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How do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda, For you to go for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park for a given date. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at Eco Adventure Safaris so that we check for the availability of gorilla permits online with the Rwanda Development Board once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes Gorilla National Park.
Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda involves a few steps. Here’s a guide to help you through the process on How do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda:
1. Choose Your Trekking Dates
- High Season: June to September and December to February. Permits are in high demand, so book well in advance.
- Low Season: March to May and October to November. Permits are easier to obtain.
2. Book Through a Rwanda Tour Operator
- It is highly recommended to book your permit through a licensed tour operator. This is a convenient option as they can also help arrange other aspects of your trip (transportation, accommodation, etc.).
- One of the Rwanda Tour Operators you can contact to book your gorilla permit is Eco Adventure Safaris.
4. Permit Costs
- The cost for a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is $1,500 per person for all visitors.
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is now at $1050 per person if you book any dates between 1st November to 31st May.
5. Provide Necessary Details
- You will need to provide your full name, passport details, and the dates you wish to trek.
6. Make Payment
- Payments are typically made via bank transfer or credit card. Ensure you get a receipt and confirmation of your booking.
- If booking through a tour operator, they will handle the payment process.
7. Receive Your Permit
- Once payment is confirmed, you will receive a permit. If booking through a tour operator, they will provide it to you.
- It’s essential to carry this permit with you on the day of the trek.
8. Plan Your Accommodation and Transport
- Many lodges and hotels are located near Volcanoes National Park where the trekking takes place. Book these well in advance.
- Arrange transport from your accommodation to the park. Tour operators often provide this service.
9. On the Day of the Trek
- Arrive at the park headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing.
- Wear appropriate trekking gear: sturdy boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and rain jackets. Bring water, snacks, and a camera.
Where can I see gorillas in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done at Volcanoes National Park, Volcanoes National Park is located in the far northwest of Rwanda, home to the endangered mountain gorillas and rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands. Gorilla tracking at this park is done once daily with 8 individuals visiting a gorilla group per day. The visitors are expected to arrive at the Rwanda development board (RDB) offices at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations and the does and donts when tracking gorillas and later distributed among the different gorilla groups. Once the briefing is concluded and you are allocated a gorilla group, you will follow your armed ranger guide to start your trek in search of these gentle giants. Your trek can take anything from a few minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the group that you are tracking. Once the insight into the group, you will be able to stay in their presence for only one hour. Remember the details shared in the briefing and endeavor to follow them for not only your own safety but that of the gorillas.
What is the Best Time to book a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda?
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Rwanda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for creating trails and viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Where to stay during your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options, Luxury options include Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotels and Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge. The price ranges from USD300 to USD1000 per person per night.
The Midrange lodge options at Volcanoes National Park include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Lebambou Gorilla Lodge, Davinci Lodge. For budget accommodation in Volcanoes National Park the options are many from basic accommodation to camping which include Kinigi Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Virunga Hotel, Faraji Hotel and La Palme Hotel or Home Inn.
How to access Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park can be best accessed by road; the drive from Kigali town is just 2-3 hours drive to Volcanoes National Park. Your driver guide will meet you for a short briefing at the designated hotel then set off to the park through the beautiful sceneries of the 1000 hills of Rwanda giving you an opportunity for a stop for photographs and sightseeing.
Why Book with Eco Adventure Safaris your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Eco Adventure Safaris is a local tour operator which conducts Uganda and Rwanda tours. Our team has expertise in adventure Tour/Safaris Operations in Uganda Tour African Safaris, Tanzania African safaris, Kenya Tours Safaris, Rwanda African Safaris, Congo DRC African Safaris, and Zanzibar Safaris that run in the respective destinations hence detailing about us. Meanwhile, we operate in the other popular East African destinations of Kenya and Tanzania through partnerships that we have established with highly regarded and like-minded local tour operators. We organize private tours for individuals and also offer ground handling for travel companies and agents from around the world. We are very passionate about Eco-tourism and preserving nature and so our tours are organized in a way that respects the environment and local cultures. Contact us about How do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda.