A gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park requires you to wear appropriate clothing for your comfort, protection, and changing weather conditions. This is because a gorilla trek in Rwanda is an outdoor adventure done in an Afromontane ecosystem. Moreover, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park experiences tropical climatic conditions. Therefore, planning for a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park requires that you wear,
- Warm sweater and light jacket to protect your body in case of cold and damp weather conditions.
- Trekking gloves to protect your hands from thorns, for a firm grip, and to avoid insect bites while trekking in the forest.
- Light long-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers to protect your body from insect bites while allowing for comfort during a sunny day. These should be dull colored to avoid distracting the wildlife in the forest. Green, khaki, and brown, etc. are recommended colors.
- Wide-brimmed hat to shield your head, eyes, and neck from ultraviolet rays in case of sunny weather.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct sunrays.
- Sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes/boots to ensure that you walk on rugged, muddy terrain with minimal effort.
- Gaiters to shield the lower parts of your legs, feet, and shoes from mud, water, and insect bites.
- Facemask, which is essential while in proximity to the mountain gorillas. This is to avoid the spread of diseases to these primates.
- A lightweight and waterproof backpack to carry necessary items like a water bottle, first aid kit, snacks/packed lunch, and a camera etc.
Besides what you should wear, you should also travel with your gorilla permit and travel documents. Other necessities to achieve a successful trek include a hiking stick, physical cash, yellow fever vaccine certificate if you are from a country with a high risk of transmission. You need a pair of binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent, among others.
How a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park is done?
Each gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park is done by only 8 visitors per habituated gorilla family per day. Some minutes before 8:00 a.m., you will be at the trailhead getting some information on what to do while trekking with gorillas. This is handled by a park ranger. At 8:00 a.m., your adventure into the dense forest will begin with an experienced tracker and armed rangers leading the way.
The moment you meet the gorilla family, you will be required to maintain a safe distance away from them. Then you will observe them for no more than 60 minutes. Taking photos of the mountain gorillas is also allowed, but with caution. Then you will return to the starting point to complete your gorilla trek in the forest. At this point, you will notice that the gorilla trek lasted between 2-6 hours or even more. This depends on where the gorillas had spent the night.
How much is a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park’s gorilla trek costs USD 1,500 per person. This amount is enough to acquire a gorilla permit, which is what you will present at the park on trekking day. At Standard Safaris, we suggest that you obtain the gorilla permit on time to avoid the last-minute inconveniences. This is much better if done like 3 months before the gorilla trek. Therefore, you need to contact a reputable tour operator like Standard Safaris early to purchase the permit on your behalf.
How can I reach Volcanoes National Park?
You can reach Volcanoes National Park by first flying into Kigali International Airport, which is Rwanda’s main international point of arrival. From there, you will have the option to reach Volcanoes National Park either by road transport or air transport. A scenic journey by road covers at least 106 km from Kigali, taking 2-3 hours. It is scenic because you will take in the beauty of the rolling hills and green countryside.
At Standard Safaris, you should choose to travel in one of our 4-wheel safari land cruisers. But other options, including drones, sedans, and saloon cars, are available for you. For air transport, you will board a luxury helicopter flight to Musanze Airstrip from Kigali International Airport. Operated by Akagera Aviation, the chartered flight takes less than half an hour to the airstrip. From there, the rest of the journey to the park headquarters is by road. This takes less than 25 minutes.
When should I do a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is open year-round, making it very possible to do a gorilla trek whenever you visit. But for a less challenging and more enjoyable gorilla trek, plan your visit to Volcanoes National Park during the dry season. This is good for you to ensure that you avoid the slippery and muddy trails caused by the wet season. The dry season usually occurs from June to August and from December to February.
