Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The highlight of any safari adventure in Rwanda must be trekking gorillas at Volcanoes National Park. Actually, the park is the world’s most famous spot for enjoying the chance of catching a glimpse of the man’s closest relatives, the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is superb, amazing, and marvelous; it’s like a miracle to capture man’s look, which was made manifest about 7 million years ago.

Gorillas host a relatively high number of mountain gorillas and are the world’s top trekking spot. Volcanoes National Park is highly recognized for being an upmarket and luxurious trekking destination in regards to its highly rated trekking permit. It’s also the top tourist destination, so anyone wishing to visit Volcanoes must think about trekking gorillas at Volcanoes National Park.

The gorilla trekking safari experience is Africa’s highlight of the rest of the adventures, and a moment with the gorillas in the jungle is a life experience not just encountered anywhere in the world.

Location of Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is limited to the edge of the Central African forests; it’s located in the far northern part of Rwanda. Strategically and steadily seated within the lines of the Great Western Arm Albertine Rift Valley.

It’s formed by the chains of the Virunga Volcanoes, which spread across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park accelerates the edge of the Central African tropics of the Equatorial Atmosphere.

The park is located about 105km from Kigali capital, and a drive on the road can last for about 2 and a half hours. The location of Volcanoes National Park has enabled a one-day drive from Kigali to trek gorillas and return on that same day.

Geographical Formation of the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is parallel to the Albertine Rift Valley. The rift valley formation is due to tectonic movements that resulted in volcanic action, leading to the formation of volcanic cones. The region marked a point for Rwanda to be called “a land of a thousand hills,” which is much witnessed on the northern edge of the country. Volcanoes National Park is formed by five amazing volcanoes in the Virunga Massif. These volcanoes are the highest point in Rwanda and the 30th on the list of the highest peaks in Africa.

The vegetation is largely rain forests, thickets, swamps, marshes, meadows, alpine forests, and grasslands that range at varying altitudes. The tropical rain forests cover an altitudinal range from 2400m to 2500m; bamboo forests cover between 2500m and 3200 m, which covers about 30% of the park. The grassland continues on top from 4300m to 4500m, which is favorable for the variety of bird species.

Mountain gorillas have desired to dwell in the highland; however, mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park tend to dwell in the lowland areas between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. So, trekking the gorillas of the Virunga Conservation doesn’t require much hiking into the highlands of the volcanoes. Instead, trekking trails continue through valleys and bamboos within the lowlands of Volcanoes National Park.

The best time to watch gorillas at Volcanoes National Park

The weather and climate around Volcanoes National Park tend to alternate between wet and dry seasons. The dry season surfaces in the months of June to September and doubles in December to February; these are high travel seasons. These are high travel seasons, and gorilla tracking is awesome during these months as road activity and people flock from all over the world in bigger numbers. However, traveling and gorilla trekking are done all year, so when it rains, it won’t stop you from seeing the gorillas.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park

Watching mountain gorillas has remained the most expensive activity in regards to the high-rated gorilla permit. Before reaching the park, you must secure a gorilla permit, which is issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Permits to trek gorillas are limited on a daily basis. Volcanoes National Park has 12 habituated gorilla families, and every family has 8 permits available to trek on a daily basis. To secure a permit, you need to book at least three months before the trekking date. Permits are booked directly through licensed tour operators. A permit costs $1,500 to trek and have a moment.

Complements on a gorilla trek at Volcanoes National Park

While you were at the park on a gorilla trek, there were a lot of other adventures to undertake. These include cultural tours, mainly the IbyI’wacu cultural village, golden monkey trekking, nature walks, bird watching, visiting Musanze caves, visiting and hiking Diana Fossey cave, volcano hiking, and many others.

Gorilla trekking guidelines at Volcanoes National Park

There are guidelines that have to be followed, and these include:

  • Must have a permit
  • Eight trekkers can visit each of the habituated gorilla families each day.
  • When encountering the mountain gorillas, you have a limit of an hour and are watching them from 7 meters away.
  • Only healthy trekkers are allowed to enter the forest.
  • Not using flashlights on cameras when taking photos
  • You have an hour to interact with the gorillas.
  • Keep your voice to a minimum when seeing the gorillas.
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