Rwanda Gorilla Holidays
Rwanda gorilla holidays offer incredibly unique and unforgettable experiences. A lot awaits you on the gorilla holiday in Rwanda. The entire gorilla holiday in Rwanda comes with lots of surprises. Just imagine yourself trekking via the scenic, emerald rainforests, then the soft sounds of nature enveloping you, and suddenly a gentle rustle in the foliage reveals a majestic silverback and its family members. This is far beyond magical and is what defines the Rwanda gorilla holidays.
With this ultimate guide, expect to explore all the essentials to planning a memorable gorilla holiday to help you embark on a journey to unlock the secrets in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
What awaits you on Rwanda gorilla holidays?
The Rwanda gorilla holidays involve trekking through the jungle to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This is the special bit about gorilla safari holidays in Rwanda. On a gorilla holiday and safari in Rwanda, visitors are allocated to a habituated group of mountain gorillas to visit. The actual trek with Rwanda gorillas is generally unpredictable and can last for 2-6 hours, including an hour for up close with these majestic apes.
Where to go to experience the best of Rwanda gorilla holidays
Volcanoes National Park is the only destination anyone on a Rwanda gorilla holiday should consider on their travel plan. Located in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda, the lush Volcanoes National Park offers unforgettable gorilla trekking adventures. This is one of the oldest parks in the heart of Africa and isn’t only popular for its huge concentrations of mountain gorillas but also for other species.
A gorilla holiday in Volcanoes National Park marks the start of a journey to explore the base where Dian Fossey spent over 18 years while conducting research. Here, expect to encounter other species as well. The spectacular Parc des Vulcans is also home to the strikingly stunning golden monkeys, over 200 bird species, and five Virunga Volcanoes (including Muhabura, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, and Gahinga).
Gorilla trekking remains the main attraction in Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda at large. But there are other experiences worth appreciating, including golden monkey tracking, birding, Volcano hiking, and more.
What do you need to go for a gorilla holiday in Rwanda?
The most essential item to have is a valid gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is the first thing anyone with plans to explore Rwanda’s gorillas must consider securing in advance. During the actual visit to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, a valid gorilla permit is a must to present for clearance, then you proceed to get briefed and to be allocated a park ranger guide plus a gorilla group.
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
A single gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD 1500 per visitor and is valid for only one trekking session. A gorilla permit is non-transferable, and once you have trekked gorillas, it is rendered invalid. Booking a gorilla permit must be done early enough, and we usually recommend guests to do so at least 2-6 months before setting off to Rwanda.
A local tour operator is in the right position to assist you in securing a valid gorilla permit, plus also plan a successful gorilla trekking tour. Feel free to contact our team to kick-start the process to secure a slot for you and stand a chance to realize your travel dream.
How many gorilla permits are available for Rwanda gorilla trekking?
About 104 gorilla permits are available for booking in Rwanda alone. The total of gorilla permits is based on the fact that each gorilla group is visited by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests. Overall, Volcanoes National Park has a composition of 13 fully habituated gorilla groups.
The gorilla groups to expect to visit in Rwanda include the Bwenge group, Hirwa, the Sabyinyo gorilla family, Karisimbi (Susa B), Susa A, Muhoza gorilla group, the Amahoro, the Umubano group, and Ugenda, etc. Treks to explore these gorilla families begin from the Kinigi region where a briefing is done.
Visitors on Rwanda gorilla holidays are expected to gather at Kinigi early, before 7:00 am. Meet the park official for you to do the verification and clearing stages. Then expect to join the rest of the guests for the actual briefing session.
Once you get done with the briefing and allocation of gorilla groups plus park ranger guides, then your actual journey begins. You embark on the actual search for a family of gorillas with the park ranger guide on the lead. The trekking adventure may run for 2 to 6 hours, inclusive of one hour for an up-close and personal encounter with a group of mountain gorillas in their natural setting.
What does the gorilla permit cover?
The cost of the gorilla permit for Rwanda only caters to park entry fees, park ranger services, and the experience. A gorilla holiday covers transportation, accommodation, driver guide services, relevant government taxes, and more. The cost for a Rwanda gorilla holiday and permits excludes all kinds of personal expenses. From visas, passport booking, travel insurance, shopping, laundry services, telephone bills, additional activities other than gorilla trekking, and others.
How to book a Rwanda gorilla holiday plus permits
A Rwanda gorilla holiday can be booked through the reliable reservation team at Native Africa Tours. Talk to our experts to plan and secure a package that suits your travel dreams. To secure a gorilla permit for you, we require your details, dates you desire to trek gorillas for us to check the availability and other essentials that will be shared by our expert.
When to visit Rwanda for a gorilla holiday
A gorilla holiday can be planned and conducted at any time of the month or a year. Although the dry season stands out as the most ideal period. A visitor can plan to start their trekking holiday around June, July, August, or September. These mark the extended dry months of the year. You may also consider traveling any time around the short dry months which start from December, January to February.
Gorilla holidays in Rwanda can also be enjoyed around the wet or off months of the year and this can be from March to May or October to November. The wet or rainy/off months aren’t as reliable as the peak dry season. During the off-months/wet season, heavy rains are recorded, and the gorilla habitat tends to be muddy or slippery. This comes with lots of challenges, especially navigating via the lush rainforest in search of a group of mountain gorillas. It is because of the conditions in the off months that make most visitors prefer traveling during the dry season to engage in a gorilla trekking adventure.
What to take for a gorilla holiday in Rwanda
The packing list for a successful Rwanda gorilla holidays is slightly different from the normal road trips. Expect to carry a valid gorilla permit, long trousers, a safari hat, a daypack, waterproof hiking boots, a camera, a first aid kit, sunscreen, a tin of insect repellents, sunglasses, toiletries, and many others.
Where to stay before/after a gorilla trek
Top places to consider for overnight stay include Sabyinyo Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, La Palm Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci and more.
