Luxury Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris

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Luxury Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the highlights of any visit to Rwanda, trekking the endangered Mountain gorillas remains of the undisputed highlights of any visit to Africa, meeting these extra ordinary gentle giants deep in the rainforest at the footsteps of the dormant Volcanoes can only be described as an emotionally overwhelming experience

Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in East Africa. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes montane rainforest and sweeping plains, Chimpanzees, golden monkeys and other primates live alongside hundreds of brightly-coloured birds including Albertine rift endemics, orchids and butterflies though Travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the Magnificent mountain gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience. The countries western corridor forms a branch of the Great Rift Valley known as the Albertine Rift. It has many unique, endemic species and is bursting with life.

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Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park located North West of the capital Kigali is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant Crater Lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura which supports some of Africa’s top rainforests which is home to the Endangered Mountain gorillas.

Tracking endangered African Mountain gorillas through the tucked jungle is a highlight of your safari to volcanoes national park, the park is home to over 200 species of colorful forest birds and exclusively rare golden monkeys that occupy the bamboo zones of the forest.

Within the boundaries of Volcanoes National Park is Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore and Musanze caves, formed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic eruption.

Hiking the dormant Volcanoes, canoeing in Lake Bulera and Ruhondo, Mountain biking with Africa rising stars and village experiences are some of the highlights of your visit to volcanoes national park.

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda  

The largest living primate, gorillas are spread across much of the equatorial African rainforest. Broadly speaking, the species is split into lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas, the volcanic range which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible.

At the latest count, there are approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif. The population is slowly increasing, thanks to concerted efforts between our governments, communities and NGOs, There are twelve gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National Park, which are fully habituated, with a few others habituated solely for scientific research. The groups, or troops, consist of at least one silverback along with several females and youngsters.

The troops are somewhat fluid in composition, but tend to stick to a preferred area. They are constantly monitored and protected by park rangers, with each group coming into contact with tourists for a strict maximum of one hour per day.

Six tracking permits are issued per troop per day, meaning the encounter is as intimate and as unobtrusive as possible. With only 96 permits available each day in Rwanda, it is highly recommended to book in advance, Visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am, and are allocated a family group on the day according to fitness levels, as well as being briefed on protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas.

The families are known as Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda and Muhoza.

Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2,500m and 4,000m. Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras, as well as to offer a helping hand along the route, 10% of the revenue from the permits is channelled towards local communities, to build schools and health centres, as well as roads. There is a compensation fund for local farmers should any gorillas damage their crops, which helps to ensure peaceful co-existence, Gorilla tracking also provides employment for many locals, from rangers and trackers to porters, drivers and staff at tourist lodges.

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What you need to know while planning a Rwanda Gorilla Safari

While planning a gorilla tracking safari to Rwanda one needs to know important information before booking a safari here we bring you all you need to know before travelling to Rwanda for gorilla tracking experience.

Gorilla permits or a pass

Above all, a gorilla tracking permit is the most essential requirement a traveller should consider before travelling to Rwanda, like anything before the demand for gorilla tracking permits is extremely high and there a very few as low as 80 gorilla permits available every day in volcanoes national park so clients must ensure they book the permits in advance.

Viewing time

Rwanda like any other countries has a set time for how long tourists will view the endangered mountain gorillas in its volcanoes national park this is done to allow the mountain gorillas continue with their normal duties like feeding, mating, grooming so, therefore, the viewing time is strictly one hour from the time you find the mountain gorillas.

Age limit

Like other tourism activities where there are no age limits, Rwanda has an age limit set for people who will be allowed to trek the mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park, travellers below the age of 15 years will not be allowed to purchase the gorilla permits as a passport is required during the process.

7 meters distance

Due to the vulnerability of mountain gorillas’ tourists are advised to keep 7 meters distance between them and the mountain gorillas, this is usually a disease-free distance as gorillas are more likely to contact airborne diseases and other communicable diseases like Flue, cough and scabies.

Mutual respect

Clients are advised to respect each other during gorilla tracking activity and viewing of the gorillas, here clients are advised not to pass in front of their colleague while they are photographing and making videos this is key to a very successful and enjoyable gorilla tracking experience.

Dressing code

Due to the thickness of the rain forest clients are expected to dress in a propriety gear while heading to see the mountain gorillas, the rain forest has stinking nettles, biting insects, and thorny bushes which can cause threats during the gorilla tracking experience.

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When to book Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris

Gorilla trekking is a dream of most if not all travellers from all over the world. Over 90% of tourist arrivals to Rwanda take gorilla trekking as their first priority. This shows a high demand for permits compared to the availability hence a chance for those who book early enough and pay the deposit. Gorilla permits are issued out on first come first serve basis hence travellers who book as early as possible stand high chances of accessing permits. Presently there is a high demand for gorilla permits in Rwanda. This has caused a scarcity of gorilla permits and some trips cancelled. High demand for gorilla permits in Rwanda is mainly during the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February.

Best time to visit

The best time visit Rwanda is from mid-May to mid-September, this is the long dry season and has perfect conditions for tracking gorillas. There are four seasons to consider when planning your Rwanda Safari, however, the weather is fairly temperate and favours travel year-round, thanks to its compact size, proximity to the equator, and high altitude, which gives it a fresh highland feel and consistent temperature.

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