Gorilla Vacations in Rwanda
For lovers of nature and adventure, gorilla trekking is the go-to activity. The whole process of hiking and looking for gorillas is exhilarating and brings deep satisfaction to whoever participates. Gorilla Vacations in Rwanda are indeed to look forward to and involve a lot of preparation and planning since they are costly.
The main reason gorilla trekking permits are so expensive is that mountain gorilla conservation is a very expensive exercise. The bulk of the permit fee goes towards the park and its many needs, like staff salaries, research and facility maintenance.
The cost of getting a gorilla trekking permit is 1500USD per person per trek meaning if you want to trek more than once, you’ll pay another 1500USD. This permit price includes the guided hike to and from your assigned gorilla troop, as well as being allowed to spend an hour in the presence of the gorilla family. However, multiple treks can be discounted if you book very early.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in Volcanoes National Park in the North-western part of Rwanda, about 104km by road from the capital Kigali. It is a major tourist attraction and contributes 15.1% of Rwanda’s GDP. For anyone to participate in gorilla trekking, they must be above 15 years old and physically fit.
If your planning a gorilla vacation in Rwanda, this is everything you need to know.
When to go:
The best time to track gorillas in Rwanda is during the dry months of June-September and December to February. This is because the days are clear and sunny, making trekking more enjoyable. The drier vegetation is easier to hike through, and steep slopes are a lot less slippery, which is not the case with rainy months.
However, gorilla trekking is on very high demand during these months which makes services like accommodation and transportation very expensive. It is important to note that you can trek any time of the year since the park is open to tourists throughout the year.
Where to stay:
Enjoying your gorilla vacation means finding a comfortable accommodation to rest at the end of the hectic activity. It is advisable to stay near the park the day before your trek instead of travelling long distances since you have to be at the park by 6am for the morning brief.
Accommodations around the park cost between 50$ and 120$ for a budget accommodation. Midrange and luxury lodges may go up to $1500 per person per night depending on the room type and season. Some of the popular accommodations include
- Wilderness Bisate Lodge. Price: from 1,830 per person
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
- SingitaKwitonda Lodge
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Volcanoes Virunga Lodge
- The Bishop’s House
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- AmakoroSonga Lodge
Porters:
Porters are freelancers allowed into Volcanoes National Park to offer their services to gorilla trekkers. They help with carrying luggage, and may also help you navigate treacherous sections of the trail.
Their services cost about $10-$20. They are of good help especially for the older people who may be unsure about themselves when it comes to navigating steep of muddy slopes.
Food and Drinks
Most of your food and drink costs will almost certainly be included in your accommodation cost, especially if you book a more upmarket establishment. Usually, the accommodation will also provide you with a packed lunch to carry in your backpack on the day of your gorilla trek.
If you opt for budget accommodations, you’ll need about $10 for a meal in a 3star restaurant and about $50 to eat in a high end restaurant. It is more cost effective to have your meals included in your accommodation package.
Rules Governing Gorilla Trekking:
- Arrive at the park by 6:00 am for a pre trek briefing
- You must Present your trekking permit
- Show proof of yellow fever vaccination
- You must undergo a medical check before trekking to prove that you’re fit enough
- Your trek group must not exceed 8 people
- Do not touch, or feed the gorillas
- Avoid sudden movements and noise
- Do not use a camera flash
- Follow the trail set by the guide
- Do not wander away from your group
Treks can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the group’s location and movement. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll spend an hour observing these magnificent creatures up close.
There is a lot to do in Volcanoes National Park apart from gorilla trekking for example bird watching, golden monkeys trekking, nature walks, participating in conservation campaigns/initiatives among others.
Taking everything into account, a gorilla vacation does not only limit you to gorilla trekking. You can also go for a safari game drive in Akagera National Park, go for canopy walks in Nyungwe Forest National Park or tour the vibrant Kigali city.
In summary, you need about $2000 for a one time trek and about $6000 for a 3-5 days trekking package. This amount include the cost of a trekking permit, accommodation Food, transportation and other miscellaneous costs.
It is also important to compare a number of tour operators and choose one most suited for your needs to help you plan your gorilla vacation.
