Best Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

A vacation in Rwanda is entirely about immersing yourself into the jungles to look out for the unique mountain gorillas. This to most enthusiastic nature travelers is a lifetime adventure/experience. The endangered mountain Gorillas can only be found in volcanic range of the three countries which is Rwanda, Democratic republic of Congo and Uganda.

Rwanda has got 12 fully habituated gorilla families that live in the volcanoes national park. Gorilla families include; Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Susa, Karisimbi, Agashya, Bwenge, Kwitonda, Igisha, Ugyenda, Amahoro, Muhoza and Umubano. Each gorilla family has got at least a silver back, number of females and young ones. The volcano national park has a total size of 160km and is located in the north western Rwanda in Musanze district.

Before heading for trekking, a visitor is supposed to go for briefing at the volcanoes national park headquarters in Kinigi at 7:00am. At the headquarters visitors are briefed about the rules and regulation that are to be followed while trekking and also allocate the family groups to trek depending on their level of fitness.

When you spot the gorillas in the bamboo forest, you are given one hour to stay with the gorillas in order to get to know about their daily lives and also take pictures. Porters are available for tourists who need them to carry their luggages.

For those who want to see the grave of Dian Fossey who was the greatest primatologist who made gorillas feel comfortable in presence of human being and discouraged poaching of the mountain gorillas. The grave of Dian Fossey is located between Mount Bisoke and mount Karisimbi and it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach the grave since it requires 2 to 3 hours to hike through the forest and about 30 minutes to drive at the headquarters.

Gorilla permits to buy

Before going for gorilla trekking you are required to have a gorilla permit in order to access the gorillas. A gorilla permit is a document issued by the Rwanda development board to tourists who want to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking permits are booked from the Rwanda development board or from a tour operator. In order to get a permit requires a tourist to fill the mandatory forms, upload the necessary documents and pay the applicable fee.

A client must provide full information about his or herself like the names, passport email and phone number during the payment time. It is advisable to book the permit in advance since 96 permits are available in Rwanda each day. It is really important to give the right information since a passport or any other document is required while entering the park so incase a tourist gave false information while getting the permit one can be refused to enter the park even if one has fully paid.

The cost of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit

The permit for gorilla trekking cost $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign resident in Rwanda and foreign resident in Africa, $200 for East African citizen.

For a foreign resident in Rwanda and East African countries to qualify for the East African resident status, one must have stayed in Rwanda or Africa for at least four consecutive months.

East African residents must present East African Citizen ID cards or passports.

As long as the immigration and Emigration director general confirms it that the tourist has one Rwandan parent or a tourists has a Rwandan spouse then they would be considered as Rwandan and will pay the Rwandan cost.

Refund Policy

No refund shall be made to a visitor who arrives late due to delay in flights and cancellation of trip for other reasons. Failure for tourists to track the gorillas the whole day can be given another day or be refunded 75%.

Regulations to be followed

1. Visitors should maintain a distance of about 22 feet (7 meters) from the gorillas.

2. The time for gorilla trekking is strictly one hour.

3. The maximum number of visitors per group is 8.

4. It is strictly prohibited to spit in the park.

5. Do not litter in the park.

6. Avoid making rapid movements that might scare the gorillas.

7. Visitors with contagious diseases like cold, flu are not allowed to visit the gorillas.

8. In case you want to cough you cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.

9. Keep a low voice when your with the gorillas.

10. The minimum age to do gorilla trekking is 15 years.

11. Do not use flash while taking pictures.

12. Do not drink, eat or smoke near the gorillas

Best time to do Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

The best time to do gorilla trekking is during the dry season that is June to September which is the long dry season and mid-December and early February which is the short dry season however climate in Musanze is unpredictable so expect sun and rain during the day so it is advisable to carry a waterproof jacket while going for trekking. The hiking trails are easily in the dry season since the place has no muddy and is less slippery than during the rainy season. However gorilla trekking can be done all year around depending on the tourist’s choice.

What to pack

The following are the requirements that you may need while going for gorilla trekking;

1. Backpack.

2. Trouser

3. Long blouse and shirts.

4. Hiking boots.

5. Camera and Extra batteries.

6. Insect repellent.

7. Sun screen.

8. Sunglasses and hats.

9. Binoculars.

10. Snacks.

11. Bottled water

12. Water proof jackets.

Getting there

The volcano national park can be accessed through using an air or road transport. For tourists who don’t want to sit in the car for long, they can book a flight which is the quickest means. One can schedule a flight from Kigali international airport to Musanze airstrip which takes 30 minutes. Those who can’t afford air transport can use the road transport which is cheap and convenient. Travel from Kigali the capital city to volcanoes national park will take less than 3 hours. Using road transport will give you a chance to sight the beautiful landscapes and hills along the way.

Where to stay

There are available accommodation with in and outside the volcanoes national park which caters for luxury, midrange and low budget tourists.

· Luxury; Virunga lodge, Sabyinyo silverback lodge, Mountain gorilla view lodge, Bisate lodge.

· Mid- range; Da Vinci Boutique hotel, Le bamboo gorilla lodge, Garden place hotel.

· Budget; Hotel Muhabura, Kinigi Guesthouse.