Luxury Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is located in Rwanda one of the luxurious tourism destinations in Africa and this can be seen as a result of expensive gorilla trekking permits. Gorilla trekking is an activity which involves tourists to trek a gorilla family or group for about 3 to 8 hours and this includes an hour in their presence witnessing their behaviors and movements.
In Africa, they are few places or national parks where you can spot mountain gorillas and these are Mgahinga national park and Bwindi national park in Uganda, Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Rwanda is considered to be the best place to see mountain gorillas and that’s why their gorilla trekking permits costs highly compared to other countries. Volcanoes national park in the other hand covers an area of 160 square kilometers with diverse wildlife and beautiful attractions like waterfalls. This park has 10 habituated gorilla families that are trekked on daily basis and each family is trekked by 8 visitors. Apart from the gorillas, this amazing national park homes another rare primate specie which is Golden monkeys.
Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park
For any luxurious tourist interested in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park needs to first poses a gorilla trekking permit which can be bought at Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Booking the permit would be in advance at least 3 months before the day of visiting the gorillas and this is because the permits are on high demand and limited to a fixed number of trekkers. Each permit is at $1500 per person to people with 15 years and above. Tourists are advised to use recognized and licensed tour and safari companies like us to avoid frauds. Trekkers need to book the gorilla permits for a high or peak season that during the dry seasons since they be on high demand compared to the low season in the rains. All you need to have is the passport details. Note that, the money that buys the permits goes back to conservation effort and the surrounding communities.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
All time is good for gorilla trekking only that it depends on your travel leisure time. There are two seasons for wet and dry in Rwanda Volcanoes national park. The rainy seasons Occur between March to May and September to December. This hinders the experience but the gorillas move shorter distances since there is a lot to food around them. The dry season happens in June to August and December to February. This is considered as the best time since the trails are passable. Though during this time, there is a lot of Hiking and walking since the gorillas move for long distances as they search for food.
Luxury Gorilla Trekking packing list
For a memorable and great Safari in Africa, you need to have some essentials that you will need to use. These are materials or items of personal nature such as a pair of Binoculars for magnifying distant attractions, HD camera for captures memories, sun screen to protect you from direct sunlight, Insect repellent to protect you from biting insects like mosquitos.
An extra money for tipping/appreciation and buying some souvenirs, rains protecting gears since no one can predict Africa’s rains, Hiking boots, a small backpack with enough drinking water and energy giving snacks, clothing that are long sleeved and reflects with the environment, garden gloves to safe guard you from getting bruises and more others.
While on your luxury Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, there is a lot you can take part in such as Hiking to Dian Fossey graveyard where the female primatologist researcher that saved very many gorillas from poachers and introduced habituation process in east Africa. Visit the Iby’iwachu cultural village where you get to learn and enjoy one of the African culture that is Rwandese culture.
Visit the twin lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) to enjoy beautiful views, Lake Kivu which is the biggest Lake in Rwanda good for boat cruise, canoeing, island tours and sightseeing, take part in Kigali city tour to visit places like the Rwanda genocide memorial center, the local markets,milk bars, religious sites, museums and coffee shops, art and gallery centers, the former presidential palace museum and more.
