What to Expect During Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Embarking on a trek amidst the majestic mountains of Rwanda, a visit to Volcanoes National Park offers a rare and intimate encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat. This is a unique opportunity that promises an unforgettable experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to expect during your gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park:
Preparation and Planning
- Gorilla Trekking Permits
– Booking: Trekking permits can be obtained but only from RDB or authorized companies and tours dealing with the practice since it is only practiced in Rwanda. Permits are a possibility that can be a tad on the pricey side and should be booked in advance – anywhere from several weeks to several months beforehand – the most popular time to go is June-September and December-February.
- Fitness and Health
– Fitness Level: Trekking in order to have an interaction with the gorillas is a tiring and tiresome activity especially when trekking in the Volcanoes National Park since one has to traverse on steep, muddy slopes and at high altitudes. It is suggested that even though people of most ages and fitness levels can take part in horse riding, one needs to be of reasonable fitness to enjoy the activity.
– Health Considerations: The visitors should be of sound health because the gorillas are so sensitive that they succumb easily to diseases that affect mankind. This kind of illness and many others are easily transmittable, therefore if you are feeling unwell through flu or a common cold then it is very advisable to reschedule your trek in a bid to protect the gorillas.
- Packing Essentials
Ensure you pack the following essentials for a comfortable and safe trek:Ensure you pack the following essentials for a comfortable and safe trek:
– Sturdy hiking boots
– Full length trousers and long sleeved shirts because the herbaceous plants such as the nettles and insects are likely to be found on the ground or around the shrubs.
– Jacket or poncho that is water resistant
– Hat and sunglasses
– Insect repellent
– Chocolates and enough water During the day we prefer the consumption of snacks and ensuring that we take enough water.
– A digital camara that does not have flash for taking pictures of the gorillas
Day of Gorilla Trekking
- Briefing and Group Allocation
– Briefing: During planning your hiking, every person arrives in the morning to meet with park rangers and receive the briefing. It provides information as to the kind of etiquette expected of tourists before they go tracking the gorillas, the various precaution measures that should be taken when tracking gorillas and what one is likely to encounter when tracking these exceptional primates.
– Group Allocation: Trekkers are grouped to a maximum of eight persons per group and Incredible Rwanda assigns each group to a particular family of gorillas. Trekker compatibility is taken into consideration when grouping for treks is being carried out.
- Trekking Experience
– Starting Point: Treks normally originate from the park headquarters, through which tourists are formed into groups and directed into the forest. Other people involved are guides who use signals with park rangers to find the gorilla groups, and they are trackers.
Terrain: The trekking can, therefore, be easy to strenuous, depending on the area that the gorilla family moves to on a specific day. Trekkers cross thick bushes, bamboos, and, on some occasions, steep hills.
– Duration: The distance of the trek differs greatly, it is expected that it will take an hour to four hours each way to the gorilla family. These periods spent with the gorillas differ from one to one and a half hours. 5 hours once the GPS led them to the location of the targets.
- Encountering Gorillas
– Locating the Gorillas: Gorilla trackers follow the groups daily and, therefore, the chance of an encounter is very probable. When the track is established trekkers move closer to the gorillas and sit down not to disturb them.
Observation Time: While approaching the gorillas in their natural habitat, the visitor is allowed only one hour with them. This is a great hour to see them better and study their actions, communications, and social relations more closely.
– Behavior Guidelines: Tourists visiting the area to watch the gorillas can only do this under very strict conditions so as not to disturb the animals. It is within the guidelines of the gorilla tracking etiquette to ensure that a minimum distance of 7 meters (about 21 feet) is kept from the gorillas, no staring at the eyes of gorillas, and no taking food or any kind of food item that has a smell when tracking the gorillas.
Wildlife and Scenic Views
Biodiversity: In addition to gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park has other types of animals, such as golden monkeys and different types of birds. Due to its representation of numerous ecosystems, it features beautiful views and some birding habitats.
– Volcanic Landscapes: Topping it all, the park is located in the backdrop of volcanic mountains among which is Mount Karisimbi, thus the dram. During the trek, trekkers have a chance to see parts of volcanic shares and vertigo valleys.
Cultural Interaction and Conservation
Community Engagement: Cultural visits to local communities and practices of community-based tourism are available during Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Conservation Efforts: Recent and current research shows that money generated from gorilla treks helps conserve environments, including by employing security personnel in anti-poaching activities and implementing community upliftment projects.
Conclusion
It is one of the excellent experiences of wildlife in the natural habitat that anyone who gets a chance to enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will never forget in his/her lifetime. The kind of excitement provided by tracking gorillas in the forest trails and the social life of these apes is truly a magical experience to be had in Volcanoes.
With proper planning, proper conduct towards the animals and people you will encounter, and overall acceptance of the whole experience in the right perspective, one is very likely to have a rewarding tour to see the mountain gorillas. When considering planning your gorilla trekking exercise at the Volcanoes National Park, allow the following tips to guide you and ache for an experience you will never forget.
