Rwanda Gorilla Tours are done in Volcanoes National Park, which is easily one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Rwanda. Rwanda is one of the few places on Earth where mountain gorillas roam around freely in their natural habitat. Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is probably the most popular tourist activity in Rwanda and attracts very many tourists from around the world to take part in this memorable experience. Our Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris are well organised to give you the most authentic primate tracking experience in the land of a thousand hills.
The activity of tracking gorillas can be physically demanding but total worth it. It starts with briefing by the park rangers about the whole activity, including the rules and guidelines to follow. One this is done, tourists are put in groups of eight and each group is assigned a ranger to guide you through the thick forest of Volcanoes National Park. For elderly tourists and those who may not be physically fit to take on the trek, there is an option of hiring porters who can carry you through the forest and back.
The duration of the whole Rwanda gorilla tracking activity depends on the movement of the gorillas and typically how far they will have moved into the forest the previous night. The ranger guides are very experienced in tracking the gorillas and will do their absolute best to locate them. Once the gorillas are located, the tourists are allowed up to 1 hour with them for observation and photography. It is always fascinating to watch these gentle giants move up and about. The gorilla trekking exercise ends with the tourists receiving certificates to mark their participation in this amazing activity.
Gorilla Permit.
To be able to take part the gorilla trekking activity, you are required to have a Gorilla Permit issued by the Rwanda Development Board. When you book your Rwanda Gorilla Tour with Verdant Safaris for example, we shall do all the formalities of acquiring the Gorilla Permits for you well advance so that all is ready by the time you arrive. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda cost 1500USD per person for Foreign Non-Residents. The permits for Foreign Residents cost 500USD per person. Gorilla Permits are issued on a first-come-first-serve basis and so it is always ideal to book in advance since they are on a very high demand throughout the year.
Kwita Izina (Gorilla Naming Ceremony).
Mountain Gorillas are among the endangered species and as such major conservation efforts have been put in place to ensure their survival. In Rwanda, a gorilla naming ceremony locally known as Kwita Izina was introduced in 2005 as away of spreading awareness towards the conservation of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. In this ceremony, newly born baby gorillas are given names usually by celebrities invited from around the world. Data shows that the conservation efforts have yielded positive results and the gorillas are actually thriving. Kwita Izina ceremony is also a chance to acknowledge the efforts of the local communities along Volcanoes National Park as well as the game rangers towards protecting the endangered mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Guardians Village (Iby’iwacu Cultural Village).
While on a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, you can visit the Gorilla Guardians Village also known as Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for a chance to experience Rwanda culture in it’s purest form. Gorilla Guardians Village was set up through a non-profit organisation aiming to improve the lives of former poachers and the local communities around Volcanoes National Park. These people will entertain you with traditional dances, drumming, singing, story telling and so much more. Gorilla Guardians gives you a rare chance to meet local people and learn about their culture and traditions. The community you visit will genuinely welcome you as a special guest while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs.
Accommodation.
A number of state-of-the-art accommodation facilities and safari lodges have been set up with in Volcanoes National Park over the years to ensure that tourists are comfortable throughout their stay. Major safari lodges include; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Da Vinci Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest among others.
Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park can be done all throughout the year, but it the best time to visit is potentially during the dryer months because the terrain is a bit better for trekking. Take a look at our Rwanda Gorilla Tours below and contact us to start making plans.
