Visit gorillas in Rwanda – All passible ways for visiting mountain gorillas in Rwanda

Visit gorillas in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the most famous gorilla tour destination in It frequently recognized as the best place in Africa to see gorillas. volcanoes national park  is home to the mysterious yet endangered mountain gorillas. Visiting mountain gorillas can only be done in three countries Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.(DRC).

Visiting the Gorilla in Rwanda, (how to see gorillas in Rwanda) Volcanoes National Park, located in Rwanda’s northwest, encompasses an area of around 16,000 hectares. It includes afro-montane woods, bamboo forests, savanna grassland, extensive wetlands, and five volcanoes (Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Karisimbi). Mount Karisimbi is one of Africa’s four tallest mountains. The Volcanoes National Park is home to spotted hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks, duikers, and golden monkeys, among other species.

Travelling to see gorillas in Rwanda draws many visitors to Volcanoes National Park, where the odds of spotting mountain gorillas are high. Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park entails traveling through dense bamboo woods and steep mountain slopes in search of one of Rwanda’s gorilla families. The final meeting with the primates is regarded as the best  exciting and memorable wildlife encounters in Africa. To see the best of both worlds, travelers can cross the border to observe gorillas in Uganda, a process known as double gorilla trekking. Some travelers even opt for triple gorilla trekking, which includes visits to gorillas in Congo’s Virunga National Park. Seeing mountain and eastern lowland gorillas in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park is an even more amazing experience. Tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park can be difficult, but the last encounter with the gorillas is regarded by many as the ultimate wildlife experience.

The best  cost of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

For amazing gorilla safaris and tours in volcanoes national park,  To guarantee a position for gorilla trekking on a specific date, book a Rwanda gorilla permit ahead of time and visit gorillas in Rwanda. Gorilla permits can be extremely difficult to obtain during high seasons such as June to September and December to March. Gorilla permits in Rwanda presently cost $1500. That’s merely a portion of the total cost of visiting gorillas in Rwanda. It is vital to remember that a portion of the proceeds from gorilla permits go toward gorilla conservation efforts and community programs.

You can book permits that takes you to visit gorillas  through your tour operator or directly with the Rwanda Development Board. To book the permission, passport information must be given to the Rwanda Development Board. There are ten gorilla families available for trekking, and only eight persons can visit each group each day. This means that there are only 80 gorilla permits available each day for the various habituated gorilla populations.

At around 7:30 a.m., park authorities and Rangers provide a briefing on gorilla trekking in Rwanda. During the briefing, participants are divided into groups and allocated to a certain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park family. The less fit hikers are divided into groups that are closer to the park administration. The park Rangers led the group in their quest for the gorillas around 8:00 a.m. As previously said, gorilla trekking in Rwanda offers 10 habituated groups/families to select from. Regardless of whose group you end yourself with, you will have an incredible experience. You could spend hours simply watching the kids roll around and play. Mountain gorillas are constantly playful and interested. Some people may approach you without intending to hurt you. While with the gorillas, it’s critical to follow your Guides’ directions and remain calm. Never make an abrupt movement. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda might take anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the group you’re assigned and their exact location on the day of the expedition.

Amazing Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park

If you have large luggage or equipment, hire a porter or two. Porters are provided near the start point. Many of these porters were once poachers but now support gorilla conservation efforts. The money they get from giving their services protects them from returning to their prior vice. If you intend to travel with your parents, you might wish to learn about gorilla tracking for elderly persons. Porters’ services cost between $10 and $15. You’ll need hiking boots, thick cotton gloves, and a raincoat. Your tour company should be able to offer you a detailed packing list and gorilla trekking guidelines.

How to Prepare to visit  Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Prepare physically and psychologically by going for lengthy walks in neighboring woodlands.
Acquire appropriate footwear to traverse the often difficult terrain.
Come prepared because it may rain heavily.
Pack adequate water and a little snack.
Give a gratuity to the park Rangers and guides whenever possible; they work hard to make your gorilla tracking experience memorable. The recommended tipping rate is $10 to $15, or its equivalent in local currencies.
Fantastic Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park has restrictions and regulations, much like any other activity in Rwanda. You must be at least 15 years old to to visit gorillas in Rwanda (volcanoes national park). Children are not permitted to be near gorillas because they contain transmissible diseases such as flu and cough, which can be passed on to primates. This is one of the reasons why tourists must provide their passport information before booking a trip. Mountain gorillas are endangered, with only 1,000 left in the wild. All precautions are taken to safeguard them from disease. Anyone with an infectious disease should not be permitted near the primates. Mountain gorillas are susceptible to several of the same illnesses that humans carry. There are additional restrictions and regulations regarding gorilla trekking, which can be found in another article.

Note: Many travelers to Rwanda like combining gorilla trekking with two days of golden monkey tracking, cultural tours, and a trip to one of the volcanoes inside Volcanoes National Park, particularly Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke. Combining Mount Karisimbi hiking with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will demand a high level of determination and athleticism. The ideal months for gorilla trekking in Rwanda are June, July, and August (Best time to visit gorillas)

Other amazing  activities to do than gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

A part from visiting gorillas in Rwanda for an incredible gorilla trekking at volcanoes national park, there are additional amazing activities available at Volcanoes National Park and throughout the country. Throughout your travels to visit gorillas in Rwanda, you will see the country’s stunning panorama of hills and mountains. You can combine amazing gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with the following activities.

Visit Rwanda for best golden monkey trekking

The Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered Golden Monkey. These stunning primates live in the same habitats to visit mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Golden monkeys  feed on bamboo shoots and insects and will occasionally invade farms for potatoes. Golden monkeys are playful primates whose only real foes are humans and the African eagle. Golden monkeys can be found in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda begins at the same time as golden monkey trekking, and permits are $100. Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda is less arduous than gorilla trekking since the monkeys live on the mountains’ lower slopes.

Visit Rwanda Dian Fossey’s grave.

Dian fossey is another best place to encounter when you visit gorillas in Rwanda. Dian Fossey is regarded as one of the finest primatologists of all time due to her lengthy research and work with the incredible mountain gorillas from 1969 until her death in the Dian Fossey Tomb in the 1980s. She raised awareness about mountain gorillas and worked tirelessly to put an end to poaching of gorilla in volcanoes national park. Dian pioneered novel methods for habituating mountain gorillas by understanding their mannerisms, residing in their midst, and gaining the acceptance of the dominant Silverback. This is particularly surprising because the mountain gorillas she dealt with had come to regard all humans as a threat. Their populations had dropped due to poachers and pet traders/traffickers.

When newborn gorilla trafficking became widespread, Dian Fossey shifted her attention from research to gorilla conservation. This is where her issues began, ultimately culminating to her murder. Hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave is one method to honor and learn about this famous primatologist’s work. Dian Fossey pioneered gorilla conservation projects to conserve critically endangered mountain gorillas. Check out our 3 Day Gorilla Tour in Rwanda and Dian Fossey Hike package for further information on how to visit Dian Fossey’s grave.

Visit the Musanze Caves

Musanze caves Rwanda’s historical landmarks. The caves are located near the park in Musanze. The Musanze caverns are thought to be more than 65 million years old. The caves have 31 entrances and tunnels that span for more than 20 kilometers.

The caves are located next to Mount Sabyinyo and Bisoke. The caverns are thought to have developed when lava erupted during the creation of the two volcanoes and then cooled. Rwandan rulers used the Musanze caverns to hide and reorganize during tribal warfare with neighbors. You can hire an experienced guide to take you to the caves and tell you about their history. The fee of exploring these caves is $50.

Hiking one of the Volcanoes

 Apart for visiting gorillas in Rwanda, look no further than the Virunga Volcanoes. The most famous  volcanoes are Bisoke and Karisimbi. Karisimbi Volcano Hiking takes two days and is an absolutely amazing hiking experience. Mount Bisoke Hiking takes only one day and offers the opportunity to see the large crater lake at the peak. Both of these summits provide spectacular views over the Virunga ranges, national parks, the Rwenzori summits, and the boundaries of three nations. Hiking Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi begins at 7:00 a.m., with a briefing from the park administration. Following the briefing, a Guide is assigned to lead the group of Hikers.

Incredible Rwanda birding safaris

The Volcanoes National Park is a popular birding destination in Rwanda,  the park protects over 200 bird species recorded. Of them, 13 are native to the area. The most desirable birds are the Rwenzori turaco and the attractive francolin. They are some of the most magnificent birds you’ll ever see. Other birds include the archer’s ground robin, collared apalis, dusky crimson wing, Grauer’s rush warbler, red-faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, and the odd weaver.

Explore  the Gorilla Guardians Village.

The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is Rwanda’s largest and most popular cultural center. It is located near the Volcanoes National Park. The Centre was established to highlight Rwanda’s rich culture while also providing gorilla trekking opportunities to the local population. Many of the performers were poachers, which is why the facility is also known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. At the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre, visitors can participate in cultural acts such as dance, drama, and storytelling. You will learn how a traditional Rwandan home is organized and have the opportunity to sample some native cuisine and alcoholic beverages. There are even local medicine men willing to impart knowledge about some of the ancient medicines used to heal common human problems.

Take a tours at the Genocide Memorial Center in Rwanda

Rwanda has various genocide memorial sites throughout the country, but the one in Kigali is the most popular. The Museum will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the events that occurred in Rwanda prior to and soon during the 1994 genocide in which about one million people were killed. If you are not happy with this museum, you can go to the former Kings Palace and the National Museum in Butale to learn more about the awful incident.

 

Chimpanzees  tracking in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe National Park is a popular tourist destination in Rwanda. The park has the world’s oldest and largest afro-montane forest. Visiting the park allows you to see a variety of primates, including chimps apart from visiting gorillas in Rwanda. When in  gorilla safaris, this is a must-see stop for the full Rwanda experience. Aside from chimps, you can see Colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, baboons, and golden monkeys, among others. The finest area to track chimpanzees in Rwanda is Nyungwe Forest. Nature walks, bird watching, and forest canopy walks are all organized by the park officials.

Visit Lake Kivu

In between your Rwanda safari, you’ll want to unwind and enjoy the lovely African sun in a spectacular setting. Lake Kivu gives an answer. It is one of Africa’s major lakes, shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lake Kivu is ideal for fishing, island-hopping, and swimming. There are reports of methane gas exploding beneath the waters, but that should not concern you given how gorgeous the lake is.

Game drives in Akagera National Park

For a total wildlife experience in Rwanda, visiting Akagera National Park is a good choice. It is Rwanda’s only safari park, located three hours from Kigali. Akagera may not be as vast as Kenya’s or Tanzania’s national parks, but you will see all five of Africa’s big beasts.

Other activities include visiting the major market in Ruhengeri buying local Rwandan cloth, seeing local village projects, and visiting local households to sample local cuisine or drink locally brewed beer. Those seeking a peaceful environment with breathtaking landscape can visit the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. I should not neglect to add the Congo Nile Trail. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be combined with a safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Accommodation facilities during gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda has positioned itself as a premium gorilla trekking destination, investing heavily in lodging. Tourists can stay in a number of high-quality lodges around the Volcanoes National Park. The lodges provide ultra-luxury, luxury, mid-range, and budget accommodations. The final selection is largely based on one’s budget. The most popular luxury hotels include Bisate Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, One and Only Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, and Virunga Volcanoes Lodge. Five Volcanoes Lodge is likely the most affordable of the premium lodges in Volcanoes National Park. They have a VIP room that can be presented to guests as a surprise during specific times of the year. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge has spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury lodge, choose Bisate or One and Only Gorilla Nest.

Affordable Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park.

The best mid-range lodges include Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and Lebambou Gorilla Lodge. Davinci Lodge distinguishes out for its five spacious cabins and delicious international cuisine. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge offers the greatest views of the Virunga Volcanoes and park. If you’re on a tight budget, Virunga Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Hotel Muhabura, La Palme Hotel, or Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel are great options. The Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel can accommodate large groups because it has 31 comfortable rooms. Villa Gorilla Lodge is a good choice for guests who want to stay close to the park’s offices. La Palme Hotel, on the other hand, is known for its superb restaurant and indigenous Rwandan cuisine. If the majority of the good budget hotels are booked (during high season), you should contact Kinigi Guesthouse. They have a large number of high-quality self-contained rooms.