Exclusive Gorilla trekking Vs Normal gorilla trekking

Exclusive gorilla trekking over normal gorilla trekking.

Travelers to take part in the exclusive gorilla trekking are allowed to choose the gorilla family to be tracked which increases their freedom and choice while in normal gorilla trekking, trekkers are just allocated to any gorilla family by the park guides. However, in the normal gorilla trek, clients with different disabilities like the elderly can request for a gorilla family close to the starting point of the trek, but whichever group you are allocated to, the experience remains equally rewarding.

For an exclusive gorilla trek,  clients are free to invite friends or family members  to join them  to the trek though the group is still limited to eight members whereas in with the normal trek, you will join other members whether you know them or not.

Clients who book the exclusive gorilla trekking can enjoy the briefing at their accommodation which helps to keep their trip luxurious, unlike the normal trekking where the trekkers must be briefed so early in the morning of their tracking day at the park headquarters.

An exclusive gorilla trek can start at any time on the reserved day which is not the case for the normal trek that starts at exactly 7 am.

The clients on an exclusive trek are treated like royals with a lot of care from the game guides, unlike the normal trek where participants must be part of their security as the guides are fewer along the trek.

Exclusive trekkers have enough space while in the presence of the gentle giant apes.  There’s no competition because the number is limited. Such trekkers are always honeymooners, photographers, solo travelers, researchers, or those on family vacations while in the normal trek, participants always compete for space especially when spotting the best positions for photography.

The cost of an exclusive gorilla permit is $15,000 including a private guide, luxury accommodation, and transportation from the hotel to the starting point of the trek while a normal gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per person per trek.

However, with the exclusive gorilla trek proving to be more advantageous than the normal trek, every hiker must follow the guidelines of the trek.

Bookings should be booked in advance depending on the availability of gorilla permits on a particular date. It should be at least  6 months before the tracking date.

How to secure an exclusive gorilla trekking permit

An exclusive gorilla trekking permit is an official document that permits tourists to visit the endangered mountain gorillas privately. Volcanoes National Park offers 96 gorilla permits for daily tracking. For one to obtain an exclusive gorilla permit, he/she must block permits for a whole day to a specific gorilla family for private encounters solely, or with friends and family in a group that does not exceed 8 members. You can either pay 100% or 70% of the total permit cost on that day, in advance three to four months before the tracking date.

Once you have set your travel dates, send an email to Active African Vacations LTD your trusted tour operator who will help to check and confirm the availability of permits on the date of you wish to trek.  After the confirmation with the Rwanda Development Board(RDB), we shall send you an invoice for you to make a payment so that we block the permits for your interest. Once the payment is done, we shall go ahead to buy the permits and send you scanned copies for approval of your payments. The permits will reflect that you have paid for an exclusive gorilla trekking experience. Book your permit in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments.

When is the best time to enjoy the exclusive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park is a place that can be visited at any time of the year. Though different seasons come with different challenges,  the best time for tracking these apes would be the dry season from June to September and December to February. During this time,  the tracking trails are less muddy and not slippery though its a bit challenging as the animals get deeper into the jungle to search for fresh vegetation.

Exclusive Gorilla trekking Vs Normal gorilla trekking, The  wet season  between  March to May and October to November tends to  have increased levels of rainfall thus a challenging terrain, however, the gorillas are easily spotted as the vegetation is lush and they feed in areas that can easily be accessed.

However,  trekkers should always be ready to  face which ever weather conditions in the park, because its not  guarantee that there’s no rainfall in the dry season because the park  is made of a tropical rain  forest and on a high altitude where rain is expected at any time of the  year.

What to pack for your exclusive gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda?

Less worries,  the  packing list for the exclusive gorilla trek is equally the same as for the normal trek  and these items include.

Passports and the exclusive gorilla trekking permit.

A valid passport is a crucial document when you wish to travel for adventure in another country. Your passport should be three months  valid from its expiry date. You will have to present the private permit to you ranger guide for verification during the briefing at your hotel.

Rain jackets should be part of your package, even if you travel in the dry season because gorillas live in dense rain forests where rain showers are expected at any time of the year.

Quality hiking boots are highly recommended to help you traverse the terrain.

Garden gloves help to protect your hands from thorny vegetation that you may hold when traversing through muddy and slippery tracking trails.

Headbands and hair ties bind your hair so that it can’t be caught in branches of trees as you move.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat will help to protect you from direct sun rays.

Drinking water and snacks: gorilla trekking sometimes leaves you exhausted, so, you need to carry enough drinking water and snacks to eat while trekking.

Insect repellents are important to prevent insect bites and stings while on the trek since the primates reside in forests along with other dangerous creatures.

A walking stick is provided by your park guide to give you extra support as you trek.

Trekkers are advised to hire porters to help carry their luggage during the trek.

For one to have a memorable trip,  he should carry a camera or binoculars for great photography of the primates and other wild creatures that live along with the gorillas in the same home. These include other wild animals, birds, and insects that you encounter while trekking to the gorillas.

You should not wear bright colours to avoid scaring the gorillas or charging at you.