Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the highlights of any visit to Rwanda, trekking the endangered Mountain gorillas remains of the undisputed highlights of any visit to Africa, meeting these extra ordinary gentle giants deep in the rain forest at the footsteps of the dormant Volcanoes can only be described as an emotionally overwhelming experience.
Tracking endangered African Mountain gorillas through the tucked jungle is a highlight of your safari to volcanoes national park, the park is home to over 200 species of colourful forest birds and exclusively rare golden monkeys that occupy the bamboo zones of the forest.
Six tracking permits are issued per troop per day, meaning the encounter is as intimate and as unobtrusive as possible. With only 96 permits available each day in Rwanda, it is highly recommended to book in advance, Visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am, and are allocated a family group on the day according to fitness levels, as well as being briefed on protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas.
Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2,500m and 4,000m. Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras, as well as to offer a helping hand along the route, 10% of the revenue from the permits is channeled towards local communities, to build schools and health centres, as well as roads.
There is a compensation fund for local farmers should any gorillas damage their crops, which helps to ensure peaceful co-existence, Gorilla tracking also provides employment for many locals, from rangers and trackers to porters, drivers and staff at tourist lodges.
Book your gorilla safari stay at Bisate Lodge Rwanda’s first super luxurious and eco – safari lodge located in the natural amphitheatre of an eroded volcanic cone. The lodge is one of the latest establishments close to Volcanoes National Park offering the best quality and value for money for anyone staying here.
The lodge offers exclusive services to those very high ends and high-profile clients who would wish to visit and they can block off the facility for you on the dates you wish to stay there. The lodge overlooks the peaks of Karisimbi and Bisoke Volcanoes and with one of the gorilla families roaming areas around the lode would be a great sitting on a chill evening at the lodge.
Use 4×4 luxury land cruisers/jeeps for transportation given the fact these are well customized to suite this class of travel offering you comfortable travel.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD1500 per person per trek, this means you will be required to pay in advance, booking this exclusive gorilla trek you will need to get it from Rwanda Development Board who will as well grant you the permit for that trek.