Volcanoes National Park is a fantastic destination to embark on a gorilla trekking adventure. There are few places in the world to find Mountain gorillas in Africa there are 2 types of Gorillas the Mountain gorillas-Gorilla beringei and Lowland gorillas, The Mountain Gorillas live in the forested areas of the Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park together with the Mghainga National Park, these conservation areas are dotted around the same area region at the edge of the great rift valley region, the Volcanoes national park is home to 30% of the few remaining populations of mountain gorillas in the wild, the primates are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla –Gorilla beringei.
Mountain Gorillas are the largest living primates on earth, they are characterized by their strong fur bodies, long forelimbs, intelligence and social behaviour, the gentle giant possesses brown eyes and is territorial, they live in families of up to 20 members led by a male silverback, the family is always comprised of females, juveniles, black backs, and babies, Gorillas love to nest on the ground, their diet majorly comprises of plants, dead tree backs, stems, leaves, fruits and mushrooms, as much as gorillas do not regularly drink water the plants that they feed on are succulent enough for them to survive. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in the conservation areas protected for client visits, these have been watched and made used to human presence while doing their day-to-day duties.
Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park requires a gorilla trekking permit purchased at $1,500 per permit, this can be obtained directly from the Rwanda development board or through a Rwanda-registered tour operator, trekking takes place beginning at the park headquarters with a morning briefing on how to conduct yourself while with the mountain gorillas, the hike is s strenuous and tiring but rewarding at the end of the day, coming in contact with the gorilla species is one of the most amazing things to do in the world, an hour is allowed while with the primates and after return to the headquarters to meet your guide.
When considering doing gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, it is important to pack right for the safari, this includes warm clothes, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof hiking boots, hand gloves, gaiters, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, insect repellants, and any other items of important use while on safari. The best time to do Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season between December –February and June to late July during this time the trails are much accessible though all year round it is possible to do Gorilla trekking activity.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is combined with other activities for example golden monkey tracking in the conservation area, quite a similar process just like the gorillas, hiking the volcanic mountains of the Virunga, birding and experiencing culture around the surrounding communities.