugandan side via cyanika border as well as from Democratic Republic of Congo to Volcanoes national park which is situated in Ruhengeri and its park headquarters are found in Kiningi. The best way to get to volcanoes national park by road is by using private means from either Kigali or Musanze to Kiningi at park headquarters. There are vehicles for hire in Kigali but the best way to enjoy your safari at ease is by using a trusted and registered tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris, Focus East Africa Tours and Explore Rwanda Tours to organize for you an entire gorilla trekking safari to volcanoes national park Rwanda including transportation, gorilla permits reservations and accommodation reservations.
The best thing with trekking gorillas in Rwanda is that the driving distance is very short imagine juts 2 hours thus one can drive from Kigali to Volcanoes national park, do gorilla trekking and return to Kigali for departures just in one day unlike other destinations like Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo where one needs at least 3 days to enjoy the gorilla trekking adventure.
Where to stay during gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda,
While planning your gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda, you need to know there are availability of accommodation facilities to choose either in Kigali or in areas around the park an therefore What to consider while planning a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda. however, those who choose to sleep in Kigali need to arise early on trekking date and ensure that by 7:00am, they are at the park headquarters in Kiningi for briefing with other trekkers implying that to be at Kiningi in time, one has to set off from Kigali at 5:00am and use 2 hours of driving to get to the park in time.
Packing list for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda,
While planning your gorilla trekking Safari to Rwanda, you need to take your time and try to know what exactly to pack as this will enable you to pack only the crucial items than carrying a lot of things on a safari. Some of the items to including in your gorilla trekking backpack include; Water proof and light, hiking boats, A rain jacket, Insect repellant, Sunscreen, Garden gloves, Long sleeved shirts, A long trouser, Stockings, A cap and sun glasses, A camera, A pair of Binoculars (for birders), snacks and enough drinking water. These are most important things to include in your packing list for gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda. The same applies to gorilla trekking in Uganda and in Democratic Republic of Congo.
After considering the above, let us know when you wish to participate in Gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda and we shall avail you the quote.
