You can rely on tour operators like the Virunga
Community Programs for year-round mountain gorilla trekking
The Virunga Mountains which straddle the borders of Rwanda,
Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda are home to about 480 mountain
gorillas. This is more than half the world’s entire population of the primates
(the rest are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda).
The Rwandan part of the Virungas, in the Volcanoes National
Park, 10 gorilla groups are habituated now for gorilla safaris. This is more
than anywhere else in the world!
Planning for your gorilla adventure gorilla Rwanda
When to go gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking safaris may be done throughout the year. But
the hiking itself may prove to be more difficult during the rainy seasons from
April to May and in November.
When you want to do gorilla trekking, the most popular period is
during the drier months, between December and February, and from around June to
Mid-September.
Securing your permits for gorilla trekking
Securing permits for gorilla trekking during these popular
periods may not be easy at short notice. Therefore, we advise you to plan. Virunga
programs will make all the arrangements for purchasing your permits.
Permits for gorilla trekking
Each day, a maximum of 96 gorilla trekking is available. But
note that as of May 6, 2017, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) increased the
cost of gorilla permits from USD 750 to USD 1,500. According to RDB, the new
price is aimed to strengthen conservation efforts and support local community’s
development.
What it is like on a typical gorilla trekking safari
On the day of your gorilla trekking, you are going to set off
very early in the morning to track the primates from the edge of the forest.
Your guide or driver is going to guide you from your lodge (like the popular
Red Rocks Rwanda or other places near the Volcanoes National Park) to the park
headquarter which is found in Kinigi village. The guides speak excellent
English, and are very good and experienced. They’ll be taking you to a
particular group of ‘habituated’ mountain gorillas that they are quite familiar
with, and are also used to human visitors.
You are going to be divided into groups of eight, and after some
briefing on safety and gorilla etiquette, you are going to be driven to the
start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla trekking party. Your guide is
then going to lead you along normally clear paths into the forest, in radio
communication with the trackers which stay with the group so that they may be
located. The altitude is above 2,500m, therefore even though the pace is
unhurried, the hike may be tiring and may be steep in parts, taking between 30
minutes and a few hours.
Do not be surprised when you feel a bit breathless because of
this altitude. It is perfectly normal!
Majority of trekkers are normally a little bit apprehensive- a
large silverback gorilla may weigh up to 200kg. This is three times the weight
of the average man.
However, this apprehension normally vanishes when you see and
meet the gorilla group. Sometimes the gorillas are going to be spread
around some small area of dense vegetation.
They are going to continue with their normal feeding and
interactions, not caring about the visitors, although they watch with some keen
interest. Sometimes one, often a playful youngster, is going to approach you
with curiosity, often coming so close that you are going to be forced to move away.
When you are with your group, you should try not to make sudden
movements, and keep your voice low.
When you are a keen photographer, taking your own images of
mountain gorillas is among the most magical photo sessions you are going to
ever experience. Remember that the light may be poor in the rainforest and that
using flash is not permitted.
www.virungaprograms.com
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