How Many Days for a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda?

How Many Days for a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda? 

How many days for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda? Do you have plans to visit Rwanda for a gorilla tour and you are not sure how many days you need? A successful gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda takes from 2 days to 5 days and these are suitable for short gorilla trips. The most popular one is the 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari.

With this 3 days Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, you have adequate time to travel and engage in an actual search for mountain gorillas. The starting point can be Kigali capital city or you can drive off from Kisoro or Kabale to Volcanoes National Park, the only park for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Detailed Itinerary for the 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari

Day 1: Travel by car from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Today, you will meet the driver or safari guide for a short briefing about your trip and then begin your journey to Volcanoes National Park. Today’s road trip will take 2-3 hours and you will be using a 4×4 safari vehicle.

Before you connect up to Volcanoes National Park, you may have a short Kigali city tour. This can include paying a visit to the Kigali memorial site and the nearby historical/cultural sites. After, you can settle for lunch and then proceed up to the park to check in your accommodation for relaxation.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking adventure starting from Kinigi

On this day, expect to wake up early and prepare. Breakfast will be provided early at your respective lodges and then you transfer to the briefing point with all your essential gear for gorilla trekking including gorilla permits.

At Kinigi, you will be briefed on gorilla trekking guidelines and also allocated gorilla groups as well as park ranger guides. Volcanoes National Park holds about 13 habituated families of mountain gorillas and only one is allocated to every group consisting of 8pax. You will set off for the actual search for gorillas at around 8:00 am and expect to take between 2 and 6 hours in the jungles. This covers a maximum of an hour for taking pictures and also observing the daily behaviors of gorillas.

After the gorilla trek, you will walk back and at the park offices, gorilla trekking certificates will be given to trekkers. From here, you can connect to your respective lodges for relaxation. In the evening, you may also pay a visit to Ibyi’wacu village (Gorilla Guardians Village) to explore more about Rwandan cultures and traditions.

Day 3: Travel back to Kigali and Departure

You will have breakfast at leisure and after, expect to check out of your lodges in Volcanoes National Park. Today, you will be driven back to Kigali airport for departure or to the hotel in the city.

What is the cost of Rwanda gorilla permits?

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are slightly higher than in Uganda and Congo. A single valid gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda costs USD 1500 per person. But there are other options including USD 1050 in case you are visiting Rwanda during the low season. This option is ideal for visitors who will book the Akagera/Nyungwe parks tour combined with gorilla safaris. Overall, the cost of a gorilla tour in Rwanda varies depending on significant factors including the type of accommodation, cost of gorilla permits, travel style, group size, and when you opt to visit for gorilla trekking.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda?

The dry season is the best season or period of the year to travel to Rwanda to enjoy a gorilla trekking adventure. Each year, there are two phases of the dry season the longest occurs from June to September then the shortest dry month runs from December to February. The dry months are the most preferred months of the year because they are characterized by low or no rainfall.

The vegetation is clear during the dry season and the ground is dry making it easier to navigate through the jungles to see gorillas. The dry season is far better than the wet season which is characterized by heavy rains. The ground or steep slopes are slippery during the wet season. This makes it a huge challenge for trekkers to enjoy their trek with mountain gorillas.

But the advantage of the wet or rainy season is that the heavy rains favor the growth of forage. This means gorillas have what to feed on. As a result, these apes keep around unlike during the dry months when they move long distances to search for what to feed on. The wet months normally begin from March to May; from October to November.

Gorilla trekking regulations to follow in Rwanda

On gorilla safari, rules and regulations or safety measures are available to ensure the safety of gorillas and that of the trekkers. Here are the guidelines or gorilla trekking regulations to observe;

• You should be above 15 years old to be allowed to engage in a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda.
• Allocation of gorilla families is done by park officials during the briefing.
• Valid gorilla permits are essential for anyone with plans to trek Rwanda gorillas.
• It is prohibited to feed mountain gorillas.
• Observe a distance of 7-8 meters away from gorillas and do not be tempted to touch them even when they come rubbing themselves on you.
• Photography is allowed but do not use a flashlight camera or better, you can turn off the flashlight.
• Up to only 8 visitors can trek one gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park.
• Burry all wastes at least 30 cm deep or as directed by the park ranger guide.
• Do not litter the park as this can be a source of infection to mountain gorillas.
• Smoking, eating, or drinking in the presence of mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• A maximum of an hour is provided for photography and observing a family of mountain gorillas.
• Always keep low your voice as you trek gorillas.
• You should be free of illness or sickness to be permitted to trek gorillas in Rwanda.

What to carry for a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda?

The items to include on your packing list for the Rwanda gorilla tracking tour include a camera, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, a first-aid kit, and insect repellents. Other essentials to consider packing for gorilla trekking include a pair of socks, long trousers, gardening gloves. More so, you may need sunglasses, a safari hat, and more.

Where to stay on a safari in Rwanda?

Accommodation options in and around Volcanoes National Park exist as budget, midrange, and luxury. The luxury accommodation choices include Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. Midrange lodges to choose from include Le’Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and Da Vinci Lodge. On the other hand, budget options include Muhabura Hotel, Villa Gorilla, and Kinigi Guesthouse.

How to get to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?

It takes visitors only 2-3 hours to drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. A 4×4 safari car is recommended for your road trip. Alternatively, you can take helicopter tours from Kigali to Ruhengeri airport.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are not limited to only 3 days. Even long gorilla tours can be organized and the advantage of this, you have plenty to explore or experience. Talk to our expert to plan and book a memorable gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.