Gorilla Trekking from Rwanda: Trekking for the gorillas in the Virunga region of the Volcanoes National Parks is one of the most enthralling and challenging wildlife adventures in Africa. Located in the northwestern corner of Rwanda, this park comprises rather many mountain gorillas, an endangered species. It involves tourists from all parts of the world who come to observe what are perhaps man’s closest living relatives. Both the professional trekker, the naturalist, and even the wildlife photographer, should not miss the gorilla trekking adventure in the Volcanoes National Park.
This guide will give all the information that you would require for a perfect gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.
Brief Information about Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park makes up the Virunga Conservation Area that covers Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is named after the chain of dormant volcanic features found within its vicinity including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke and Mount Sabyinyo. Located on to a stretch of 160km², the park features vegetation cover such as bamboo, montane, and other types of vegetation and wildlife including the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
There are other wild animals that include golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, buffaloes and many other bird species but the main reason why almost everyone visits the park is to interact with mountain gorillas.
All You Need to Know in Getting a Gorilla Trekking Permit
Gorilla trekking requires one to have a gorilla trekking permit before he or she can embark on the physical activity. Rwanda is famous for its professional and controlled tourism of gorillas, and there are only small groups of travelers allowed to visit gorillas per day.
Some permits can be bought directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or from any tour operator that has a permit to conduct tourism business in Rwanda. Permit costs USD 1,500 for each person, and this fee entitles the holder to be attended to by a guide for a one-hour trek under the instruction of one of the gorilla families. Regarding the permit, it is better to do that beforehand, and during the period from June to September, the permits are sold out often.
Preparing for Your Trek
Gorilla trekking sometimes involves a physically challenging experience hiked by the physical difficulty of the terrain of the mountain where the gorilla family you had been allocated to resides. The trek can take any time from one to several hours and includes steep and often muddy ground. When hiking it is important to be ready to combat these natural elements and be ready for the weather changes in the park.
Here are some essential items to bring for your trek:
– Hiking boots: Sturdy comfortable ankle-supporting boots are advisable as footwork on the grounds could be rugged and slippery most times.
– Waterproof clothing: In the park, the climate of the region is not very stable and it can rain even during the dry season. A waterproof jacket and pants are needed for the trek and will protect you from rain or wetness in any other form.
– Gloves: Sturdy gardening gloves are useful to wear when walking through the bush as you might need to strain and hold branches to avoid falls.
– Insect repellent: Even though there are fewer insects here than in the plains thanks to the heights of the park, it’s better to protect yourself from bites.
– Snacks and water: However, the experience is usually taken with sets of interruptions, therefore it is advisable to carry snacks and adequate water throughout the trek.
The Trekking Experience
On the day of the trekking, you get to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi where you will be grouped and briefed by a Rwanda National Gorilla Organization guide. The number of trekkers in each group is limited to eight because it is important not to disturb the gorillas while allowing each foreign guest a close encounter with this splendid creature.
Before going out for the adventure, you will be oriented on the rules of conduct using the information of park rangers. The following are some of the recommendations that are beneficial for both you and the gorillas. For example, one must stay at least seven meters away from the gorillas, should not look directly at the gorillas, and must not make loud noises.
After briefing your trekking group, the team will move into the forest accompanied by experts in handling treks and tracking animals. The trackers coordinate with one another to identify the whereabouts of the gorilla families relative to the movements of the previous day. They take one to five hours depending on the location of the gorilla family that the trekking is going to be made on. The view is sometimes bad with steep slopes, grown vegetation and slippery soils, but it is a worthy reward to meet the gorillas.
Meeting the Gorillas
Once you get to the gorilla family you are given one hour to just take pictures and view the gorillas up close. It is amazing to see gorillas using body language to maneuver around, imitate, pick lice, and look for attention as others go on with their daily normal activities. It is common to find mothers rocking their infants, juveniles, or young adults at play or a mature male, the ‘silverback,’ supervising his group.
Gorilla families: Volcanoes National Park
There are several difficult-to-track gorilla groups within Volcanoes National Park; however, every group has its own life and characteristics. Some of the most well-known families include:
– Susa Family: This family is one of the largest and was the research focal point of Dian Fossey, who was drastically assassinated while sleeping although her colleagues believe that her death was an accident. The Susa Family is one of the biggest families of Gorillas with many numbers of silver backs.
– Karisimbi Family: This family is settlements on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and getting to this family means that one will have to trek much higher altitudes.
– Amahoro Family: In Kinyarwanda, Amahoro means ‘peace’, and the Amahoro family is very peaceful and caring willing.
Every family has its territory in the park and, according to the level of fitness and preferences, the rangers will assign you to a particular family.
When to Visit in Order to Track Gorillas
The last/optimum time to visit Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking is in the two dry seasons of June-September and December-February. They also favor the months when the weather is more stable, and the trails are free of thick sleet and difficult to traverse.
Nevertheless, gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year, though, the rainy season of March to May and October to November has its advantages. There are fewer tourists, and the overgrowth of trees in this park makes the photos interesting. It is just a bit wetter, and the trekking is a little bit more difficult though.
