Trekking gorillas in Rwanda on your wedding anniversary.

Spending your wedding anniversary trekking with gorillas in Rwanda. If you’re interested in going on a gorilla trek safari, Rwanda is among the top safari destinations in Africa. Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the three nations where gorilla trekking is practiced. Volcanoes National Park, which is part of the Virunga region, is the gorilla trekking location in Rwanda.

Only ten habituated gorilla families—including the Sabinyo, Susa, Karisoke, Karisimbi, Bwenge, Hirwa, and Agashya families—are among the approximately 400 mountain gorillas found in volcanoes. On the day of the trip, you and your partner may be assigned to any of these gorilla families; however, if you have any health concerns, let your guide know during the briefing so that you can be assigned to a less strenuous walk. This article explains how to celebrate your wedding anniversary with the primates and what you need know about gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Planning a wedding anniversary with Rwandan gorillas: Some things to think about
When organizing a wedding anniversary with the Rwandan gorillas, there are a few things to think about. These are:

Accommodations: There are three types of lodging options in Volcanoes National Park: basic/budget, mid-range, and luxury. Despite Rwanda’s reputation as a high-end safari destination, you can still find affordable lodging there. We advise you to make the most of your accommodations and get anything that suits your demands because it’s your wedding anniversary. Among the lodging options to consider are Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotel, and Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge.

Transportation: You have to choose between booking private transportation or traveling with other tourists. From Kigali International Airport, visitors are driven to Volcanoes National Park in 4×4 specialized safari vehicles. The cars have a drinking water bottle, are cozy, and have good air circulation. Because the costs will be split, you will save money on the safari if you choose to rent the automobile with other travelers. Though it would cost more, it is also possible to arrange a private safari drive with your significant other if you so choose.

Tips: Although they are not included in the total amount paid for the safari, tips are a significant aspect of the experience. For this reason, it is recommended that all visitors bring cash, preferably in local currency, to give to those who assist them. The driver guides, room service, and porters who help carry your bags so you have a stress-free gorilla hike are some of the personnel you should tip. This is an additional expense, but it is worthwhile because it shows that you value your services.

The best time to go will depend totally on when your anniversary is, but we’ll still examine Rwanda’s two gorilla trekking seasons: the peak/dry season and the wet/low season. The greatest time of year to go on a gorilla trek safari in Rwanda is during the peak season, which runs from June to September and December to January.

However, because of the huge volume of tourists during this time, service providers raise their costs, making it the most costly time of year. This is your opportunity if you are not on a tight budget, but you must make reservations in advance. Due to lower service provider prices, the low/wet season, which runs from October to November and March to May, is the greatest time for tourists on a tight budget.

Porters: Before being driven from the forest and sent to a neighboring town, the porters employed at Volcanoes National Park were former residents who had poached the gorillas and other park animals. Please use one if you can, as this is the only way the porters make a living and provide for their families.

It should be noted that porter tips are paid as you see appropriate and are not included in the safari price. But we advise you to spend at least $10 every day. Remember that porters are only permitted to carry a maximum of 15 kg, so bear that in mind when packing.

Rwandan gorilla permits.

The only way to get close to the endangered mountain gorillas is with a gorilla permit. The Rwanda Development Board issues it to all travelers who reserve a gorilla safari, and it is available for purchase directly from an RDB-registered tour operator. The price of a Rwandan gorilla permit varies based on the buyer. For instance, $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for citizens and residents of other African nations, and $300 for nationals of East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan).

If you combine your gorilla trekking safari with a visit to either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda provides gorilla permit discounts of up to $1050 per person. This is the only time the price is valid.

Because gorilla permits are typically in high demand, travelers are encouraged to make reservations at least six months in advance of their intended trip.

List of items to bring on a gorilla trek in Rwanda

A list of items you can bring for the gorilla hike is provided below. Proper packing is essential for a good wedding anniversary with the gorillas in Rwanda.

Gadgets: A camera and binoculars are considered gadgets. Although any kind of camera can be used, we always suggest to our clients that they purchase an easy-to-use point-and-shoot camera. Additionally, you’ll need to bring along any necessary camera gear, such as a tripod, an extra lens, extra batteries, lens cleaner, extra memory, and, if you can, a camera bag to hold everything you’ll need. You may view the gorillas and other animals in the national park, including as birds, golden monkeys, and other primates, from a distance with binoculars.

Clothes: Since you may have a lot to carry and don’t want to go overboard, packing clothes is difficult. For your Rwandan gorilla journey to be enjoyable, you must prepare appropriately, starting with the color and style of your clothing. Because blue is thought to draw tsetse flies, it is not a suitable color to pack. Conversely, camouflage is associated with the army, and black is a heat-absorbing color. Long-sleeved shirts will keep you warm and prevent tree scratches and insect bites. As long as they’re not jeans, the pants are ideal, and you can also include some undershirts.

Additionally, wearing thick socks will keep you warm and keep insects off your legs. Before the walk begins, this is accomplished by tucking the pants into the socks.

During the hike, garden gloves might help keep your hands from becoming scratched.

It is advisable to include a rain jacket and a warm sweater in your packing, as Ugandan weather is variable throughout the year.

Shoes: For the walk across Volcanoes National Park, sturdy hiking boots that reach the ankles are advised. The shoes don’t have to be brand-new; they should fit you well to prevent blisters on your feet. Get the waterproof ones if you can, and ensure sure they are strong enough to keep you upright throughout the hike.

When you return to your hotel or lodge after the hike, you can also bring some footwear and sandals. When obtaining shoes, don’t forget to pack adjustable gaiters, which are primarily utilized in rainy conditions.

A reusable water bottle: bottled water is available during your safari, but Ugandan tap water is dangerous to consume. Since you will require water along the walk, you will still need to pack a liter or more of a refillable water bottle.

The purpose of insect repellent is to shield your skin from various insect attacks.

A sunhat and sunscreen: You can apply the brand of sunscreen that works best for you before the walk begins. You are protected from the sun by the sunhat and sunscreen, which you may keep in your rucksack in case you need to reapply.

First aid kits are primarily found at hotels and lodging facilities, but it’s okay to have one with you. All of the medications and emergency supplies, including as gauze, spirit, iodine, cotton, plaster, and painkillers, should be included in the pack.

A day backpack is essential since you can’t carry all of your belongings; it will assist you carry everything you’ll need for the day. Among the necessities you can store in the waterproof daypack are the following:

toilet paper that decomposes naturally.
repellant for insects.
Apply sunscreen.
a first aid package.
A water bottle that can be filled again.
any other private belongings.
Rules and procedures for the Rwandan gorilla trek
All visitors who plan to embark on a gorilla trek in Rwanda must adhere to the guidelines established by the Rwanda Development Board. These guidelines include:

Trekking has a minimum age requirement of: Anyone under the age of 15 is not allowed to climb the gorillas in Rwanda, where a minimum journey age of 15 has been established. This is due to the fact that kids are harder to manage and may not always adhere to rules. However, if you intend to bring the kids, there are other things they can do besides gorilla trekking.

To limit the number of people around the gorillas and prevent illness transmission and disruption of their daily routine, just eight individuals are permitted to trek with a gorilla family each day.
Each group gets to spend an hour with the gorillas after finding the designated family.

It is recommended that visitors and tourists maintain a 7-meter distance from the gorillas.
It is forbidden to make noise or move suddenly near gorillas. If you wish to speak, use quiet voices.
We recommend that when a gorilla approaches you, you do whatever the guide says, including not running and lowering your head to demonstrate your submissiveness to the gorillas and not looking at them since this could be interpreted as a challenge.

Avoid littering to keep the national park tidy. Make sure to bring all of your trash with you and dispose of it in the appropriate bins or locations when you exit the park.
It is forbidden to eat or drink close to the gorillas. There are spots set up for you to eat from if you bring snacks.

Smoking is prohibited, therefore visitors and anyone planning a gorilla hike should be aware of this.
It is recommended that all tourists turn off the camera flash before taking pictures because mountain gorillas are not accustomed to it and may be scared off.

Golden monkey trekking is one of the safari activities available in Volcanoes National Park after gorilla trekking. Additionally, Mgahinga National Park is the only other location where you can find golden monkeys. Take part in primate hikes, bird watching, local community visits, and the Kwita Izina ceremony, which names infant gorillas.

A couple’s wedding is a significant turning point in their life. The greatest approach to commemorate the big day is to celebrate your anniversary, particularly if you have special arrangements to go on safari with your significant other.