As to Wildlife Rwanda boasts 13 species of primates 25% of Africa’s total and 670 species of birds many of which are globally endangered. But among the primates, the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National park in Ruhengeri, northern Rwanda dominate the country’s tourism sector every year with thousands storming to track the shy gentle giants. Only eight tourists are allowed to view a particular Gorilla family and a maximum of 96 guests visit the Gorilla Park per day to view the 12 habituated Gorilla families in Rwanda. The country also introduced a world famed Baby Gorilla naming Ceremony the Kwita Izina which attracts visitors from all over the world every year in June.
In most cases tourists combine gorilla tracking with other activities chimpanzee trek, Golden monkey trek, hiking, community walks, genocides and other to have extra ordinary stays during their visit to Rwanda. Those with a beach passion go to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi a 6th largest & 15th deepest in the world. The lake has a magical location that you can visit other islands including Napoleon for more beach fun, leisure and relaxation.
Are you thinking of taking a safari in Rwanda and go gorilla trekking? You won’t be disappointed & birders will love the endemic species of the volcanoes forest. Kill two birds with one stone by using the Gorilla Tracking opportunity to view Rwanda Golden monkeys in their natural environment. You can also visit the Karisoke Research Centre of the American primatologist Diane Fossey who was murdered in 1985 by poachers.
Tips to Guide You in Booking a Rwanda Safari
Avoid last minute inconveniences by securing your Gorilla tracking permit in time earlier before travel since permits are always on a very high demand year round and people book them a year in advance. Rwanda permits used to be scarce during the high season of June –September and December-Match every year but lately all year months demands are the same.
Book your permits through your travel agent, hotel or Rwanda park management office at a cost of 750$ per days trek. You need to spend a night before tracking close to the park in order to be at the park briefing point by 8.00 am local time. A cup of warm tea is offered to travellers before starting the trek.
The park rangers will divide you into different groups depending on the level of fitness and in this case you free to request for either the hardest Gorilla family to track or the fare one. Porters are hired at that point who will help you carry the bag and drinking water during the trek even when you encounter the mountain Gorillas. The one hour spent with the Gorillas and photography is enjoyed if someone has helped carry your luggage.1-3 days Gorilla safari are the most desired & affordable packages which many tourists take on.
Besides if you care about the people and their culture visit the local communities and learn how local people spend their day to day life, enjoy the traditional dances and songs and many more. When you think of a Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, never mind where to stay since Musanze (former Ruhengeri) the gorilla land has all classes of lodge/hotels to suit your needs and budget.