Category: Safari Ideas

There are many ways of encountering Mountain Gorillas at the cheapest means possible. Mountain Gorilla safaris are done in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. National Parks hosting Mountain Gorillas include:

• Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
• Virunga National Park – Democratic Republic of Congo
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

In this article, let us asses the possible ways of going on a low priced gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. What makes a cheap trip depends on the distance, the cost of gorilla permit, the price of accommodation, fair quotations from different tour operators among others.

Currently, Rwanda gorilla permit cost US$1500, Uganda at US$800 while DRC cost US$400 so, travelers at low budget can wisely choose Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo to save big.

• Self-driving is another way of cutting the prices. Here, you just need to hire a car and then drive to the gorilla park. Self – drive saves driver cost.
• Book budget accommodation in case your budget is low. Budget accommodation charges pocket friendly prices compared to Mid-range and Luxury accommodation.
• Book a short trip – 1 day Gorilla tour in Rwanda, Uganda or DRC is ideal. Short trip saves the travelers from high cost of accommodation, car charges and so on.
• Travel in low season – low season results into low travelers turn up. During this period, accommodation cut off prices, tour operators offer pocket friendly prices and so on.
• Visit multiple parks – Rwanda offers discounted gorilla permits for travelers who visit more than one National Park and spend at least 2 nights in each park. While in Rwanda, target to visit Volcanoes National Park (Home of mountain Gorillas), add on a visit to Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park.
• Join scheduled gorilla tours – Some tour companies set scheduled gorilla trip for groups and once you confirm your slot, you are entitled to a cheap gorilla safari.
• Get other people to join – they can be relatives or friend to share transport cost and accommodation thus reducing safari costs.
• Trek Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC is the cheapest destination as far as gorilla trekking is concerned. Currently, the cost of Gorilla permit in DRC is US$400 compared to that of Rwanda at US$1500 and Uganda at US$800.
• Use public transport to reach the gorilla parks – public transport seems to be cheaper than customized private transport. You just need to buy a gorilla permit and then use public transport to reach the gorilla park – trek Gorillas and leave the park.

Gorilla trekking is a life time event which every one should enjoy before death however; some people argue that the cost of gorilla permit is too high.

Rwanda is a very beautiful Africa country with a lot to see and discover but just a day in Rwanda is enough for one to enjoy the best country attractions and adventures. Are you a first time visitor or you got less time?.If you’re planning unforgettable Rwanda trip outside the city, a one day Rwanda gorilla safari is that you must not miss in Rwanda especially for saving and limited time travelers. This trip simplifies life for many travelers with fixed travel schedules and budget because, you experience the most loved wildlife encounter and also maintain your work or travel schedules.Less is spent on this trip and travelers save much on accommodation, transport and the entire holiday than those who go for long Rwanda holidays. The amazing thing is that it converts many from city noise and hassles to the wild and the breathtaking jungle tiled in bamboo trees and green vegetation. The one day Rwanda trip to Volcanoes national park and the finest gorilla tracking destination in Africa fulfills all human imaginations of Africa gorilla safaris as well as offering impressive jungle experience.

Volcanoes national park location is for history because it qualifies as the nearest mountain gorilla tracking destination for everyone visiting Africa for gorilla tracking holidays. Travelers have breakfast very early before leaving there lodge of residence in Kigali and also enjoy a morning cup of coffee before briefing in company of Rwanda cultural dancers. After the trek you can have lunch in any of the gorilla lodge around the park or drive back to Kigali city and have it done in complete comfort and relaxation. No entrance fees are paid and the trip permits one to explore Kigali city as well because the Rwanda gorilla safaris end a little bit early than expected. Please be aware those Rwanda gorillas permits are on high demand year round so book your gorilla pass as early as possible in order not to be disappointed. However, lucky travelers book last minute Rwanda gorilla tracking tours and still find gorilla permits available though some ones luck can never be yours. The one day trip does not need one to book accommodation at the park on the day for the trek since you will leave immediately.

All you need is only, the valid passport, Rwanda gorilla permit, tracking gears, some little cash that is you want to tip or donate to any local community project around the park.Some times its tricky during the high season so would highly recommend travelers to book their gorilla permits, transport and other essential through a trusted and genuine Rwanda travel agent.

Those with more time in the country can engage in other park tour activities like golden monkey trek, hiking, birding, community visits, Dian Fossey visit, forest walk, hiking ,or visit other Rwanda tourist attractions near the gorilla park like Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest, Akagera national park among others.In Africa its only Rwanda with perfect tour destinations and spots to unwind, rejuvenate and also enjoy the fresh atmosphere.

Have you ever wondered how the king Kong looks like in its physicality or would you want to see the king Kong eye to eye?  To most of us when they talk about gorillas what clicks in our mind is that gorillas are monsters and beasts that can endanger human life and most of us would never want to meet a gorilla at any one time. All I can say my friends this is a myth that needs to be erased from our minds.

This can only be done by you coming to Rwanda and take a gorilla tour where you can learn a lot about gorillas with a visual experience. Gorillas are really very awesome animals to visit.  These primates almost behave like humans that is the way they feed their young ones, co-exist with one another and their shelter are really amazing. So if you want to feel the thrill of seeing a gorilla come to Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park in the Virunga region and visit one of the habituated family of gorillas.

While taking up a gorilla tour in Rwanda, there are guidelines undertaken  tracking these primates for the reasons of conservation and preservation; the gorillas are supposed to be tracked by a person who is above 15 years, one must have a gorilla permit which is bought from Rwanda development board or from a tour operator/company, you must be able bodied since this is a vigorous and challenging activity where one has to use a lot of energy to pass through the forests and walk up and down the ranges of Virunga to find these gorillas.

So one taking up the tour has to put the latter in mind so that he doesn’t get any hardships or disappointments while on a gorilla safari. There are lots of interesting things one encounters while gorilla tracking like watching gorillas feed their young ones, playing and chasing themselves around, you can take pictures of gorillas but this has to be done without flashes of the camera and you will also enjoy a narrative and captivating story about the gorillas and the national park from the gorilla patron.

You can also opt to visit the Diana Fossey tomb and the research centre. This zoologist fought tooth and nail to save these gorillas in the 1940s. Had not been her, there would be no opportunity of gorilla trekking in Rwanda because they were in danger from the local people as they were being killed for settlement by the local people. As you are in the world of gorillas that is the Virunga, you can also visit the golden monkeys at the basement of volcanoes national park. There are also rare primates that are hard to find so you can have some optical nutrition by seeing these special monkeys.

Getting close to gorillas can make you wonder and believe the theory of mankind evolution from the apes because these creatures almost behave like humans.

Rwanda is an over whelming tourism destination with jaw-dropping and fascinating features and here comes the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. A Rwanda safari should be on your bucket list and we are here to help you cross it off with great results.

Most tourists planning to visit any African country always worry about not meeting their expectations and most of them perceive Africa as an insecure tourism destination. That is very wrong because Rwanda is today one of the safest country to be in for a tour or wildlife safari. Though Rwanda was affected by the 1994 Rwandese genocide, the country has greatly recovered over the decades and today its one of the most developed countries in east and central Africa. The country has various tourism attractions evenly distributed all over the country. Of the many attraction are mountain gorillas located in volcanoes national park.

Mountain gorilla encounters in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda are some of the mind blowing and astonishing experiences that one can have ever have on a safari in Rwanda. They were most made popular to the western world by Dian Fossey an American zoologist who spent years in the forests studying these untamed animals.

Mountain gorillas are the largest of the Apes family and are close to humans having over 95%DNA similar to humans. They are strong and their enormous size makes them a little dangerous. Mountain gorillas are a little shy and spend most of their time hiding in the wild feeding, females looking after their young mountain gorillas and the males-silverbacks always looking for new feeding grounds and very determined to protect their territories.

Mountain gorilla permits are the first things to think about in Rwanda because mountain gorilla trekking is an activity preferred by many tourists and only 96 gorilla permits are available for tourists a day. Only 8 tourists are allowed to track one of the 10 mountain gorilla families in the national park. The permits are sold at $1500.

Volcanoes National Park can be easily accessed from Kigali international airport just after a 2-3 hours drive on a well-developed tarmac road. You do not need to worry about accommodation because volcanoes national park has a number of well developed lodges where one can have a good night sleep while preparing for the greatly anticipated mountain gorilla day. The standard accommodation facilities where one can relax include Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Sabyinyo silverback lodge and Virunga lodge among others.

After having a good sleep and waking up early morning to the sounds of the birds and great views of the beautiful the gently sloping hills covered with evergreen forests, tourists head to the Kinigi park headquarters where they are served with locally made hot coffee and tea as the a local group of entertainers bring lots of smiles to your faces jumping and dancing. You are then divided into groups of 8 and allocated to the 10 gorilla families. After being briefed, you then head to the jungles in search for the allocated gorilla group, which takes from 30 minutes to 5 or 6 hours.

Just a step in the forest introduces you the true African wilderness and sounds of nature. The guides in volcanoes national park are always willing to explain to the tourists the jungle and some of its inhabitants. As the journey proceeds, your guide is informed by the trackers who usually go ahead of the tourists tracking where exactly the gorillas are.

In just few minutes after having given proper direction by the trackers, a look through the vegetation introduces you to the mountain gorilla. All covered with black fur, a look in the mountain gorilla dark eyes is first scary but as look more you eventually get moved.

The gorillas just relax eating the leaves in the reach of their hands as they stare at the very curious tourists taking their photographs.

While here, tourists are advised tourists are advised to keep a reasonable distance to avoid being attacked by the gorillas. An allowance of just an hour is given to the tourists and when it elapses, they are directed back to the headquarters, given certificates of participation for having gone for the great adventure. In addition to the remarkable gorilla experience, being in Rwanda feels like being home away from home and this explains why tourists are always forced to visit the country again.