Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in Volcanoes national park, which is considered as the best place one can choose to go to gorilla trekking activities. Volcanoes national park is located in the northwestern region of Rwanda and covers a total surface area of about 16,000 square kilometers. This national park is a home to many endangered mountain Gorilla species and it is surrounded by good vegetation, vast swamps, bamboo forests, savannah grasslands, afro-montane forests and wonderful mountainous areas like; Mount Karisimbi which is famously known to be among the four tallest mountains in Africa. More so, there are a number of volcanoes such as; Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, and Kasirimbi which all act as good natural habitats for the endangered mountain Gorilla species.
Gorilla trekking is one of top most tourism activities done in Volcanoes national park, which has also contributed a lot to the tourism industry of Rwanda. Touring around this national park gives you many opportunities to sight see mountain gorilla species and tourists get chances to see many other animals like buffaloes, bushbucks, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, duikers and many other species. More so, tourists exploring within Volcanoes national park while trekking mountain gorillas involve themselves in activities like hiking through the dense bamboo forests and steep mountain slopes while searching for gorillas.
Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park.
Gorilla trekking activities in volcanoes national park always go for about 1 to 6 hours while tracking the mountain gorilla species depending on where they are located and after they are being found, tourists are always given one hour of interaction with the species, and during this period of time, tourists get to watch, observe and learn about the daily lifestyle and behaviours of the species for example; the mountain gorillas tend to be playful whereby the little ones always roll around as they play and also seem little curious while in the presence of humans, some species may even walk straight ahead right in front of these individuals but with no harm which seems quite interesting.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park always begin at 7:30am in the morning but the trekkers are encouraged to at least one hour before at the park headquarters where they are always given a short briefing by the park rangers and other authorities about the do’s and don’ts while trekking gorillas. Volcanoes national park has around 10 habituated gorilla groups, therefore the tourists are given short briefing, they are also divided into groups according to which gorilla groups they are going to track and they are being assigned to different park guides who help in leading and guiding the tourists through the park because it is easy for them to spot places where mountain gorillas are easily tracked. More so, these guides give chances to trekkers to ask any questions on things they would love to understand better during the trekking and it is also for the trekkers to follow the instructions and guidelines given to them by their guides in order to avoid any harm and enjoy the breathe moments of the nature in the surrounding.
More so, tourists in Volcanoes national park can combine gorilla trekking activities with other activities like; golden monkey tracking, community visits, cultural encounters, guided nature walks through the bamboo forests, hiking to the volcanoes and mountains like; Bisoke and Karisimbi which requires tourists to be in a good healthy shape and physically fit. More so, they can visit the grave of Dian Fossey, visit the Musanze caves, bird watching due to the fact that this park harbours around 200 bird species such as; red faced woodland warbler, collared apalis, strange weaver, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Grauers rush warbler, dusky crimson wing and many others, they also have chances to visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village which is known as the largest and the most visited cultural centre in Rwanda, visit the Genocide memorial centre in the country, visit lake Kivu and many others.
Where to stay in Volcanoes National park.
Volcanoes national park in Rwanda offers its guests with several accommodation facilities that are always available for the visitors. However, these lodging facilities are of different classes and ranges like from; budget, mid-range and luxury, which gives guests chances to choose where they feel comfortable to stay and according to what matches with their budget. These accommodation facilities include; one and only gorilla nest lodge, Virunga volcanoes lodge, sabinyo silverback lodge, five volcanoes boutique hotel which is considered as the most friendly and luxury hotel within the park , bisate lodge and many more. There are also VIP rooms that are always offered to the guests in form of a surprise within certain months of the year.
For more information and inquires about Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, tourists are free to get in touch with out trusted tour operators and Book with our tours and travel companies like Explore tours Rwanda which offer the best tour packages to tourists who travel to Rwanda for gorilla trekking safaris.
Are Gorillas Aggressive and Dangers? Gorilla tracking in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are one of the world’s most sought after largest primates and undoubtedly the most magnificent wild creatures to interact with. A trip to the luxuriant Volcanoes National Park to view these star attractions is incomparably the most inspiring travel experience that comes once in a life time. Volcanoes National Park is one of the only four protected areas in Africa that attract visitors for gorilla trekking experiences. Many Gorilla trekkers normally ask different questions regarding to Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an amazing experience which offers a tourist an opportunity to view the primates in the thick forest on Volcanoes. These rare primates are only tracked in habituated gorilla groups and in Rwanda. There are 12 habituated gorilla groups in the Volcanoes National Park. There are other groups habituated fir research and these can only be accessed by researchers or scientists and they have the largest members of the family and they are Beetsme and Pablo’s Shida’s. and there are only 10 gorilla families that are tracked by visitors or opened for tourism every day and they include the Susa gorilla family, Sabyinyo family, Amahoro, Group 13 also known as Agasha family, Kwitonda family, Umubano gorilla family, Bwengye, Hirwa family, Ugenda gorilla family and Karisimbi gorilla family. With the maximum of 8 persons and trackers are allowed to view the gentle giants for a maximum of one hour. This means that 80 visitors can possibly enjoy a gorilla trek each day within the Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain Gorillas are calm, gentle, peaceful, social, shy, reserved and friendly towards people because of the fact that they spend a lot of time around them such as guides and researchers. These Gorillas are not necessarily dangerous but they only become aggressive depending on how people handle and approach in their territory. People may threaten and tend to disturb the peace of the gorillas with an aim of assuming danger. Yes it is true that mountain gorillas will be aggressive and dangerous if they suspect and threatening movements more particular Silverback (male gorillas) who is the head of the gorilla family will react with a horrific hooting or a roar.
Though Mountain Gorillas look like they kill with a single strike, they are gentle giants and they prefer being left alone. It is very important to remember that gorillas are wild animals and like wild animals, they can get aggressive when threatened. Mountain gorillas become aggressive when a silverback from another group tries to steal females from a group or if a human gets too close to their territory.
Before it attacks, a mountain gorilla tries to warm the intruders off with loud grunts and by tearing down vegetation. If it does not work, the silverback will stand upright on its rare legs and pound its chest as a show of power. These actions show that the gorilla is ready to defend itself and its group against the treat. Note that, when in the wild with mountain gorillas, give mountain gorilla some space and respect with in their territory. You are advised to keep a distance of 7 meters between you and the gorillas.
Mountain Gorillas are not dangerous primates to humans but to themselves for example; when a dominant silverback tends to fight against the other silverbacks in the family because of the female gorilla within the family due to the fact that this silverback feels that it is only the male gorilla that is supposed to mate with all female gorillas within the gorilla group and not any other.
How can people avoid Gorilla Attacks?
Tourists who become victims while in the presence of the mountain gorillas are advised to make themselves low by eating vegetables and tearing.
Tourists are advised to avoid direct eye contact while in the presence of the mountain gorillas but bow their heads and look down in fear in order for the gorillas not feel like they are being challenged.
Tourists are also encouraged not to eat or drink while in the presence of the gorillas.
Tourists are advised to turn off the flashlights in their phones and cameras while taking pictures and recording videos of the mountain gorillas because the flashlights make the gorillas insecure, which may result them to being violent.
Tourists are also encouraged to keep a distance of 7 meters between themselves and the mountain gorillas and avoid touches because they are wild animals.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by Rwanda Development Board to any visitor above the age of 15 year allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park costs 1,500 US dollars per person for foreign nonresidents. Foreign resident are charged 500US dollars per person, 200US dollars per person for Rwandan citizens and East African citizens. You are advanced to book a permit a month before the trekking date.
The best time to go for gorilla trekking
What is the best time to trek gorillas in Rwanda is also another frequently asked question. Well the best time to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trek is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or over the long dry season months of June to September. During the dry season, Gorillas move actively in their natural habitat .Trekkers get an opportunity of viewing them feed their young ones, swinging from one branch to another.
Best lodges for gorilla trekking
This is also another concerned question from most of the trackers who go to the volcanoes national park, well! Volcanoes national park offers trekkers with affordable accommodations ranging from budget to luxury options such as Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback, Rwanda, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Muhabura Hotel, Rushel Kivu Lodge, Amata n’Ubuki Boutique Hotel, Nirvana Heights Resort and Spa, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge among others
In Conclusion, Gorillas are not dangerous wild primate to humans but only tourists while Trekking gorillas in the forests should note that they are in their territory and give them due respect because they only tend to go wild once their peace is disturbed but apart from that they are peaceful, calm and friendly to humans beings.
