How long does Gorilla trekking take in Volcanoes National Park?

How long does Gorilla trekking take in Volcanoes National Park? : This article brings you information about how long does Gorilla trekking take in Volcanoes National Park this is the question that is mostly asked by different tourists before going for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and this is the best answer to your question; Visiting gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is limited to 1 hour. Park rules restrict time with the gorillas to protect them.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins early, with a 7 am briefing at Kinigi the park headquarters. During the briefing you will be given the rules and regulations to follow during the gorilla trekking. And then after the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 members and allocated to a particular family to track, that is the gorilla families are allocated depending on the fitness level of the trackers and then the gorilla trekking a start immediately. During the trek, you’ll also het a chance to spot other wildlife that call the forest home such as birds, butterflies and other animals.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park last about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are.  Once the you encounter these creatures, you will be given one hour to be in the presence of the gorillas while watching them feed, play, breastfeed, mothers grooming their babies and among others. Follow the park’s rules and stay calm; avoid sudden movements. After an hour, you’ll return to the headquarters to get your gorilla trekking certificate.

Cost of gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

In Rwanda, if you want to go trekking to see the mountain gorillas, here’s what you need to know about the permit costs. For foreign non-residents, it’s cost $1500 Per person, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan). This permit allows you to spend an hour with the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. There are 12 gorilla families in the park, which means that every day, 96 permits are available for trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda

About Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, which is called Parc National des Volcans in French and Pariki y’lgihugu y’Ibirunga in Kinyarwanda, is a beautiful place to visit in Rwanda, located in the northwestern part of the country. This park offers stunning natural scenery and has been a popular spot for safaris since it was established in 1925, making it Africa’s oldest national park. It lies within the Virunga Mountains, right next to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is filled with diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, bamboo groves, and alpine areas. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Volcanoes National Park is famous for being home to the endangered mountain gorillas. In addition to gorillas, visitors can also see golden monkeys and a variety of other animals, such as buffaloes, elephants, and numerous bird species. The park is notably linked to Dian Fossey, an American zoologist who worked hard to protect the mountain gorillas.

The Park is home to five of the eight volcanoes found in the Virunga region such as Karisimbi (4,507 meters), Bisoke (3,711 meters), Muhabura (4,127meters), Gahinga (3,474 meters) and Sabyinyo (3,669 meters). Volcanoes National Park is perhaps the most famous for being a habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas in the several habituated groups accessible for trekking. Visitors can explore the park’s stunning scenery, engage in various safari activities like gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, cultural tours and support the conservation efforts.

Gorilla rules and regulations to take during the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

When going gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, there are important rules to follow to ensure both your safety and the well-being of the mountain gorillas.

• Tourists are encouraged to be healthy, and people with infections and illnesses are advised to kindly volunteer not to track as these mountain gorillas can catch them too and they can affect them much.
• Always keep a distance of 7 to 10 meters from the gorillas. You must be at least 15 years old to participate in gorilla trekking.
• Avoid direct eye contact with the mountain gorillas, as this discomforts the gorillas. Remember, touching the gorillas is not allowed under any circumstances
• You are advised to keep calm when a mountain gorilla charges at you and follow the ranger’s instructions at every time during gorilla trekking.
• Keep noise to a minimum; it’s best to whisper if you need to talk, and remember to leave no trash behind in the park

  

Best time to do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

The ideal time for a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park isn’t fixed, as you can go throughout the year. However, it’s important to understand that each season has its pros and cons. You can experience gorilla trekking during both the dry season and the rainy season.

Where to stay on a gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park?

Volcanoes National Park has a variety of accommodation options built to cater all kinds of travellers. These accommodations ranges from luxury, mid-range to budget level.  Some of these facilities includes Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco lodge, Virunga Inn Resort and Spa, One and Only Gorillas Nest lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Faraja hotel and Best View hotel among others