Mountain gorillas are currently among the most sought-after primates. They belong to the ape family and live in the forested mountains in East Africa. Mountain gorillas are listed as endangered by the IUCN because their limited population is also threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Their population is estimated at 1100 individuals with half living in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The rest live in the Virunga mountains that stretch along the Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border.
Rwanda mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park. The park is part of the Virunga Mountains and conservation along with Uganda’s Mgahinga and DRC’s Virunga National Park. Rwanda gorillas were made famous by the conservation works of Dian Fossey. Dian, an American primatologist lived in Rwanda in the late 1980s researching these rare primates. She was unfortunately murdered bringing an early end to her research and conservation works.
About Mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas just like their name suggests live in forested mountains. These are often covered in mist in the early morning hours and rainy days hence the name gorillas in the mist.
Mountain gorillas are among man’s closest primates with over 95% DNA similar to humans. With this, they share a lot of behaviors with humans starting from their family setting. Each mountain gorilla family is led by a dominant male called Silverback. The silverback oversees his family’s welfare and protects its territory from intruders. Other members of the family include females, juveniles, and infants.
The mountain gorilla’s diet mainly comprises plant leaves, shoots, and other edible wild fruits. They rarely drink water because the leaves are often covered with dew providing the water they need.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Procedures
There are several set rules and regulations to protect mountain gorillas. Given their DNA similarity with humans, they can easily contract some illnesses like flu and cough. With this, only 8 tourists are allowed to trek to each gorilla family day. While in their presence one is expected to keep a 7-meter distance. This is also intended to protect the integrity of their territory as they can charge when they feel threatened and overly encroached on.
Dumping and littering are strictly prohibited in the forest. Individuals on the gorilla treks are required to stay with the ranger guides to avoid straying away. This is because the forested mountains are home to other wildlife species like forest elephants and buffaloes that can be a threat to people.
One is also required to limit the noise including that of a camera shutter. Flash photography is strictly prohibited as it can irritate the gorilla. These trekking rules and regulations are communicated to those who intend to hike the misty mountains while at the park headquarters. Gorilla trekking is guided by well-knowledgable and experienced ranger guides who have trekked the forested mountains for years.
Best time to Visit
Rwanda gorilla trekking is doable any time of the year. For the best experiences we however recommend visiting in the dry season months from June to September and December to March. It is easy to Hike through the park in the dry season because of minimal rainfall disturbances.
Mountain gorilla photography and filming are also ideal during the dry season. The lighting is perfect for a destination like Volcanoes National Park that has a light bamboo forest. Rainfall is however sometimes unpredictable given the nature of the area. Guests are therefore recommended to have rain gear and gaiters just in case it happens.
The rains in the wet season months cannot deter someone from gorilla trekking. It just offers another way of adventure and experience of the Virunga mountains. Trekking to the gorillas in the rain enables you to see how they adapt to the changing climatic conditions.
Mountain Gorilla Packages
Rwanda gorilla trekking packages start from a 1-day and more. The 1-day tour starts with a pick up from Kigali at 4:30 am for a transfer to the park for a briefing. Briefing at the park headquarters is done between 7 to 8:00 am and one has to be there by 7:00 am. After the briefing and allocation of the gorilla family, you are guided on the hike in the park that lasts from 1 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas.
On meeting the mountain gorillas, you are allowed to stay in their presence for an hour following the guidelines. After this remarkable encounter, you are led back to the park headquarters for your certificates of participation and later driven back to Kigali.
The 1-day tour is not suitable for those who prefer spending more time at the park. There is an option of a 2-day and a 3-day Rwanda gorilla trekking tour. One can also opt for a 4-day double gorilla trekking tour with two gorilla treks. This features a visit to two different gorilla families on different consecutive days.
Where to stay
Volcanoes National Park has several accommodation options ranging from budget to high-end luxurious options. The most convenient ones are under a 10-minute drive from the park headquarters. They include Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Lodge, Sambora Kinigi, and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
All lodges near the park get fully booked during the peak tourist season from June to September. One should book their accommodation and gorilla permits in advance to avoid missing out.
Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking can be done alongside other safari adventures. These include chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and a visit to Akagera for a savanna wildlife safari. You can also add on a visit to Kenya for wildlife safari adventures or Tanzania for classic Journeys of Discovery. Email us now to get started.
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