An encounter with a mountain gorillas qualifies as one of life’s great moments. Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s volcanoes national park, the most accessible among the gorilla destinations.
Watching gorillas in the jungles of Central Africa is; according to most travelers a once in a life time adventure, which is directly giving back to the gorilla conservation projects as well as local community development projects hence conserving gorilla population which since the introduction of gorilla tourism, the number have been rising steadily.
Gorilla safaris are special because mountain gorillas look and behave like we humans. They live in families with a hierarchy where the dominant silverback dictates everything that is done by the group. Gorilla trekking is expensive because mountain gorillas are endangered and because of that many people want to see them. The high numbers of tourists interested in seeing them has forced many governments to raise the price of permits.
What to consider when planning a Gorilla Safari in Rwanda
The Cost of a gorilla permit
If you are planning to do a gorilla safari in any of the three countries, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a document that allows you access to the gorillas. In Rwanda gorilla permit is at $1500. A gorilla permit is a requirement for tracking gorillas. You cannot be allowed to take part in the activity without showing them to the park authorities. What is included in a Gorilla Permit Cost? A gorilla permit includes interacting with the gorillas for one hour, park entrance, Ranger fees and advance trackers.
To book a gorilla permit, you need to go through your tour operator or one of the government authorities in the respective countries. In Rwanda Development board does it in Rwanda. It is important to book your gorilla permit or gorilla tour at least 2 months in advance. If you are planning to travel in the peak season (June, July and August), we recommend that you do the booking at least 5 to 6 months before the trip so that you don’t go through the stress of asking different tour companies if they have availability.
The Cost of accommodation
One of the things you will have to consider while planning your gorilla tour is where to sleep. All the gorilla national parks have high quality lodges from where you can spend the night. Your choice of accommodation will depend on your budget.
Rwanda’s gorilla is a luxury safari, even hotels are luxury. You can book these hotels on your own if you planning to do a self-drive but most travelers book the hotels through their tour company. If you book a hotel yourself, ensure that it is located close to the starting point of the gorilla family or sector you have been assigned. If you book too far away, you may miss the trek. This is all the more reason why it is better to book your gorilla tour through a reputable tour operator.
The Cost of food
While traveling to these countries, you need to take into consideration the expenses for food, drinks and particularly water. The hotels provide this but you are going to need water and food when out of the hotel or traveling. Food and drinks should cost you about $40 each day if you are traveling on your own. If you are planning to buy expensive booze or cigars, you might have to plan for a higher amount per day. If you are booking your travel with a tour company, you should not worry about food. They should take care of the food and water while at the hotel and traveling between activities.
The Cost of transport (Plane tickets and hiring a vehicle)
After securing the gorilla permits and identifying a lodge, the next thing that will come to your mind is how to get to the gorilla parks. Air tickets to and from your country of origin depending on your choice of airline. The driving distance from Kigali International Airport to the Volcanoes National Park is 2 hours.
Arranging your own travel in an unfamiliar and developing country can be complicated. It is why most travelers leave the issue of transport, permits and accommodation to their chosen tour operators so that they are only left with the task of showing up at the airport.
It is also important to note that only a few tour companies are willing to book air tickets on behalf of their clients. Consult you tour company to see if they can help you with booking flights to and from your country of origin.