Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is located in Musanze in the northwest of the country with an area cover of 160 square kilometres. The national park was initially a small area around Karisimbi, mikeno and bisoke volcanoes which was gazetted to protect endangered mountain gorillas that were being poached. Volcanoes national park is a home for the endangered mountain gorillas and a mosaic of diverse ecosystems such as the lush rainforests, bamboo groves and alpine meadows. Besides the gorillas, the national park is a home to the golden monkeys, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects among others.
Gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park is the major activity where tourists get a chance to have a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Rwanda is taken as one of the best places to do gorilla trekking and the mountain gorillas are as well found in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and democratic republic of Congo in the Virunga national park. this is the activity that has tourists hiking the lush forest cover to search for the mountain gorillas while on a Rwanda safari.
Volcanoes national park has 10 habituated families that tourists can visit while on a Rwanda safari. These include Titus, Susa, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Bwenge and Ugenda which can be fully visited by tourists while on a safari in Rwanda. One of the families is set aside for research and its from that family that they select for baby gorilla naming ceremony which is called Kwita Izina. Every gorilla family is led by a silver back which is responsible for overseeing the daily activities as well as giving tasks for the day.
HOW TO BOOK A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT
While on a Rwanda safari, to have the gorilla trekking activity in volcanoes national park, tourists need to book and purchase gorilla trekking permits in advance since these permits are few and on a high demand. Trekkers on a safari need to at least book 3-4 months in advance for one to be guaranteed of trekking the gorillas. The gorilla trekking permits within volcanoes national park cost $1,500 per person and per trek.
The revenue collected from gorilla trekking permits, part goes to supporting the gorilla conservation effort and supporting the local community. Tourists on a Rwanda safari can book gorilla trekking permits through trusted tour operator or directly from the Rwanda development board in Kigali. The passport details of a traveller is what is required to be presented to the Rwanda development board when purchasing a gorilla trekking permit.
A group of 8 people trek a single gorilla family per day therefore there are only 80 gorilla trekking permits available per day and to secure your permit for the exact date you want to track on, tourists are advised to book in advance to avoid any inconveniences while on a Rwanda safari.
PREPARATION FOR THE GORILLA TREKKING IN THE VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
- Tourists need to prepare both mentally and physically in advance. Small work out sessions such as jogging around the house over a period of time is good.
- Tourists are advised to park essential items for a perfect gorilla trekking safari. Items like waterproof hiking shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirts and insect repellent among others must be carried while on a safari in Rwanda. Carrying these items will make your gorilla trekking experience the best ever. Energy giving snacks and water are also a must carry.
- Tourists are as well advised to be ready for rain any time of the day.
Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park starts as early as 7am in the morning with a briefing by the rangers at the park headquarters. While on the Rwanda safari during the briefing, trekkers are divided into groups of 8 and allocated a gorilla family to trek. Gorilla families are allocated depending on the fitness levels of the trackers. The trekking of the gorillas starts at 8am and while on the trek, tourists are encouraged to be on the lookout for other wildlife species within the national park.
Tourists might spot other wildlife species such as bush pigs, warthogs and a number of bird species. Volcanoes national park rangers will as well share information with you about the national park.
Once the mountain gorillas are encountered, tourists will me spend an hour with these creatures as they observe their ways of living, feeding patterns and how they relate with one another. Mountain gorillas are playful and most especially the juveniles that are curious about humans and might end up coming close and play with or on you.
However, while on the Rwanda safari, tourists are advised to stick to the rules and regulations as well as follow the instructions from the rangers. These as well are advised to stay calm at all times and not to make any sudden movements.
The gorilla trekking within the national park takes 30 minutes to 6hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas since they don’t stay in one place for so long. Porters are available for hire at the headquarters to help with a push or pull when its required and as well carry the tourist’s luggage.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF GORILLA TREKKING
Like any activity, gorilla trekking has various rules and regulations that are meant for the traveller’s safety and conservation of the mountain gorillas. These include;
- Tourists should be clean and always wash their hands before heading for gorilla trekking.
- Always keep your voices low during the trek and always observe or keep an eye on the park habitants such as birds, primates, mammals, reptiles, geckos and many more species in the forest.
- Do not leave rubbish within the park therefore tourists are advised to keep rubbish in their bags and whatever you carry should be taken back.
- Stand 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas. When you come into contact with the gorillas observe them but don’t look straight into their eyes. The more you stand, the more relaxed they are.
- Don’t leave the group as you are advised to stay together so that you don’t look as a threat to the mountain gorillas.
- Don’t smoke, drink or eat within the forest. When something drops it may increase the risk of transmitting diseases. When its time to eat lunch, the rangers will direct you where to have your lunch within the forest.
- Flash photographs are prohibited so please be careful as this may act as a threat to the gorillas.
- When the gorilla charges, try your best not to run because when you run away it may increase the risk of the gorilla to attack you.
- In case you want to cough or sneeze, do not do it next to the gorillas. Turn your head away and cover your mouth and nose to minimise the spread of bacteria.
- If one needs to ease themselves, ask the ranger and he will dig a hole with a panga. Make sure its 30cm deep and after fill it with soil.
- Tourists below the age of 15 years aren’t allowed to trek
- Tourists need to be healthy as to trek the endangered mountain gorillas while on a safari in Rwanda.
In conclusion, a gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park experience offers a memorable and unforgettable experience while on a Rwanda safari. The trekking of gorillas can be mixed up with other activities within or from other national parks as to make the safari a memorable one.