What are the Chances of seeing Gorillas in Rwanda?
Chances of seeing mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda are high. Volcano National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and covers 160 sq. km in rainforest and bamboo in the Northern part of Ruanda in Rwanda. The Park encompasses a dramatic landscape of wildlife, rainforest, and active and extinct volcanoes which is purely a life-changing adventure. It’s approximately two hour’s drive from Kigali the capital of Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park has 98.6% chances of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural environment, the park has 13 gorilla families makes it the second-highest Park in a number of gorilla family apart from Bwindi National Park in Uganda.
Each family visited by 8 people per day par trek and 104 gorilla permits are sold every day and it’s advisable to book your gorilla permit at least 6 months in advance. Volcanoes National Park is too organized to an extent that there is an advanced team of trackers who wake up every morning to find where these gorillas are.
Once they find them, they will then communicate to the park headquarters and directing them which trails they should follow with the clients. Rangers use radio calls to inform park officials on the location of the gorillas hence increasing on the chance of seeing gorillas and saving traveler’s time since they follow specific routes hence great chances to see the gorillas inhabitant.
And those who are not strong enough they are located to easier families compared to the energetic ones just in order to increases on their chance of seeing gorillas. This, therefore, means that even those who could have failed because of physical fitness end up making it seeing these rare mountain gorillas through hireling porters to help them to reach on their dream of seeing gorillas in wild. People with disabilities and the elderly have been able to achieve their dream of seeing gorillas in their natural state.
The Best Time to Travel to See Rwanda Gorillas
The dry season is the best season/time to travel for you to see gorillas in Rwanda. Trekking through the jungle is less strenuous during the dry season because of the minimal rainfall and drier forest floor. The chances of navigating through the jungle in search of gorillas are higher during the drier months than the wet months of the year. The dry months on the travel calendar fall around June, July, August, to September then from December, January to February.
Volcanoes National Park is also open for tourists to visit gorillas, even during the wet season, which runs from March to May. The other phase of the wet months begins from October to November.
What you should pack for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Packing the right items is essential for any successful gorilla trip in Rwanda. The essentials worth considering on your packing list include waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of thick socks, a wide-brimmed hat, long trousers, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, a camera, a first aid kit, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Other items to include on your packing list are; a sweater, long pants, sunscreen, a torch, toiletries, and more.
How much is a gorilla permit?
A valid gorilla permit in Rwanda is an essential requirement if you are to embark on a gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park. Currently, each gorilla permit in Rwanda is issued at USD 1500 per person. A visitor can secure a valid Rwanda gorilla permit through the local tour operator; info@adventureugandasafaris.com. Gorilla permits should be booked early and the recommended period should be around 2-6 months before the actual date of visiting gorillas.
Where to stay
The choice of accommodation options to consider for overnight in and around Volcanoes National Park range from budget, mid-range to luxury. They include Wilderness Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Best View Hotel, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorillas View Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Eagle View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, and The Bishop’s House, etc.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
Visitors are required to travel to Volcanoes National Park to engage in a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda. Getting to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda can take just 2-3 hours starting from the heart of Kigali. A 4×4 safari vehicle is the safest option for getting to Volcanoes Park to track mountain gorillas.
Suggested Rwanda Gorilla Safari Packages
1 Day Gorilla Trek Rwanda – Short Gorilla Tour
2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Tour
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari