Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda …
Rwanda’s star attraction – the Mountain Gorillas – are what visitors come to do and see in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The tracking of the Mountain Gorillas and seeing them for one hour up-close and unhindered becomes the highlight of one’s African Journey – a once in a lifetime experience for most and an experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere besides in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic on Congo.
There are no Mountain Gorillas to be found in a zoo anywhere in the world you can only see them up-close in the wild as in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
There are presently 10 habituated Gorilla Group familiess that visitors to Rwanda can access in Volcanoes National Park (minimum age of visitors is 15). The ten gorilla Families Including the largest Mountain Gorilla Group in Africa, the Susa Group, there is also the Sabinyo Group, Amohoro Groups, Group 13 – Agasha Group, the Kwitonda Group, the Umubano Group, the Bwenye Group, Hirwa Group, Karinsimbi Group and the Ugenda Group.
The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda are found in the higher altitude Virunga Volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park – the 10 different gorilla groups that are open for visitation require various levels of physical fitness visitors must be realistic about their own physical fitness. If you have physical limitations such as a heart condition, that must be taken into consideration – as a last resort you can be carried in and out by porters at an extra cost.
Gorilla tracking can involve covering long distances, traversing through thick vegetation and the paths- if there are any can be muddy from the latest rain. It may make it a bit more difficult and it is good to move along at a pace that is right for you, drink plenty of water along the way and use the assistance of a porter to carry your daypack and make your trek a bit easier. There is a gorilla group that is just right for you to visit and for you to enjoy that one hour in the presence of the gorillas.
The gorilla family groups you will be visiting in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are habituated – meaning that they are used to the presence of humans and will go about with their daily routine while you are observing. This process takes upward to two years. This does not mean that the gorillas have been tamed but accustomed to the presence of humans.
Before your Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda begin you will be briefed regarding Gorilla Etiquette that needs to be strictly followed while in the presence of your Gorilla Group and such rules of etiquette are for your and the Gorillas well-being.
The weather and climate found the Virungas in Volcanoes National Park tends to be on the wet side of hings. The dry season is from June to September and from December to February and they are also the high season months. At times you have early morning rains and afternoon thunderstorms and showers. Gorilla tracking however is year-around and people flock from around the world 12 months of the year for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
The cost of a permit – is US$750 per person presently in Rwanda. This is not just an arbitrary figure, but the money received from permits is used in conservation and support of local communities who now see Gorilla Tourism as a benefit and it has dramatically reduced poaching of any kind in Volcanoes National Park.
What to wear Gorilla Tracking – long trousers, long-sleeved shirts – both will protect you against scratches, stinging nettles, flies and insects. Waterproof boots with good traction, hat with wide-brim, light rain-jacket, daypack with snacks, lunch and two liters of water, purchase a walking stick to help you, some find gardening gloves quite helpful in pulling themselves up on vines and branches.
Length of Gorilla Trek –depends on the location of your gorilla group and it can be from a few hours to all day if the groups are higher up on the Volcanoes.
Rwanda – Land of a Thousands Hills – Home to the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park – the experience of a lifetime – not to be missed …enjoy Rwanda and its Mountain Gorillas.
If you are interested in adding Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda to your itinerary – Please Contact Us.
