Is Gorilla Trekking worth the money? This is one of the questions that many travelers ask before they finally decide to go on a gorilla trekking tour. The answer is yes, and in this article, we shall discuss why this once-in-a-lifetime experience is worth the money. In this way, you can make an informed decision on whether or not to undertake one.
Gorilla Trekking is a wonderful way to get outdoors and discover the natural world. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch one of mankind’s closest relatives go about their exceptional day-to-day activities. Gorilla tours allow learning more about these Giant Apes and their human-like behavior and admire their natural habitat, which also comprises other unique wildlife species.
Only four National Parks (Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda) offer mountain gorilla trekking tours, hence making the adventure one of the most popular activities, and it is for a good reason. It is difficult to put into words how breathtaking an up-close encounter with mountain gorillas can be, even for those who are usually not interested at first
However, gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most expensive tourist adventures, with a gorilla permit alone costing $1.500 per person for Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. When told of the price of gorilla permits, first-time travelers sometimes remain puzzled and ask why the experience is so costly. Moreover, you can only spend one hour in the presence of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, putting yourself among a very small group of visitors who are also lucky enough to spot them as they go about their daily routines.
Gorilla trekking adventures are a lot of work, as it takes up to 6 hours to finally make contact with the Giant Ape but even with this physical demand, the experience is second to none and worth it. Even with $1,500 per person for a gorilla permit only, there are many reasons why gorilla trekking in Rwanda is worth the money and a memorable experience. Apart from the fact that you are getting the perfect experience of interacting with the Giant Apes in the wild, the activity directly contributes to community development, supports conservation efforts, and introduces visitors to the rich biodiversity in Volcanoes National Park (in form of birds, mammals, reptiles, butterflies, and Amphibians, as well as breathtaking vistas.
Here are more reasons why gorilla trekking is worth the money:-
Gorilla trekking experiences are exhilarating and second to none
Being in the jungle, watching the endangered mountain gorillas resting, playing, grooming each other, and foraging in the watchful gaze of the huge silverback is a wonderful way to learn about their amazing behavior and leave your cameras and heart full.
Mountain gorillas are unique creatures, that are only found in three countries (Rwanda being one of them), and this alone makes it worthwhile to see them. Few wildlife experiences can match up to the thrill of meeting face-to-face with the endangered Giant Apes in their natural habitats. After several hours of tracking the mountain gorillas in the wild, reward yourself by settling in a comfortable spot and taking in a deep breath while watching the mountain gorillas as they play, rest, forage/eat, groom each other, and many others. Within just one hour, you can watch many mountain gorilla activities than expected.
Generally, the endangered mountain gorillas are gentle and peaceful by nature and only become aggressive when they feel threatened. As long as visitors follow the body language and recommended viewing distance (of 8 meters away from the mountain gorillas), there are high chances of relishing the incredible experience of watching these huge creatures in their natural habitat.
Part of your gorilla permit fees directly contribute to mountain gorilla conservation efforts, making gorilla trekking worth the money
Mountain gorilla natural habitats are vulnerable but they are faced with lots of challenges that include habitat destruction due to encroachment by local communities (boundaries of Volcanoes National Park is densely populated hence pushing communities to the forest for timber and agricultural land).
For each gorilla permit you buy for Volcanoes National Park, 75% of it goes directly into gorilla conservation while 10% of the gorilla permit fees go into supporting the surrounding local communities. In the long run, the attitude of the local communities toward the endangered mountain gorillas changes thus directly contributing to protecting them, reducing over-dependence on the forest for settlement, agriculture, and timber, and also reducing habitat destruction. Therefore if you are asking whether gorilla trekking is worth the money, the answer is still yes because you are directly contributing to mountain gorilla conservation efforts.
Expect to enjoy breathtaking sceneries during gorilla trekking adventures
A typical gorilla trekking day in Volcanoes National Park involves many hours of challenging hiking through varying terrains, and changing vegetation which spice up your gorilla trekking adventure. While the endangered mountain gorillas are the stars of the show during gorilla treks, the possibility of relishing beautiful sceneries- mountain vistas, and varying vegetation types make gorilla trekking experiences worth the money. You were asking whether gorilla trekking is worth the money, now you have it.
Diverse flora and fauna in Volcanoes National Park
Did you know that Volcanoes National Park is also home to the endangered golden monkeys, forest elephants, Tree hyraxes, giant forest hogs, serval cats, bushbucks, striped jackals, spotted hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, African wild cats, Yellow-backed and black-fronted duikers, Golden cats, Cape hares, Slender Mongoose, and bush pigs? Imagine paying $1,500 to only see mountain gorillas and you end up encountering other wildlife and bird species. This makes gorilla trekking in Rwanda worth the money.
This Park is a haven for more than 180 bird species, some of which include Albertine Rift and Rwenzori Mountain endemic species. Expect to get treated to sights of Albertine owlet, Scarlet-tufted sunbirds, Brown-backed honeybirds, Grauer’s swamp warblers, Baglafecht weavers, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s robin chat, Common stonechat, African long-eared owls, Dusky crimsonwing, African green broadbill, Red-faced woodland warblers, Strange weavers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Lagden’s bush-shrike, Rwenzori turaco, Dusky turtle doves, to mention but a few.
In conclusion, knowing the answer to the question “Is gorilla trekking worth the money” can be easier if the essentials of the trip have properly been done by the Tour Operator you would like to travel with. This will determine whether the gorilla trekking experience you have always envisioned is worth your money or simply not for you. Therefore, if you are up for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, book your gorilla tour to Rwanda today!