Rwanda Chamber

Blog

  • Nature Based Tourism Backbone to Rwanda’s Tourism

    Nature Based Tourism Backbone to Rwanda’s Tourism

    Rwanda’s travel and tourism industry has experienced a boom over the past 20 years, thanks to efforts by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to enhance and diversify its tourism offerings. Although mountain gorillas continued to play a key role in contributing to the industry’s growth, the country shifted from relying on their attractions in, Volcanoes National Park (PNV) so as to remain competitive in the fast-growing, ever-changing travel and tourism market in the world. As part of its diversification campaign, the national tourism body introduced several new tourism products, among them three birding routes outside the national parks of; Parc National de volcanoes’ Akagera, Parc National des Volcanoes, and Nyungwe National Park.

    Rwanda has developed a Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park, the first of its kind in Africa, as well as the Congo Nile Trail, which offers a wide range of hiking experiences around the shores of Lake Kivu. Over the forecast period, the introduction of new tourism packages has helped in attracting new visitor segments in Rwanda’s as well as diversifying the country’s tourism sector! The leading arrival source countries have also increased and also generate additional revenue for their travel and tourism industry which has also led to improved standards of living amongst the local people.

    Gorilla Trekking is another foot adventure that you can take while in Rwanda. This is the most popular adventure activity attracting thousands of travelers who take Rwanda Safaris into the jungles of Volcanoes National Park, home to nearly half of the remaining mountain gorillas. There are several habituated gorilla families in Rwanda where tourists take excursions into the wild and meet eye to eye with the endangered mountain gorillas.

    Within Volcanoes National Park, there are other adventurous activities that can be taken and these include golden monkey tracking and a hike to Dian Fossey’s Grave. There are several foot trails that you will take to see the rare golden monkeys another endangered primate living in the Virunga forests of Central Africa.

    Now that you know about the new tourism products that Rwanda has to offer, it’s now all put to you either to come and see for yourself or to sit back and miss out on a lifetime experience. Trips to Rwanda can easily be booked through several local tour operators in Rwanda including Rwanda Gorilla Safaris specialists in organizing memorable gorilla trips into the jungles of Central Africa.

  • Top 5 Rwanda Tours and Holidays

    Top 5 Rwanda Tours and Holidays

    Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa but it cannot be under looked where it comes to tourism. Rwanda has lots of interesting things to see from wildlife, people and culture, physical features like the lakes, rivers, valleys and the mountains, the architecture and other tourism ancillary services. The latter have made Rwanda one of the most popular tourism destinations in Africa.

    Due to the high influx of tourists coming to Rwanda, there are tours organized for discovering the beauties of the country. The most known tours are the Kigali city cultural tours, wildlife tours, primate tours and gorilla tours. Fortunately enough these tours are as affordable as Rwanda has cheap accommodation but of quality, the transportation fare is also relatively low and the cuisines in Rwanda are very affordable and delicious. There are no worries of spending much money while on a tour in Rwanda.

    Here are some of the tours that are undertaken by the visitors in details:
    1. Kigali Tours

    The Kigali city cultural tour which normally involves visiting the cultural, traditional and historical places in Kigali city like the presidential palace, Kigali genocide memorial site which commemorates the plight of the civil in 1994, the parliament, Nyamata spiritual church the most powerful spiritual centre in Rwanda, the Kimironko market place which is the largest market in Rwanda where very many cultural and traditional commodities are found.

    2. Game Viewing Tours

    There are wildlife tours in Rwanda which leads to Akagera national park in the Gatsibo. The park has 8000 large animals. The common animals you can see while at a wildlife safari are impala, topi, eland, oribi, Masai giraffe, Defassa waterbuck, reedbuck, bushbuck, sable, roan antelope ,Burchell’s zebra hippo and crocodile. The lion has been introduced and they are planning on bringing the rhino to the park to make a place for the big five mammals that is a park with the lion, elephants, leopard, buffalo and rhino. People interested in common wildlife come to this park to encounter these big mammals in their natural setting.

    3. Chimpanzee Tracking Tours

    There also the primates tours that take to Nyungwe national park. This park’s large forests make it the ideal place for the primates to inhabit that is the chimpanzees, the grey cheeked mangabey, vevet monkeys, and black and white colobus. These animals are very exciting animals to watch the chimpanzees in particular. Chimpanzees are intelligent animals that make them one of the closest cousins of man. At Nyungwe, there is also a canopy walk where tourists walk on elevated trails about 50metres having an Ariel view of the park.

    4. Gorilla Tours

    Rwanda offers the best gorilla tours in Africa. There are several gorilla trekking expeditions offered by several tour operators in Rwanda. Mountain gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda has put this less known country on the world tourism map. Mountain gorillas are also primates but these are more than primates as when watching them, the trackers have a very good view and interaction of them as they are ground animals and very peaceful. These are animals are found in the Virunga ranges in the northeastern part of Rwanda at volcanoes national park. Many people who have watched these elusive animals have got testimonies to tell to the friends and relatives back home. At the basement of the park where the gorillas are found, there are the golden monkeys which are rare species of monkeys.

    With the above tours one cannot fail to enjoy exploring Rwanda. These tours can also be combined to make a full package of Rwanda experience.

  • Encounter Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Rwanda

    Encounter Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Rwanda

    Rwanda is one of the land locked countries and a member of the east African community since it lies in the east African region. The country is endowed with rolling hills that are spread all over and both physical and non physical features makes her a better place for everyone’s safari. The country’s largest airport is Kigali international airport and this can be used by any visitor from any destination around the world. Traveling to Rwanda forms part of the landmark for the visitors due to her national parks characterized with wonders.

    For travelers visiting Rwanda enjoy gorilla tours in her greatest unique national park of the Volcanoes national park and it is a 2hours drive from Kigali the capital city of the republic of Rwanda, exploring Volcanoes National Park and this is composed of the Virunga ranges with its eight volcanoes being shared with the three countries that’s Rwanda its self, DR.Congo and Uganda. This park is located in the northern province of the country.

    The park is comprised of the Karisimbi, Bisoke and the Mikeno volcanoes hence covering a total land area of 125km², gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda costs USD 1500 per person and this can be booked through Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited. The best way of enjoying this safari is through making arrangements with the tour company prior to your gorilla tracking safari. The park has got around seven gorilla groups including, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, the Umubano, Susa, Kwitonda, Agashya and the Hirwa group.

    All these are tracked and tracking starts early in the morning since they stay in high altitudes, this makes the activity a bit hectic and it needs physically fit individuals but those who cannot move long distances can be allocated groups that are nearby. Gorilla trekkers are strictly allowed a one hour of enjoyment while sharing the place with the gorillas, taking photos and also admiring how the silver backs administer their families. Gorilla tracking time is uncertain and therefore depend the previous movements of the gorillas as they look for food on a daily basis.

    After a great day of gorilla trekking from the Volcanoes Park of Rwanda, one can go back to Kigali to prepare for the next day to travel to Nyungwe national park; this is the only national park in Rwanda with a true tropical rain forest. The park is located in the south western part of the country, it’s a 4hours drive and here visitors can stay in Nyungwe Forest Lodge. Chimpanzee tours in Rwanda are done from Nyungwe forest national park due to its favorable climatic conditions which are good for chimpanzee existence within the country.

    Chimpanzee tracking tickets costs USD100 per person, visitors are led by park rangers who escort the visitor throughout the activity while providing the relevant information regarding the chimps, chimpanzees live in troops of more than twenty individuals per troop. There is no doubt that this is the best amusing primate in all since they behave like human beings, the intelligence they exhibit while asking for eats from the visitors and the way they play around, chasing  and beating themselves as well as eating like human beings offers a nice experience to the visitors.

    This offers Nyungwe as being the first chimpanzee tracking priority in east Africa, visitors to the park are encouraged to move with all the tracking gadgets since the weather conditions changes, jackets, waterproof cloths, gumboots or hard shoes and drinking water plus some snacks are among the needs. Porters are always around at the park and these carry luggage for the tourist at a fee of USD25 minus tip and this can only take few hours except to those who go for gorilla habituation. Chimpanzee and gorilla safaris in Rwanda can take around four days of enjoying the beauty of Rwanda the land of thousand hills.

  • Rwandan Tour Operator Puts Focus on Community Development

    Community development is a key plank in Red Rock Cultural Center’s efforts to link tourism, conservation and sustainable development, the tagline of the center’s mission.

    Since its inception in 2011, Red Rocks Cultural Center continues to formulate different programmes closely linked with tourism and community development. Located in Musanze district where tourism is quite vibrant, the programmes clearly demonstrate how tourism can be used as one tool to bring sustainable development within the communities surrounding tourist attractions.

    Community Development Case Studies

    Jeanne Uwingabiye is a 35-year-old woman. She has two children, all in primary school. Her husband passed away five years ago, leaving her with the sole responsibility to look after the children.

    Uwingabiye has no education background at all. She dropped out of school when she was still just a child. She didn’t receive any form of inheritance from her husband when he passed on. But she is determined to ensure that her children don’t suffer the same fate, and that’s why every morning she heads to Red Rocks Rwanda to try her fortunes at the opportunities she might find there.

    She knows how to weave baskets and make the traditional beer, and she demonstrates her skills to tourists who visit the center, at a fee that she uses to buy her family the basic needs and educate the children.

    “I’m happy that I can be able to use my skills to make handcrafts that are marketed and sold at Red Rocks. This is better than just sitting at home the whole day, begging for food from people who don’t have it in the first place. Despite being a widow, I’m now fiercely independent, and I’m able to educate my children through the work of my hands,” she says.

    Belta Ntawangkaje, 74, is a mother of seven children, has 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Her husband passed on five years ago, leaving her to fend for some of her children and grandchildren who’ve been left orphans.

    A member of Amaboko yi Imigisha Cooperative, they do handcrafts work like weaving, making jewelry and pottery. But since Hands of Hope was established by Red Rocks, she says her life has improved tremendously.

    “Before we used to depend on odd occasional tourists who happened to visit our homesteads or the cooperative to purchase our products, and this was quite rare. But now, with Hands of Hope, we bring in our products and tourists who visit the center purchase them and Red Rocks gives us the proceeds,” she says.

    But that is not the end. She adds that often, Red Rocks invites them when there are tourists who want to have local experience like making banana beer and they show them how to.

    “We help them make local beer and they give us money in the process. It’s also a good way to bond since through this they get to know our traditional culture,” she adds.

    Thephile Kamana, head of special programmes at Red Rocks, says their latest programme initiated at the center is the bakery that they established in December 2017. Here, local women are trained how to make bakery products like bread and cakes, and some of them are employed in the bakery.

    “They can use the skills they acquire here to look for employment or start their own businesses. We have a trained baker who trains these women the art of making bakery products and we also have a shop where those who can make the products can sell them,” says Kamana.

    Emma Mutoni, 29, and a mother three, expressed her hopes that the skills she is gaining from the bakery project is going to make her to become self-reliant in the future.

  • Rwanda on Course to Implementing its Tourism Master Plan

    Rwanda continues to support the tourism sector which contributes a considerable chunk of the GDP and foreign exchange earnings.

    Recently, Rwanda joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Tourism Day with this year’s theme ‘Tourism and Community Development’.

    “This occasion is a chance to reflect on how Rwanda is investing in facilities to meet the growing demand especially for meeting and conferences, the head of tourism and conservation at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Amb. Yamina Karitanyi said according to a statement from RDB.

    Karitanyi said Rwanda was on course to implementing its national tourism master plan to secure the sector’s contribution to the economy in line with the Vision 2020 which plan involve successfully diversifying the tourism experience beyond gorillas.

    “We are making progress with the initiative aimed at meeting the growing demand in tourism in Rwanda and with the soon to be completed Kigali Conference Center which will be the largest in the East and Central Africa this will be met,” Karitanyi said.

    Rwanda has continued to invest in convention bureau and other infrastructure and is looking for investors for spa and golf resort hotels at Lake Kivu and a cable car system on the slopes of the Volcanoes National Park.

    The country is looking at starting up a new cultural village to showcase the spectrum of the nation’s heritage in one setting.

    Over Rwf1.962billion has been given back to the community to support schools, hospital around the parks, and community owned projects and this is all contributing to the sector’s development.

    The country looks at developing the tourism sector making it contribute about 25% annually to GDP and to achieve this RDB will diversify tourism experiences, develop and expand need infrastructure and focus on service delivery and capacity building to enable the sector to continue to grow and thrive.

    The targeted marketing strategies will also ensure Rwanda’s growth in tourism is sustained.

    With the new introduce single tourist visa, the RDB believes the tourism sector will much grow with the many tourists coming into the country.

  • Rwanda Increases Gorilla Permit Fees

    Rwanda Increases Gorilla Permit Fees

    The Rwanda Development Board today announced an increase in the price of Gorilla Permits from US$ 750 to US $1,500 for all visitors effective immediately. A new exclusive package for tourists who wish to book an entire family of gorillas was also introduced at US$ 15,000, and will receive exclusive personalized tour guide services.

    The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets at the time of this announcement.

    Tourists who visit other national parks (Nyungwe and Akagera) for a minimum of three days, in addition to gorilla trekking will receive a discount of 30%. Similarly, conference tourists, who stay pre or post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for a 15% discount.

    In line with Rwanda’s high-end tourism strategy, the price increase aims to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute more to the development of communities living around the Volcanoes National Park.

    Along with the new tariff, the tourism revenue sharing rate for communities adjacent to the park, will also increase from 5% to 10%, which will quadruple the absolute revenues received by communities. Over the last 12 years, more than 400 community projects have been completed including hospitals, schools, business development centers and water supply systems to facilitate access to clean water. These projects directly benefit the people living around the parks.

    Ms. Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board said:

    “Gorilla trekking is a highly unique experience. We have raised the price of permits in order to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives and enhance visitors’ experience. We also want to make sure that the communities living near the park area receive a bigger share of tourism revenues to fund development projects and empower them economically.”

    New, high-end lodges are opening in Musanze and plans are underway to improve visitors’ experience at Kinigi, including renovation of the information center to equip it with modern offices and tourism services such as conservation education, children’s learning space as well as digital facilities.

    Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with only around 880 remaining in the world. Of those in in the Virunga Massif, Rwanda accounts for 62% of the gorilla population. Stringent conservation measures have significantly contributed to a rise in gorilla numbers. There are currently 20 families habituated for tourism and research in Rwanda, up from just 9 families in 2010.

  • Rwanda Increases Price of Gorilla Permit from $750 to $1,500

    The Rwanda Development Board has announced an increase in the price of the gorilla permit from $750 to $1,500 for all visitors effective immediately.

    A new exclusive package for tourists who wish to book an entire family of gorillas was also introduced at $15,000, and will receive exclusive personalized tour guide services.

    The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets at the time of this announcement.

    Tourists who visit other national parks (Nyungwe and Akagera) for a minimum of three days, in addition to gorilla trekking will receive a discount of 30%. Similarly, conference tourists, who stay pre or post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for a 15% discount.

    In line with Rwanda’s high-end tourism strategy, the gorilla permit price increase aims to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute more to the development of communities living around the Volcanoes National Park.

    Along with the new tariff, the tourism revenue sharing rate for communities adjacent to the park, will also increase from 5% to 10%, which will quadruple the absolute revenues received by communities. Over the last 12 years, more than 400 community projects have been completed including hospitals, schools, business development centers and water supply systems to facilitate access to clean water. These projects directly benefit the people living around the parks.

    Ms. Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board said of the increase in the price of the gorilla permit:

    “Gorilla trekking is a highly unique experience. We have raised the price of permits in order to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives and enhance visitors’ experience. We also want to make sure that the communities living near the park area receive a bigger share of tourism revenues to fund development projects and empower them economically.”

    New, high-end lodges are opening in Musanze and plans are underway to improve visitors’ experience at Kinigi, including renovation of the information center to equip it with modern offices and tourism services such as conservation education, children’s learning space as well as digital facilities.

    Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with only around 880 remaining in the world. Of those in in the Virunga Massif, Rwanda accounts for 62% of the gorilla population. Stringent conservation measures have significantly contributed to a rise in gorilla numbers. There are currently 20 families habituated for tourism and research in Rwanda, up from just 9 families in 2010.

  • Tembera U Rwanda Gets Ready to Rock Local Tourism

    The Rwanda Development Board today announced the launch of the Tembera U Rwanda campaign, aimed at motivating Rwandans to explore their own country and put the spotlight on domestic travel. The launch will take place on Friday, 30th September to 1st October, 2016 with a tour through the cultural heritage corridor with stop overs at different sites from Kigali to Huye District.

    On the itinerary of the launch, several activities will be organized along the cultural corridor to give participants a glimpse into Rwanda’s rich cultural history. These include storytelling at Ijuru rya Kamonyi in Kamonyi District, Kankazi site, Urutare rwa Kamegeri in Ruhango District, historic tours of Nyagakecuru and Ibisi bya Huye. The tour will conclude with live cultural entertainment by the renowned all-female drumming troupe Ingoma Nshya atop Mount Huye.

    Speaking at the press conference, the Chief Tourism Officer of RDB, Belise Kariza said; “The domestic tourism campaign is our call to residents to be active participants in the growth of the tourism sector by consuming local products and most importantly by contributing to the country’s brand. I appeal to the private sector to provide both tour packages and special accommodation rates for the domestic market especially at this time.”

    Tembera U Rwanda phase 2, will take place for a period of 3 months from October to December, 2016. This campaign is characterized by bus trips for lucky trivia winners who will have a chance to travel free of charge to attraction sites around Rwanda. For the general public, participation will be on a first come, first served basis and registration will be done through the tourism reservations and sales offices around the country.

    Kariza added that; “Rwanda is one of the most acclaimed destinations in Africa and it should be appreciated by its residents. With reduced rates for Rwandans and road access to every tourism destination, we invite Rwandans to bear witness to the remarkable experience we sell to the international market.”

    She concluded that domestic tourism is a worthwhile investment without regret and the opportunity to discover the country as a tourist is one that should be accessible to all. This supports the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day ‘Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility’; a day observed annually on 27 September in recognition of tourism’s contribution towards economic growth. Rwanda will commemorate the holiday in tandem with the launch of the domestic tourism campaign.

    The Rwanda Development Board acknowledged support from partners namely the Southern Province, Kamonyi, Ruhango, Muhanga, Nyanza and Huye Districts; the Mountain Climbers Club, the Tourism Chamber, the Guides Association, local tour operators and transport companies that are partnering in this initiative.

  • Choosing a Rental Car for Travels in Rwanda

    Choosing a Rental Car for Travels in Rwanda

    Are you planning for a self drive safari in Rwanda? Would you like to take your rented car and adventure in the neighboring destinations? Here are hints to help you plan a perfect trip! This information will help you to decide which type of car you should use if you are to adventure through East Africa trouble freely.

    In most cases tourists ask us this question when they inquire for their safaris to either Uganda or Rwanda or even both and we go on and advice. But it’s always a good practice to make your own choice so that you can have the best experience on the safari without any inconveniences related to the car used. Choosing the type of car to hire depends on what type tourism activity you are going to do and the number of people you are traveling with. Sometimes clients inquire with us and they want small cars yet they are many in number. We always advise them to go for bigger cars like vans which can accommodate their number. Its always good to travel with a classic touch and freedom other than travelling while congested in a small car. Small cars like saloons and small Benz’s are suitable to use if clients are 2 or 3 but not more than that as it would mean to squeeze yourself which is not good.

    Te distance to be travelled and the destination that you want to go to is also important while selecting the type car to hire. If you know that you are travelling for longer distances and to places which are challenging with undulating typologies and hills, then the best type of car to hire is that with a 4×4 wheel drive system. This is because 4×4 cars can penetrate through muddy roads and hills without any problem and without getting stuck. Sometimes people make wrong choices and they go with cars which are not fulltime 4×4 and they end up getting stuck in muddy roads forcing them to hire another towing car to remove them from the mud. This is bad as it leads to increase in the expenses. The only way to avoid this is by hiring a 4×4 wheel drive car which cannot easily get stuck in such conditions.

    It should be noted that both Uganda and Rwanda have some places with bad roads and this is common in national parks especially in Uganda where there are animals to be viewed. Such parks require 4×4 cars for a game drive experience .safari vehicles like 4×4 land cruisers with a popup roof are the best cars to use for a successful game drive. In case one needs to go for a town runing (driving around the town) then he/she can book these other cars which have no 4×4 system because roads in all urban places kin both Uganda and Rwanda are in good conditions and no threat is imposed to the user.

    When you book with us we always ask you what you intend to use the car for and we give advice when it comes to choosing the type of car to use. Some clients seem to be complicated and ignore our advise because they think roads in Uganda and Rwanda are like those in their home countries and they end up making mistakes which are regrettable. And at the end of their safari they regret why they ignored our advice.

    In conclusion, you should always put in mind two factor before selecting which type of car to use and that is;- the destination you are going to and the number of people you are travelling with.

  • Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

    Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

    Whenever a name “mountain gorilla” is mentioned, many people’s minds drift to Africa which is the only continent that harbors them. However, these endangered species are found in a few selective countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo) and a gorilla trekking safari to any of these destinations is a life time experience that you will live to tell. Trust me a face-to-face encounter with these human-like apes is a life changing experience which is associated with magnificent adventures.

    Where to trek the gorillas from

    A thrilling gorilla trekking tour is restricted to a few remote but easily accessed destinations in the three countries of Africa. Mainly known for their elegant lifestyle, Western lowland gorillas can be well trekked in Democratic Republic of Congo’s primeval forests. Uganda and Rwanda are blessed with the rare mountain gorillas and Uganda has the highest number of about 400 gorillas. In these two countries, the best points of having a glance at the gorillas are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

    Gorillas have a human-like way of living and they live in close-knit family groups, have many emotional gestures that we human beings have, like delight, get irritated and have affections. All these characteristics make them the second closest primate to human beings, second to the chimpanzees.

    When should you tour and what to expect

    Though a gorilla trekking safari can never be a regret at any time of year in Uganda and Rwanda, there are best times to enjoy this wonderful experience. Both countries share almost the same weather changes each with two dry seasons; mid-December- February and June-September. These are the best seasons to visit these East African countries specifically for gorilla trekking. However, the activity becomes more tiresome during a wet season because of the wet and muddy steep slopes plus tangled vegetation which you must penetrate through before encountering the gorillas. Never the less, the hustle is worth it once you get close to the primates in their natural habitats.

    Once you have located and found a gorilla family, first relax for about an hour at the sometime viewing the gorillas at a close range as they feed and groom. Witness the playful lifestyle of young gorillas in the wild as they jump from one end to another tumbling about the undergrowth. They do this well assured of the security from the great male silverback.

    However, you are required to meet some conditions before embarking on this adventurous activity like fitness, equipped for humid and muddy conditions of the rain forest hike. Your health is one of the key considerations because gorilla trekking is physical and gorillas are susceptible to many human diseases.

    Chimpanzee Trekking

    Since its Africa, the adventure that surrounds the great apes does not end with the gorillas. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the rapidly growing tourism activities in Africa. Viewing the chimps and other primate species on your gorilla trek is not enough but making an actual visit to some of the stand-alone chimpanzee trekking destinations is the best idea. There are several places in Africa designated for chimpanzee trekking and among them include; Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream of Tanzania, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison and Kibale National Parks of Uganda.

    Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking are quite different each with its own unique adventure expossed to tourists. Chimps live in a more terrain environment and they are harder to find while trekking compared to the gorillas. In most cases, chimpanzee trekking is an additional activity to a big game safari but for a gorilla-like face-to-face encounter experience, it is the best alternative. Just like gorillas, chimp trekking takes an hour.

    How to go Gorilla Trekking

    Unlike chimpanzee trekking which is still in its initial stages, gorilla trekking, has tighter regulations which a visitor must adhere to. To be on a safer side, you are advised to use a credible tour company on your safari to Uganda and Rwanda .Your are required to obtain a gorilla trekking permit which gives you a go-ahead to enjoy the activity. These permits are limited most especially during the peak seasons and therefore a visitor should book in time before his/her gorilla trekking tour.

    Why go for a gorilla trekking safari

    The mere fact that gorillas are not habituated like other animals makes it clear that you can’t find them in a zoo .This is why you must make a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda and Uganda if interested in the activity and view the gorillas in their natural habitats. The best places for trekking these elegant primates are; Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Volcanoes National Parks of Uganda and Rwanda consecutively.

    You don’t need to worry about penetrating through dense forests because there are guides who will move along with you on your trek

    Don’t forget to carry a camera along with you for taking clear photographs with these rare primates. However, you are advised to keep the flush of your camera off to avoid irritating the gorillas. Also keep a distance of about 6 meters away from the gorillas to avoid accidents.

    About gorilla trekking

    Gorilla trekking in simple terms means penetrating through dense forests and narrow paths for hours in searching for the mountain gorillas. For a successful trek, make sure you are fit, in normal conditions and well equipped for the tough environment. Some of the key things that you should carry for security purposes include; broken-in hiking boots, knee-high gaiters, double layered socks and more others. Please take note that unless you prove that you are not sick, you won’t be allowed to go trekking because gorillas are highly susceptible to human illnesses.

    When to trek

    The climatic conditions of these two countries (Uganda and Rwanda) are identical and it’s more weather friendly to come for gorilla trekking during the two dry seasons of the year. These dry seasons are mid-December to end of February and June to late September. However, even during these seasons, expect a humid and wet environment with plenty of mud.

    You will need to travel quite a long distance to reach the rainforests where gorillas are found. This means that an enough rest before the trekking day is a must to avoid complications.

    Sometimes, it becomes hard to see the gorillas while in the forest and this is why a guide might ask you to keep silent while trekking. Mountain gorillas are fond of hiding in the leaves busy feeding and enjoying the heat from the sun making it hard to see them.

    A gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda avails more than 95% chances of encountering the rare primates.

    Just after finding a gorilla family, your guide will ask you to drop everything somewhere except the cameras and he/she will take you closer to them for observing and taking photographs. At this point, you are advised to avoid any irritating behaviors which threaten the gorillas. It is a live experience in the wild since there are no fences between you and gorillas and what makes it a success is the mutual respect for the primates that is require from you.

    Unlike other primates, gorillas are habituated to human beings and while observing, they will continue doing their own business of napping, foraging and grooming without any fear in them.

    Don’t miss out on the most interesting point of the trek and always portion your time with the gorillas well. Make sure you spend more time viewing and the remaining time taking photographs.

    Sit a few meters away from a gorilla family and witness the humanity reflections in their social rituals and warm brown eyes.

    In conclusion, a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda and Rwanda cannot be compared to any other tourism activity because of the life-experience that a tourist is exposed to.