Have you ever thought about trekking and having an entire gorilla family to yourself? If yes, then you can have this opportunity in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, on an exclusive private gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. This option was announced by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in 2017 and allows luxury travelers, photographers, or even nature lovers to book a whole gorilla family.
The exclusive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda means travelers (not exceeding the accepted 8 visitors visiting a habituated gorilla group) can privately book an entire group, and this includes Private Ranger guide service. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit these Giant Apes in their natural habitat is second to none, and life-changing to many visitors. Under normal circumstances, each gorilla family is visited by 8 visitors 0 sometimes without even knowing who the other visitors you are trekking with are.
This offer is only possible/available in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas and spend one hour learning about their day-to-day lives; eating, playing, grooming each other, resting, and nursing infants. Whether it is a normal or exclusive gorilla trek, expect between half an hour to 6 hours or more of tracking, often reaching an altitude of 2,500 to 4,000 meters above sea level – depending on the gorilla family being tracked. It is therefore advisable to hire porters who will help in carrying backpacks, camera equipment, or provide support while hiking.
How much does exclusive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda cost?
For only US$ 15,000, you will have an entire habituated gorilla family, and there is no minimum number. However, the maximum number of visitors to enjoy this exceptional experience is 8 persons, visiting each habituated group.
When is the perfect time to enjoy this experience in Rwanda?
Exclusive gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done all year round, but the safari has to be booked at least 6 months in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment. However, different seasons present different challenges. For instance, if you track these Giant Apes in the dry season (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December), expect less muddy/or slippery trails. As a result this makes it less challenging to maneuver through the forest while searching for these Giant Apes. These months fall under the peak season, hence the demand for permits is higher than usual.
Tracking during the wet months (March, April, May, October and November) is also possible but there are increased rainfall levels, which make hiking trails to be muddy and slippery. This makes gorilla treks to be more challenging than usual. However, it is always important to be prepared for whatever season, considering that Volcanoes National Park lies on a high-altitude area hence rains should be expected at any time of the year.