Category: Travel

One of the most important aspects of planning a gorilla safari is first analyzing and understanding the best time to trek gorillas, so as to have the best of your experience as well as get value for money. Whether you are planning to go on a safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the Virunga Region, the best time to see the mountain gorillas is usually the dry months. This however doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy your gorilla safari during certain seasons and you will be surprised that each season offers merits and demerits. It is also worth noting that the best time to trek the gorillas most times depend on tourist’s personal preferences because as others are choosing the dry season for this adventure for the less muddy/slippery trails, others don’t mind the slippery hiking trails while choosing the wet season because it is when fruiting and flowering are at the peak thus more opportunities of spotting numerous bird species in addition to gorilla treks being considerably shorter.

Therefore, the best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda is between June and September as well as December to February. The mentioned months are traditional dry months that make gorilla treks a lot more easy and parks more accessible due to little or no rainfalls. Nonetheless, downpours should always be expected even during traditional dry months because these rain forests sheltering mountain gorillas experience Equatorial Climate. For instance, temperatures generally don’t vary throughout the year, hence temperatures range between 24 to 30˚C but rainfall levels usually vary with traditional rainfall season being in March to May as well as September to November.

The Dry/drier season

The dry season is also the peak season, between June and September as well as December to February when trekking conditions are possibly going to be dry. These mentioned months are usually clearer and sunny thus making gorilla trekking adventures more exciting and memorable. Because the rains are low, vegetation also tends to dry, thus contributing to less challenging hikes through the mountainous slopes that will at this time of the year be less muddy and slippery.

When it comes to gorilla trekking permits for the dry months, they are on higher demand and obviously normally sell-out faster compared to the wet months. For this, tourists planning to undertake gorilla treks during the peak season have to book at least 6 months to one year in advance. Not only that, places of lodging within the Park become scarce because of the high demand of gorilla safaris and even the low-capacity places of lodging also become full earlier than you can ever think of.

Everyone will tell you that these are dry months but did you know that even as such, rainfalls are experienced all year round, owing to the country’s tropical climate. Therefore when it comes to packing, make sure to always carry items that offer protection against the expected rains. Therefore, long sleeved shirts and long safari pants are essential to protect arms and legs against long unpleasant vegetation, strong hiking boots to comfortably maneuver through muddy and slippery trails, lightweight and comfortable rain jacket, waterproof backpack for carrying the things you will be needed during the gorilla treks, to mention but a few.

Additionally, did you know that the dry season also has a number of challenges? It is worth mentioning that vegetation becomes drier and thus food for the mountain gorillas also become scarcer, requiring them to move deeper into the forest to search for food. Therefore, travellers booking for gorilla treks during the dry season should expect to walk longer hours to find these Giant Apes but don’t lose hope because you will eventually find them in the long run.

The rainy/wet season

The wet season is what is literally referred as the low season and extends from March to May as well as October to November. Conditions during these months are said to be unfavorable for gorilla trekking because the wetness make walking more difficult and literally unbearable  making most visitors to avoid them. However, it is slowly becoming hard to accurately predict climate patterns because just when you think it is a rainy or dry season, you get surprised when the opposite happens thus it is just considered luck sometimes.

All in all, Rainfall levels are usually considered heavier at some periods and not throughout the day, hence it is still possible to experience hot sunshine after it has rained and the sky cleared. Most travellers consider these months uncomfortable for gorilla trekking and therefore try as much as possible to avoid them and because of this, places of lodging tend to lower their rates during this time and gorilla trekking permits become more abundant as well as less stressful to obtain but have to still be booked some months in advance. If you consider enjoying some discounts on accommodation, then this is the best time to travel and undertake your gorilla safari.

However, it is not all that bad with the rainy season because gorilla treks have never been cancelled because of downpours and most times they go on after it has rained and sky cleared. Have you ever imagined that this season offers the best photography? After the rains, the sky is cleared of any dust thus more beautiful and also the heavy rains bring about luxuriant/greener vegetation that create perfect backdrop for photography. When it comes to gorilla treks, they tend to be shorter during the wet/rainy season. Rains obviously come along with growth of vegetation and increased fruiting thus the mountain gorillas have abundant food and this won’t require moving deeper into the rain forest to look for food, thus tourists will also go through shorter treks to find them. There are more mosquitoes during the rainy season but regardless of when you choose to trek the mountain gorillas, insect repellent is definitely a must-have because mosquitoes are not the only insects to expect in the jungles.

For mountain gorilla trekking tours, it is worth mentioning that they are only undertaken in three countries-Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and not any other place in the World. The gorilla habitats have dense rain forests, on high mountains ranging from 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level.

Gorilla trekking is a unique experience that creates memories that will not be forgotten easily. Uganda and Rwanda are the leading countries for a life changing gorilla trekking safari. Gorilla trekking is conducted from Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda and Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National park for Uganda. There are about 1060 mountain gorillas remaining in the world and 400 of them are in Bwindi National Park while the rest (about 480) live in the Virunga Complex (Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park, DRC’s Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park).

All these destinations are beautiful and good for gorilla trekking safaris, unrivalled wildlife experiences in Africa. However, tourists who have never visited any of the two countries or have visited only one of the two countries are often left contemplating on which of the two countries provides a more memorable gorilla trekking safari? There is no specific answer to that question, reason being that the answer varies from one person to another and every country offers unique gorilla trekking experience that differs from the other. But we shall not leave the question hanging; there are some differences that exist between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. These are based on the cost of gorilla permits, ease of access to the National Parks, difference in tracking conditions or the difficulty of hiking, cost of lodging facilities, Other activates tourists can engage in on top of gorilla trekking and the number of habituated gorilla groups tourists can visit. This write up will provide you with the differences of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda but the end of the day the choice of which country to choose from lies in your hand.

The comparison of gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda has been based on;

Number of gorilla groups that that be tracked.

There are 12 habituated gorilla groups that can be tracked from Uganda where 11 of them can be tracked from Bwindi National Park and only one (the Nyakagyezi group) can be tracked from Mgahinga National Park. Volcanoes National Park on the other hand is a home to only 10 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited for your remarkable gorilla trekking Safaris.

Cost of gorilla permits

In terms of cost of gorilla permits, Uganda is the winner because a gorilla permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and Shs 250,000 for the East African Residents. The best news about this, is that Uganda also offers discounts on gorilla permits during the low seasons (April, May and November) where foreign residents pay $450, foreign residents pay $400 per person and East African Citizens pay Shs 150,000 per person. Rwanda on the other hand charges an exorbitant price of $1500 per person for all tourists (foreign residents, foreign non residents and Rwandan Citizens alike) at all seasons. This price only caters for the luxury tourists neglecting the budget tourists. Even the Rwandans are left out hence discouraging domestic tourism. This $1500 for a Rwandan permit can do a lot of things in Uganda. First of all instead of paying $1500 to watch mountain gorillas for one hour, why not pay the same amount to stay with the gorillas for whole four hours? Alternatively, that $1500 for gorilla permit in Rwanda can book an entire 3 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda in  low season-by the way even in the high season. If I was asked where I would go for my gorilla trekking safari based on this comparison, my answer would definitely be Uganda.

Tracking conditions/difficulty in hiking.

Tracking the mountain gorillas is generally difficult across all the National parks, but some people will tell you that the experience of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a bit easier than trekking in Bwindi Forest National park. This is a total myth. Gorilla tracking is about luck, where you may expect it to be easier for you during tracking but it turns out to be the opposite. Just track the gorillas expecting a tough hike than expecting an easier one then you end up disappointed.

Ease of Access

Volcanoes National Park is located just 2-3 hours away from Kigali Airport/City. If you are in a hurry and would like to track these mountain gorillas and go back home immediately, then I recommend you do it from Rwanda. A 1 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is totally impossible. You will need minimum of 3 days for gorilla trekking in Uganda, hence someone in a hurry cannot be able to track gorillas from this country. If the cost of gorilla permit is not a problem, then I greatly recommend Rwanda for your next gorilla trekking Safari. Why would you spend an entire day travelling to a Park yet you can drive from the Airport to a Park for only two hours, track and even go back home. Not only that, there are better road conditions from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park than it is from Kampala to Bwindi national park. The winner here is Rwanda.

Local Communities around the National Park

It is a common phenomenon for local communities to surround protected areas. So Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Bwindi national park are not exceptional. The interesting difference is that with Bwindi and Mgahinga there are more fascinating communities with interesting activities, for example who wouldn’t want to participate in the Batwa trail? When you visit Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks, you will get the opportunity to visit the Batwa and they will take you through their lives in the forest, you will visit Ngarama Cave where their former King used to live and experience as they make fire from sticks among other interesting activities.

Besides gorilla tracking, several tourist activities exist at the disposal of tourists in Uganda than they are for tourists in Rwanda.

In conclusion, the choice of what country for gorilla trekking depends on the desires of the individual tourists but certain perimeters like cost of gorilla permit, ease of access to the National Parks, and the tracking conditions are considered by tourists in their desire to choose where to track gorillas from.

Africa is a very big and beautiful continent comprising of many countries from the North to the South then East to the West. The continent is very blessed and rich with mysterious destinations that leave every traveler thirsting for more opportunity to transfer to encounter and experience the wonders of the universe.  There are very many attractive destinations in Africa but we are mainly looking at the lovely primates the continent has to offer like the chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas, Lowland Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, Baboon, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, blue monkeys, Lhoest Monkeys and these are prominent in the tropics inhabiting the thick rain forests where they have stayed and lived as mammals.

Start planning for gorilla safaris to enjoy viewing the primates in all African national parks that are known to be the home to the mountain gorillas & Lowland Gorillas. various tour Operators are offering Gorilla Trekking adventures .

The Endangered Gorillas

Gorillas refer to big apes that inhabit the thick tropical rain forests in Africa as well as the lowland swamps and Mashes and are found in the central West African countries, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These move on their four limbs i.e hands and legs in search for fruits, vegetables, shoots, roots, vines, small insects due to the fact that they are vegetarians.

These live in groups of 6-12 members with an adult male with silver hair at the back referred to as the dominant silverback and the leader of the group. He makes decisions on where to eat, when to sleep, which group to attack etc and his orders are final and have to be followed for he has to defend his family. He is followed by adult females who produce the young ones and later come in the black backs which are both female and males which tend to leave the group when they grow older and these are followed by juveniles/infant Gorillas.

They are known to be shy animals though very active during day and when night falls, they build their nests out of leaves and plant material where they sleep and adult mothers sleep with their infants. They are also very vulnerable to human diseases like whooping cough, flu/ colds, diarrhea etc. People who are sick are advised to cancel trekking these primates or don’t get closer for this has led to massive deaths of some due to catching illnesses from humans.

In Uganda, these can be spotted in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park where as in Rwanda these can be spotted in the prominent Volcanoes National park and in the Democratic Republic of Congo they are found in Virunga National Park and the Kauzi Biege National Park. These include Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Lowland Gorillas, West Lowland Gorillas and the Cross river Gorillas.

The Mountain Gorillas

These inhabit the thick tropical rainforests as well as Mountainous areas and are distributed in various areas. In Uganda they are found in the thick tropical rainforests of the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National park where you will find 12 Gorilla families allocated in four different sectors which include

Buhoma with the Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura Gorilla groups,

Ruhija with Nshongi, Mishaya, Busigye, Kahungye and Bweza Gorilla groups, Rushaga with Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyagurilo Gorilla groups, Nkuringo with the challenging Gorilla group which is difficult totrack due to its constant movement in the hilly areas. There is also the Nyakagezi Gorilla group at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. At Bwindi two Gorilla groups are being habituated though not yet opened for tracking and these include the Bushasho and Bikingyi Gorilla groups. In Rwanda, 10 Gorilla groups which include the Susa, Karisimbi, Agashya, Umubana, Ugenda, Kwitonda, Sabinyo, Hirwa, Amahoro, Bwenge can be tracked at Volcanoes National Park. In DR Congo these can be tracked at Virunga National Park which include 6 Groups i.e Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Lulengo, Muyanga and Mapuwa.

The Eastern Lowland Gorillas

The eastern lowland gorilla also called the Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla endemic to the mountainous forests of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Big populations of this Gorilla inhabit Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks as well as their nearby forests like the Usala, Tayna Gorilla Reserve and along the Itombwe Massif. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is larger than all the four subspecies with jet black coats just like those on Mountain Gorillas despite the fact that their hair is shorter on the head and body. Just like other Gorillas when the silverback grows mature, its back turns into silver. In 2004, about 5,000 Eastern Lowland Gorillas were estimated to have been in the wild.

The Western Lowland Gorillas

Unlike the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, the western lowland gorilla is the smallest subspecies among the Gorillas and has extraordinary strength as well as size. They display distinct sexual dimorphism with no tails and jet black skin with rough black hair that covers their whole body except for the ears, face, hands and feet. The hair along the back and rump of males is grey in color and this usually disappears as they mature. These are referred to as silverbacks hence the leaders of the group. They have relatively large hands & thumbs with nails on all digits just like those of humans. They have short muzzles, a major brow ridge, big nostrils and candid eyes and ears, wide strong teeth and large muscles in the jaw area. Western gorillas normally stand upright walking in a bent quadrupedal way with their hands twisted and knuckles touching the ground a movement style that requires long arms which applies to the western gorillas because of the fact that their arms are larger than the standing height. These are very many as compared to the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.

Mating Period

Mate throughout the year.

Gestation period; 8.5 months and only one baby is produced very helpless since they weigh 3-4 Ibs learning to crawl at 2 months under their mothers care for about three years. At 8 and 9 months, they can walk around.

Gorilla Threats

The threats to these primates are habitat loss due to massive population who encroach on the forests for settlement hence increased poaching for bush meat which has led to their depopulation since many have fallen victims. Another threat is climate changes that also affect their habitats.

Truly, Rwanda is the best gorilla tracking destination worldwide though its gorilla permits are expensive compared to other countries which host the same voyage. You permitted one hour of photography with the apes an amazing moment which make other travelers to rebook space for the second trek. Being with the most expensive Gorilla permit US$1500 per person doesn’t mean having the most expensive gorilla safaris in the region.

Rwanda offers affordable low price gorilla safaris to Volcanoes national park every day according to the guests taste and preference. The relaxed joy of adventure comes when you visit a right place and do the right tour activities at a down to earth cost just in line with your planning budget. There are many ways to make your Gorilla tracking tour cheap and affordable in Rwanda no matter how long you stay around the country but all in all going home with excellent memories to cherish.

Travelers differ greatly in taste and preference like as others wish to spend more by dining in high class restaurants and sleep like royals others are just the opposite aright reason for Rwanda being one of the most affordable gorilla tracking tour destination in Africa. Adapting to the new environment and taking things like any other makes you spend less than behaving like a royalty. Look around for group gorilla tours scheduled for the dates of your interest so that you can share transport and accommodation costs with others. Talk to your planner and make sure all the park activities are included in the group program some made optional for those members who don’t feel like taking part in the others. Golden monkey & gorilla tracking, a visit to Dian Fossey, forest nature walk to the twin lakes, hiking the Rwanda Volcanoes of Karisimbi and Bisoke are the main done activities by tourists to Volcanoes national park. Above all it’s always good to be an easy traveler and you enjoy a very minute of your stay at a pocket friendly cost.

If you that person who like sole trips and doing things at your pause then why not do the one or two days Gorilla tracking safari to volcanoes national park and cut the costs for the third day. The awesome memories will be at hand like the person who did a three days gorilla safari tour to volcanoes national park. Save the dollars on transport and second night accommodation for other adventures, chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe forest or a leisure beach tour at Lake Kivu.

Normally tourists leave Kigali the day for the gorilla trek very early in the morning and return in the afternoon excited after meeting the sliver back mountain Gorillas in the bamboo forest. If you decide to do the one day gorilla trek, accommodation at the park won’t bother you since you will have to choose from the many affordable hotel options in Kigali city.

Ensure your gorilla permit and transport is set for the day plus your valid passport. Physical fitness doesn’t matter a lot since unfit people have a chance to track easier Gorilla families.

Potters are available for hire that is if you feel carrying your bag on the back will give you hard time during the trek. Indeed this trek ranks Rwanda best in all Gorilla tracking countries. Travelers save time and money in every aspect of the trek. The country being well located, some travelers chose to track Gorillas and chimps in multiple destinations a ultimate adventure which isn’t easy to take on cutting across all the three gorilla home lands, Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo.

There are several great benefits associated with hiring a rental vehicle. Renting your own private vehicle is far better than using public modes of transport. It is an excellent way to transport your family from one location to another without all the hassle of renting a car. The following article will highlight the benefits of car rental.

No Obligations

Renting a car doesn’t require the customer to purchase insurance or tax for the vehicle. The rental company usually covers everything, so you don’t have to waste any time calling businesses to inquire about quotes. If you are looking for a rental car, Rwanda Car Rental offers a wide variety of vehicles, which come with fully comprehensive insurance and tax at an affordable price. All you have to do is simply contact the agency for a quote and arrange to pick up your vehicle at a suitable location.

Accessibility

Rental car services are located all over the country, so it is easy to find a company to hire a car from, if you arrive in the Rwanda by air, there is rwandacarrental.com available to offer a car rental service. You won’t have to wait for public transport, when you hire a vehicle all you have to do is sign some documentation, pay for the service, and you are ready to go. Another option is to contact a car rental organisation and ask them whether they can deliver a car to your destination. So, if you arrive in Rwanda at a certain place, you can provide the rental company with details of your location and your car will be there, ready to drive.

Variety of options

If you deal with a professional, reliable car hire company they’ll offer a massive selection of vehicles to rent, you can choose from a standard model which may suit budget conscious travellers, to a stylish, executive car which is perfect for any professional visiting on a business trip. It doesn’t matter what type of car you require, you’ll always find Kenyacarrental.com that can provide a suitable option.

Based on the kind of vacation you are on, you can choose the kind of car you need for the ride. Car rental companies offer a wide choice of car groups that you can pick from. So whether it’s a 4×4 or a luxury car you fancy, you have a choice. Choosing a rental car also gives you the chance to try a car that you are considering purchasing. You get hands-on experience on driving the car, testing its comfort and the performance.

Budget friendly

There are different types of low-cost transports that are budget-friendly if you travel abroad on a tight budget for transports, but sometimes it ends up spending more on accommodations and other minor expenses since the drop-off locations are usually quite remote.

Holiday car hire is a better option because the drop-off location is more flexible, which also means that less costs will be spending on commuting from the drop-off location to your desired spots of visits for your vacation.

While there are enough options available for renting cars, if budget is your main concern, easy rent cars offers a useful Price Drop Protector which can lock in a reasonable price in case your car rental get cheaper after you book.

Restriction free

Car rental makes your trip more flexible for wherever you are visiting there is no need to think about the bus stops, train timetables or taxi stands. All you need is to rent a car and travel freely to the most inaccessible secret places where a few tourists are aware of the location.

In addition to the accessibility of different locations, it is also beneficial for visitors to rent a car for different events which could take place when public transports are not available. You can attend as many events as you want in different time slots with your car.

Convenience

There is no way more convenient than renting a car while traveling abroad. Firstly, you don’t need to give a second thought about insurance issues because you don’t own the car; secondly, some cars even have updated maps for navigation so that you don’t need to concern about roaming; thirdly, you can travel like a local because it is less likely for people to perceive you as a tourist if you are not dropping off from a tourist bus.

Cosiness

Long distance buses are usually cheap and preferable who don’t mind having a hard-core trip squeezing with dozens of anxious visitors who want to get on the buses first, yet this is not a vacation. A vacation means that you can enjoy your trips without feeling uncomfortable.

To rent a car also implies that you have privacy alone or with your partner. There is no need for you to interact with strangers, risking to disturb your good mood or desire to avoid socializing with people if this is the goal of vacation.

It is true that not everyone can afford owning a car for commuting purposes, so obviously it is the best option for commuting while traveling abroad. Without much restriction for traveling, renting a car gives you the most convenient and cosy experience which makes use of most of your time as a traveller.

Better safety and performance

Rental cars are often in much better shape than your own car would be in. Rental cars often have less mileage on them and are frequently serviced to ensure that they you can enjoy a safe and happy drive on your vacation.

24 Hours breakdown assistance

In the event of a breakdown (which is rare, but anything can happen on holiday), you can always depend on the 24-hour breakdown car rental assistance like flat tyre assistance, towing services and emergency fuel delivery.

In conclusion, hiring a rental car gives you a lot of freedom to explore the countryside and cities throughout Rwanda. It is cost-effective, flexible and you’ll find rental agencies all over the country. You can choose to pick up the vehicle or have it delivered to your current location, they’ll also collect the car when you’re finished.

Nyungwe Forest – A Primate world

One moment, the road winds unremarkably through the steep terraced slopes that characterize Africa’s most densely populated nation. Then, abruptly, the ever-present cultivation gives way to lush evergreen forest and branches draped in tangled lianas, canopy animated by liquid birdsong and a succession of liberating views across tree-swathed mountains rolling south to the Burundi border, this termed the country as the “land of a thousand hills”. Such is most people’s introduction to Nyungwe forest National park, which extending over almost 1000km2 is the largest extant rain forest in eastern or central Africa and possibly the most scenic, with few peers in terms of biodiversity.

It’s optimistic to arrive in Nyungwe National Park expecting to encounter a high proportion of the 75 mammal species which inhabit the shady forest interior Palm civet, Yellow-backed duiker, potto and Giant flying squirrel among them. But troops of up to 400 Ruwenzori colobus are easily located near the park headquarters, along with L’Hoest’s, Red-tailed, Dent’s and Silver monkeys, and further afield, and with greater effort of chimps.

Prominent among 275 bird species is the delightfully garish Great blue turaco, while 24 Albertine Rift endemics and the rare Congo bay owl will have serious birders salivating. A remarkable floral diversity includes 100 orchid species.

Accessible by public transport and serviced by a pleasant and inexpensive government rest house and campsite, Rwanda’s newest NP is tailor-made for budget-conscious nature lovers. More comfortable accommodation is available at Cyangugu port, about 30km west of the park boundary.

Parc des Volcans/Volcanoes National Park 

Protecting Rwanda’s portion of the Virunga Mountains, the Parc des Volcans Rwanda  was the site of Dian Fossey’s celebrated gorilla habituation and anti- poaching project, and will be familiar to some as the location of the film Gorillas in the Mist. And what a memorable location it is, this chain of free-standing volcanic mountains, whose daunting slopes swathed in giant bamboo clumps and montane forest, rise imperiously to above 4000m.

The star attractions are the world’s last 380 mountain gorillas, which are unique to the Virungas (DNA tests suggest the gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park are racially discrete). Four habituated troops, each dominated by a “gentle giant” silverback, frequently allow visitors on rwanda gorilla safaris to get close enough to stare into their deep brown eyes and the most emotive, haunting wildlife experience on the continent. The supporting cast includes elephant, which frequently leave steaming calling cards on the forest trails, but more likely to be seen are the localised Golden monkey and various forest birds and butterflies.

The Virungas straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region marked by political instability in recent decades. The area is also prone to sporadic geological upheaval: one recent eruption expelled a wall of molten lava into the Congolese town of Goma. This shouldn’t put you off: the Parc des Volcans or commonly known as Volcanoes National park has been safe for some years now and the volcanoes that regularly blow their top aren’t ecologically compatible with gorillas.

The park has got one the best safari lodges for accommodation and a few basic hotels are found in the nearby town of Ruhengeri, or with a vehicle and with an early start you can track Rwanda gorillas as a day trip from the smarter hotels in Gisenyi or Kigali. Tracking is tougher during the rains (February-June, September-December). Unlike Bwindi Forest in Uganda, tracking permits are seldom fully booked in advance.

Among the top tourist attraction in Rwanda is Mountain Gorillas and the major activity is Gorilla Trekking.  In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is conducted every day in Volcanoes National Park which is situated in north western part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri province.  In comparison, Uganda sells a gorilla permit at US$700, Democratic Republic of Congo at US$400 while that of Rwanda at US$1500.

Despite high cost of a Gorilla permit, Rwanda still competes favorably with the neighboring Uganda and DRC. The unanswered question is that why tourists insist on trekking Rwanda gorillas amidst high cost of the permit. In this article, the write is analyzing reasons:

• The beautiful Mountains – Rwanda is nick named “the land of a thousand Hills” because of many uplands there. The rolling hill along the way to the home of mountain Gorillas (Volcanoes National Park) Makes the journey amazing. On addition to the rolling hill are the mighty Virunga Mountains which welcomes Visitors to the colony of Mountain Gorillas.
• The Bamboo type of forest which favours tourists to take clear photographs. Un like the tropical rain forests of Uganda, Volcanoes National Park is composed of clear forest which makes it easier for trekkers to easily detect where gorillas are, clear views and photography.
• Easy access from Kigali Airport – It’s a 2rs drive from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park. The short distance saves time and facilitates quick gorilla trek and departure. For that case, 1 day Gorilla trek is easily done in Rwanda compared to Uganda and DRC.
• Short distance walk – Many previous gorilla trekkers do confirm that, Volcanoes National Park offers a short and easy trek. With the help of game rangers, the daily home range of the Mountain Gorillas are easily detected to simply the trek.
• Tourists practice their choice of accommodation – Rwanda offers budget to high end Hotels, Lodges and Camps. Basing on the tourists’ budget, they can decide to stay in Luxury, Mid-range or Budget accommodation. Some wealthy visitors prefer super luxury accommodation and they are available. Among the super luxury accommodation in Volcanoes National Park include Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge and so on.
• Safety – In tourism sector, safety of the tourist is a priority. Rwanda has maintained safety since the end of 1994 Genocide which cost the lives of over 800,000 people. Today stability is prevailing in the entire country which attracts a large number of visitors.
• Gorilla trekking supportive measures – The porters are readily available to help carry luggage and or carry weak trekkers to meet Gorillas in their natural habitat. More so, the walking sticks are available to support trekkers through slippery gorilla trekking trails.
• Rwanda Gorilla trekking saves time – Guests can trek gorillas and fly out on the same day. This is due to good roads, short distance from Kigali International Airport and clear advises from local tour operators. For that case, the guest may realize money saved after 1 day tour. In some countries like Uganda, you need to spend 3 days gorilla tour if the guest fly to Entebbe- drive to Bwindi (7-8hrs drive) – trek Gorillas on day 2 and return to the Airport on day 3.

Due to other benefits, may tourists find them selves tracking the Rwanda Gorillas and forego those in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo despite of the less cost of the Uganda and DRC gorilla permits.

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.

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.