Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park

Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park: In the middle of the vast African continent, three nations share a distinct natural utopia: Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Each country has preserved a portion of this territory by establishing wilderness parks. Volcanoes National Park, or Parc National des Volcans, is a 160-square-kilometer reserve in Rwanda that features evergreen and bamboo forest, tropical rainforest and partial grasslands, valleys, peaceful lakes, jagged volcanoes, and agricultural slopes.

If you get the opportunity to travel through the park during your Rwanda adventure holiday, you will find signs of former volcanic activity, which left behind eight volcanic peaks, five of which sit inside the country’s boundaries to the northwest.

The mountains, which are covered in lush woods and reach heights of 15,000 feet, are home to unique primates and other wildlife, including more than 178 bird species. The jungles on their slopes are home to endangered mountain gorillas, which frequently move between the three nations in search of food. Gorillas mostly consume soft bamboo shoots, wild celery, stinging nettles, and wild fruit.

Like-minded travellers hoping to observe these uncommon monkeys in their natural habitat may explore Volcanoes Park’s calm, Eden-like realm by following the various paths that weave through it. Each route allows you to explore a different aspect of the forest reserve. Hike to meet one of the famous gorilla families and spend time watching them hunt for food or groom one another with a permit and the assistance of an expert tracker.

Our visitors describe the thrill of squatting close to these majestic apes, which sometimes ignore human visitors totally and, at other times, stare at them with as much wonder as the people looking back. Each family is normally commanded by an alpha male, known as a silverback, who stands up to six feet tall. It’s incredible to watch how gentle these giants can be with the young newborns that occasionally wander too far away from the adults. The secretive golden monkey is another of the park’s interesting monkeys. Choose a walk to the bamboo forests and you might be able to spot these lovely arboreals.

As you walk through this Rwandan forest, you will feel as if you have entered a mysterious, calm universe where the only sounds are the chattering of monkeys, bird cries, bug chirping, and leaf rustling. The beautiful colours of the birds, flowers, and butterflies flying through the woodland illuminate the foliage in certain spots.

Admire the variety of flowers or keep an eye out for smaller wildlife such as duikers, bushbuck, and other herbivores. You could glimpse a rare hyena or two among the predators. You may spend a portion of your journey trekking to the beautiful lakes of Karago, Ruhondo, and Burere, whose spectacular beauty will leave you speechless.

Mount Karisimbi is the highest of Rwanda’s five volcanic summits, standing at 4507 metres. Scaling this peak will reward you with panoramic views of the beautiful canopy of trees. End your primate vacation in Rwanda with a visit to Dian Fossey’s tomb, where she dedicated her life to defending Rwanda’s mountain gorillas before her sad death here in 1985.

Trekking Mountain Gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.

Trekking to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park is an exhilarating trip. It starts with an exploration trek into the woodlands to admire their breathtaking beauty, with many of birds, tiny animals, insects, and rare plants to see along the route. The day starts early with a visit to the park headquarters.

You will spend time with your guides here, learning about the regulations and fundamental dos and don’ts of encountering gorillas. You will have time for a cup of tea or coffee while park officials check your permit and passport to verify your identification. Traditional Rwandan dancers from Iby’Iwacu Village entertain visitors as they wait for the primate-viewing walk to begin.

Following the shows, guests are separated into groups of eight and told about the gorilla family they would be monitoring that day. Because the park is home to ten habituated gorilla families, only 80 visitors are permitted each day. Make sure you have strong hiking boots, full-length pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a rainproof jacket, thick gloves, a walking stick, a snack, and drinking water.

Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a thrilling adventure. As you trek down the route to find your allocated gorilla family, you will be serenaded by the songs of the park’s 178 bird species. Colorful butterflies, little insects, and animals darting around in the jungle may also be seen.

Because gorillas are wild, they are unpredictable; because they might go to higher slopes in search of food, meeting them may take longer than expected. At times, they may wander closer to your path, allowing you to come across them sooner than planned. Before you go out on your journey, expert trackers investigate the region ahead to gain an idea of where the family is. They notify the tour leaders, making it easier for you to locate them.

Aside from the experienced Rwandan guide, you will be accompanied by two scouts who will carry weapons for the security of your party. One of them leads the route, while the other follows close after. Their presence is required in case you come across a scared gorilla who may exhibit violent behaviour or attack. The scouts are well-trained in animal behaviour, and if you get into difficulty, they will help you get out of it.

Standing motionless and looking aside is frequently enough for the gorilla to lose interest in you. The scouts may shoot into the air if required to scare the primate or any other animal away. You may relax knowing that there have never been any unfortunate occurrences in the park, and coming across potentially deadly creatures like forest elephants or buffaloes is exceedingly unusual.

Aside from their location, numerous things might influence how long it takes your crew to locate the mountain gorilla family. For example, the terrain may be muddy and hilly at points, and the journey may take more than 4 hours to complete. You may need to pull yourself up by grasping tree roots, branches, or plants and shrubs. Your guides, of course, will be available to help you.

Some terrains are pretty easy to traverse, and you may be able to locate your gorilla family after only an hour or so of easy hiking. A walking pole can be useful, and an adequate quantity of drinking water is very necessary. It’s also a good idea to bring a food because you never know how long the journey may take.

Every step of the journey is wonderful; you are likely to be greeted with views of the spectacular grandeur of the forest and, on occasion, the park’s volcanic peaks. The faint light seeping through the dense vegetation creates the illusion of a mysterious, enchanted world at times. There are no established routes, and your guide may choose to make one for you by hacking away the foliage, which grows back quickly.

When you reach the conclusion of your hunt and come face to face with the gorillas, you will undoubtedly feel that every step was well worth it. Spending time with these remarkable creatures is a life-changing experience. You will almost certainly return from your mountain gorilla hike in Rwanda determined to do more to assist and conserve the wildlife that makes our beautiful Earth home.

The actions of the family are attentively monitored by the alpha male silverback, who may get up and walk about from time to time to demonstrate his control over the region. You’ll be shocked at how elegant he is and how kind he is despite his size. Adult male Rwandan mountain gorillas may grow to be 6 feet tall and weigh over 200 pounds, according to your guide.

When your hour is over, you must return to the park headquarters to be transferred to your accommodation. Regulations require you to depart the park by 7 p.m., but you’ll return to your lodging with a lifetime of loved recollections following your amazing journey vacation trip.