ABOUT RWANDA GORILLAS

While on Rwanda Safaris, one should not miss out on a wonderful opportunity to visit Rwanda‘s volcanoes National Park. The park consist of 125km² of mountain forest and a home to the six virunga volcanoes and the world famous mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes national park which is located in Virungi and join with Mgahinga National Park. Protected within the Volcanoes National Park, the mountain with lushly forested slopes make an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world. The exciting hike to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest provides spectacular views in all directions, before trackers get immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest flourishing with the calls of bird species.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS HABITAT

Mountain gorillas are found in volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The park is a home to a large number of mountain forests which are habitats to endangered gorilla species.

GORILLA TRACKING TIME

Gorilla tracking starts at 8:30am local time with a briefing than at 9:00am is when the real activity starts. Tracking may take 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and circumstances at hand.

Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year for a gorilla safari. But the beat time for gorilla tracking safaris is from mid-May to mid-October. This season is a long dry season and has perfect condition for gorilla tracking.

HOW GORILLA PERMITS ARE ALLOCATED

Gorilla permit are allocated according to age, physical fitness and interest. This is done after briefing. Those with enough and looks adventurous are given families which are hard to track and those who looks weak are given gorilla families which are easy to track.

It is advisable to buy gorilla permits in advance because getting gorilla permits during the peak season is very difficult.

A maximum of 80 gorilla permits are available each day at US $750 per person per visit.

  EASIEST GORILLA FAMILY TO TRACK

Sabinyo gorilla group is an easily accessible group led by the powerful silverback called Guhonda. The members in this group are few than in other groups however they are equally impressive as a family.

DRIVE TIME TO GORILLA PARKS

It takes 1-2 hours’ drive from Kigali to (Musanze) formerly known as Rushengeri. Rushengeri is the center of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking with a good number of, bars restaurants and cafes

PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GORILLA PARKS

The normal base for visiting the volcanoes park is Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri), which can easily be reached by public transport from Gisenyi, Kigali. By 7:00am, you should be at the ORTPN office in kinigi. It is not a better and reliable option to public transport because there is no public transport between Musanze and the park headquarters in kinigi.