The Isimbi Gorilla Group is one of the most iconic habituated families found in Volcanoes National Park, northwest Rwanda. This group was formed in 2012 after splitting from the Karisimbi Gorilla Group. Initially, they were composed of 7 members under the leadership of Getty, a silverback. However, the following year, he became too ill, suffering from pneumonia and an abscess in his air sacs. This resulted in his death and leaving the group for a blackback, Muturengere, to take over. The latter was helped by an adult female, known as Poppy.
Currently, the Isimbi Gorilla Group has expanded to 22 members, still under the guidance and protection of the silverback Muturengere. Altogether, the Isimbi Gorilla Group comprises a silverback, 6 adult females, 1 subadult male, 3 subadult females, 5 juveniles, and 6 infant gorillas. The Isimbi Gorilla Group roams the bamboo habitats around the slopes of Volcano Karisimbi. The Isimbi Gorilla Group is available for gorilla trekking year-round.
Cost of trekking the Isimbi Gorilla Group
This is equivalent to the cost of purchasing a gorilla trekking permit issued by the Rwanda Development Board. The gorilla trekking permit rates vary based on visitor categories as follows,
- Rwanda citizen: USD 200
- East African Community citizen: USD 200
- Rest of Africa citizens: USD 500
- Foreign resident in Rwanda: USD 500
- Foreign non-resident: USD 1,500
How to trek the Isimbi Gorilla Group
All gorilla trekking tours in Volcanoes National Park start in the morning, at around 8:00 a.m. It is more convenient for you if you arrive at the park headquarters before that time. After meeting the dedicated park rangers, they will provide insight about safe gorilla trekking during a short briefing. You will be guided to search for the Isimbi Gorilla Group or any other assigned habituated group. The guide will educate you about the gorilla trails and how they are determined. You will find the mountain gorillas, and subsequently be allowed to watch them for an hour.
Once the hour is done, you will come back to where the short briefing took place for debriefing. This is where the gorilla trekking tour ends. From the start of the gorilla trek to the time you came back, 2 to 6 hours would have passed. This depends on the pace at which you hike and the nature of the terrain. Since mountain gorillas change their sleeping locations every day, locating them requires time and effort from visitors. Nevertheless, the seasoned trackers from the park will help you locate them.
When can you trek the Isimbi Gorilla Group?
Every day of the year without exception. The only limiting factors to your gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park are weather and crowds. Travelers tend to consider the dry season as the ideal period for tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This season presents increased comfort during trekking and better visibility of the mountain gorillas. This is because the rainfall is relatively lower during the dry season, thus causing drier trails and less dense vegetation.
Expect the dry season in the months of June to August and December to February. If you want to benefit from solitude and more difficulty during trekking, visit Volcanoes National Park during the wet season. You will enjoy the thrill of hiking on the muddy and slippery forest floor and dense vegetation cover. Chances of rainfall are much higher to add to the thrill and unpredictability of the experience. But with the gorilla movements within the forest restricted, it is quite easier to locate them.
Expect the wet season in the months of March to May and from October to November. Ensure that you have packed essential items such as a light rain jacket, hiking boots, a head sock, gaiters, and hiking gloves, among others.
Traveling to Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is northwest of Kigali city, and can be accessed by both road and air transportation. Your budget, travel time, or desired comfort, etc., can determine which mode of transportation to choose. Opting for road transfer, you will travel 115 kilometers from the city to the park headquarters at Kinigi. The duration of your scenic transfer is between 2 to 3 hours. For comfort, reliability, and insight during the journey, travel by private means with a hired vehicle from Standard Safaris. Our experienced driver guide will safely transfer you.
Air transfers are available for visitors who desire fast, luxury transfers to Volcanoes National Park. Various helicopter models are operated by Akagera Aviation to offer travelers first-class flights to their respective destinations. Travelers from Kigali will board a flight from Kigali International Airport to Ruhengeri/Musanze Airport. This flight will take a duration of around 30 minutes. Upon your arrival at Musanze, you will access your destination by ground transport. This is only a 10-minute drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters.
