Truth be told, gorilla tracking in Rwanda is for luxury travelers and nothing less. The lie is; that gorilla trekking is a worthwhile adventure for everyone.
Even though many people would love to see the mountain gorillas in their natural environment, the trekking experience might be uncomfortable for some.
However, with proper information, you can make an informed decision to go on a gorilla safari in Rwanda.
With a world population of less than 1200, the mountain gorillas are highly protected and carefully managed. In order to boast the mountain gorilla conservation in Rwanda, a whole campus was jointly launched with the help of Ellen DeGeneres.
The trekking experience is made possible by the help of expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures.
The gorillas are the largest living ape. They can be found in Zoos around the world.
However, the subspecies known as mountain gorillas can only survive in their natural environment that is spread across a few countries that including Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Experience gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park, one of the best national parks that have positioned for luxury travel. With twelve habituated gorilla families living in the park, gorilla trekking is open throughout the year.
However, even though there are twelve habituated families, two families are set apart for research.
Each gorilla family consists of at least one silverback along with several females and juveniles.
The Cost of luxury Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
The cost of gorilla trekking varies according to your choice of accommodation, meals, tips, and other factors that make up the cost of a fully inclusive tour. However, the main item that cannot be revised or replaced is the gorilla trekking permit that goes for $1500
It is important to note that the price of gorilla permits is $1500 without any transportation, accommodation, food, visas, air tickets, packing lists, porters, and tips for the Guides.
The cost is inclusive of access to the volcanoes national park, a guide, and a game ranger for protection in the park.
All-mountain gorillas open for gorilla trekking are wild animals. It is for this reason that there are strict gorilla trekking guidelines to ensure your safety. The habituation activity simply removes the fear of running away from people or attacking them in fear.
There is also an activity similar to gorilla trekking known as the gorilla habituation experience.
However, this is quite different from gorilla trekking. It takes the whole day and involves having four hours with mountain gorillas instead of the one hour allocated to tourists during normal gorilla trekking.
A gorilla permit is a requirement for tracking gorillas.
You cannot be allowed to take part in the activity without showing your permit to the park authorities. What is included in the price of a gorilla permit? A gorilla permit includes interacting with the gorillas for one hour, park entrance, and Ranger fees.
To book a gorilla permit, you need to go through your tour operator or Rwanda Development Board.
It is important to book your gorilla tour at least three months in advance because they are considered first come first serve. Only eight people are allowed to trek a gorilla family per day.
Planning to travel in the peak season?
The peak season falls with June, July, August September as well as December to March. It is recommended to book at least 5 to 6 months before the trip so that you don’t go through the stress of asking different tour companies if they have availability.
How Luxury gorilla tracking is done in Rwanda
All tourists or visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7 am, and are allocated a family group on the day according to fitness levels, and divided as well to fit the numbers for each family.
When the allocation is done, the briefing will take place, and some small history as well as protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas. These will include a three-meter rule from the gorillas, no talking loudly, no taking pictures with flush lights as well some feeding the gorillas.
Some gorilla families that can be visited by tourists in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda, and Muhoza, etc.
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.
In cases where you cannot walk or trek anymore and your legs are done with it, there are special luxury gorilla treks commonly known as the African helicopter (stretcher).
Porters will carry you to and from the mountains and this will cost you from around $300-$500 depending on the distance where you will find the gorillas.