Seven Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Volcanoes National Park

Seven Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda the land of a thousand hills is an incredible African safari destination, with Volcanoes National Park as the most iconic destination in the country known for its incredible gorilla trekking adventures.

Despite its turbulent past, Rwanda is a wonderfully lush, pristine country to visit, particularly if you would like to get up close to the critically endangered mountain gorillas. This land locked country sharing a border with Uganda, the Congo, Tanzania and Burundi, has a blossoming tourism industry.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes you into the heart of Volcanoes National Park, a journey in itself. Here are the seven things you should know before traveling to Volcanoes National Park.

1. There are limitations on the amount of guests allowed on a gorilla

On every gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, there is a limit on the number of people visiting each gorilla group. Only 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day.

So, you need to book your Rwanda gorilla safari well in advance, which requires plenty of planning. Only 80 permits are issued per day in Volcanoes National Park ad trekking groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people per group.

You are only allowed to observe mountain gorillas for about one hour. To take part in gorilla trekking in Rwanda you need to purchase a gorilla permit costing US$ 1500 per person, it is advisable to book your Rwanda gorilla safari through a tour agency who will be able to secure permits for you as they are normally included in the cost of your safari. These permits includes a professional guide and armed forces to protect you from harm.

Please note: Children under 15 years of age are not permitted on gorilla trekking journeys.

2. Volcanoes National Park has a mix of different landscapes

Volcanoes National Park is characterized of the lush jungle and a variety of unique montane ecosystems to explore. Swamps, grasslands, bamboo forests and heaths make this rich, fertile region habitat for different wildlife and birds.

Rwanda is incredibly beautiful.

3. Kigali City is very Clean

Kigali – the capital of Rwanda is absolutely pristine and is a pleasure to visit. In addition to your gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, you can pay tribute to Dian Fossey’s memorable tomb, the world-famous American primatologist and conservationist who spent decades studying the behavior of the mountain gorillas.

Another point of interest is the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

4. There are more than just mountain gorillas

While seeing mountain gorillas up close is always the highlight of a Rwanda safari, another highlight of the park is the endangered golden monkeys. These treks only cost $ 100 and are suitable for children of all ages.

5. The gorillas are habituated

Normally mountain gorillas are very shy and will flee in the presence of a human. So for the purpose of research and tourism, groups of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park have been exposed to humans over a long period of time so that they used to seeing humans without seeing us as threats through the habituation process.

Despite the gorillas being habituated, visitors must keep a distance of 5 -7 meters from gorillas at all times and back away if the gorilla approaches you.

6. You have to be relatively fit to go on a trekking adventure

The mountainous region of Volcanoes National Park means that trekking this landscape can be quite exhausting. While there are different routes to explore based on fitness, the trek can be strenuous and takes about six hours to complete simply because of the varied terrain.

Must-pack essentials for a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda include binoculars, hiking shoes, a raincoat and long sleeved clothing, insect repellent and sunscreen as well as towel to wipe the mud away.

7. There are different seasons

The best time to travel to Rwanda for a gorilla trekking adventure is during the dry season from mid-December to early – February. However, if you are including another safari destination in your itinerary then June to September is best for an extended trip into other countries like Kenya and Tanzania among others.

Embark on gorilla trekking journey to Volcanoes National Park, get in touch with our travel experts for a perfect itinerary that will fit your travel desires and interests.