Rwanda Gorilla Tours, Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Cost, Safari Permits 2023

Golden Monkeys & Other Primates of Rwanda

You’ll also want to see the golden monkeys when you’re in Rwanda. There are a lot of these strange-looking critters living near the volcanoes, and they live in the bamboo. Although they are naturally reserved, the habituated populations have become accustomed to the presence of strangers.
Because you won’t have to go as far, a golden monkey journey will be shorter than a gorilla excursion. Permits are required for both the golden monkey treks and the Rwanda gorilla safaris.
At only $100 per person, they’re a lot more accessible. To guarantee yourself a seat, you need reserve your permit at least three months in advance.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Only about 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, but recent news indicates that their numbers are rising!

Anyone may make a difference by taking a gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park and thereby supporting the conservation of these beautiful primates.
To trek among the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda, you’ll need a permit. There are just 80 day permits available for $1,500 apiece.

A portion of the park’s revenue is reinvested on conservation and sustainable tourism. In the morning, participants gather at the park headquarters for a briefing regarding mountain gorilla tours.

Afterwards, take a walk through Volcanoes National Park’s bamboo forests in search of mountain gorillas in their native environment.

Depending on the gorillas’ activity and movements, expect the trek to last between 1 and 6 hours. There is a one-hour limit on the time you can spend with the gorillas, and you can take photos and films.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park has 25% of Africa’s primates. The chimpanzee population is second only to Kibale National Park in Uganda.

While there are several pathways to stroll along to observe the chimpanzees, you may need to venture off the main road into the forest with a guide. Chimpanzee trekking requires a permit to be booked in advance.

After the hike, you may see acrobatic chimps swinging from tree branches, mothers embracing newborn chimps, and other sights that will not only astonish but also warm your heart.

Nyungwe Forest has around 310 bird species. From Albertine Rift endemics to Forest endemics, there are plenty to see. Nyungwe Forest National Park is ideal for walkers and hikers. The park includes 13 separate hiking routes where you can spend 1-8 hours observing various plant, tree, bird, primate, and butterfly species.

The Igishigishigi Trail is the shortest and features a canopy walk, another thrilling experience. The Bigugu Trail, in Nyungwe Forest National Park, is the park’s longest trail, taking up to 8 hours to climb.

Each path has its own unique wildlife experience, highlighting the trail’s most common species.

Visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park for a Hiking Safari is a good choice because all 13 trails take days to complete.

Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

It is rare to find more than two mountain gorilla populations in east-central Africa, one of which is located in the Virunga Volcanoes region, which spans three forest reserves from Uganda to Rwanda to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There is one who lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and Sarambwe Nature Reserve (DRC).

It is only in the high-altitude montane and bamboo forests, between 1,400 and 3,800 meters, that these gentle giants can be found.

How To Track The Gorillas Of Rwanda

Gorillas are wild animals, despite the fact that they have been accustomed to humans.  Both species can benefit from a few simple guidelines. Always follow your guide’s directions to the letter. Keep your distance.

In order to reduce the spread of disease, visitors are asked to keep a distance of seven meters or more from the gorillas.

Gorillas may see a direct stare as unfriendly or hostile; instead, look away to appear less obtrusive.

When watching gorillas, avoid pointing, speak gently (if at all), turn off your camera’s flash, and sit or kneel as much as possible. Not only will the people behind you appreciate it, but the gorillas, who can only stand on two legs, will perceive you as less scary.

Gorilla Conservation

However, despite being threatened species, the mountain gorilla is the only great ape whose population appears to be rising, thanks in large part to conservation efforts and the money generated by gorilla tourism.

There are just about 880 mountain gorillas left in the wild. In the Virunga Mountains, which straddle three countries – Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – most of them lead solitary lives away from humans.

Several species, on the other hand, have become habituated to human visitation and may be viewed and tracked by small groups of tourists accompanied by experienced guides and rangers.

The Volcanoes Park in Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda account for nearly all of these supernatural occurrences.

Rwanda Safari Tours Besides Gorilla Treks

There are many things you can do after gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda. You can visit Nyungwe Forest – home to chimpanzees and many other primates. Or go on Kibinga forest walk or Nyanza safari tour by boat. There are also several hiking trails that don’t require special permits : Ruhengeri Bridge trail , Mahoma trail or Kinigi Bigogwe trail.

Bird watching is done in Nyungwe and Gishwati Mukura National Park. You can also visit the local communities for the ultimate cultural experience.

Its also possible to attempt mountain climbing in the nearby Rwenzori Mountains National Park. There is also the Dian Fossey hike of the Virunga Mountains.

Gorilla Groups in Rwanda

Agashya Gorilla Trek

Tours at zoos are wonderful, but they might be tedious due to the fact that the animals there are usually imprisoned and well-acquainted.

The animals in the parks, on the other hand, are completely free to roam. This keeps you on your toes because you never know when you’ll see wildlife.

Volcanoes National Park is popular with this particular subset of tourists because of the presence of such a feature. They’re curious and always on the go, looking for new things to see in the park.

As a result, the experience of hiking to visit them is enhanced like a treasure hunt because it provides you with a wealth of new sights and sounds. Natural swimming ponds, critically endangered bird species, elephant footprints, and so on are all possibilities. In just eight years, the family has grown from 13 to 27 members.

Tracking Gorillas Of Sabyinyo Family

With this group, you can see gorillas in the wild without having to go through so much hardship.  Mountain Sabinyo, the mountain from which they get their name, is a great place for them to graze. They don’t travel far at times when food is scarce in this area.  The bamboo zone is where they prefer to hang out. Guhonda silverback is the leader of the group, which consists of 12 members.

Titus Gorilla Trek (Dian Fossey Favourite)

In Dian Fossey’s mind, no other gorilla troop was more important than the Titus. This is in part due to the fact that they had many similarities. This eight-member gorilla family, like hers, has had its share of ups and downs, and she has seen them all.
For example, she watched the birth of the group leader, who was born in agonizing anguish by his mother, in front of her. Titus was his given name.

Titus had been deposed by his son Kuryama, the reigning monarch of the Titus Monarchy, by the time of his death in September 2009 (at the age of 35).

Track Gorillas Of Amahoro Family

As part of its annual gorilla conservation event, Rwanda names its gorillas according to their personalities. Amahoro was the group’s name during the second iteration in 2005.
A phrase in the Kinyarwanda language that describes someone or something that inspires you is called “mwanda,” or “calm.”
The 18 people that make up this delegation are, in fact, actual peace ambassadors. Unless they feel threatened, they are extremely tolerant of tourists.

Among the members of the Amahoro gorilla family are two black backs, five infant gorillas and four juvenile gorilla species.

Susa Group A, Best Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience

The birth of twins in mountain gorillas isn’t a big deal to the mother because it’s the beginning of a demanding period of caring for the babies. A mountain gorilla frequently abandons one of its newborn twins after it gives birth to them.
One of the 33 people in this group, a mother, had the opposite opinion, ironically. Impano and Byishimo, her happy twins, were born beyond all chances.

Ten years ago, the group had 42 members, making it one of the largest in Volcanoes National Park. Susa A separated into two groups: Susa B, or Karisimbi, and Susa A.

Umubano Group

A silverback, a blackback, six newborns, and three adult females make up this group’s total of 13 members. Charles, a powerful silverback who had become tired of the constant fighting in the Amahoro tribe, founded it. Invasion after invasion by other gorilla species led to this. After persuading a dozen gorillas to form a family that rejects violence as a means of solving issues, Charles founded the Family of Peace.

Umubano, a phrase in the Kinyarwanda language that translates to “living together in harmony,” is the name of the group

B-also known as Karisimbi Group-is Susa B.

From a population of 9 to 15 since their split from Susa A in 2008, this group has increased significantly. This is due to the fact that they have registered multiple births. Mountain Karisimbi, Rwanda’s tallest peak, is their home (4,507M).

Visiting these gorillas is more rewarding than most other gorilla groups because of this.There are thousands of gorgeous hills seen from the top of Rwanda’s highest peak.

Hirwa Group

This group is named after a Kinyarwanda word that meaning lucky for two reasons. To begin with, it is one of only seven Virunga ethnic groups to have twins. It’s a serious concern since gorillas rely on large groups for their safety.

In addition, it’s possible to see all 16 members of the group at any time of year, regardless of the season. As a result of their great sense of solidarity, they will never abandon one another, even in the midst of a fight.

Mountain Sabinyo has been their favored place since they broke away from the Sabyinyo group and the Agashya group several years ago.

Kwitonda Group

Akarevuro, one of three dominant silverbacks (the other two are Magumu and Kigoma), leads the group of 23 members. The tribe lived in Africa’s oldest National Park, Virunga National Park, until migrating and establishing in the lower slopes of Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga in 2003.Kwitonda, a 40-year-old silverback, was still in charge of the group at the time.

Bwenge Group

He founded the Beetsme group a year later, after he was ousted from his position as head of the Titus group.

He reigned with an iron grip for nearly five years and fathered over twenty children, some of his own and others from outside his group.

“Ugenda” Group

The 27 gorillas in this group bear an uncanny likeness to each other, like identical twins. You’ll spend the next hour trying to identify them apart based on their key physical characteristics from head to toe.
Astounding precision in their design was the work of God. To the amazement of the park’s rangers, they are able to distinguish the two species apart based solely on their vocalizations and pulse rate.
Their relationship with them dates back to the time of their habituation several years ago. Before you meet with them, they’ll be able to tell you about each person’s life story, highlighting their greatest and worst experiences. 

Gorilla Trek Africa, What is the Best Destination to Trek The Gorillas

Rwanda is the best country to trek the gorillas of Africa. However, despite the fact that both Rwanda and Uganda appear to offer similar items, the entire experience can differ greatly between the two countries.

Rwanda Gorilla Tracking

A view of the lake from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali The BBC’s Life on Earth series and the work of Dian Fossey made Rwanda a household name, making it statistically more popular.

Also, it’s lot more manageable in terms of travel time than Uganda. Because of the close proximity of Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes Park, visitors can fly in, spend two or three nights in the park to view the gorillas, and then continue on to other parts of Africa.

The park’s landscape is also slightly more open than in Bwindi, making it easier to observe gorillas. Although long treks are not unusual, gorillas can sometimes be found after only a short walk from the park boundary.

Volcanoes National Park and the Nyungwe Forest, the best-preserved rainforest in the mountains of Central Africa, are about two hours away from Lake Kivu and the Nyungwe Forest, which is home to 13 primate species and a wide variety of rare birds, including forest hornbills and blue turacos.

The Kigali Memorial Centre, a touching memorial to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, lies within a five-hour drive of the capital, Kigali. In Rwanda and Uganda, you may see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Uganda Gorilla Tracking

It will take more time to see gorillas in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a long way from Entebbe International Airport, but the journey is worth it.
A day’s worth of travel is needed on either side of your walk to get there.

Impenetrable doesn’t mean easy; it means that monitoring gorillas in Uganda is more difficult than in Rwanda because of its topography and heavy foliage.

In addition to Bwindi, Uganda has a plethora of other activities to choose from. Chimpanzees may be seen in the wild in the Kibale Forest, which is one of the best places in Africa to do so.

These game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are good opportunities to see big cats such as leopards and lions and a broad range of antelope and bird species.

Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch’s walking safaris may get you up up and personal with southern white rhinoceros. The Rwenzori Mountains offer fantastic hiking opportunities (Mountains of the Moon).

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Tanzania Safari

You cannot track the gorillas in Tanzania simply because they are not found there. You can however combine visits to Serengeti National Park with gorilla trek African safari in Rwanda’s volcanoes national park.

Rwanda Gorilla Tours & Kenya Safaris

Just like in Tanzania, there are no gorilla treks in Kenya. You will need to visit Masai Mara and then fly to Kigali before you embark on a gorilla safari experience in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Akagera national park

Visiting Akagera National Park before or after gorilla tracking is such a rewarding experience. The major attractions here include the African lion, Giraffe, Zebra and so much more.

Cost of a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda

Many Rwanda safari companies arrange gorilla tracking safaris in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. The pricing is not uniform and as such, its important to understand the cause for the difference in both budget and luxury safaris. The cost differs based on accommodation, car, season and company costs. Local companies are likely to charge less compared to the international travel agencies.