Where Are Gorillas in Rwanda: Mountain Gorillas are the world’s great ape, only found in the montane rainforest of Central Africa. In Rwanda, the gorillas are found in the mountainous rainforest of Virunga in the Northwest Region in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park stretches 160 square kilometres of land that comprises of Five of the eight Volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains Chain including Karisimbi, Muhabura, Gahinga, Mount Bisoke and Sabyinyo. These forested Volcanoes inhabit a wide number of a variety of animals most especially the gorillas.
The Park was first gazetted in 1925 as a small area to protect gorillas from being poached and it was established in Africa basically to protect these endangered mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are found in hidden forested volcanoes of Central Africa, these misty forests of Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda seem like a lost world. The existence of mountain gorillas and their alarming population was brought to the world’s attention by an American primatologist and conservationist – Dian Fossey who dedicated all his life to them. She arrived in 1967 and during her research, she decided to set up research centre between Karisimbi and Bisoke “Visoke” where she spent most of her time doing research about gorillas and mountain gorillas were discovered again on African continent until 1985 when she was murdered by unknown people. During this time there was fewer numbers of about 300 giant gorillas left in wild.
The great work of Dian Fossey is still appreciated by the Economy of Rwanda till up to date thanks to her research about gorillas in this park that is you cannot fail to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Rules to follow where gorillas can be seen in Rwanda.
Mountain gorillas can only survive in the tropical rainforest of montane and shares 98% of human genes, they are extremely close related to humans and because of this, they can easily be affected by our infections which can kill them such as flu and other miner diseases may affect them.
Visitors are advice not to trek if they are ill as you might infect them, you are not allowed to touch on them while in the wild and you should not get close to them at least be 2 to 4 meter away from them, flash camera are not allowed because they might them scare them and yet this is the only way to see them. Lower your voices while in the wilderness with them.
However, only 8 eight people are allowed to trek in each gorilla family and are given one hour to stay in their present looking on their uniqueness. You can also come across them climbing trees which are usually found on the ground in the communities of about 30 individuals. The gorilla family is headed by one dominant silverback male gorilla because of being stronger with silver hair that adorns dark fur and there are other members in the troop young male gorilla, females and their offspring. The leader of the group organises activities like nesting in leaves, eating, playing and many more all these can be encountered while you are inhabits of these great primates that are only remaining on the earth.
In Rwanda, gorilla can only be found in Volcanoes National Park with 10 habituated gorilla families open for visitors. Each of these gorilla families has different group size, leader of the family and are found in different areas of the park. When you get a chance to come across one of these amazing families, it is when you will realise that mountain gorillas are still existing in the world.
The best way to meet mountain gorillas in Rwanda is on gorilla trekking experience.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience
Gorilla trekking is a highlight safari activity in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. This activity offers you a chance to visit one of the 10 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking that is Sabyinyo Family,Hirwa Family,Amahoro Family ,Umubano Family ,Ugenda Family ,Bwenge Family ,Agashya Family ,Kwitonda Family ,Susa Family ,Karisimbi Family.
To take part in mountain gorilla trekking experience, you need to acquire a gorilla permit which costs US$ 1,500 per person per permit.
When is the best time to seen gorillas in Rwanda?
The best time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking is in the dry season when the forest trail heads are dry and easily accessible, starting in the month of June to September and December to February.
It is also possible to visit during the Wet Season, within this season accommodation rates are low and the gorilla permits are readily available.
Accessibility
Volcanoes National Park can be accessed within 2 to 3 hours’ drive from Kigali International Airport.
Where to say
In Volcanoes National Park, there are availability of accommodations ranging from budget, midrange to luxury options. These options include
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Gorilla’s Nest Lodge
- Five Volcanoes Lodge
- Ingagi park view lodge
- Da Vince Gorilla lodge
- Amakoro songa lodge
- Lapaillote Cyuza Island
- Le Bambou Gorilla lodge
- Gorilla lodge
- Gorilla village and many more other nice lodges
In conclusion, Volcanoes National Park is unarguably the best and top visited destination in Rwanda offering primate experiences including gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking culture experiences and hiking adventure and many more.