{"id":6000,"date":"2020-04-15T09:07:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T13:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swaindestinations.com\/blog\/?p=6000"},"modified":"2025-01-22T18:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T18:29:43","slug":"everything-to-know-about-gorilla-trekking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swaindestinations.com\/blog\/everything-to-know-about-gorilla-trekking\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything to Know about Gorilla Trekking"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The answer to this question is simple. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda<\/a> is one the most profound wildlife experiences in the world. You begin on the edge of a volcano and then enter the dense forest, hiking toward the summit. All the while, you and your guides scan the brush for telltale signs of one of the most majestic creatures on Earth. The mountain gorilla of Rwanda.<\/p>\n

Through heat and fatigue you push on, no longer an observer of this beautiful natural world, but a part of it. You become attuned to nature in ways you never thought possible. The sound of wind through the trees. The way the mountain grade feels beneath your foot. The smell of the forest. The further up the mountain you go, the further away from civilization you get until you are immersed in the mountainside. This is when the encounter happens.<\/p>\n

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Kamageo Tourism Rwanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is such an encounter like? Our very own Linda Swain says of trekking for mountain gorillas of Rwanda<\/a> that, \u201cI can confirm that after a combined 400 or so safari experiences across the African continent, our gorilla trekking adventure was second to none. For Ian and I, the trek was as emotional of an encounter as we have ever experienced in travel.\u201d Simply put, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an experience that will touch you in ways others cannot. Life-changing and unforgettable, to trek is to step into the world of Rwandan mountain gorillas, a world free from bars, gates, and glass. It is the ultimate in wildlife experiences.<\/p>\n

“They [gorillas] are brave and loyal. They help each other. They rival elephants as parents and whales for gentleness. They play and have humor and they harm nothing. They are what we should be. I don’t know if we’ll ever get there.” – Pat Derby, animal rights activist<\/p>\n

Where Does Gorilla Trekking Take Place?<\/h2>\n

Rwandan mountain gorillas reside on the striking volcanoes found in Parc National des Volcans. Half of the world\u2019s mountain gorilla population lives within Volcanoes National Park<\/a>, as it is referred to in English. Incorporating five of the eight volcanoes that comprise the Virunga Mountains, the park is a marvel of biodiversity. Lush, verdant, and part of the renowned Albertine Rift, this natural habitat is fitting backdrop to trek as you search for mountain gorillas.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, Volcanoes National Park is where the study of Rwandan mountain gorillas began. Famed primatologist Dian Fossey made the park the base of her studies and founded the Karisoke Research Foundation<\/a> in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to further the study of mountain gorillas. The park would go on to be immortalized in the film \u201cGorillas in the Mist,\u201d a film based on the life Dr. Fossey and her crusade against poaching.<\/p>\n

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But the park is not only home to mountain gorillas. Golden monkeys, buffalo, forest elephants, giant forest hogs\u2014Africa\u2019s largest swine, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, and hundreds of bird species also reside in the forests of the park. Additionally, the altitude of the park, ranging from 8,200 to nearly 15,000, lends itself to massive bamboo forests as well as some of the only remaining forest habitat of the afro-montane variety in the world.<\/p>\n

Why is Gorilla Trekking Expensive?<\/h2>\n

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an expensive endeavor for good reason as it ensures the safety and well-being of the mountain gorilla as a species. Unfortunately, mountain gorillas are a critically endangered species. With less than 1000 gorillas split between two isolated populations, extinction of the entire species was and continues to be a real possibility. Because of this, permits to trek for the gorillas are limited which increases the demand and, consequently, the price of each permit. These limits exist to decrease exposure to humans and reduce the chances of further harm to the species. For example, did you know that the mountain gorilla shares 98% of it\u2019s DNA with humans? This makes it susceptible to diseases carried by humans into the gorilla\u2019s natural habitat.<\/p>\n

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Another reason for the high cost of gorilla permits is the use of the proceeds to establish conservation practices that benefit the species. Only a few decades ago, the Rwandan mountain gorillas were nearly poached out of existence. The deforestation of the surrounding region also further diminished the population. But as Nigel Richardson observes in his fantastic piece on the conservation of Rwandan gorillas<\/a>, significant progress has been made due to tourism that has brought much needed funding to support this incredible animal.<\/p>\n

The Rwanda Development Board employs people to monitor and study the mountain gorillas. Through charting behavior, movement, and eating habits, the board has been able to better track the overall health of the gorilla population. Moreover, through funding made possible with tourism dollars, the board is able to staff armed park rangers who protect the mountain gorillas against poachers and rebel groups.<\/p>\n

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Is Gorilla Trekking Safe?<\/h2>\n

While there is always an element of risk in dealing with a wild animal, gorilla trekking is generally a safe activity as long as you follow some simple guidelines:<\/p>\n