Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda are the essential documents that show that one has cleared with RDB to access Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla Trekking. A gorilla trekking permit is all you have is a guarantee to enjoy the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only carried out in Volcanoes national park, which is also part of the vast Virunga conservation area together with Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Congo. Volcanoes national park is one of the best mountain gorilla trekking destinations in Africa mainly because of its proximity to Kigali city. However, bwindi impenetrable national park is where most gorillas are found and you stand a full chance to see the mountain gorillas in the shortest distance of trekking, unlike in volcanoes national park.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most interesting experiences you can ever have in like. A one hour time with the mountain gorillas in their natural setting is such a rewarding moment that allows you to learn about the true behavior of the gorillas like copulation, feeding, communication among others. Volcanoes national park is a home for 7 mountain gorilla families, therefore about 56 permits are sold every day until they are done. Each gorilla family in volcanoes national park is allowed to be visited by a maximum of 8 people; this is one way of consolidating the law of fidelity of nature, because it aims at reducing the interference of the human with the behavioral patterns of the mountain gorillas, plus preventing them from catching contagious diseases from the visitors.
Getting a gorilla permit to Rwanda
If you need a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, first you have to know that a lot of frauds can inconvenience you, therefore it is good to work with tour companies or trustworthy tour operators. The mountain gorilla permits in volcanoes national park are reserved by the Rwanda development board; it is a government body responsible for all the tourism and protected areas in Rwanda.
The mountain gorilla permits in volcanoes national park are highly demanded throughout the year compared to any other gorilla permits in the other gorilla trekking destinations. This is much attributed to the distance from Kigali to volcanoes national parks it the nearest gorilla trekking destination compared to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Virunga national park.
The fact that you should not take for granted is, the gorilla permits in Rwanda are competitive and it requires you to book for your trekking permit ahead of the actual trekking day. The competition is so stiff in the dry season; mainly during the months of December to march, therefore if you are to book for gorilla trekking during the dry season, it would be a great idea to book in advance.
Alternatively, you can book your gorilla trekking permit directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). You can reach the Rwanda development board (RDB) via their email: reservation@rwandatourism.com or via Tel: +252 57 65 14. You have to note that the mountain gorilla permits in Rwanda are sold on a first come first serve basis; therefore it is good to pay for your permit immediately.
Prices for a gorilla permit in Rwanda
In order to get your gorilla trekking permit for volcanoes national park in Rwanda, the details of your passport may be required in order to print your gorilla permit. This is mainly after the full confirmation of the booking details, like the actual date of trekking and all the other information that may be asked by the booking agent. Note that the printing of the gorilla trekking permits for volcanoes national park in Rwanda is done after you have paid the full amount of the permit fee.
The park entry charges in Rwanda are stipulated based on the different statuses of the visitors, unlike for the mountain gorilla trekking permits in volcanoes national park. The foreign non-residents who plan to visit volcanoes national park are charged an amount of usd1500 as a fee for the gorilla permit. This is the same charge for all the other visitor statuses like the residents of Rwanda, the foreign residents, and the east African community citizens. The solid reason as to why the price of gorilla permits in Rwanda does not charge is; to protect the natural habitat of the gorillas, to avoid the behavioral alteration, and also to limit stress on the few gorilla families in volcanoes national park.
Despite this, a 30 percent discount is given to the visitors who are going to visit the other national parks in Rwanda, like akagera national park and nyungwe national park, for at least three days in the low season. The conference guests who are planning to stay for extra days for mountain gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park are also given a 15 percent discount off the total gorilla trekking permit price. There is also another special provision for you if you wish to do mountain gorilla trekking privately in volcanoes national park with a private guide, however, you are entitled to a charge of about USD1500 more than the other regular trekkers. However, there is a discount offered to 3 trekkers who wish to trek for mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park for 3 consecutive days and they are entitled to USD3000 for all the 3 consecutive days.
Cancellation and allocation of Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
There is no refunding of funds for the gorilla trekking permit; however cancellation can happen for visitors restricted from mountain gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park. a 50 percent of the total charge for the gorilla trekking permit is refunded to the visitor who shows any signs of sickness, this is done to protect the mountain gorillas from catching contagious ails of the humans like cough and flu.
Essentials for gorilla trekking:
One needs certain essentials for gorilla trekking since Volcanoes national park is colder mainly during the wet season, however, you can carry light clothes if at all you are going to do your mountain gorilla trekking in the dry season. However, the climate of Africa is not constant, therefore is can rain anytime and this means you can carry a raincoat in your backpack anytime you trek.
Also, don’t forget to carry an insect repellant, the jungles of Africa are a habitat for many other creatures like mosquitos plus other biting insects. A sun screen can also save you from the scotching sun of the dry season, which is the peak season of tourism in Rwanda and other gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.
A binocular is very vital as it will give you a clear view of the mountain gorillas from a distance while trekking through the forest. The binoculars also give you a chance to see a lot of other life in volcanoes national park, like birds, monkeys plus other animals.
The terrain is always slippery during the rainy season, so if at all you are planning your gorilla trekking in the wet season, don’t forget to carry hiking shoes and gumboots. Also, carry a lot of drinking water, hiking can be so tiring and water is all that can save you, plus you can also carry your lunch because the trekking might take some time to reach your allocated gorilla family.
