Gorilla
trekking in Rwanda – a wildlife adventure
To
experience a wildlife adventure of a lifetime, consider going on a gorilla
trek in Rwanda, exploring their natural home in the Volcanoes National
Park (Parc National des Volcans).
Mountain
gorillas (Gorilla Berengei Berengei) can only be found in three countries
in the world – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. As
of this year, there are seven groups of the endangered mountain gorillas
in Rwanda to visit, with a limited number of gorilla permits available
for visitors each day. Primate Safaris Rwanda offers a service to
book both your gorilla
trekking experience and to also organize the correct permits for your
trip.
What can
I see on a mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda?
One day
to week long safaris are available, depending on your schedule, and while
hiking through the densely forested hills, you will come across the mountain
gorillas in their natural habitat. You might come across a mother gorilla,
nursing her babies, or a family group going about their business on the
green and lush slopes.
When
planning your trek, it is best to find accommodation as close as possible
to the entrance of the park, as you will have to wake up pretty early.
At around 7 a.m. your gorilla guide will brief you on the necessary safety
precautions and etiquette used while trekking among the local inhabitants.
Once your briefing is over, the hike begins and you will head off with
other members of the group.
It
must be borne in mind that gorilla trekking takes a certain amount of stamina.
These primates are named mountain
gorillas for a reason and the trek can be strenuous. Depending on the
tour you are taking, the hike to the primates can take anything from 30
minutes to several hours. However, your guide is fully trained and will
lead you direct to a specific “habituated” gorilla group, already used
to the presence of humans.
Watching
the interaction of gorillas in the wild
The
group of gorillas will normally scatter over a relatively small area in
the thick vegetation and you will find they carry on as normal, despite
their audience. You will be able to watch them interact and even feed,
all the while keeping an interested eye on your hiking group. On some rare
occasions, playful youngsters have been known to boldly approach humans,
however you must ensure that you are always at least seven metres away.
Should an inquisitive youngster head towards you, you will need to slowly
back away. The reason for keeping your distance is to safeguard the gorillas
from catching any contagious human diseases the tour group might be carrying.
What to
bear in mind prior to your gorilla trek
The area
where the mountain gorillas reside is fairly high up (around 1,700m above
sea level) so it can get pretty cold. Ensure you have warm, comfortable
clothing with you at all times and some suitable walking shoes.
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