The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with 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 largest living primate, gorillas are spread across much of the equatorial African rain forest. Broadly speaking, the species is split into lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas.
The volcanic range which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible.
Volcanoes National Park is much easier to Access
Given the relatively close proximity of Volcanoes National Park to Kigali International Airport, Rwanda is the better country for visitors who only have time for a brief holiday to go gorilla trekking. Folks heading to Kigali for business could actually consider a quick gorilla trek as you only need one night for it. You would need to overnight near Volcanoes National Park, then you start the trek in the early morning and are done by mid-day. After that, you could drive to Kigali and arrive there by late afternoon. You can also leave Kigali by 4:00AM to go for the tracking and you will be back to Kigali by 4:00PM.
There are more Luxury Lodges
If you’re able and willing to pay a premium for accommodation, then you have more high-end choices on the doorstep of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda than you do next to either of Uganda’s gorilla parks.
The reason for this discrepancy is that Rwanda decided a while back to target wealthier tourists. You can see this simply in the fact that its gorilla trekking permits are roughly double the price of those of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Also, you may have picked up that celebrities like Ellen De Generes opt to go to Rwanda for the gorilla tracking.
The Safety in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the safest countries on the African continent and in the world, and this is because the government has made Security and safety a top priority after the Rwanda genocide of 1994. Rwanda has been safe for over 20 years now and, with the friendly people, has become a safe safari destination for gorilla trekking. It’s now known around the world for its cleanliness, tech innovation, and tourism industry, among other things.
The park authorities provide one or two armed rangers to provide security to all the trek groups within the Volcanoes National Park. The rangers are always in contact with each other, and only use routes they believe are safer. Volcanoes have other wildlife, so the job of the armed ranger is to keep you safe as you enjoy a memorable and safe gorilla safari in Rwanda.
Booking your Gorilla Permit
Gorilla Tracking experiences can be booked through local and international tour operators as part of a package itinerary for visiting Rwanda, which will include the permits and logistics required for visiting the gorillas. A gorilla permit can also be booked directly online, and accommodation around Volcanoes National Park can be found.
Gorilla permits cost 1,500USD per person for the foreign non-residents, 500USD for the foreign residents in Africa, 200USD for the East African Citizens. The minimum age limit to track gorillas is 15 years old. Special offers are currently available for Rwandan and East African Community citizens and residents.
Accessible Gorilla Tracking
Everybody has different fitness levels and different comfort levels, so Rwanda Development Board tries to help all people achieve their dream by seeing the gorillas in different ways. First, they allocate a gorilla group nearer to the park headquarters if people find walking in these kinds of conditions a challenge.
Second, there are stretchers you can be carried on, they’re comfortable and if a bit wobbly from time to time. Four porters hold each corner. They take you right up to the gorillas where you then spend an hour on foot, and then another group of four brings you back down. So just because you’re not as able bodied as others, you can still get out there and come face-to-face with gorillas.
Most of the hotels in volcanoes national park have accessible rooms that are offered to people that are not as able bodies like others.
In Conclusion
Seeing these magnificent, gentle creatures thriving in their natural habitat was one of the great travel experiences of that you can have in your life.