Tips & Tricks for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
The term ‘life-changing’ is thrown around liberally in the world of travel. Every day we strive to create lifelong memories for our clients, but in reality there are just a handful of travel experiences that can genuinely transform your perspective on the world.
March this year was one of them for me - looking into the soulful eyes of a mountain gorilla, sitting so close to me that I could feel his breath — an animal that shares 98% DNA with us humans.
Scary? Absolutely not. Awe-inspiring? Absolutely. Spending time in Rwanda with the Hirwa family - a close knit 14 strong family of gorillas living their best lives in the Volcanoes National Park was an enormous privilege. Hirwa means ‘lucky’ and oh how lucky we were. The mountain gorillas of Rwanda are hard to reach for a reason, as this keeps them safe and protected in their forest homes of the National Park.
If you’re looking for a truly transformational travel experience, it is worth the ride to get there. I’d love to help you to live out this dream!
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR TRAVELLING TO RWANDA
CONSIDER TIME OF YEAR - We travelled in March which was a little damp and gloomy at times but June to September is the driest time to go trekking in the Volcanoes National Park and it ties in with the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. The downside however is that this is also the high season so rates can be higher and permits can sell out.
GETTING THERE - Nairobi is the main gateway to this part of the world and with direct flights from the East Coast of the US and the UK, and good connections on to Kigali getting there is easy than you may have thought
MAKE THE MOST OF IT - Spend at least 3 nights in the Volcanoes National Park and at least 2 nights in Kigali, Rwanda's capital. It's a long way to travel from the US or UK so make the most of it and combine your 3 or so nights in Rwanda with the same in Tanzania and then heading to the beach in Zanzibar or Seychelles. I wish I could have done that but my desk and my own family of gorillas (kids) were calling.
VISAS - Rwanda is a dead simple $50 visa on arrival. As I was transiting through Nairobi, I also got a Kenyan visa too, just in case of emergencies and flight delays but I had no issues on that front.
VACCINATIONS - Much to my (doctor) mum's disappointment, I'm not a medic so I won't dish out too much medical advice but a few things to think about: While the risk is low, Rwanda is a yellow-fever transmission zone so get your shots and yellow certificate and you'll be set. Anti-malarials are strongly advised.
CASH IS KING IN AFRICA - Aside from the visa on arrival, cash is useful for tipping porters, waiters and other staff throughout the trip and of course, for shopping. US dollars are what you need here.
GORILLA PERMITS - You need to pay for a gorilla trekking permit to see the gorillas in Rwanda, which helps to protect the national park and the ape families. This also helps to ensure fewer crowds. It is expensive (around $1500 a day per person) but worth every cent.
WHERE TO STAY - Exploring the jungle doesn't mean roughing it in a mountain hut. Stay in a property like Singita Kwitonda Lodge and not only will you have a gorgeous plunge pool to dip into and rest your tired post-trekking legs, but you'll also be supporting the important work protecting your new gorilla friends with Singita's incredible conservation efforts here. It's a win-win for everyone.
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