Why Rwanda for Gorilla trekking in Africa

Rwanda is located in East Africa bordered by Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and DR Congo. It is one of the fastest African developing countries since the 1994 genocide which left more than 800,000 people dead. With few natural resources especially minerals, Rwanda placed high value on its mountain gorillas through gorilla tourism which became a highlight of any safari in Rwanda.   

Rwanda has transformed as Africa’s politically safe country with modern infrastructure such as the modern Kigali airport, Kigali the cleanest city in Africa with international hotels and tarmac road that ease accessibility to the gorillas. This small nation is simply a no ordinary destination where conservation, unique traditional culture and adventure meet to fulfill any kind of tourist needs from the eco travelers, the cultural tourist, luxury and business travelers to the backpackers.

Unlike other wildlife in Africa, mountain gorilla’s profile is ranked very high because they number up to 880 individuals only living in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. This makes the gorilla trekking experience very strict and expensive for the sake of protecting and conserving gorillas. Rwanda share a third of the gorilla population with 200 estimated to be living in Volcanoes National Park which is part of the virunga massifs.

Seeing Mountain Gorillas comes at a cost

In Rwanda, mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National park located in Musanze district northern province. The park’s moderate altitude volcanoes (between 2500- 4500 meters above sea level) covered by woodlands, rainforests, large bamboo and afro-alpine vegetation provide home to about 200 gorillas. At least 10 gorilla families have been habituated making them easy to see by tourists than the wild ones.

The park’s quick accessibility from the main capital Kigali within two hours make it the most preferred gorilla trekking destination for the time bound tourists, it’s possible to trek gorillas and make a return flight late in the evening. However, those looking for an inclusive African safari, Uganda offer the best of gorilla trekking combined with big five mammal safaris.

From Kigali city to the north in Volcanoes National Park, the roads take visitors through breathtaking views of green tea plantations and many terraced rolling hills.  You will realize why the country was nicknamed the land of a thousand hills.

For one to trek gorillas in Rwanda, a gorilla permit is a mandatory requirement for each trekker. Gorilla permits are very few due to high demand hence you must book and pay for your permit at $750 per person in advance of 2-3 months. You need to contact a local tour operator or the Rwandan Development Board for permit booking details. After getting your permit you are guaranteed to see gorillas in their natural habitat with expert guides and trackers.

Guided treks are the only means tourists get to see habituated gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking starts from Kinigi the main tourist center where all trekkers gather early morning to attend to guides for a short gorilla trekking briefing etiquette. Guides allocate tourists to gorilla families depending on their trekking capacity and also arrange hiking gears.

Trekking through rainforests is characterized by hiking over steep and slippery slopes which requires body fitness because gorillas move freely in their habitat range and locating them might take 1-8 hours a day. Hence trekkers are advised to hire porters at an extra cost to help and carry backpacks with packed lunch and drinking water.

Gorilla trekking is limited to a maximum number of only 8 tourists who can visit one gorilla family for one hour per day. Treks start early in the morning, led by guides and accompanied by armed rangers for security.

While trekking you get to view mammals such as forest elephants, antelopes, bush pigs, birds and see flowers, plants and primates which live in the forest. Once the gorillas are found, viewing and photographing gorillas must be done at a 7 meter distance. For one hour you will get away with clear pictures/video due to bamboo vegetation which is not thick and tangled, you return back to your lodge with life time memories.

While most tourists are obsessed with gorilla safaris, there is much more adventures to do while in Volcanoes national park. The three volcanic mountains of Mt. Karisimbi, Mt. Muhabura and Mt. Bisoke are impressively beautiful landscapes for breathtaking while hiking. In addition to other wildlife that dwells in the park such as golden monkeys hence golden monkey tracking is another famous tourist activity in the park.

Conservation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda is synonymous with Dian Fossey who pioneered gorilla conservation and her legacy can be explored while in Volcanoes national park.  A hike to the Dian Fossey’s grave site and Karisoke research center give tourists a chance to follow the footsteps of gorillas in the mist and pay tribute to the legend.

However gorilla conservation in Rwanda has also been a joint effort of the government, private partners, gorilla conservation organizations and local communities. Revenues generated from gorilla tourism partly fund various community development projects improving the livelihoods of people.

Like never before gorillas co-exist with people due alternatives resources put for the locals such as bee keeping, pig and goat rearing, clean water, vegetable growing and community owned but government supported lodges and hotels. As a result, poaching as well as habitat encroachment has reduced among local communities.

Tourist experience has also been increased besides gorillas; visits to the communities around the park are very fascinating with Rwandan cultural encounters coming live at the famous Iby’Iwacu cultural village. Right there, tourists get to see how gorillas are helping locals; local people own craft shops packed with quality souvenirs. There are traditional huts for tourists to say in while participate various activities such as local food preparation, traditional intore dances and banana beer brewing with the Batwa pygmies.

“Gorillas in the mist”

One interesting thing about gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park Rwanda is that the park was a former research base ground of late Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated all her entire life to conserve gorillas through introducing anti-poaching campaigns and habituating gorillas.

Although died in 1985, the legends never die her work to save gorillas is still alive and doing practical work in monitoring gorillas, working with rangers and funding conservation activities in volcanoes national park through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International at Karisoke research center.

After a gorilla trek, tourists usually hike to the Dian Fossey tomb between Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke to pay tribute. Also the movie, “gorillas in the mist” which was a tribute to her work features members of Bwenge one of the habituated gorilla families.