In Rwanda, these primates can be seen in the Volcanoes National Park, Parc Nationale Des Volcans. As of 2017, there are 10 mountain gorilla groups habituated making it 80 gorilla permits for visitors to Rwanda available every single day. 8 people per group can trek these endangered apes. Susa group is the best to track for adventurous travelers to Rwanda!
With a gorilla permit costing US $ 1500 per person per trek, from the previous slightly affordable rate of $ 750 USD and part of your contribution goes to conserving these mountain gorillas. Therefore for our luxury travelers we recommend Volcanoes National Park and still as a professional tour service providers we care about the mid – range and budget travelers and we recommend the gorilla experiences in Bwindi & Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Congo that also offers the Mount Nyiragongo Hiking Tours!
For Uganda the gorilla permit cost $ 600 USD in high season and $ 450 USD in low season (April, May & November) every year. Then for the Democratic Republic of Congo the gorilla permit cost $ 400 USD and then in low season Mid March to Mid May it goes as low as $ 200 USD. Before, Democratic Republic of Congo was not so much opted as a tourist destination due to some insecurity issues that we were on the the international news but today the region is much visited for the mountain gorilla visit, active Nyiragongo volcano and with the affordable tourist Visa of $ 100 USD and if you want to travel to Virunga National Park in Congo book with us.
You have to wake up early morning, meaning that you must find accommodation closer to the park entrance. Your African gorilla guide will be briefing you at 7 am about safety precautions as well as the etiquette. There are over 80 gorilla tracking guides provided by the Rwanda Development Board, well trained and speaking English and French. Together with other members of the group, you proceed to the forest and start the hike which may be tiring depending on your physical strength. Remember they are called mountain gorillas so an element of hiking is a must. The adventure takes anything from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. The English-speaking forest guides are amazingly good, and will lead you to the specific ‘habituated’ mountain gorilla group, which certainly will be acquitted to human presence.
Normally the gorilla group will be scattered over a small area of thick vegetation. They will carry on with their interactions and even feed without any concern of their human visitors although they will be observing you with interest. Rarely one, normally a playful youngster, will boldly approach you with inquisitiveness, at times coming really close that you will need to move away. (You are not allowed to move less than 7 meters close to them; this is to safe guard the gorillas from contagious human diseases.) The climate in Musanze (1,700m above sea level) is mostly cold. Please carry along warm clothing.
Other than gorilla trekking you can take on other tours in Rwanda. Other activities in the park are Golden monkey tracking, hike to the Dian Fossey grave site, tour to the twin lakes of Burera & Ruhondo, mount Karisimbi volcano hike, hike of Bisoke volcano, Cave tours in Musanze, bird watching and community ecotourism in Iby’wacu cultural village. All these will make your life different and such memorable prompting you to come again and enjoy the unlimited adventures in this park and Rwanda at large.
