Gorilla trekking in Rwanda –
a wildlife adventure
To
experience a wildlife adventure of a lifetime, consider going on a gorilla
trek in Rwanda, exploring their natural home in the Volcanoes National Park
(Parc National des Volcans).
Mountain
gorillas (Gorilla Berengei Berengei) can only be found in three countries in
the world – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. As of
this year, there are seven groups of the endangered mountain gorillas in
Rwanda to visit, with a limited number of gorilla permits available for
visitors each day. Primate Safaris Rwanda offers a service to book
both your gorilla
trekking experience and to also organize the correct permits for your
trip.
What can I see on a mountain
gorilla trek in Rwanda?
One day to week long safaris are
available, depending on your schedule, and while hiking through the densely
forested hills, you will come across the mountain gorillas in their natural
habitat. You might come across a mother gorilla, nursing her babies, or a
family group going about their business on the green and lush slopes.
When planning
your trek, it is best to find accommodation as close as possible to the
entrance of the park, as you will have to wake up pretty early. At around 7
a.m. your gorilla guide will brief you on the necessary safety precautions
and etiquette used while trekking among the local inhabitants. Once your
briefing is over, the hike begins and you will head off with other members
of the group.
It must
be borne in mind that gorilla trekking takes a certain amount of stamina.
These primates are named mountain
gorillas for a reason and the trek can be strenuous. Depending on the
tour you are taking, the hike to the primates can take anything from 30
minutes to several hours. However, your guide is fully trained and will lead
you direct to a specific “habituated” gorilla group, already used
to the presence of humans.
Watching the interaction of
gorillas in the wild
The group
of gorillas will normally scatter over a relatively small area in the thick
vegetation and you will find they carry on as normal, despite their
audience. You will be able to watch them interact and even feed, all the
while keeping an interested eye on your hiking group. On some rare
occasions, playful youngsters have been known to boldly approach humans,
however you must ensure that you are always at least seven metres away.
Should an inquisitive youngster head towards you, you will need to slowly back
away. The reason for keeping your distance is to safeguard the gorillas
from catching any contagious human diseases the tour group might be
carrying.
What to bear in mind prior to
your gorilla trek
The area where the mountain
gorillas reside is fairly high up (around 1,700m above sea level) so it can
get pretty cold. Ensure you have warm, comfortable clothing with you at all
times and some suitable walking shoes.
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