The Best Month for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The best months for gorilla trekking in Rwanda are the dry seasons, from December to February and June to August. Rwanda’s proximity to the equator guarantees it an equatorial or tropical climate. The dry season is a period in the country’s calendar characterized by dry weather conditions and humid temperatures facilitated by limited rainfall patterns. These conditions leave the trekking trails in the Gorilla destination in Rwanda very dry and navigable.

Adding to the qualification of being the best time for gorilla trekking, the vegetation is sparse, adding visibility. This means visitors are placed in an incredible and uninterrupted encounter with the world’s endangered mountain gorilla primates. During these best months of gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the primates can be spotted actively playing and feeding, unlike in the wet season, when they coil together for warmth. The bright natural vegetation of the gorilla destination in Rwanda in the dry season can be spotted very clearly under the sun, unlike the misty conditions of the wet season.

What is Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking refers to the activity of encountering wild mountain gorillas in their natural habitat after traversing the dense thickets searching for them and spending an hour in the primates’ presence upon their location. Trekking mountain gorillas in the wild is every visitor’s dream, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park makes this dream possible.

In Rwanda, the mountain gorilla trekking experience begins with a briefing in the early morning at the park offices. This briefing is followed by grouping the visitors into groups of 8 people and assigning a guide ranger for each group. Only eight people can trek with a particular gorilla family in the park. This is done to relieve the mountain gorilla from the stress of meeting several people, which can cause them to be aggressive or flee in fear. The pre-trekking briefing prepares the visitors for what they will encounter in the forest, along with the rules and regulations. This briefing also takes visitors through the expected code of conduct.

Where is Gorilla Trekking Done in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. This protected area is the only gorilla destination in the country and is situated in the northern region. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most ancient and Africa’s most ancient national park, hosting the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. It was established in 1925 during the colonial era of Belgian rule. Volcanoes National Park borders other gorilla destinations in the Virunga Conservation Area, such as Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Gorilla trekking is a major tourist activity in Rwanda, given its attraction to several tourists worldwide. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park has been made possible by the 13 habituated gorilla families in the rainforests.

How much is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Visitors are obliged to obtain a gorilla trekking permit, which gives them access to the mountain gorillas at their destination, Volcanoes National Park. The Gorilla Permit costs vary for visitors from different nationalities and regions. A foreign non-resident will pay USD 1,500, foreign residents USD 1,000, USD 500 for the rest of Africa, and USD 200 for East Africans, including Rwandans.

As visitors prepare for a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda, they need to be informed about the charges of this adventure experience. The amount charged on each Gorilla Permit is a certain percentage that goes to conservation efforts since these primates are endangered and need constant monitoring. However, the first stage of conservation is done by the communities that border Volcanoes National Park, which is the gorilla destination. This is why some money on the charge is reserved for developing these communities as a way of giving back to them.

What to Pack for a Gorilla Trekking Experience in Rwanda?

A favorable packing list is one of the best factors to lead to a successful gorilla trekking adventure safari in Rwanda. Some items to pack while going on a gorilla trekking trip in Volcanoes National Park include the following.