Over 80% of travelers to Rwanda go gorilla tracking in the famous volcanoes national park a protected park which inhabit these endangered remaining apes in the world. The park consists of 125km2 of mountain forest with six Virunga volcanoes which gives challenging but magnificent hikes. This land of a ‘’thousand hills’’ as its sometimes referred to is known as the leading mountain gorilla safari destinations in the world housing almost a half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas over 360 individuals out of 900 mountain gorillas left in the world live in tropical rain forest of volcanoes national park.
Rwanda is a very small country occupying an area of about 26, 338sq and its one of the most densely populated countries with about 13 million according to UN estimates 2013. However this small country when it comes to tourists attraction it because number one as many tourists whole over the world jet into this small country to have a glance on the countries wonders mostly the rare mountain gorillas which can only be seen in their natural habitat not zoos/under captivity like many others wildlife species. It’s a great opportunity to be among the few to sit among these rare apes in their natural environment thinking that their only 900 species left in the world while observing their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as possible.
Before the tracker came a cross these magnificent apes in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest , you will be entertained by many forest dwellers including various species of primates like the rare golden monkeys, civet monkeys, baboons among others, calls of colorful birds, mammals species like antelopes, bush bucks among others all these help you prepare for the encounter of one of the gorilla families with a fully grown silverback (silverback because of the grey hair on its back) which is up to three times size of an average man, yet considered peaceful and tolerant of human visitors.
Volcanoes national park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri Musanze district in a drive of about 2-3 hours from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and largest city up to Kinigi park headquarters. Book your gorilla permit earlier to secure your gorilla tracking as Rwanda gorilla permits tend to get finished too early due to high demand of gorilla permits and they are sold on first come first served basis. So its recommended to book your permit at least 2-5 months prior to your tracking dates to avoid disappointments and last time bookings which is most of the time un successful.
Permits are booked at the RDB Tourism and Reservation office in Kigali or at Kinigi park headquarters. It’s always advised to book your gorilla permit through a tour operator or a tour company organizing your safari as they have easy access to these permits over 80% chances than an individual.
Rwanda gorilla permits costs usd$750 per person for non-residence, usd$375 for foreign residents, and Rwandan citizens are charged 30,000Frw per person per tracking and all fees include park entry fees and ranger guide fees.
On the scheduled day of tracking/trekking, you must present yourself for briefing at the Kinigi park headquarters before 7:00 AM to get brief information about gorilla tracking and also to get assigned to the gorilla family as well as a ranger guide. After set to the forest to begin gorilla the gorilla tracking activities which goes to up to half or full day depending to the gorilla group you are assigned to and also meeting them depends on where they spent their last night from. Ounce they are met you are strictly allowed one hour with them. RDB Tourism & Conservation currently has English and French speaking trained guides as well as a team of 80 trained gorilla trackers many of whom speak French or English. Rwanda has 10 habituated gorilla families ready to receive visitors every day and only 8 members are allowed to track in each gorilla family and two gorilla groups are for research purpose.
Gorilla Trekking Rules And Regulations.
For those are planning to do a gorilla safari in Rwanda, the following Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations would apply.
Before departing on your gorilla tracking:
A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
On the way to the gorillas:
- Please always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
- DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
- You will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way!
When you approach the mountain gorillas, the guides will inform you to get ready.
When you are with the gorillas:
- A 7 meter (21 feet) distance should tried to be observed at all times from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
- You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.
- Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions.
- Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.
- Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
- Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
- Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
- The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
- After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.
General health rules:
Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them:
- Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
- If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
- If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
- Always stay 7 meters (21 feet) away from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
- Do not leave any rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30 cm deep and fill it in when you are finished.
What to bring on your Gorilla Safari:
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
- Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.
- Carry a packed lunch and enough drinking water.
- Carry rain jackets, sunscreen glass, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.
- When taking photos with the gorillas you have to make sure that your flash light is off or else we recommend you to use films of 400-800 ASA.