Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda done on weekends?

Are you in Rwanda or planning to visit Rwanda over the weeks and you want to know Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda done on weekends? Before you proceed with booking your trip or traveling to Rwanda to visit the Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Yes, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is available on weekends, just like on weekdays. The treks are conducted daily, including Saturdays and Sundays, in Volcanoes National Park. It’s recommended to book permits in advance, especially for weekend dates, as they can be in high demand.

Eco Adventure Safaris operates weekend Gorilla Safaris to either Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park In Uganda. All our weekend Gorilla safaris start on Friday and end on Sunday, and can either start in Kigali, Rwanda or Entebbe, Uganda

Here’s a guide to help you on How to Choose a Rwanda Gorilla Trek:

1. First check for the Permits Availability

• Gorilla Permits: Secure your gorilla trekking permit well in advance, as they are limited and in high demand. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues these permits.
• Cost: Each permit costs $1,500 per person per trek. This fee includes park entrance, guide services, and a contribution to community development and conservation.

2. Choosing the Trek Date

• Season: Rwanda has two rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) and two dry seasons (June to September and December to February). The dry seasons are generally preferred for gorilla trekking due to easier hiking conditions.
• Availability: Check the availability of permits for your preferred dates and book as early as possible.

3. Selecting a Trekking Group

• Fitness Level: Trekking groups are usually assigned based on fitness levels. Some gorilla families are easier to reach, while others require a more strenuous hike.
• Group Size: Each trekking group is limited to 8 visitors to minimize impact on the gorillas and enhance the experience.

4. Accommodation Options

• Proximity to the Park: Choose accommodations close to Volcanoes National Park to reduce travel time on the day of your trek.
• Budget: Options range from luxury lodges to mid-range and budget hotels. Book accommodations that match your budget and preferences.

5. Guided Tours vs. Independent Travel

• Tour Operators: Consider using a reputable tour operator to handle logistics, including permits, transportation, accommodation, and guided tours. They can provide valuable insights and make the experience seamless.
• Independent Travel: If you prefer more flexibility, you can organize your trek independently. Ensure you have all the necessary information and arrangements in place.

6. Health and Safety Precautions

• Vaccinations: Ensure you have the required vaccinations and medications, including malaria prophylaxis.
• Fitness: Prepare physically for the trek, as it can be challenging. Engage in regular exercise to build stamina and strength.

7. Additional Experiences

• Golden Monkey Trekking: Consider adding a golden monkey trek to your itinerary for a unique primate experience.
• Cultural Visits: Explore local communities and cultural experiences around Volcanoes National Park.

8. Packing Essentials

• Clothing: Wear comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and layers for varying weather conditions.
• Gear: Bring a good quality rain jacket, a hat, gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.

Tips for a Successful Trek

• Respect the Gorillas: Follow the guidelines provided by your guide to minimize disturbance to the gorillas.
• Stay Positive: The trek can be physically demanding, but the experience of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat is immensely rewarding.

By considering these factors, you can choose a Rwanda gorilla trek that aligns with your preferences and ensures a memorable adventure.

Gorilla Trekking in 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.

How to Choose a Rwanda Gorilla Trek and How to book a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda

You will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance from the Rwanda Development Board 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

How much is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The Gorilla permit price shares a much more cost for any Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda on top of other services like transport, accommodation and guiding. A gorilla permit costs USD1500 for the Foreign nonresident, USD500 for the foreign resident and USD200 for the East African Citizen per person per trek, this gorilla permit gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.  On top of the gorilla permit you will also pay other services for a successful gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda which include transport, accommodation and guiding.

What is the Best Time to trek Mountain Gorillas 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 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

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.

Why Book Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Through Eco Adventure Safaris.

Eco Adventure Safaris is a local tour operator that 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 here for more information on Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda done on weekends?