Rwanda is one of the three countries in the world that are home to the famously endangered mountain gorillas and is also home to a diverse population of animals, inclusive of lions and the world’s largest natural park for hippos among others.
Rwanda is one of the smallest countries located in the very heart of Africa in the extreme southwest of Uganda. Much as Rwanda is still a developing country, its tourism being more based on the conservation of mountain gorillas has enabled to put the country in the lime light of achieving economic growth.
Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered primate species in the world and in Rwanda they can be seen in the Volcanoes National Park [Parc Nationale De Volcans]. As of today the number of gorilla groups habituated in the park are eight, making a total of 64 gorilla permits everyday as only 8 people are allowed to track each group of the gorillas.
When planning a gorilla safari to Rwanda before tracking, you need to have a gorilla permit and you can acquire it through Rwanda Development Board. Also your travel agent can be a reliable source of gorilla permits because they know when, where, and how to book and pay for your gorilla permit.
Gorilla permits have got limits both age and time limits. One must be 15 years and above to be eligible to acquire a gorilla permit. On the day of gorilla tracking, visitors assemble at park headquarters for a briefing about the Do’s and Don’ts’ and guidelines to follow while trekking mountain gorillas.
The encounter offers each person an hour of interaction with the gentle giants. Once found to be sick or in case of cancellation of gorilla tracking, Rwanda development board refunds 50% of your fee.
Gorilla tracking is the first gorilla activity of all the wildlife activities in Rwanda and it has become popular due to the fact that gorillas are restricted to the three countries. It’s important that if you’re to make a booking for gorilla permit, do it early so that it can be made for your desired travel date because they usually get sold out due to high demand, especially during high season months, of December – March and June – October.
In May 2017, Rwanda doubled its gorilla permit fees from $750 to $1500 per person for an hour watch of the gorillas. The prices took effect from the date of stating the increment but visitors who are to stay longer for three days or more visiting the gorillas or other national parks in Rwanda are offered 30% discount and conference tourists who would like to track gorillas are also eligible to 15% discount.
Rwanda has marketed itself as a luxurious market destination and also has got the most expensive tourist activity the $1500 gorilla permit, not only for the nonresidents but also the Rwandans themselves. This has left tracking gorillas in Rwanda to the luxurious tourists.
The best alternative destination for gorilla trekking in terms of costs is Uganda, as it is still at 600$ per permit; however, Uganda is also the most safest as opposed to Virunga national park in D. R. Congo which was closed back in June 2018 until 2019 when it shall be re-opened.
With growing numbers of people wanting to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the rainy season which runs from April, May and November may be ideal because it’s not as competitive as the dry season which runs from December, march, June – September
Volcanoes National Park is reached with in just two hours of drive from the Kigali international airport in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.