Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Ae you looking for Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates? Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda takes you directly to volcanoes national park which is located in the southwestern part of the country while game viewing safaris take you to Akagera national park in the eastern part of eth country. Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park gives you an opportunity to meet some of the park animals such as forest elephants, golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, and different bird species. Akagera national park is the only national park in Rwanda where game drives can be done with opportunities of seeing as many mammals as possible because the park is home to over 8000 large mammals, birds, and boat cruise on Lake Ihema the second in Rwanda. 

Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris

Rwanda is one of the countries where mountain gorilla trekking can be done. Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwest of the country. The Park is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, other primate species, mammals, and over 180 bird species.

Volcanoes national park has over 10 habituated gorilla families that are open for trekking each day of the year. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is done by people aged 15 years and above with no signs of transmitted diseases such as flu, cough, and diarrhea.  Only 8 people are allowed to trek a single gorilla family in volcanoes national park which means there are only 80 trekking permits in Rwanda on a single day. What does this mean? You need to book your gorilla permit in advance of 3-4 months before the final trekking day in order to avoid inconvenience.

Gorilla trekking permits can be purchased from Rwanda Development Board or you can use a tour operator to help you out. Trekking mountain gorillas requires one to have this permit and it all begins with gorilla trekking briefing at the Kinigi park headquarters where visitors are taught about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking activity. after the briefing, the trekkers are paired into 8 and different ranger guides lead them into the jungle to search for the assigned gorilla family. After hours of searching and meeting the mountain gorillas, the trekkers are given a maximum of 1 hour to be around them as they learn about their behaviors and take pictures.  Not forgetting during gorilla trekking, there are chances of meeting different park primates, mammals, and bird species.

Rwanda wildlife safari tours and trips

Rwanda wildlife can be explored in Akagera national park which happens to be the only savannah park where game viewing takes place. Akagera National Park is was gazette in 1934 and is located in the eastern part of Rwanda covering a total area of 1,122 sq. km. The name Akagera comes from a river that flows inside the park to feed some lakes and a few rivers. Akagera national park is home to over 8,000 large mammals, 480 bird species, and a few primate species such as olive baboons and vervet monkeys.

Game drives in Akagera national park can be conducted in the morning or evening and some of the animals likely to be seen on the game drive include rhinos, cape elands, lions, impalas, elephants, duikers, buffaloes, topis, warthogs, klipspringers, zebras, giraffes, sitatungas, warthogs, giant forest hogs, hippos, reedbucks, oribi, and leopards among others. During the night game drives you to have opportunities of seeing leopards, hyenas, civet, genet, bush babies, mongoose, and different bird species such as nightjars.

Ways of booking Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

To book a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda from Dubai or the United Arab Emirates you will need to have first secured a gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda can be booked from the Rwanda tourism board or get through a trusted tour operator. When you book a gorilla permit using a tour operator you need to first tell them your dates then they will check out with Rwanda Development Board for the availability. Once the dates have been confirmed, the tour operator will send you a voucher for you to pay so that they can secure you a permit. After the tour operator has received the money, they will secure you a permit and send you a scanned copy to confirm. Once you have got the gorilla permit you can leave everything to the tour operator to book for your accommodation, other activities in the parks like game drives and transport.

What is the price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?

Are you looking for the price of the permits on your Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing in Rwanda from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates? Well, all Rwanda gorilla permits are issued out by the Rwanda development board and they cost $1500 to go trek mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park for a maximum of 1 hour. There are 10 habituated gorilla families that are open for trekking in volcanoes national park meaning that 80 permits are available for sale every day in Rwanda. 

What are the best time to book Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates?

Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year but the best time is the dry season when there is little or no rainfall. The rainy season happens from June to September and December to February and during this time there is little or no rainfall, the vegetation in the parks is dry for a clear view of animals, the trekking trails and tracks are dry and the roads leading to the parks are passable.

We don’t advise the rainy season which happens from October to November and March to May because there is plenty of rainfalls, the roads leading to the parks are impassable, the vegetation in the parks is very thick making sightings unclear, the trekking trails and the tracks in the parks are muddy and slippery.

Where to stay on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Volcanoes national park accommodation

There are so many accommodation facilities in and around volcanoes national park where one can stay while on a gorilla trekking safari. These accommodation facilities range from budget to mid-range to accommodation options and include Bisate lodge, Virunga volcanoes lodge, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain gorillas’ nest lodge, Gorilla view lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Davinci Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Lebambou Gorilla lodge, Kinigi Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, villa gorilla, Faraji hotel and La Palme hotel.

Akagera national park accommodation

There are so many accommodation facilities in and around Akagera national park where one can stay while on a wildlife safari. The accommodation facilities range from luxury to mid-range to budget options and these include Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Akagera Resort and Country club, Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Magashi camp, Camping, Karenge Bushcamp. 

Top activities to do Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and game viewing from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Gorilla trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwestern part of the country. Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year and is done by persons above the age of 15 years. Gorilla trekking as activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters early in the morning at 7 am where trekkers are first briefed about the dos and don’ts of the trekking activity. After the briefing, the rangers join the trekkers and they start searching for these gentle apes. During the trekking, there are opportunities of seeing some of the park animals and bird species. After finding the mountain gorillas, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around them as they learn about their behaviors and take pictures.

Volcanoes national park has 10 habituated gorilla families with only 8 people allowed to do gorilla trekking which means only 80 permits are available for trekkers each day in Rwanda. There are 99% chances of seeing mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park because trekking is done by well-trained ranger guides and trackers who go to the jungle to see where mountain gorillas first nested before trekkers. Trekking in volcanoes national park takes 2-7 hours depending on the location of mountain gorillas and the speed of trekkers.

Golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey trekking is the second most done activity in volcanoes national park after gorilla trekking. There are 2 habituated gorilla families in volcanoes national park that are open for trekking at any time of the year. There is no maximum number of people who are allowed to trek golden monkeys compared to gorilla trekking where only 8 people are allowed. Golden monkey trekking starts in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations of the activities after which trekkers are divided into groups and ranger guides lead the trekkers into the forest to search for these beautiful primates. Trekking can take 20 minutes to a few hours to locate these primates and after meeting them you are given a maximum of 1 hour to be around them while observing their behaviors and taking pictures.

Visiting Dain Fossey Tomb Hike

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who lived most of her life researching and protecting mountain gorillas. She first lived in Virunga national park before escaping prison and coming to volcanoes national park Rwanda. Dian Fossey chased away poachers from the park, bought equipment for park rangers, and burnt houses of poachers in the park. She did so much to teach the communities about the benefits of mountain gorillas but she was later found dead in her cabin. After her death, she was buried near her favorite gorilla called digit outside Karisoke research center. Dian Fossey’s grave is found on slopes between Mountain Karisimbi and Bisoke. People who take a visit to volcanoes national park can take a walk to Dain Fossey grave which is about 2,500 to 3,000m

Iby’Iwacu cultural encounters in Rwanda

Iby’Iwacu cultural experience is one thing you shouldn’t miss out on while on a safari in Rwanda.  Iby’Iwacu cultural village is found in Nyabigoma Kinigi Musanze district near volcanoes national park. Taking a visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village gives you an opportunity to learn about all Rwanda cultural traditions, history, lifestyle, way of living, traditional dances, food, way of dressing, and herbs among others. You also have opportunities of learning about their ancient hunting skills, carpentry, and weaving of baskets. You can purchase local crafts, gifts, and souvenirs to go and show your friends back home.

Game watching sightings in Akagera national park

Game drives are the most done activity in Akagera national park located on the eastern side of Rwanda. Game viewing in the park is done in the morning, evening, or night hours with opportunities of seeing animals such as rhinos, lions, topis, impalas, elephants, duikers, buffaloes, klipspringers, cape elands, zebras, giraffes, sitatungas, giant forest hogs, warthogs, hippos, reedbucks, sitatungas, mongoose, warthogs, oribi, and leopards among others.

Boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Lake Ihema is the largest waster body of all lakes in Akagera national park. it’s also the only place where boat cruises are done in Akagera national park. Boat cruises in the park are done in the morning and evening sessions. Doing a boat cruise in on Lake Ihema gives you an opportunity to see the highest concentration of hippos in East Africa, crocodiles, different waterbird species like shoebill, malachite kingfisher, herons, African jacana, papyrus gonolek, and some of the park animals such as buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes on the water sources trying to drink water.