What to expect during gorilla trekking in Rwanda
What to expect during gorilla trekking in Rwanda: There are very many expectations for the visitors who are interested in gorilla trekking in Rwanda. People expect a lot of things during the gorillas trekking in volcanoes national park which is extremely interesting. Some tourists who came to Rwanda specifically to go gorilla trekking claim that it is an unforgettable experience that should never be missed. What do you think about it or what do you want to get out of a Rwandan gorilla safari? This question may be difficult for you if you have never been on a gorilla safari in Rwanda. A gorilla safari is a speculative trip because it is the most extraordinary thrilling activity that most tourists worldwide partake in. A gorilla safari in Rwanda is a fascinating adventure that our anticipating participants should plan for sooner rather than later. What should first-time visitors expect from a gorilla safari in Rwanda and why is Rwanda the greatest country to undertake gorilla trekking? With ideal weather, Rwanda provides the best jungles for habituated gorilla families.
One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Rwanda, where visitors travel from all over the world, is gorilla trekking. This is due to the fact that Rwanda is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, which may be observed when hiking in Rwanda’s Virunga highlands, which include Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount that will take you to the habituated mountain gorilla families. There are a few things you should know before going gorilla trekking in Rwanda. By planning your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, you can make sure you have the most gratifying experience possible while spending time with gorillas in the wild.
In the northwest of Rwanda, in the Volcanoes National Park, there are over ten habituated gorilla families. A gorilla permit (MUST) per visit allows 8 hikers per group. Due to the differences in their experiences, different people who have ever tracked gorillas in Rwanda have a different story to tell.
Gorilla trekking is challenging. In the parks where the activity can be done, such as gorilla trekking in Uganda, gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park, gorilla trekking in Africa can be fairly difficult. Since gorillas are found in high elevations of the mountains and gorilla trekking in Rwanda involves tourists hiking the Virunga mountains in Rwanda in order to access the habituated gorilla families, this hike can be characterized by slippery slopes, rain, and a number of other obstacles that can be challenging for tourists who are not physically fit or mentally prepared for the hike to the gorilla families, so you should consider preparing in advance by going on gorilla trekking training.
Gorilla trekking permit. For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, a valid gorilla permit must be obtained. The Rwanda Development Board or a licensed travel company may offer you the chance to hike one of the habituated gorilla populations. This is the main document to take into account if you want to go on a gorilla safari in Rwanda, along with other paperwork like a passport for foreigners. A gorilla permit only costs $1500 per trekker.
Dress code for going on a gorilla expedition. Expectations for a Rwandan gorilla safari include wearing the proper attire while in the dense rain forest so that you don’t damage yourself. Everyone may think that any attire is fine, however when going gorilla trekking, keep in mind these;
- Wearing long sleeves that are preferably lightweight will shield you from the wet grass.
- These hiking boots have a rubber sole to make navigating the delicate soils of the jungles much easier.
- For the protection of your hands, wear gloves, ideally gardening gloves.
- For the erratic weather, wear a raincoat.
Additionally, put on cotton socks (for warmth), a hat (to protect from the raindrops), and a waterproof backpack (for your gadgets or a snack). This improves both your enjoyment and comfort level when jungle trekking.
The park ranger’s provision of walking sticks and hire of porters (optional). The park ranger gives you walking sticks while you’re still at the headquarters so you can use them to help you climb the steep inclines in the forest and occasionally pave your way. If your backpack is heavy or only slightly heavy, you can skip hiring a porter because a lighter backpack gets heavier over time. The porters will also push or pull you if you become caught in the bush, especially if the ground is damp or slippery.
Getting up early to attend a briefing at the headquarters: You should set an alarm for guests who aren’t accustomed to rising early. Before arriving at the headquarters, you anticipated having a nice cup of tea at your disposal after a day of gorilla trekking. Because the briefing is so important on this particular day, you were supposed to be there with the park ranger by 7:00 am. Following a briefing on proper behavior in the jungle, trekkers are divided into groups based on their level of physical condition.
Hiking and gorilla trekking. The varied land surfaces in the rainforest provide for some enjoyable hours. To find a gorilla family, hikers are expected to travel through the jungle on foot for many hours. In the tropical rainforest, a gorilla safari combines other excursions like birdwatching. The rainforests have a variety of flying bird species, butterflies, and you can see the Virunga Volcanoes from there.
The most memorable experience on a gorilla safari in Rwanda is meeting and spending an enchanted hour with mountain gorillas. For our guests, this is the long-awaited chance to see the majestic black gigantic mountain gorillas. This is the primary purpose or activity of the jungle hike. You will understand why gorillas are estimated to share 95% of their DNA with humans after spending an hour with a gorilla family. While you are taking their pictures, pay close attention to how they play, rest, and groom.
One of the key things you should anticipate from your gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is that you will be required to attend a briefing session before beginning your hike along the Virunga mountains to access the gorilla families. During this briefing session, tourists will be instructed on the rules and regulations to adhere to while gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park in order to prevent any accidents in the park. For example, tourists are expected to refrain from making noise.