Rwanda Gorilla Tours: One of the most amazing activities you can do during your African vacation is mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Many people have called seeing Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas a “unforgettable lifetime experience,” as they get to see these unusual primates in their native habitat. To learn more about gorilla excursions in Rwanda, keep reading this page.
One must travel to Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo to see mountain gorillas because they cannot survive in captivity. You can monitor and observe mountain gorillas in just three countries worldwide.
As a result, the money you spend on your gorilla trekking permit goes a long way toward protecting this endangered species, helping the local populations surrounding the park, and building infrastructure. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is conducted in Volcanoes National Park, which is easily accessible due to the short “two-hour” drive from Kigali City to the park via paved roads.
Even though mountain gorillas are the main draw in Volcanoes National Park, there are also a number of other fascinating things to do there, such as trekking with golden monkeys, hiking Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, visiting the Iby’wacu Cultural Center, exploring the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and hiking the Dian Fossey Hike.
There are currently 1,200 mountain gorillas in danger of extinction, and half of those that are left in the wild can be found in Uganda’s two national parks, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1500, whereas in Uganda, it costs $800 per person. Another reason for the high demand for gorilla licenses is the endangered status of mountain gorillas.
You are tasked with tracking mountain gorillas in a number of habituated gorilla families at each gorilla safari location. More than 10 habituated gorilla families can be found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, while more than 23 habituated gorilla groups can be found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is separated into four sectors: Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma.
Booking a gorilla permit in advance is advised. Depending on where they are, tracking one of the gorilla families you are assigned to can take anything from thirty to six hours. After you’ve assigned them, you’ll get an hour to spend with them, learn about their habits, how they eat, how to survive in the jungle, and take some amazing pictures.
In actuality, high-altitude mountainous areas between 2,300 to 45,00 meters are home to mountain gorillas. Before reaching the gorilla family, the hike may pass through challenging terrain, steep slopes, and muddy trails. It can be difficult for those with disabilities, the elderly, seniors, and others who aren’t physically well for any reason.
Prior to obtaining a gorilla trekking permit, you must be certain that you are physically capable of making the trip. Visitors who are elderly or crippled and cannot travel long distances can purchase sedan chairs with steel foundations, handles, and sea belts.
The porters will carry an elderly person till they locate the mountain gorillas. Porters will collect you after your gorilla hike and transport you back to the starting point, where a professional driver will be waiting.
Note: Each sedan chair costs $500 USD. People who are concerned about their fitness level can hire porters to help them carry their bulky backpacks and to help them during the most physically demanding parts of the journey. Porters charge between $15 and $20 per hour.