Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located along Rwanda's northwestern border with Uganda and the D.R. Congo. About 160 square kilometers of forest area make up the park. To get to Ruhengeri from the airport in Kigali, a car drive takes roughly two and a half hours along twisting roads. There are five Virunga volcanoes that tower over Volcanoes National Park: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhavura, and Sabyinyo. Only Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo share this park's endangered mountain gorilla population with Rwanda. Gorilla trekkers, who are segregated into groups of no more than eight people, receive briefings every morning at the park's ORTPN headquarters. Other primates like golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, pottos monkeys, blue monkeys, and others can be seen in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is home to a variety of birds, including endemics to Albertine. Rwenzori Turaco, White-Tailed Blue Flycatcher, Scarley-tufted Malachite Sunbird, and Kivu Ground Thrush are just a some of the birds you might observe.

Things to do in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking, the primary activity in Volcanoes National Park, begins with the purchase of a permit. Your entire schedule will be planned around the date you specify when you want to go gorilla trekking. About 13 gorilla trekking families are accessible to tourists in Volcanoes National Park. The Amahooro family, the Sabyinyo family, the Susa Gorilla family, Group13, the Kwitonda and Karisimbi families, the Umubano family, the Hirwa and Ugenda gorilla families, and the Bwenge and Bwenge gorilla families are a few examples. The hike to find the gorillas is a little more difficult because Volcanoes National Park has generally steep terrain. To maintain your muscles in shape, you should exercise moderately before going on a gorilla trip. Prior to finding the mountain gorillas, you must conquer the slope challenges. Mountain gorillas can only be with people for an hour at a time since that is how long they have become accustomed to being around people. They must be allowed to feed naturally without any human influence. They require a lot of foliage to support them throughout the day and night due to their sheer size.

Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park

The best place to go birdwatching in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park. More than 178 bird species, including endemics to Albertine, are found in the park. Due of the rugged terrain of Volcanoes National Park, you should take birding equipment including a camera, sound trackers, a pair of binoculars, and tracking boots. White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Scarley-tufted Malachite Sunbird, alpine Double-collared Sunbird, and gorgeous Francolin Dusky Turtle Dove are just a few of the birds you might observe.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Only found in the Virunga region, golden monkeys are of of the world's most endangered mountain gorillas. They have a larger body than typical monkeys, and the rear of their bodies are covered with golden brown fur. These monkeys are quite active all day long in the wild. The golden monkeys have been trained to temporarily slow down so that tourists can follow them, but nature still takes over and keeps you on your toes. They are unique to follow because of their entrancing movements. They dwell in groups of 100 to 200 individuals, each of which is led by an alpha male. Booking the golden monkeys permit from ORTPN costs $100 per person per expedition. Before beginning their hunt for golden monkeys, trekkers receive a briefing at the ranger station. Then, a ranger guide leads them into the jungle where the search may begin. Because the jungle is so big, you should only ever enter it with a ranger on your side.

Kwita Izina Day Celebration

This is Rwanda's naming ceremony for gorillas. A ceremony is held each year to commemorate the registration of New Born mountain gorillas. People go from all over the world to attend this spectacular event that highlights the beauty of conservation on Kwita Izina Day. Remember that mountain gorillas were on the point of extinction prior to the 1990s, and that the zeal for their protection has steadily increased their numbers over time from around 250 to about 800. Every year, the Rwanda Development Board sets the date for this event, and when it is announced, you can book your gorilla trekking safari based on that day.

Hiking In Volcanoes National Park

Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga are the five main volcanic peaks in Volcanoes National Park. One of these enormous mountains can be hiked in a single day without the need for specialized climbing equipment. When climbing these slopes, visitors can witness several flora zones and, on a clear day, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.

a) Hiking Mountain Bisoke

Mountain Bisoke in the neighboring D.R. Congo is located at a height of around 3711 meters above sea level. During the trek up Bisoke Mountain, some stunning craters and the magnificent Virunga forest canopy are visible. It could take six hours to hike the Bisoke Mountains.

b) Hiking Mountain Sabyinyo

Mountain Sabyinyo is situated in the intersection between Uganda, Rwanda, and the D.R. Congo. You can view these three nations when you get to the top of it. Both Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda contain this peak. The Mgahinga Mountains rise up at a height of roughly 3645 meters above sea level, ornamented with various flora zones and deep gorges that need climbing through muck. The trek is a 14 kilometer round trip and takes about 8 hours.

c) Hiking Mountain Gahinga

Mountain Gahinga looms over the boundary between Uganda and Rwanda. It is 3474 meters above sea level, and you can do it even if you have never hiked before. During the about 6-hour hike, you may take in the crater vista, lash vegetation cover, among other sights.

d) Hiking Mountain Karisimbi

It may take two days to hike up this mountain, which is the highest of them all. Your ranger guide leads you on a hike that ascends you to a height of roughly 3700 meters, which you finish the following day. The peak is located at a height of roughly 4507 meters above sea level. Various vegetation zones make up the slopes of Mountain Karisimbi, and during this hike you can see Mountain Muhavura, Nyamulangira Volcanoes, and the active Volcano Nyirangongo in D.R. Congo.

Dian Fossey Trek

One of the heartwarming Rwanda Adventures is following in the footsteps of the heroic Mountain Gorilla Dian Fossey. The American primatologist Dian Fossey began her research in Volcanoes National Park in 1967 after learning about the mountain gorillas' plight. She founded the Karisoke Research Center specifically to learn more about mountain gorillas. She died brutally in 1985 as a result of his enthusiastic attempt to defend the mountain gorillas from a human invasion. She loved her bond with the mountain gorillas, and her bones were interred among them. Her results have been used as the foundation for mountain gorilla research by many scientists across the world, and an institute was founded in her honor.

Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park

A fun overnight experience can be had inside or outside of the Volcanoes National Park. Before going on a gorilla trek, you can choose to spend the night in Kigali city or further north in Ruhengeri. When visiting Volcanoes National Park, a variety of lodging options are available to book. All price ranges are accounted for, with options ranging from luxurious lodging to affordable lodging. Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou, Hotel Mille Collins, Best View Hotel, Faraja Hotel, and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge are just a few examples of places to stay.

How to reach Volcanoes National Park

The major mode of transportation from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park is the road. For almost three hours, you travel on twisting roads. There is daily public transportation from Kigali, although it only goes as far as Musanze. To go to Volcanoes National Park, you need to arrange private transportation.

What to pack for Volcanoes National Park

Search for comfortable hiking boots that will allow you to find the mountain gorillas. You must search for gorillas in the Bamboo region because the terrain of Volcanoes National Park is often steep and the gorillas occasionally feed from the hillsides. A raincoat or poncho to keep you dry when it rains or the mist that drips from leaves and falls like raindrops. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants in a dirt-friendly color, like Khaki, to shield your skin from nettles and the jungle's harsh surfaces. Insect repellent that is gentle on the skin and won't cause any allergic reactions. While in the bush, you could get bitten by stinging insects. a second mask to put on when visiting the gorillas because they are susceptible to flu and other contagious diseases that affect humans, such as COVID-19, a flash-free camera to capture the moments you spent walking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

When is the Best Time to Visit Volcanoes National Park?

Volcanoes National Park is accessible to tourists all year round. If you are planning an African gorilla trekking safari during the busy months of June through September or December, you must reserve the gorilla trekking permit at least three months in advance. Additionally, during this time, the months are drier and the trails' ground is less soggy due to more ground-penetrating sunlight. Visitors can still go on an adventure during the rainy seasons of March through May and November, but make sure to pack all of your gorilla trekking supplies, especially rainproof gear because it pours heavily and is bitterly cold. Sometimes, Rwandan gorilla trekking permits are on sale during certain months. To obtain subsidized permits, you must adhere to the Rwanda Development Board's rules and regulations. Please contact us by email at info@davsafaris.com or by phone at +256701412430 | +256757795781 if you have any additional questions about commonly asked questions about gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or about the services provided by Dav Safaris. We will then provide you with the necessary advice.