
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is Rwanda’s top bucket list where any tourist needs to know and how you can acquire a Rwandan gorilla permit. Gorilla trekking action starts early at 7 am with registration and a briefing at the briefing point of volcanoes national park office at Kinigi. The park experts/ranger guide will know the general location of each gorilla family and their remoteness from the headquarters. Your gorilla trekking in Rwanda partialities and personal capability will define which gorilla family you are distributed to trek.
After the briefing, you’ll drive to the start point with your ranger/guide to meet the porter before entering the forest for your Rwanda gorilla trekking. You’ll mostly trek for at least an hour or more before you reach your assigned gorilla family. It said that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is much easier compared to neighboring countries like Uganda and DRC Congo. It may take three or more hours before you find the gorilla family. The scenery is spectacularly beautiful, and the trek is all part of the skill.
What to wear while gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking will be long, active, and may be difficult. You’ll be trekking in thick forests in unpredictable weather. Having the correct trekking gear makes all the difference.
- Small backpack for carrying water, packed lunch, and rain jacket.
- Trekking boots or hiking shoes. Boots are ideal for extra ankle support on rocky and mud-spattered terrain.
- Long socks will allow you to tuck in your trekking trousers and protect your ankles from scratches and biting insects. Luxury gorilla lodges provide gaiters, bottled water, and packed lunch bag to visitors.
- Trekking pants or waterproof trousers. Short clothes are not allowed during gorilla trekking in Rwanda it may expose you to hungry insects and scratches from thorns.
- A long-sleeved shirt is a much-needed safety from the sun and insects.
- A fleece or light-wool sweater for cold mornings.
- Cheap gardening gloves will protect your hands but aren’t essential.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and sunhat.
- Camera. Some people take binoculars. You will spend most of your time in the forest where trees will obscure most sheeting.
- Many tourists regardless of age or fitness find trekking stick useful and many luxury gorilla lodges provide trekking stick or Rwandan guide can cut for you from the forest
- At least 2 liters of drinking water and your packed lunch.
- Wipes anti insecticide repellant, antihistamine cream, plasters, painkillers, and rehydration sachets.
Why is gorilla trekking so expensive?
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda became a luxury travel destination to tourists a few years back when the Rwanda development board (RDB) raised the price from $700 to $1500 per permit. The combined cost of the gorilla permits, accommodation, guides, and the tour vehicle can bring the overall trip cost up to $5,000 per person. This is why gorilla trekking is so expensive?
The purpose is mountain gorillas are endangered. And it means that the experts need to limit the number of interfaces of the gorillas with people. This is also important as one of the biggest threats to the gorillas’ survival is a disease. Gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, making them highly vulnerable to infection from human diseases. Limiting the number of tourists can therefore help to control possible infections.
Also, the need to conserve the gorillas’ habitat requires funding. A significant percentage of gorilla permit fees goes into conserving the gorillas’ mountain forest habitat. Finally, some of the money you pay will go into research and monitoring of the gorillas, as well as paying your guides and encouraging sustainable tourism. The authorities point to the growth in gorilla numbers as evidence of their success.
The price might not be little, but its still good value seeing the importance of protecting this endangered primate.
Is there a gorilla trekking age limit?
No, the minimum age to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is 15. You will need to deliver your passport when you book your gorilla permits and park experts will use your passport to verify your birthday matches the date given on your gorilla trekking permit.
How close can you get to the mountain gorillas?
The mountain gorillas are always relaxed when not disturb. Your ranger/guide will ask your group to move to a different locality to calm the gorillas or to get a better view. You must stay 8 meters from the gorillas at all times and only spend one hour with them. In practice, nosy gorilla may come close to you on your gorilla trek. If they do, stay calm and quiet, follow your ranger/guide’s advice and never touch the gorillas. Keep your voice low and avoid direct eye contact