Category: Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to about a third of the remaining 1000 mountain gorillas left in the world. Other mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi and Mgahinga parks in Uganda. Out of these four parks Volcanoes National Park is arguably the best for gorilla trekking because of the short distance from Kigali airport to the park, taking you just about two hours of drive.

There are currently 12 habituated mountain gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park which are spread out along the five volcanic mountains that make up the park, and these are Muhavura volcano, Gahinga volcano, Sabyinyo volcano, Bisoke volcano and Karisimbi volcano. The trek on each of the mountain is unique as it exposes to a different view along the Virunga mountains. The level of difficulty is not very different from each mountain. However, Mt. Karisimbi which is the highest of the volcanoes (also one of Africa’s top four highest mountains) and the farthest away is a little harder to access requiring a longer drive (on a bumpy dirt road) to get to the starting point. Also being that Mt. Karisimbi is higher and bigger than other volcanoes there is a big chance of having a longer and harder gorilla trek. One of the oldest habituated groups, Pablo, roams Mt. Karisimbi and is notorious for being a difficult group for trekking. If you seek a long trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park and don’t mind coming back from the mountains at sunset then ask for a group in Mt. Karisimbi. On the other hand, Mt. Bisoke is one of the easiest to access and often has easier groups. The largest gorilla family at the moment, Susa, regularly inhabits Mt. Bisoke. If you don’t fancy a long trek then be keen on a group in Mt. Bisoke. However, note there is no guarantee of an easy trek in any of the mountains because the gorillas’ movements cannot be predetermined. Read this information I wrote about the level of difficulty of the gorilla trekking so that you have an idea

What is the cost of the gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The cost of the gorilla trekking tickets or permits as of the year 2023 is as follows:

International tourists: $1500

African and East African residents: $500

East African citizens: $200

Note that a maximum of 8 people are allowed to track a gorilla group, and with only 12 habituated groups available for tracking that means a total of only 96 gorilla trekking tickets are available each day. You have to book your gorilla tour or gorilla ticket as early as possible because they do sell out quite fast. This is especially during the high season from June to September.

What are the requirements of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park?

The first requirement is that only persons aged 15 years and above can do the gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. There is no upper age limit though. Even 100-year-old person can track the gorillas.

As of 2023 you must present a negative PCR covid test certificate of a test done at least 72 hours from the time/date of tracking. PCR testing services are available at RBC in Kigali and the government hospital in Musanze District is location of the Volcanoes National Park

You should be healthy. Gorillas share about 98.4% of DNA with humans and therefore are highly susceptible to wide range of human diseases including common flue and other respiratory diseases like Covid-19. If you have flue and cough, airborne diseases, you will not be allowed to track the gorillas.

You should dress appropriately for the gorilla trek (see below on what to carry)

What should I carry for the gorilla trekking in volcanoes National park

• Hiking shoes or good sneakers with good traction
• Long pants and long sleeved shirt to protect from stinging nettles, bugs and rough plants
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Cap
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

Is it safe in Volcanoes National Park

Safety has been a big concern for many travelers and it is understandable because Volcanoes National Park is on the same mountain Virunga range that is shared with the Democratic Republic Congo where a lot of insurgencies keeping springing up. Nobody understands the security situation of Eastern Congo better than Rwanda. The park is so well protected that it is impossible to think about a spillover of insurgency into Rwandan side of the Virunga mountains.

Where to stay for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

If you would like to spend the night near the park there is a wide range of accommodations to choose from. Volcanoes National Park is perhaps the best gorilla trekking destination for luxury/high-end travelers as renown luxury camp and lodge brands have established accommodations. Here some of the accommodations we can recommend for you.

High end accommodations (5 Star)

• Bisate by Wilderness Safaris
• Gorilla Nest by One&Only

Luxury accommodations (4 star)

• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
• Virunga Lodge

Midrange (3 star)

• Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
• Bishop’s House

Budget (2 star)

• Isange Paradise Resort

Other activities in Volcanoes National Park apart from gorilla trekking

Apart from the gorilla trekking which is the main activity known for Volcanoes National Park, there are other nice adventures you can do in the park either as an extra to the gorillas, or as an option to the gorilla trek in case you cannot afford the gorilla trekking ticket. Below are the activities:

Golden monkey tracking

You can track these stunning monkeys which are only found in the Virunga mountains. The monkeys live in large troupes of up to 100 hundred individuals, inhabiting mostly the bamboo forests at the base of the mountains. A troupe of golden monkeys has been habituated that lives at the base of Mt. Sabyinyo. The golden monkey monkey trek is easy and light as the monkeys do not move very far from the bamboo forests at the base, hence you don’t trek or hike up the mountains as it is with the gorilla trek.

The golden monkey trek costs $100 for international visitors.

Volcano hiking

After the gorilla trek, hiking is probably the second most popular adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The most popular of the hikes in the park is the Mt. Bisoke day hike. The Mt. Bisoke (3711m) has a large crater lake at the summit which is the prize for the roughly 6 hour hike to the top of the volcano. Other day hikes are also done on Mt. Muhavura and Mt. Gahinga. For those that would like a longer hike and spend a night in the mountains  you can do the Mt. Karisimbi 2 day hike. Mt. Karisimbi is the highest of the volcanoes and the fourth highest mountain in Africa.

Dian Fossey tomb trail trek

The Dian Fossey tomb tomb is located in the valley between Mt. Bisoke and Mt. Karisimbi. The trail to the tomb offers an amazing trek in the jungle where you get to see the wildlife in the Virunga mountains. You also stand a chance of finding the gorillas on the trail. The Dian Fossey tomb trail is often done as preamble to the gorilla trek.

Nature walk

You can take on a beautiful trail in the forest at the base of the mountains for birdwatching in the Volcanoes national Park and a chance to see wildlife, and enjoy the stunning views of the Virunga mountains. However note that the nature walks are short (about an hour) and do not go deeper into the volcanoes.

 

It is that time of the year, CNN Travel publishes the list of destinations to think about for those planning travels in the year, 2023.

And guess what! Rwanda is on the list of 23 destinations that CNN Travel ranks as the best destinations in the world to visit in this new year 2023.

This is beautiful news for Rwanda travel but it is well earned as the Land of Thousand Hills and Mountain Gorillas has done so much to create arguably the best environment on the continent for travelers coming to discover the amazing landscape of rolling hills and volcanic mountains, abundant wildlife, and a beautiful culture all in this tiny country found in the heart of Africa.

This is why you should consider adding Rwanda to your trip to Africa in 2023

Best covid response: Rwanda had one of the best covid responses to tame the covid spread, including instituting lockdowns. And when the vaccines became available, Rwanda was one of the first countries on the continent to access them and vaccinate her people. Most of the population is fully vaccinated and all those working in the hospitality and tourism sector were fully vaccinated. Your safety from covid infection is almost guaranteed in Rwanda

Relaxed covid restrictions: Covid restrictions such as mandatory testing on arrival and quarantine have been dropped in Rwanda. Only remaining restriction is the requirement to take a PCR test if visiting the primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees, and a rapid test for other activities in the parks. This is to protect the wildlife, especially the primates, that share DNA with humans from contracting the virus.

Visa on arrival for all countries: Rwanda has an open-door policy; everyone can get their visas on arrival. Wake up today and want to see the gorillas tomorrow, just book your flight to Rwanda already!!

An oasis of security and safety: Rwanda’s proximity to Eastern Congo and the volatile neighboring countries is often a concern for visitors from across the world. However, the country understands best its position and has beautiful a robust security and intelligence system that has made the Rwanda one of safest countries in the world. The city Kigali is almost an eutopia in Africa with almost no crime on the streets. You walk any time and anywhere without the worry of being mugged or assaulted by goons.

Cleanest and most organized country: Rwanda and the capital Kigali almost seems misplaced in sub-Saharan Africa. The city and country are so clean and organized you will be left speechless. No single person is above the law and every citizen knows his or her role in keeping order and cleanliness. This has been engrained in the soul of the common Rwandan as a tradition.

Abundance of reputed hotels: Several international brands have set up shop in the capital Kigali and across the country. Some of these include Serena, Mariott, Sheraton, Radisson, etc…

Gorillas and other top things to see and do in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking: Gorilla trekking is the most popular tour in Rwanda. The country is home to a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population found in Volcanoes National Park, a part of the Virunga Mountain chain share with Uganda and Congo. The gorilla tracking permit costs $1500

Chimpanzee tracking: If you can, do not miss the chimpanzee trekking, an exciting adventure in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest that will bring you into a community of chimps in their natural habitat. Getting up-close with our closest relatives is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters. The chimpanzee trek is also much cheaper than the gorilla trek, a chimp tracking ticket costs no more than $150.

See the Big five in Akagera National Park: Rwanda is slowly building a reputation beyond the gorillas to become a big game country too. Lions and Rhinos, the only missing member of the “big five”, were introduced in Akagera National Park, the only savanna park in the mountainous country. You can therefore enjoy a wildlife safari with all the big five in addition to seeing the gorillas, all this in as few as 3 days in Rwanda!

Lake Kivu: Riding in canoe and fishing on the most scenic lake in central Africa will complete your vacation in Rwanda. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s biggest lake located along the Rwanda – Congo border and is set in one of the most idyllic of places in the rolling hills of the Albertine rift valley and the sprawling Virunga Mountain ranges. Active travelers can take on the multi-day hiking and biking trail – the Congo-Nile trail along the Lake Kivu.

Ticking off endemic birds in the Albertine Rift valley: Rwanda is a heaven for birdwatchers, with more than 700 bird species in a such a small territory but mostly the endemic birds of the Albertine rift valley found in montane forests in the west of the country make birding in Rwanda a matter of when and not if.

Kigali City tour: Kigali is eutopia in Africa or an experiment to prove that black Africans are capable of building modern safe cities devoid chaos that is characterized by most cities in Africa. A day tour of Kigali City will include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial where you learn about the horrors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, as well as other genocides that have happened around the world. It is a place to reflect about the consequences of blind hate leaving you different.

Amazing people with a vibrant culture: The genocide cast a dark shadow on what Rwandans truly are, they are friendly and beautiful people with strong cultures and traditions including the iconic intore dance. You can visit an organized cultural village where Rwanda cultures and traditions are showcased. Once such is the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village near the mountain gorillas.

Finally, our prayers have been answered! In addition to the amazing day experiences in Nyungwe National Park such as the chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk and nature walks, tourists can now do a night walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park to look for the nocturnal life and experience the hair-raising and adrenaline inducing night atmosphere of this rich mountain jungle – a 2021 candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Nyungwe Forest National Park, protecting an ancient and diverse mountain forest in the Albertine rift region that keeps a lot of unique wildlife & amazing sights is the best place in Rwanda for one to experience the African forest and discover several species of monkeys and primates, track chimpanzees, see birds and rare plants, reptiles, insects, etc…

Nyungwe has many walking trails available for nature enthusiast to explore this amazing forest, however all of these had been limited to the day, leaving many nature lovers wondering what life comes alive in this jungle when the night falls and how it feels being there at night. In fact, a lot is left unseen when night falls and this night walk will provide a beautiful opportunity to see creatures such as the bush baby and potto.

The night walk has been a big answered prayer for the birdwatchers who have always wanted to tick off the nocturnal birds of this forest. Therefore, birders planning a birding tour in Rwanda, it is now possible to do night birding in Nyungwe and should not miss it on the itinerary for a chance to tick off especially the Albertine rift endemic nocturnal birds; the Ruwenzori Nightjar and Albertine Owlet.

When do the night walks start in Nyungwe national park

The night walk in Nyungwe is scheduled to start at 5.30pm, which is sunset and darkness is falling over the forest. The night walk ends around 8pm – 9m.

The park guide/s shall have torchlight/spotlight so you may not need to carry one, however I do advise you carry one that you believe will provide the best illumination for you not to miss sightings (birdwatchers especially should carry a spotlight).

All the night walks are guided by the park.

How long are the night walks in Nyungwe national park

The night walk is about 3 hours long. One can decide to return at any time they feel like within this time.

Book this 3 day Nyungwe forest tour and request for the night walk as part of the activities