A Guide To Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
A Guide To Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda : Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is a popular activity that guests take on while in the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda. The gorillas you can track in the Volcanoes national park are the mountain gorillas and these stay on the slopes of mountains. The national park is a base for a number of the Virunga volcanoes where the mountain gorillas spend their lives. The mountains that are in the Volcanoes national park are Mount Muhabura, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Gahinga.
The Mountain gorillas share up to 99.6% of the DNA with the human that’s why this activity is an interesting one to engage in. The world is left with only about 1,063 mountain gorillas only and these can only be found in two places which are the Bwindi Impenetrable forest of Uganda and the Virunga massif which covers other national parks like Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, the Virunga national park of the Democratic republic of Congo and the Mgahinga gorilla national park also found in Uganda. This write up covers all you will need to know about a mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
When planning a mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you will need to first establish where the activity is done and that is in the Volcanoes national park. Trekking in the volcanoes national park will require you to be physically fit as the terrain will require a good level of fitness. The Volcanoes national park is open throughout the year and can be visited on any of the days be the rainy season or the dry months. The dry season in the Volcanoes national park runs from Mid-December to early February and comes again from June to September.
Opting to trek Mountain gorillas in the drier months is advantageous in an aspect that the terrain may not be muddy so it is easier to make your way through the forest and also for guests who feel more comfortable visiting a foreign place in groups will enjoy travelling in the dry season because of the numbers of people in the park during that season. The mountain gorillas will be seen in both seasons so there is no need to worry which season to visit.
The trekking of mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes national park maybe the easiest of the other destinations as the slopes are a bit gentler and the forest is a bit more open as compared to the thick Bwindi forest and the other destinations in the Virunga Massif. The success of gorilla trekking and conservation in the Volcanoes national park is majorly attributed to the efforts to Dian Fossey, a female primatologist who dedicated most of her life to the thriving of the mountain gorillas.
The Volcanoes national park has 12 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited once you visit and each of these gorilla families has a silverback gorilla that is the head of the family. In the estimated 1,063 gorillas said to be left in the world, Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park is said to have about 400 of these living there which is more than those living in the Mgahinga forest of Uganda that has only one gorilla family. The gorillas have accustomed to having guests but you should still note that these are still wild animals but you may get close to capture some photos at a 6 meter distance.
The Volcanoes national park and the Mgahinga forest national park have a gorilla family that tends to cross between the two parks. The Bwindi forest national park is still having the biggest number of the mountain gorillas as compared to the other gorilla trekking destinations. The mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes national park are also larger in size as compared to the gorillas in Bwindi forest. These gorillas are much more familiar with those living in the Virunga national park and the Mgahinga forest national park.
The mountain gorillas are thriving due to the conservation efforts of the stakeholders and also your indirect contribution when you purchase a mountain gorilla permit. The mountain gorillas were feared to be extinct by the 20th century but they are now thriving. Trackers will move ahead of the trekkers (you inclusive) so that the trek is not fruitless and they will guide you on which trails to follow up on.
The trekkers will wake up excited for this big day, have breakfast at the lodge and thereafter connect to the park reception for a pre trekking brief by the park rangers. This briefing will detail the expected code of conduct while in the forest and what you may need to know about the gorilla family you will be trekking. Each gorilla family will only be allowed 8 guests per day and this is to have an eco-friendly activity where human effect will not overpower the forest. The ranger guides will often start with the last place the family was seen the previous day and follow remains of food left overs, footprints or even dung of the gorillas and it will not be long before you meet the gorilla family.
Trekking in Volcanoes national park will usually take about 2 to 4 hours before you enjoy your magical one hour with the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas have a strong scent that you will most probably notice before you even see them. Spot the silverback protecting his family and the female gorillas nurturing their young one and thereafter leave to exit the forest.
A few things you will need to pack on your gorilla safari in Rwanda are good hiking boots that will give good balance as you make your way through the forest to meet the mountain gorillas, long sleeved trousers, socks and shirts to protect your skin from irritations in case your skin rubs on the bushes as you move through the forest and don’t forget your camera to capture this lifetime opportunity.
There are a number of accommodations that one may opt to stay while in Volcanoes national park depending on their budget and we can recommend a number of those. If you are budget traveler, you may need to look at Muhabura lodge or Fatima hotel, if you are looking for a comfortable stay, you may opt for Le Bambou gorilla lodge or even Da Vinci lodge.
For the luxury traveller, there are many options available like the Bisate lodge, the Virunga lodge, 5 Volcanoes gorilla lodge and many others. A mountain gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda goes for 1,500 USD per person, get in touch with us and let us plan your Rwanda safari to the Volcanoes national park.
Hiking to see gorillas in Volcanoes national park in search for gorillas needs you to be prepared physically and mentally. Its challenging but worth a try.
Research
Prepare early enough. Read about other peoples’ experiences and know what to expect. Poor research can ruin your entire safari. Every safari has its requirements and therefore try to make sure you fit into all the requirements. Read about all the areas that you are to visit and the accommodation you are going to use.
Work on your fitness
Try to work on your fitness. Gorillas tracking at times can be a tiresome activity and therefore you need to be ready for the challenge. Sometimes the hike is so steep and long. Of course you have the opportunity to hire porters that can help you on your hike to ensure that you are not to tire for you meeting with the gorillas.
Packing checklist for your trip
Tour operators will always advise on what you need on you safari. There are a few things that you could have come across in your research. Please make a checklist and ensure that you pack everything you need.
-You need a lot of water, of course your tour operator will provide this but you need to carry it for the hike..
-Carry some snack as you may need some thing to eat especially if you are not carrying packed lunch. remember to to litter any thing in the park.
-Carry your camera to capture the moments.
-Take a walking stick as the terrain is slippery at some point.
-Carry gardening gloves to protect you from the thorny Branches.
-Put on dull colors as gorillas are irritated by anything shinny..
-Rain jackets and rain pants..
-Put on Hiking boots
Ensure that you book you gorilla permit early through your tour operator or directly though the government office and also read a Guide To Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda.
