BEST TIPS FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA

Best Tips for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Perhaps you have taken sometime to watch “Gorillas in the Mist” movie or “King Kong” but this alone isn’t enough in case you are planning to track mountain gorillas in Africa. There is a lot more you need to know prior your actual trip. When you think of this primate adventure, your expectations automatically rise up. For starters, gorilla treks are only done in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where 1004 mountain gorillas thrive from.

Gorilla tourism in Rwanda is remarkable and it is worth taking part while you are on safari in Africa. For visitor experiences, when you think of gorilla trek in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park should be a destination you have to think about. This park features 10 habituated groups and only 1 is assigned to you to track in a group of 8 visitors each day. This conservancy area is situated in the northwestern side about 2 to 3 hours’ drive off Kigali.

When to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an all year round adventure but two important seasons must be put into consideration. The dry season usually starts from December to February and June to September and incredibly, most visitors do prefer traveling for this experience during this period. The advantage with it is that, gorilla habitat for these creatures in most cases remains relatively drier making it easier for one to hike through the tropical rainforest and steep slopes while in search for these remarkable creatures. The disadvantage part of it is that it comes with limited food supply for these apes to depend on thus making them to move to long distances in search for what to eat in the course of the day. The wet season on the other hand starts from March to May and October to November and these two rainy seasons are characterized by heavy rainfall. Usually, the habitat becomes mud and slipper thus making it more challenging for one to hike through the steep slopes.

Plan for your trip Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Regardless of the season, you have to be well-prepared for this adventure. This means, in your packing list, you need to include important items such as clothes and water proof bag/daypack that will help you keep your luggage dry, waterproof and light hiking shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or t-shirt, gardening gloves and light rain jacket or poncho, trousers, camera without a flash light, bottle of water, hat and sun screen, energy giving snacks a mention but a few.

Know which gorilla families to track

Gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park are done in any of the 10 habituated gorilla families. Each tourist will be assigned to 1 gorilla group to track and in total of only 8 visitors. Most importantly, you will need to conduct your own research to ascertain which group is worth exploring while on for Rwanda gorilla safari. Gorilla trekking doesn’t have a standard experience it all varies based on the day of the trek and habituated gorilla group that a visitor will be allocated. That said, the habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include the Susa ‘A’ Group, Susa ‘B’ group (Karisimbi group), Amahoro gorilla family, Sabyinyo family, Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Umubano gorilla family, Bwenge family, Agasha family and Ugenda gorilla group. Tourists can be asked if they like to trek simple, medium or hard gorilla groups. Treks may last you about 1 to 6 hours but this depends on your hiking speed, location of gorillas and nature of the habitat. For those of you who may prefer more challenging hikes then the Susa gorilla family should be a must for you to trek while on gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park.

Know yourself and your limit

Your physical fitness is only known by you and no one else. This primate adventure takes you through altitude of about 1500 meters to 3000 meters.  Hikes to the gorilla families can spend nearly half an hour on a single hike up to 10 hours and most importantly visitors are assigned to gorilla family based on the length of the hike he or she wishes to par take. If you know that you have not been exercising, don’t go for longer or breathtaking gorilla families otherwise you can slow down the gorilla trek for others. For those who are physically fit and they are able to hike on higher altitude, they can choose hike longer or demanding gorilla families.

Practice before you travel for gorilla trekking in Rwanda:

The fact that practice makes it perfect, ideally, in order for you to get the best of this adventure, you have to be physically well. That is why we encourage you to do some exercise as this can make you fit to encounter the terrains while in search for gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. In case you can’t do it back at home, then travel early and do it in Rwanda.

Be aware of gorilla trekking expenses

Like any adventure, a trip to track mountain gorillas also comes with its own expenses. Most importantly, when you think of this primate adventure, permits are a must to have if you are to be allowed to track one habituated group. Permits in Rwanda can be purchased at $1500. Other expenses include hiring a porter to help you carry your heavy luggage. If your luggage is heavy, never kill yourself in the steep terrains, spare at least $10 and support the ex-poachers who are now working as porters in Volcanoes National Park and at the end of it all, you would have supported gorilla conservation and protection from poachers.

Observe the set rules and regulations for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

While in the jungles tracking these creatures, humans are always considered as invaders and this means that they deserve maximum respect. That said, a number of set measures have to be observed at all times and they include among others; avoid direct eye to eye contact with these creatures-you can bow down to show that you are submissive, don’t go to track mountain gorillas if you not feeling well. You have only allowed one hour of magical encounter with gorillas, maintain a distance of 7 meters at all times, don’t use flashlight camera when taking photos of these creatures a mention but a few.

Book your gorilla trip with a recognized tour operator:

When you think of gorilla trek, the best is for you to deal with a recognized Tour operator. Dealing with a ground tour operator helps in process of booking gorilla permit, accommodation, making sure that you travel safely and legally in the country. There are many tour agencies that you can check through online and ascertain which one is the best to deal with.

Respect the 1 hour of magical encounter

After the lengthy trek, to others, they start losing hope but once you bump into a group of gorillas then it is time for you to realize your dreams. It is during this time you will have the best of magical encounters with these beautiful creatures while in their natural habitat. During the 1 hour of face to face encounter, you have a chance to take as many photos as you can. This means, you have to position yourself in a clear view point with your camera to capture the best pictures of these massive apes. Besides, you have opportunity to explore the daily behaviors and body gestures.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the most sought after primate adventures not only in Rwanda but in Africa as a whole. For exceptional gorilla experiences, consider visiting Rwanda Volcanoes National Park a must in your bucket list and you won’t regret in life.