GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda : Gorilla trekking is among the top tourist activities in Rwanda you should participate in while you participate in your Rwanda safari. Rwanda is among the safest destinations where you can participate in gorilla trekking in Africa if you’re interested in watching the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. it should be noted that the Rwanda is home to half of the endangered mountain gorillas in the world that can be accessed after hiking the Virunga mountains in Rwanda.
Dian Fossey made gorilla trekking in Rwanda quite famous after embarking on the role of habituating the species to get accustomed to human presence, it increased the need for the people interested in watching then aggressive giants getting along and being in the same space with the humans as they observe the different gorilla families carrying out their activities in the park.
Where to access the gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
For tourists interested in participating in gorilla trekking in Rwanda, they should first book and acquire their gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda from a trusted tour operator or from the Rwanda development board the tourism board for Rwanda where you can also book permits for other tourism activities in Rwanda. After accessing your gorilla trekking permit you will make your way to volcanoes national park where you will access the habituated gorilla families. in the part you can also take part in hiking the Virunga mountains in Rwanda like mount gahinga, mount muhabura, mount sabyinyo, mount karisimbi and mount bisoke which will give you access to the families, you can also participate in golden monkey trekking to understand more about the endangered golden monkey species that can be seen in Mgahinga national park, Virunga national park and volcanoes national park within the Albertine rift.
What involves in gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
After obtaining your gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, you will make your way to volcanoes national park where you will make your way participating in gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park. In order to access the habituated gorilla families in Rwanda, you are expected to hike the Virunga mountains because the mountain gorillas are found along the high elevations of the mountain and they can be found within the bamboo trees. While hiking the Virunga mountains in Rwanda, you will get to a watch number of attractions like the bird species endemic to the Albertine rift, you will also get to see bird species from the Congo biome, a number of migratory bird species like; the long-crested eagle handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Batis Dusky turtle love, paradise flycatcher, archer’s ground robin, African Rwenzori, double collared sunbird, marsh harrier, Ruwenzori turaco, common moorhen Ruwenzori night jar, grey throated tit, the dusky crimson wing, red-faced woodland warbler. You will also get to see a number of primate species like; like the dent’s monkey, black and white colobus monkey, Mona monkey, vervet monkey, silver monkey, grey cheeked Mangabey among other attractions in the park.
Once you get to the habituated gorilla families, you will have the chance to observe the unique behavior of the primates in the park to ensure that you have an amazing experience. Some of the most memorable features you will get to understand the primates include; their diet as you will get to see them tearing down bamboo trees to eat the bamboo shoots, you will also have the chance to see how tall they are making them gentle giants, you will get to see them and their social hierarchy where you will get to see the adult male, the dominant male the silverback who has all the mating rights with the adult females of the group, you will also have the chance to film and take pictures of the gorillas to ensure that you have amazing memories in the park during the activity.
Rules and regulations to follow for an amazing experience in the park
- Avoid looking gorillas in the eyes because it triggers them as a threat and this can lead them to attack you.
- Avoid using camera and flash mode which will lead them to attack you because they are light sensitive
- You should maintain a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas because getting too close to them will lead them to attack you.
- You should avoid touching the gorilla infants because the gorillas would attack you. More about the gorillas can be addressed when you participate in the briefing session before you make your way to track the gorillas in the wild to ensure that you have a safe activity while you get in the presence of the gorillas.
