Gorilla trekking safari and trips in Rwanda from South Africa

Are you in South Africa and want to do gorilla trekking trips or have a safari in Rwanda? Did you know that with improvement in technology you can now book your safari to Rwanda online?  Well, a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda takes you to volcanoes national park Rwanda where you get to spend a maximum of 1 hour around mountain gorillas, see different park animals like the golden monkeys, different bird species among others.  The safari takes you to other national parks in Rwanda like Nyungwe forest national park for chimpanzee trekking in Akagera national park for game viewing.

How to book gorilla trekking and another safari in Rwanda from South Africa?

Visitors can book their Rwanda gorilla safari from South Africa in various ways. There is an option of choosing to hire services of a local tour operator, a tour operator from South Africa, or do it by yourself by contacting all the service providers in Rwanda.

Let’s start by getting by the reputable Rwanda local tour operator

Many of the local tour operators in the East African countries like Africa Adventure Vacations has organized several trips to visitors heading to rwanda for mountain gorillas from  from South Africa. Using a tour operator saves you time and sometimes money because they are on the ground and know which service providers to contact based on the activities you want to do. When it comes to gorilla trekking, a local tour operator can book your permit on your behalf from Rwanda Development Board. The local tour operator also helps you in booking activities, transport, and accommodation facilities as well as meals.

There are so many tour operators online but choosing the best one might not be easy. To choose the best tour operator you can first see their reviews on trip advisor, and you can check if they are registered and licensed to do safari activities in East Africa.

Getting in touch with these South African tour Operators

Duet its tourism developments, there are a lot of local tour operators that who operator in South Africa and you can reach out for one for Uganda travel-related advice. If you can’t any of the trusted and licensed ones, they will help you on how to book Rwanda gorilla permits, transport as well as accommodation. These tour operators can help to tailor your safari to suit your interest and budget. Different tour operators would together with international tour operators who contact them to arrange gorilla trekking and safari trips in Rwanda on behalf of their clients.

Booking yourself Rwanda gorilla trekking and safari trips online

By using your phone or laptop, you can book yourself a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda in your sitting room or at your workplace. You can book your permit direct from Rwanda Development Board, book your accommodation by contacting hotels and lodges as well as contacting car hire services in Rwanda. Technology has really improved with most of the service providers having online websites where you can contact them from. A lot of people who do themselves booking avoid middlemen and extra charges. Tour operators add extra money when they organize for you a safari as their profits. The disadvantage of booking yourself a safari is that some people delay responding and choosing the right person is a problem.

Things to consider when booking gorilla trekking and safari trips in Rwanda from South Africa

A gorilla trek is a once in a lifetime wildlife activity taking you trekking deep in Africa’s Virunga conservation region and Bwindi impenetrable forest in search for the rare mountain gorillas. And yes, below are the key Things to consider when booking gorilla trekking and safari trips in Rwanda from South Africa.

Where to see Gorillas in Rwanda?

Well, there is only one place in Rwanda where mountain gorilla trekking is done and this is the volcanoes national park located in the northwestern part of the country. Volcanoes national park in the northwestern part of Rwanda covers a total area of 160 sq. km and protects 20 habituated gorilla families of which only 10 are open for trekking at any time of the year. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda require one to have a valid gorilla permit which is bought from the Rwanda Development Board and is sold to a person above the age of 15 years.

Activities to do and things to see in Rwanda

Rwanda is blessed with so many attractions among which include national parks where you meet different mammals, primates and birds, mountains, hills, and water bodies. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in volcanoes national park a home to 10 habituated gorilla families that are open for trekking at any time of the year. There is chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park and Giswati Makura national park, golden monkey trekking in volcanoes national park, and game viewing activities are only done in Akagera national park. the boat cruises in Rwanda can be done on Lake Ihema located inside Akagera national park and Lake Kivu in Musanze district.

How much to pay for the Rwanda gorilla permit?

A gorilla trekking permit in volcanoes national park Rwanda costs $1500 per person per trek and this permit allows you to be around mountain gorillas for a maximum of 1 hour. The gorilla permit fee includes ranger guide fees, park entrance fees, community development contribution, and gorilla trekking certificate.  Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is done by persons above the age of 15 years and the trekking exercise begins with a briefing at the park headquarters where trekkers are taught about the dos and don’ts of the gorilla trekking activity. Trekking mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park takes 2- 6 hours and on locating these mountain gorillas you are given a maximum of 1 hour to be around them as you learn about their behaviors and take photos.

How to book a gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda

Visitors can book the gorilla permit for Rwanda from either the Local tourism operator or directly Rwanda Development Board. What tour operators normally do is check for the availability of permits on the day you want to travel with the Rwanda Development board and if they confirm they get back to you for payments. Once they have received your payments, they secure for you a permit and send you the scanned copies for your records.

Price of chimpanzee trekking and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda

Chimpanzee trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park Rwanda cost $100 per person per trek wild golden monkey trekking permits in Nyungwe forest national park cost $100. The permits are sold to persons above the age of 15 years. You are advised to book your permits in advance of 3-4 months to avoid inconvenience most especially when you want to trek in the dry season.

Other Keys aspects that you should note?

There are certain things you need to ask your tour operator in advance before traveling to Rwanda for gorilla trekking and other safari activities. These include the age limit for primate trekking, the best time to book the permits, what to pack for a gorilla safari as well as cancellation and refund policies.