Why does Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park lack gorilla habituation experience? To lessen the effects of mass tourism in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda lacks gorilla habituation experience. Volcanoes National Park is not as large as Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

For the time being, the park can sustain gorilla and golden monkey trekking for conservation purposes. Additionally, some mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park are reserved for research, while all other families are habituated.

There are fifteen different gorilla families in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, including the Amahoro, Agashya, Umubano, Susa, and Sabyinyo. In addition to needing enough food to sustain their lives, these gorilla families risk trampling on the greenery if more visitors are permitted. Since mountain gorillas are naturally vegetarians, they require adequate food to sustain their bodies both during the day and at night.

The cost of a Ugandan gorilla habituation permit is the same as that of a Rwandan gorilla trekking permit, and Uganda is now the only country that offers gorilla habituation experiences. Currently, the Rwandan gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 and allows one hour with the mountain gorillas, while the Ugandan gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 and allows four hours with the semi-habituated gorilla family.

Because of this, Rwanda finds it difficult to charge more for gorilla habituation experiences, while Uganda, her neighbor, charges a different permission fee.

How Do I Reserve Permits for Rwandan Gorilla Trekking?

Assume that the Rwanda Development Board does not sell your gorilla permit directly to you. If so, we at Monumental Expeditions and Safaris are prepared to assist you in relieving the strain of organizing a gorilla safari. We want to provide you the greatest gorilla safari experience because we know how much work you put into saving for your trip to Africa.

Our safari specialist looks up availability based on your information, including the number of people traveling and the dates of the safari, after receiving your Rwanda gorilla safari question. Given that gorilla trekking is only for those aged 15 and up, it’s critical to know how old the members of your group are.

Our advisers will contact you when conditions are suitable, but we encourage customers to get their permits as soon as possible. This is due to the fact that gorilla permits become limited, particularly during the busiest times of the year, which are June through September and December through January, when demand is at its highest.

Provide certain personal information, such as your full name as it appears on your passport, nationality, birthdate, passport expiration date, and others, for identification purposes.

How Much Does Rwanda’s Gorilla Safari Cost?

East Africans must pay $300 for a Rwanda gorilla permit, while international residents must pay $500.

The ranger guide fee, park admission fee, security, one hour with the mountain gorillas, protection of the mountain gorillas, support for the local community, and certificate are all included in the price of a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit.

Cost exclusions for Rwandan gorilla permits

Transportation, lodging, tips, snacks, and any additional personal items

How old can you be to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda?

Due to the topography of Volcanoes National Park, where you may have to go to the slopes or deep in the valley, occasionally in order to locate the mountain gorillas, the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years of age and up.

Gorilla trekking regulations must be strictly adhered to, however children under the age of fifteen may disregard them; yet, breaking them could upset the mountain gorillas.

What is the duration of the Volcanoes National Park gorilla trek?

Depending on the conditions in the jungle, the Rwandan gorilla journey could take two hours or longer. The location of the mountain gorilla feeding site, the day’s weather, the death of a gorilla family member, and other variables may all affect the likelihood of finding the gorillas.

In addition to concentrating on locating the mountain gorillas, visitors are encouraged to exercise patience and be receptive to other fascinating aspects of the forest throughout the gorilla trek.

You might forget the difficulties you may have faced in your quest to find the mountain gorillas. Your time and money will be well spent because seeing the mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Are the Volcanoes National Park mountain gorillas hostile?

In spite of their frightening look, mountain gorillas are calm primates. You become aware of the mountain gorillas’ vulnerability when you get to know them. They have sentiments, too, so you don’t have to irritate them. When irritated, mountain gorillas may pull grass around them, walk on one foot, thump heavily on their chest, and much more.

After determining the origin of the issue, you should wait for instructions from the ranger guide instead of becoming alarmed. If family conflicts, power struggles, or other factors—rather than tourists—are the primary cause, take the ranger guide’s advise and relish the drama.

When leaving the mountain gorillas, make sure to do so quietly so as not to provoke any conflict.

What else is there to do on a safari in Rwanda?

Trekking with golden monkeys in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Trekking with golden monkeys is possible in Volcanoes National Park. There are an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 golden monkeys in the world, making them one of the endangered primates. Even though they are accustomed to being around people, they still have a pleasant personality. Due to their restless nature, be prepared to remain at your feet after you find the golden monkeys.

In addition to having golden brown hairs on the underside of their bodies, golden monkeys have a distinct body structure that is more important than that of regular monkeys. You need a golden monkey permission from the Rwanda Development Board in order to undertake gorilla trekking.

Currently, each Golden Monkey hike requires a $100 per person trekking permit.

Volcanoes National Park Birdwatching
For avid birdwatchers, trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park offers a double chance. More than 300 bird species, including endemics of the Albertine Rift, can be found in the woodland. Among the birds found at Volcanoes National Park are the Dusky Crimsonwing, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin-chat, and Mountain Masked Apalis. The list goes on and on. During the gorilla walk or a birding safari in Volcanoes National Park, you might see some of these.

Experience with Mountaineering in Volcanoes National Park

Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Sabyinyo are the five highlands that make up Volcanoes National Park’s topography. You can take an escorted hike to the top of either mountain if you want to put your level of fitness to the test with an 8-hour return hike expedition.

On your journey to the summit of these hills, you travel through breathtaking greenery. The spectacular views that the lush vegetation creates are truly remarkable and well worth the effort.

Grave Treks by Dian Fossey
The mountain gorilla hero passed away tragically in the 1980s, but it is worth it to follow in her footsteps and support her efforts to save mountain gorillas. An unidentified assassin brutally killed American primatologist Dian Fossey in 1985. Fossey devoted her life to ensuring the survival of mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are still alive because of her efforts.

Volcanoes National Park forest hike
On a woodland walk, you might come across additional fascinating primates in Volcanoes National Park. Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and other primates can be found in Volcanoes National Park.

Being a biosphere reserve, Volcanoes National Park gives you the opportunity to observe a variety of other fascinating forest elements, including as insects, various wild creatures, and unusual flora that are rarely seen outside the park. A dense network of rivers that could create waterfalls makes up the forest.

Other safari activities in Rwanda
Trekking with chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park
Despite its tiny size, Rwanda offers ecotourism because it fiercely protects its woods, which are home to chimpanzees and other creatures. There is currently a semi-habituated chimpanzee population in Rwanda’s only chimpanzee habitat, Nyungwe National Park. Another chimpanzee population can be found in Cyamudondo, which lies on the fringes of Nyungwe National Park.

To visit human cousins, you need to obtain a chimpanzee trekking permission from the Rwanda Development Board. Nyungwe National Park hosts two chimpanzee trekking sessions every morning and afternoon, with a maximum of six visitors permitted per chimpanzee troop. Since chimpanzees’ daily lives are disrupted by humans, this is a method to reduce disruption.

Nyungwe National Park canopy walk.
To see the Nyungwe forest canopy from the suspension bridge, you can do the canopy walk. There isn’t another bridge like this in East Africa, and it’s 90 meters long. The Nyungwe forest, some of its residents, and its breathtaking characteristics are all beautifully visible from above. It’s a leisurely experience that you should include on your Rwanda safari schedule.

This might not sit well with someone who is afraid of heights.

Safaris with Game in Akagera National Park

The only place in Rwanda where game safaris are available is Akagera National Park. The 1994 Rwandan genocide and even its aftermath had a significant impact on this park. While some wild creatures escaped, many were slaughtered.

Several wild species are being re-habitated as this park recovers. Giraffes, leopards, waterbucks, zebras, bushbucks, cape buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, and impalas are just a few of the animals you might see on the game drives at Akagera National Park.

A boat ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park is a tranquil experience since, among other things, you may see a variety of aquatic birds and take in the breathtaking surroundings.

Tour of Kigali City
Without understanding more about Rwanda’s pristine city, how do you leave? The Rwanda genocide memorial, the Butare National Museum, the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, and the Kandt House can all be seen during the city tour of Kigali. You can also take in the delicious and amazing scents of Rwandan coffee.

With the Kigali City Tour, you can get a close-up look at the city and experience Rwanda’s real pulse.

Rwandan Cultural Immersion
Rwandese take great pride in their distinctive culture, which is evident in most of their events, such as the Intore dance, if you get the opportunity to see it. The joy of being Rwandese is eloquently conveyed by the booming beats of these long drums and a nuptial dance routine including a crested crane. The Lulunga, an eight-stringed instrument that resembles a harp, is accompanied by traditional tunes throughout the intore dancing steps. The best illustration of traditional dancing moves is the Hoe dance from northern Rwanda.

You might be tempted to dance along as these drums play since the moves are so catchy.

You might be able to see the Intore dance at short notice if you go to the National Museum of Huye.

The Imigongo is available in the majority of Rwandan craft stores. Although this is a unique cow dung artwork, the Nyakarimbi, where the majority of Rwandan crafts are made, provides better opportunity for it when you visit. You can see that Rwandans like creating crafts at the various craft stores you visit.

Is It Safe to Travel to Rwanda?

It is safe to travel to Rwanda. The nation is at peace following the 1994 Rwandan genocide because many monuments and genocide memorials have been erected to serve as a constant reminder of the past.

Well-trained ranger rangers lead the majority of Rwanda safari activities, particularly in the National Park, where they safeguard visitors, wildlife, and its surroundings. To maintain peace and order, additional Rwandan security forces are also there.

You must be your own first line of defense as a visitor by never leaving the woods without a ranger guide to accompany you. There are a number of people in the wilderness who could hurt you. Don’t carry your valuables since you can draw the wrong kind of attention.