How is Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?

How is Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park Rwanda? Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a captivating and unforgettable experience. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:

1. Preparation: Before embarking on your gorilla trekking adventure, it’s essential to obtain permits in advance. These permits can be acquired through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or authorized Rwanda tour operators like Eco Adventure Safaris. It’s advisable to book your permits well in advance as they are limited and can sell out quickly.
2. Arrival: Most travelers arrive in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, and then proceed to Volcanoes National Park for the first overnight. The journey to the park takes about 2-3 hours by car.
3. Briefing: Upon arrival at the park headquarters, you’ll receive a pre-trekking briefing. This briefing will provide you with essential information about the gorilla trekking rules, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the trek.
4. Group Allocation: Gorilla trekking groups are typically limited to a maximum of 8 people per group. Each group is assigned a specific gorilla family to track. The allocation is based on factors such as fitness level and preferences.
5. Trekking: The actual trekking experience can vary in duration and difficulty depending on the location of the gorilla family you’re tracking. Some treks can be relatively easy, while others may involve more challenging terrain and longer hikes. It’s essential to be reasonably fit for the trek, as it can involve hiking through dense vegetation and steep slopes.
6. Encounter: Once you locate the gorilla family, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. You’ll have the opportunity to observe their behavior, interactions, and perhaps even witness some playful antics. It’s important to follow the guidelines provided by the guides to ensure a safe and respectful encounter.
7. Photography: While you’re allowed to take photos during the gorilla trekking experience, it’s essential to do so respectfully and without disturbing the gorillas or their habitat. Make sure to listen to your guide’s instructions regarding photography etiquette.
8. Return: After spending an hour with the gorillas, you’ll trek back to the park headquarters. Once there, you’ll receive a certificate to commemorate your gorilla trekking experience.

How is Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park Rwanda,  gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park offers a unique opportunity to connect with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat and to contribute to their conservation efforts. It’s an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) which is found in North-Eastern in a small town called Musanze, Rwanda in East Africa. Volcanoes National Park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda and East Africa and one of the oldest parks in Africa, it is a home to the endangered apes and primates that include the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, there also many species of birds, Monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks among others in the forest as well as the unique culture.  Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. Gorilla tourism in Volcanoes National park has earned Rwanda economic development as it has attracted more visitors every year. Gorilla trekking is a life time experience of seeing the endangered gorillas in their natural environment and half of the population of the remaining gorillas is found in East Africa.

How many gorilla permits are available in Volcanoes National Park per day?

Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves visiting the habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment, as you view the way they feed, move, rest and live in harmony. Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families for trekking every day, only 8 visitors per gorilla family are allowed to trek every day. That means there are 80 permits available each day for trekking, the chances of seeing the mountain gorillas are 99% as you are guided by trackers, guides and park rangers. Gorilla trekking starts every day in Kinigi at 7:00am with briefing on guidelines to follow while on the trek, even though the gorillas have 99% DNA as the humans, they still remain wild and you are advised to follow the dos and don’ts from the guides. The gorilla trek can take 30 minutes to more hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas in the forest.

What is the cost of Rwanda Gorilla permit?

Traveling to Rwanda for a Gorilla Safari. For one to be allowed to do gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you must have a Rwanda gorilla permit for a particular date secured by the Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla permits costs USD1500 for all nationals and you are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas and taking photography. Booking Rwanda gorilla treks to volcanoes National Park is a life time experience to complete your bucket list

How to Book Rwanda Gorilla permit?

When you contact us at Eco Adventure Safaris about your planned traveling to Rwanda for a Gorilla Safari and desired dates, we shall check availability of permits online system of Rwanda development board and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits (We advise you book months in advance to get you exact date). Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek. The process of acquiring the gorilla permits is easy and transparent, you will surely give you a lifetime experience with the gorillas.

The gorilla trekking permits normally sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Booking the permits in advance is ideal for your gorilla trek.

Last minute Booking Rwanda Gorilla permit

We as well organize last minute booking of Volcanoes Mountain gorilla permits in Rwanda for travelers, you may visit Rwanda for a conference, Seminar or you many have change of program while in Rwanda/East African countries/ Africa and you instead opt to do a gorilla trek on a weekend or any day you are free, once you contact, we shall try our best to get you a gorilla permit from either Rwanda development board or from those reselling the gorilla permits for you not to miss out. Booking the gorilla permits will require you to make payment for the permit to secure a spot for trekking. Once you contact us, we shall send you a quote for the number of days as you require, and then you fix dates which we shall consider when booking you’re your permits and accommodation as they are key priorities. Once you make Payment, we shall pay off all your services as per the travel plan and ensure all is in order for your gorilla safari.

Why book traveling to Rwanda for a Gorilla Safari with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure safaris is one of the best local tour operators to help you in booking Rwanda gorilla treks, we also offer amazing gorilla safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda.  Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have over time assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. We are highly rated and reviewed on Trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled with us. Contact us here about How is Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.