Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking is taking a guided journey through the jungle in order to spend time with a specific gorilla tribe in their natural habitat. Visiting these enigmatic and magnificent creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll understand the everlasting fascination with these human-like creatures when you watch the children at play, the females fawning over their offspring, and the bold posturing of a silvеrbасk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.

Where can I see mountain gorillas in Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park is the only area in Rwanda where you may see mountain gorillas. This lovely park shares the same gorilla population as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which lies just across the border. This is because the animals are free to move between the parks, forming one ecosystem.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda worth it?

Gorilla Trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people. I genuinely believe you’ll be disappointed if your entire vacation hinges around simply viewing the gorillas – after your 60 minutes, the remainder of the trip may feel a little anticlimactic. It should be viewed as a whole day’s activity in a pure natural setting, not simply a precious hour with the giant apes.

Make sure you’re prepared to get the most out of the event. Be as fit as possible, use appropriate clothing, get enough of rest, and don’t attempt to cram too many things into your schedule. These are both wonderful places with much more to offer than ‘simply’ gorilla trekking; take your time and get to know the rest of the country.

Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda Safe?

Despite their size and unjust image, gorillas are not in the least harmful if they are treated with respect. All gorilla trekking expeditions are led by trained ranger guides who spend the most of their time among the mountain gorillas. You may only visit gorilla groups that have been habituated to the presence of humans, which means they are used to having people around them and recognize that you are not a threat.

Gorillas are typically quiet and reserved creatures who spend the most of their time feeding and caring for their offspring. However, they, like any other wild animal, can become protective if they feel threatened, especially around their young.

Your guide will recognize the signals, which may include ‘mock charging,’ intense chest thumping, and grunting. Always follow your guide’s instructions, but if you come across a hostile gorilla, squat down, look away, and attempt to appear comfortable. During the pre-trek briefing, your guide will provide you with further information.

Must I hire a porter during my gorilla trek in Rwanda?

Regardless of age, I usually recommend hiring a porter; it’s a tremendous assistance to have someone carry your luggage and leave your hands free for snapping shots. If you believe you require further assistance, you can hire a group to transport you on a somewhat unappealingly called “stretcher”, and believe me, it’s better than it sounds! The porter is often paid $10-$15 each passenger, with a corresponding amount considered as a gratuity.

The “stretchers” are around $100. These services are managed by the community and provide a significant increase to a family’s income. All of this may be arranged at your briefing on the morning of your walk. Consider the location of your resort as well as the gorilla family you’ve been assigned to follow. Do not be afraid to express your tracking preferences at the morning briefing. The rangers want everyone to have a pleasant – and safe – experience, so they’ll do all they can to pair individuals with comparable fitness levels together and assign them to monitor a more accessible gorilla family.

Your tour operator should be able to recommend a gorilla family and lodging combination that is appropriate for your level of fitness and competence. Preparation is also essential. Locals prefer gumboots which keep out ants as well as mud, but walking boots with ankle support are the best alternative, in my opinion. I’d recommend carrying a walking rod or a stick. Sticks can be purchased or borrowed from your lodge.

How Difficult is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

Trekking with gorillas may be quite strenuous. Expect muddy pathways, lush jungles, and dense flora; come physically and emotionally prepared. Hiking may be treacherous and muddy due to the mist and continuous showers. You may, however, hire porters to carry your daypacks and photographic equipment, and your ranger guides will do everything they can to make the walk as simple as possible. Altitude sickness is usually not an issue, especially if you spend a day acclimatizing before your gorilla hike. However, to avoid the altitude headache, make sure you drink lots of water.

Be prepared to be on your feet for at least five hours. If you are physically healthy and assigned to a remote gorilla family, you may spend the entire day hiking. The day begins early, and you may have traveled the previous day. Keep in mind that you will be at altitude and will fatigue more quickly. Consult your doctor before booking your trip if you have any respiratory problems, and remember to carry your prescription. Your day will be memorable for all the right reasons if you use common sense and maintain a fair level of fitness.

Why is gorilla trekking in Rwanda so expensive?

It is not inexpensive to see mountain gorillas in any nation. Permits, lodging, guides, and tours may all add up to more than $2,000 in total trip expenditures per person. The primary reason is that mountain gorillas are susceptible to unregulated human involvement. Disease is one of the most serious dangers to gorilla survival. Gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, making them very susceptible to human disease infection. As a result, the authorities limit and manage the number of encounters the gorillas have with humans.

And it costs money to safeguard the gorillas’ natural environment. A major portion of gorilla permit costs is used to protect the gorillas’ mountain forest habitat. Finally, portion of your money will go toward gorilla research and monitoring, as well as compensating your guides and supporting sustainable tourism. The authorities cite to the increase in gorilla population as proof of their accomplishment. On balance, the price isn’t cheap, but considering the necessity of saving this endangered species, I think it’s a decent deal.

Is there an age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

Both nations require a minimum age of 15 to undertake gorilla trekking. When you book your permits, you must present your passport, and park officials will use it to check that your birthdate matches the date on your gorilla trekking permit.

How close can I get to the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda?

The regulations stipulate that you must keep 10 meters away from the gorillas at all times and spend no more than one hour with them. In practice, curious gorillas may approach you on your walk. If they do, keep cool and quiet, listen to your guide, and never touch the gorillas.

Maintain a quiet voice and avoid making eye contact. The further back you go, the more comfortable the gorillas will be. Your guide may direct your party to a new area in order to quiet the gorillas or to have a better perspective.

What can I expect during my gorilla trek in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is a full day excursion that begins at 7:00 a.m. with registration and a briefing at the relevant national park office. Each gorilla family’s overall position and distance from headquarters will be known to park officials. The gorilla family you are assigned to see and the duration of your walk will be determined by your trekking preferences and personal fitness.

Following the briefing, you will either walk or drive to the starting site and begin trekking approximately 8:30 a.m., depending on the region and gorilla family you are visiting. You’ll typically trek for at least an hour before arriving at your designated gorilla family.

 It may take three or more hours to locate your group in some circumstances. The view is breathtaking, and the trek is all part of the experience. Maintain your own speed and drink lots of water since it’s easy to become dehydrated, especially at altitude.

As you get closer to your gorilla family, the rangers will ask you to leave your baggage so you can have a better look at them. You’ll spend an hour with the gorillas after you make contact. They might be eating bamboo, swinging from branches, grooming each other, suckling their young, playing, napping, farting, or mating. Each encounter is unique; take the time to appreciate their existence.

The ranger guides are quite competent and will look after you in the forest. I strongly advise you to take advantage of their vast knowledge of gorillas, the jungle, and other animals. They are well familiar with each gorilla family and can give you the names and characteristics of each member. Porters are also important members of the team: for a modest price (and a tip), a porter will carry your day pack and assist you in getting up and down the slopes.

What are the chances that I will see gorillas during my gorilla trek?

Because they are so constantly watched, and researchers or trekkers communicate with them on a daily basis, guides know roughly where the different families are, and you have a 99% chance of seeing them. Of course, there are no guarantees with wild animals, and a nighttime rainstorm or an unforeseen encounter with a predator may drive a flock to relocate in an unexpected direction, but scouts will usually pick up their path again shortly. During a gorilla trekking adventure, it is rare that you do not encounter the apes.

What should I pack when going gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

When going on your gorilla trek safari in Rwanda, you will need to come fully prepared and with the right gear for your gorilla trek excursion. Make sure to pack some long trousers and shirts (stick to neutral colors), water proof hiking boots, sunscreen cream, Binoculars, insect repellent, a camera and extra batteries, a hat/cap, gaiters, and a light rain coat or poncho. You will be provided with hiking poles/sticks at the park. Make sure to carry some water and snacks to help yourself during your gorilla trek.

How fit should I be for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

It’s difficult to anticipate how far you’ll hike before encountering your gоrillа group. Some people hike for as little as 30 minutes before arriving at Gorilla, while others might go for up to four hours before meeting their group. You can, however, request a simpler or more difficult walk and, within reason, you should be able to be accommodated.

Mountain gorillas reside in montane forest, thus the walk to visit them is high in altitude and requires traversing different terrain. For these reasons, it is recommended that all gorilla hikers be in good physical condition. You must be willing to climb muddy hills and walk through dense vegetation. Furthermore, because gorillas are susceptible to human-borne illness, you are not authorized to participate in a gorilla trek if you are sick.

How I choose the right tour company for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

I would recommend going with a pleasant, responsible, and friendly operator like us who only wants you to have a good time. I also recommend that you use a tour operator that employs locals so that your visit supports the local economy. That would, once again, be us at Laba Africa Expeditions!

We organize pre-travel WhatsApp group talks so that you may get to know your group (and us). We’re also in close communication with our fantastic local guides, whom we know well and trust to look after our clients.