Rwanda gorilla trekking in September

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in September

Rwanda gorilla trekking in September is a time for visitors to enjoy an incredible experience with the endangered mountain gorillas. September is a dry month in the Rwandan statistics of weather and a perfect month for gorilla trekking. It is no secret that a gorilla trekking adventure experience is best done in the dry season. Therefore, September suits the description of a good time to embark on a gorilla trekking experience. In September, the weather conditions tend to spike in Rwanda because of its position of the sun to the equator. September concludes the first dry season that starts from June, after ushering in the wet season. Rwanda has two dry and wet seasons every year, just like all other countries in the equatorial climate.

Going back to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, it is a major tourist activity that has attracted visitors from far and wide. The northern region of the country falls under the Virunga Conservation Area, the last mountain gorilla habitat. This conservation area is a continuum of the Virunga Mountains that originate from the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These mountains have shaped Rwanda into a land of a thousand hills and top the adventure charts with mountain gorilla primates. This conservation area covers several protected areas in East Africa. These include Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Since we are dealing with Rwanda gorilla trekking in September, we shall focus on Volcanoes National Park as our ultimate gorilla destination.

About Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northern region of Rwanda, close to the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park ranks as the oldest tourist destination in Rwanda and also among the oldest in Africa. Famous for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, the Park is among the few places to encounter these primates in their natural environments. The park is situated in the Musanze district, spanning 160 square kilometers of lush grass and mixed vegetation of tropical and montane vegetation. It was established in 1925 under the colonial government.

Volcanoes National Park caught the international eye when it hosted the renowned primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey. She arrived and worked in the park from 1967 to 1985, when she was murdered. Despite her death, the park is popular for gorilla trekking thanks to her efforts in conservation and protection that kept the mountain gorillas safe from poachers. This is evident with the many numbers of visitors who flock to the park to her grave to pay their last respects. A gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park is an exciting venture for encountering the endangered mountain gorillas with a hike through the dense foliage. Volcanoes National Park has over 300 mountain gorillas, with approximately 13 habituated gorilla families that are available for trekking.

How to get to Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in September?

As mentioned earlier, the park is located in the Musanze district northern side of the country. The park is also situated approximately 120 kilometers away from the country’s gateway, Kigali International Airport in Kigali City. Volcanoes National Park is mostly accessed by road transport given its improved road network system. It is important to note that there are no scheduled charted flights to the park. However, the park can also be accessed using a helicopter from the airport in Kigali to the airstrip in Musanze. It only takes 2 hours from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park.

What to bring on a Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Experience in September?

Though September is known to be a dry month, the season can change in a second to wet because of the unpredictability of the climate in Rwanda. It is on this account that favorable gorilla trekking gear is prepared to suit any weather. The following are some of the items to bring on a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda in September.