No one can doubt the fact that Rwanda is the best gorilla safari destination in the world, Rwanda is located in the east central Africa and it’s known as one of the smallest countries in the world and a densely populated nation. However, when it comes to tourist attractions, it out competes very many big countries. Rwanda is one of the three countries in the world that houses the endangered mountain gorillas the other two are Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo. Tracking in all these three countries is very possible since gorillas of these nations are habituated to human standards and they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm caused to human. Over 900 mountain gorillas are left in the world and Rwanda is considered for housing almost a half of these remaining apes inhabited in the volcanoes national park which is located in the northern part of Rwanda about 3 hour’s drive from the capital Kigali to Kingi park headquarters, not only that but its known as the best destination for gorilla safaris in the world. Gorillas of Rwanda are considered as easy to track when compared to tracking in the impenetrable forest of Bwindi national park in Uganda and the Virunga national park of Congo, some Rwanda gorilla families are easy to track within 1-6 hours then after you came back to the lodge for refreshment and lunch and then in the evening embark on other activity like community walk those who have tracked in both countries can testify to this. Although it’s not a guarantee since they are wild animals they are very difficult to predict, the one seems to be easy to track may turn to be difficult and vice versa.
There is no word that can explain the one hour encounter with the endangered mountain gorilla but those who have got chance to meet these apes in their natural habitat say, ‘’there is no magical experience in the world than an encounter with the rare mountain gorillas’’. Many people in the world come to Rwanda specifically to see these endangered apes in their natural habitat, they track them for at least 1-2 days while studying their behaviors as well as taking photography and ounce they are met only one hour is allowed with the animals.
Rwanda’s proximity to the gorilla park also makes it why many choose to track in Rwanda especially those who don’t prefer traveling for long hours, in Rwanda one can easily track and come back to Kigali or depart back home within one day. If one is interested in a one day gorilla safari has to drive very fist from Kigali(accommodation) to kinigi park headquarters for a short briefing from the park wardens/ ranger guide before 7:30am to get more information about the do’s and don’ts while with the gorillas and then head to the forest to begin the activity. After tracking you are driven back to Kigali or at the airport to meet your departure flight back home. This is very difficult in Uganda and DRC due to a long distance involved, reaching the park (Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda it’s a drive of about 7-9 hours). Rwanda has 11 habituated gorilla families (Habituated means they are used to short visits by humans.) 10 gorilla families are ready to receive visitors on daily basis and the other gorilla family is used for research purpose. In each gorilla family 8 members are only allowed to track meaning that 80 people track gorillas every day. Rwanda gorilla permits costs USD 750 per person per tracking and this fee includes park entry fee and a ranger guide. Permits are sold at the Rwanda tourism board Offices (ORTPN) found in Kigali (close to the PNV) permits are sold on first come first served basis the earlier you pay your permit the better to avoid disappointment. Mountain gorillas are tremendous amusing to watch in their natural habitat, they can be met doing their daily activities like feeding, playing, mothers breast feeding , making nest among others , switching eye to eye with the silverback gorilla a dominant male is a memorable moment in life very difficult to forget. Rwanda gorilla tracking is regarded as the most expensive done activity, however it’s known as the most done Rwanda’s tourist activity. It is estimated that over 80% of travelers who visit Rwanda go gorilla tracking, this has generated a lot of revenue to the government of Rwanda and hence improves the wellbeing of the people especially those that live near the park. Let’s go gorilla tracking in Rwanda for more information contact us.