Rwanda Gorilla trekking guidelines are important to follow when considering visiting Rwanda for a gorilla trekking adventure. The country is a renowned safari destination and mountain gorillas are the most sought-after primates in Rwanda Gorilla Tours. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. They are rare primate species that on the entire planet are found in only three countries that are Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The mountain gorilla population is still threatened but with ongoing conservation efforts, the apes can be saved. With over 95% DNA similar to humans mountain gorillas are among our closest relatives. Because of this and the population factor, there are gorilla trekking guidelines you ought to follow when trekking in any of the countries.
Rwanda Gorilla Family Set up
Mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park live in families. These vary and can be made up of up to 20 individuals or more. Each Mountain gorilla family is led by a dominant male gorilla called Silverback. Volcanoes National Park currently has 12 fully habituated gorilla families. It is these that are open to tourism.
The gorilla trekking habituation experience enables these gorillas to be accustomed to human beings’ presence. Even though we share a great similarity in DNA, mountain gorillas remain wild animals that can attack humans even if they feel threatened.
Gorilla Trekking Guidelines
There are quite a number of Rwanda Gorilla trekking guidelines that are required to follow. This is aimed to ensure your safety and that of the mountain gorillas.
It is only 8 individuals are allowed to track a mountain gorilla family per day. Since gorilla trekking is done in the wild, you are guided by armed rangers who are more familiar with the area.
The gorilla trekking adventure takes 1 to 4 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas. Once you get them you are only allowed to stay in their presence for an hour. While in the presence of the gorillas, you Must Keep a 7-meter away from the gorillas. You are not allowed to touch the gorillas and are advisable to pull back if they come your way.
You must always keep in the group of people allocated to you to avoid straying away. Littering is also not allowed to keep the environment for the mountain gorillas clean and safe. Individuals with communicable diseases and illnesses like flu and cough are required to wear a mask to avoid transmitting the diseases to the gorillas.
One is also required to wear the appropriate outfit when going for gorilla trekking. Strong hiking shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt or blouse are ideal. This is to avoid irritation from the plants since the trek is done in a forested vegetation environment.
Best time for Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda gorilla trekking adventures can be enjoyed any time of the year. The rainy months of April, May, and November have minimal rainfall disturbances but the rain can not stop you from trekking. Many adventure lovers prefer to visit in the dry months from June to September and from December to Early March. The dry season months also double as the peak tourist and when considering to travel this time of the year it is better to book your permits in advance.
There are a number of Rwanda Safari packages you can look at starting from one Day and more. If you want more time with the gorillas then a double gorilla trekking tour can be a great option. You can also visit other destinations in East Africa like Kenya and Tanzania. Our 11-day Kenya Tanzania safari is the ultimate savanna wildlife safari combining a visit to Masai Mara and Serengeti. You can also visit Eastern Congo for an Eastern Lowland Gorilla adventure in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
