What You Need Preparing For Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Are you planning to visit Rwanda and want to encounter the rare mountain gorillas on your safari? Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an exciting and great adventure of exploring the dense forested lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. To enjoy your tour, it requires you to prepare well and Cycads safaris present you a guide on how to get ready for the experience.

Book a gorilla permit before traveling

As its name goes, a gorilla permit allows you to access gorillas. In Rwanda, these permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board- the government agency which is responsible for managing national parks in the country.

Volcanoes national park is the only place to see gorillas in Rwanda. To access this park for gorilla trekking, one must have a gorilla permit. There are 12 habituated gorilla families in volcanoes national park and 6 permits are issued to visit each group daily. Meaning that a total of 96 permits are produced daily. It is highly advised to book for a gorilla trekking permit in advance because demand is always higher than available gorilla permits. Book for your permit at least 4 months earlier.

The price of a gorilla permit in Rwanda

Of the three African countries where you can do mountain gorilla trekking, Rwanda is known for luxury gorilla trekking tours. Its gorilla permit costs US$ 1,500 for one person.

Choose a tours and travel company to arrange your gorilla safari

You are strongly advised to book your Rwanda gorilla safari through a reputable tour and travel operator in Rwanda or Uganda. It is quite complicated to tell which company of a reputable or trusted company but this is how you can do it; check its online reputation and reviews by checking its reviews on trip advisor or safari bookings. It helps you to know how best they deliver what they sell to their clients. You can also explore their website, read the information about gorilla trekking experiences and other related information.  

Do your fitness preparations

As it sounds, mountain gorillas live on high altitudes of between 2,500m to 4000m and seeing them requires a modicum of physical fitness since it involves moving up and down through the trails of the rain forest. This makes fitness a key point for anyone going for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. If you are planning for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you are reminded to start doing physical exercises about 6 months earlier. Recommended exercises include jogging, sit-ups, walking, hiking and others.

What to pack for your Rwanda gorilla safari

Before setting off for your gorilla safari, make sure your travel bag has it all that is essential for the trip. Packing the right gear helps you to have an enjoyable experience. Your travel bag should have the following;

• Light weight water proof jacket
• Trousers/Long Pants
• Long sleeved shirt or blouses or t-shirts
• Light wool sweater and scarf
• Hat/cap
• Gardening gloves
• Waterproof backpack
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Binoculars
• Reusable water bottle
• Insect repellant
• First aid kit
• Energy giving snacks

Don’t forget to carry surgical masks/two layer masks and hand sanitizers that will help keep you safe against COVID-19

Gorilla trekking rules

The world has only about 1,063 mountain gorillas and strict rules and regulations have been formed to protect and conserve them. Cycads Safaris lets you know of some of the rules that will help you plan well for your safari. They include;

• The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking 15 years old
• You must wash your hands or sanitize at briefing points before embarking on the trekking adventure
• Everyone must wear a mask
• Any tourists, staff or porters observed to be sick at the briefing point is not allowed to track. If you are identified to have signs of flu or report to have diarrhea, malaria and stomach upsets, you are discontinued from trekking.
• Flash cameras are not allowed

The best time to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is regarded as a year-round activity but the best time to go there for this adventure is during the dry season- mid-December to early February and June-September. These seasons offer easier trekking conditions plus a lower risk of malaria.

The adventure is however not limited to the dry season. It is also very possible to trek during the wet season although trekking is more strenuous after the rain because trails are muddy and slippery. The wet season is recommended for those who wish to travel on a tight budget to enjoy the lower rates of lodges.

Enjoy every bit of your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari by preparing for the trip. Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure because of a simple thing. Let this guide help you make the right plan. For bookings of your Rwanda gorilla safari, send us an email today at info@cycadssafaris.com or call our travel experts on +256 392 911059.