Go Wild on a Safari in Rwanda
This Rwanda safari will take you to Volcanoes National Park as well as Akagera National Park. Volcanoes National Park is the setting for the famous ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ a movie about Dian Fossey’s work in conservation of gorillas. Rwanda is one of three African countries where mountain gorillas can be found. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is something everyone should undertake at least once in their lives. Also, gorilla safari in Rwanda is so much flexible to tourists whether on short or long stay in Rwanda. It is only in Rwanda you can take a very suitable and flexible 01-day gorilla trek excursion.
Rwanda has 12 gorilla families available for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking starts with a briefing from the ranger guides at the park headquarters where you join all the people looking to do a gorilla trek. After this experience you are allocated a gorilla family to trek and a ranger guide to lead you. Some of the families are near the briefing area and other groups require driving to the trail head from where you enter the park.
Regardless of the gorilla group allocated to you, you will all be able to sight the gorillas which are often found feeding and the little ones playing.
It has a lot to offer in terms of sights and activities. You can combine gorilla trekking with a few other activities for diversity and excitement. Visitors to the Volcanoes National Park can also undertake golden monkey trekking, volcano climbing, and hiking, Rwanda birding safaris, nature walks, Musanze cave explorations, among others.
After all is done embark on the big five wildlife safari adventure in Akagera National Park. The journey to the park takes about 04 hours 30 minutes depending on the stopovers along the way. On arrival at the park, your driver will clear with the rangers at the gate and proceed to the visitor centre for briefing after which you proceed to the hotel for check in or a game drive depending on your interest.
Depending on your interest in animal viewing, you will decide how much time to spend on a game drive in the park. Arise early and leave after breakfast for a game drive in Akagera national park. The game drive on this wildlife tour will be in our custom-made safari land cruiser that will allow you to have amazing view of the wildlife as your driver guide takes you through different tracks.
Look out for some of the big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Topi, Zebras, and Impala. In the recent past they re-introduced Lions and Rhinos in the park but these are often difficult to sight but it could be your lucky day. The park is a varied habitat for wildlife and a birders haven with over 500 species in the park. The game drive will last about 6 hours or more depending on your interests.
A boat safari is a relaxing yet rewarding way to view wildlife. It is an even more rewarding experience when on the Lake. Lake Ihema is the second largest Lake in Rwanda known for its abundant hippo population and crocodile dotted shores.
The boat safari on Lake Ihema offers the opportunity to take up-close photos of these animals. As other animals come to the Lake for a drink or bath, you can take a look at those that you may have missed while out on a game drive in the wild.
Read MoreWhy Visit Rwanda for Wildlife Safari
Rwanda is small, and a relaxed safari destination. Travelers can discover Rwanda as an entire country on a safari that takes just 10 days. For all its diminutive size, a Rwanda Safari packs a punch in the wildlife stakes, and offers a rich cultural smorgasbord to boot. Seek out Gorilla, Chimpanzee, buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, spotted hyena and more. Enjoy an once-in-a-lifetime experience during Rwanda Safari that is tracking mountain gorillas.
Rwanda has three main wildlife destinations, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park, each of which host a quite different fauna to the others. During Rwanda Wildlife Safaris Bird watching aside, wildlife viewing opportunities outside these national parks are limited.
- Volcanoes National Park is best known for its population of several hundred mountain gorillas.
- Nyungwe Forest National Park is the most bio diverse site in Rwanda with Chimpanzees.
- Akagera National Park is a more conventional Africa savannah reserve where all the Big Five might be seen.
Rwanda Wildlife
Rwanda’s tapestry of habitats is home to a diversity of species including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey, hippo giraffe, zebra, leopard, crocodile and more than 600 species of birds. Ten percent of Rwanda Wildlife is designated as Important Birding Species.
Volcanoes National Park is where the mountain gorilla lives, along with 12 other species of primates. Ten habituated gorilla groups are open to tourist visits, with a maximum of 8 visitors to each group for a one-hour period per day. Nearly 200 of Rwanda’s bird species are also found within the park including 29 endemics, as well as giant forest hog, warthog, bush pig, forest elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck, black-fronted duiker, spotted hyena, civet, genet, mongoose and tree hyrax.
Top Wildlife Safari Destinations in Rwanda
Wondering about where to go in Rwanda? Here are the top travel destinations that you should not miss while on safari in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
Akagera National Park
Akagera national park found in eastern Rwanda is a 2500 sq km of mainly Savannah land. The park is named after Kagera River that flows along Rwanda’s eastern boundary with Tanzania. The river feeds into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes in and around the park.
The park protects an African Savannah landscape of acacia and bush with patches of open grassland and a dozen swampy lakes. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms a large protected wetland. Akagera national park is the only Savannah national park in Rwanda and the only place to sight most of the large mammals while on safari. Whereas there are forest elephants in the other parks, it is very difficult to sight them. Explore the park in the comfort of your safari vehicle while on a game drive.
Wildlife Game Drives
Game drives are conducted throughout the day in Akagera National Park, with the best times being in the morning and evening when you can see the most wildlife. On a game drive, you will be driven along marked trails across open savannah plains and woodlands in search of different mammals and bird species. The driver-guide will accompany you throughout the game drive to find places where animals spend the majority of their time during the day. You will be able to see all five of the Big 5 species, including the Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Rhinos, and Leopard, Other animals to see in Akagera National Park include zebras, hippos, roan antelopes, oribis, Defassa Waterbuck, Semi-Aquatic Sitatunga, Eland, Giraffes, Topis, Bohor Reedbucks among others.
Another way to see wildlife in Akagera National Park is to go on a night game drive, which allows you to see nocturnal animals such as bush babies, hyenas, mongoose, owls, nightjars, civets, and leopard, this kind of experience is guided by an experienced ranger guide – night game drives usually start at 6 pm to 8 pm in the wilderness.
Birding
Akagera National Park has a checklist of about 480 bird species that have been recorded in the savannah forest woodlands of Akagera on the banks of Lake Ihema and the Akagera River. Excellent bird watching is a guarantee, there are many birds that dwell around the park namely purple crested turaco, shoebill, papyrus gonolek, black-capped night heron, crested barbet, red wing markings, white-winged warbler, crowned crane, red dwelled purple heron, grasshopper buzzard, northern brown-throated weaver, rufous bellied heron, marabou stork, red-faced barbet, spot flanked barbet, grey hornbill, black-headed gonolek, lilac-breasted roller among others.
Volcanoes National Park
The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking but the park is also rich with many other exotic activities to engage in. This park is part of the Virunga volcanoes which are shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. This park is an evergreen bamboo forest with grassland areas, swamp and heath in other areas.
The mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in volcanoes national park with gorilla trekking happening all year round. Because of the high altitude it is generally cold, especially early morning and the evenings, you are advised to carry a light sweater for these times. The park is located only 2 hours from Kigali in the north of Rwanda.
Mountain gorillas
These are the key attraction in volcanoes national park which attract the highest number of travelers from all parts of the world. Gorilla trekking is the best wildlife experience every travel should not miss on his/her safari to Africa.
Volcanoes national park shelters over 340 mountain gorillas, which have been habituated into 10 families available for trekking. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs 1500usd, a must have for each traveler to see these endangered species. The high cost of a gorilla permit is one of the reasons why Rwanda’s is known as a luxury gorilla trekking destination. Gorilla families in volcanoes national park include Titus family, Kwitonda family, Susa group, karisimbi family, Amahoro family, Umubano family, Sabyinyo family, Agashya family, Hirwa family, and Ugenda family all available for trekking every day. Each family is visited by a group of eight people for an hour.
Golden monkeys
Volcanoes national park home to mountain gorillas but also the endangered the golden monkeys. The national park is one of the two destinations to we these endangered golden monkeys the other destination being Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda. Fortunately, golden monkeys are seen at a relatively low cost (100usd) which is an added advantage for travelers. Golden monkeys are exceptional species which are distinguished from other monkey species by a golden fur on their back. Golden monkeys are lively creatures, which continuously peep and tweet all the time. Unlike gorillas, which spend most of their time on the ground, golden monkeys spend most of their time up in the trees. The species are vegetarians, which entirely feed on vegetation, fruits, and shoots.
Forest elephants
Volcanoes national park is also home to forest elephants. These are mostly seen during forest walk and hike to Dian Fossey grave. Much as no travelers go to the park intentionally to see forest elephants, a look at these giants is an opportunity, which adds on the final experience. Other animals to see in volcanoes national park include buffalos, black fronted duikers, bushbucks, bush pigs, spotted hyenas, black and white colobus, white colobus, baboons, and red-tailed monkeys among others.
Birds in Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is home to over 300 bird species, which has made birding safaris a success. The commonly seen animals include African marsh harrier, common moorhen, long-crested eagle, grey throated tit, paradise flycatcher, red-faced woodland warbler, archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, and handsome francolin among others. Experienced guides help to spot these birds and explain the unique features of each bird species.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe forest national park is found in western Rwanda and is one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine rain forests. It is dominated by a series of mountains, originating in northern Uganda and Congo, running south through the Rwenzori mountains, western Rwanda and Burundi, to the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Nyungwe forest national park offers scenic views over the Lake Kivu and sometimes the Virunga ranges on a clear day. The forest has an extensive network of well-maintained walking and hiking trails to various waterfalls and viewing points. The prime activities in Nyungwe forest are chimp trekking, bird watching, colobus monkey trekking and the canopy walk.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe forest is home to two wild chimp communities that are habituated for chimpanzee tourism. One of the groups is in Cyamudongo section of Nyungwe forest and the other around the Uwinka area of the forest. The forest is home to about 400 chimpanzees. While viewing chimpanzees is not guaranteed, you will enjoy learning about these creatures and their natural habitats from your guides. You are expected to be at the briefing area as early as 5.00 am in the morning. This is because chimps are mostly likely to be seen early in the morning and they tend to move about which requires one to be active as you follow after them. However whether you view the chimps or not, the experience in the forest is rich as you watch other primates, butterflies, several trees and above all the freshness of the air.
Tracking Monkeys
Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda is one of the best places to spot small primates in Africa. Although Chimpanzee tracking is the dominant primate activity, some tourist come with the purpose of seeing the other smaller primates like the Angola Colobus Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Hamlyn’s Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Red tailed Monkeys, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, White and Black and Colobus monkeys. Groups of golden monkeys have been spotted in the park but because of their small numbers, finding them is difficult. The most popular species among tourists is the arboreal Ruwenzori Colobus that feeds on leaves and is identifiable by the contrasting black and white (tail and whiskers) colors. All the monkey species move in troops that can go beyond 100.
Bird Watching in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe forest national park is a high altitude mountain forest ranging between 1600 – 2950 meters. The birds in Nyungwe forest are mostly found in the trees, shrubs or the ground at the edges of the forest next to the tea plantations. Some birds are shy and therefore more easily heard than seen like many forest birds. Among the frequently sighted species are the Rwenzori Nightjar, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Kivu Ground Thrush, the Handsome Francolin, Dwarf Honeyguide, Greatblue and Rwenzori Turaco, montane Double Collared Sun and the Red- Throated Alethe. There are well maintained trails which you will take while birding as well as trained bird guides that are based at the nyungwe forest.
Conclusion
Therefore, the Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera national parks are rich in diversity. A variety of animals and birds make your Rwanda safari complete. Book a safari to Rwanda national parks, trek mountain gorillas, Chimps, Golden monkeys, birds and other primates. Enjoy, stay in this peaceful areas rewarding you with a life-changing experience.
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Rwanda Safari Featuring Primate Watching
Best of Africa primate safaris, if you have an interest in Africa’s primates this journey is for you. See the endangered Primates in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park.
Primate Safari Experiences will give you a chance to participate in two premium wildlife activities in Rwanda; Golden monkey trekking and chimpanzee trekking which are considered to be some of the best to engage in while on a Rwanda Safari. Both hikes can be challenging depending on where the chimpanzee or monkeys nested the previous night. The Chimp trekking differs from Gorilla Trekking Rwanda because the sightings are a bit more sporadic and rushed, but worthwhile nonetheless as opposed to gorillas that stay for a while in one location.
The wildlife junkies have a strong connection with Rwanda and the primary reason for this is the stunning primates residing in the dense forest and volcanic mountain of the country. Though Rwanda is the iconic land for spotting Mountain Gorillas, there are a number of other primates also available who are equally entertaining during Primate Safaris Rwanda.
Primates in Rwanda
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimp Trekking in Rwanda is in Nyungwe national park in the south of Rwanda. The two areas where chimps can be trekked in Nyungwe are Cyamudongo and Uwinka. Your guide will guide you on the location you are expected to trek from and you will be given a briefing before you can start the trek. Chimpanzee trekking begins early morning with visitors expected to arrive at the briefing point in Uwinka to start trekking at 5:00 am. You are allowed to stay 1 hour with the chimps after locating them with the help of your ranger guide.
Considered as the cousins of human sharing 98% of Human DNA Chimpanzees tracking is one of the adventurous activities throughout the year. Nyungwe Forest National Park is the prime spot for chimpanzee tracking.
Uniquely located on a ridge between the Nile and the Congo Rivers, the Nyungwe Forest National Park is incredibly rich in biodiversity and protects one of eastern Africa’s largest belts of montane rain forest.
It’s home not only to a habituated group of chimpanzees, but also to other primates including the Ruwenzori colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey, more than 1,050 plant species including 200 different species of orchid, 85 mammals, 310 bird species, and more. Another highlight in this park is the 200-metre long and 40-metre high suspended canopy walkway that offers a unique view of the forest.
Chimpanzee permits in Rwanda cost US$100. This amount includes park Ranger and entrance fees. The permit can be acquired either directly from the Rwanda Development Board (Tourism Department) or through your tour operator. The minimum age for tacking chimpanzees in Rwanda is 13 years. Trackers need to go prepared to deal with the dense montane forest.
Golden Monkeys in Virunga Mountains
Golden monkeys are known to have unique characters and are a rare species that are endangered at the moment and they are currently found in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. They are easily recognized due to the yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies. The Golden monkeys are also known as ‘the Old world monkey’ and the only way to separate these primates from others is by their noses. There is a unique character about the golden monkeys and that is most of the monkeys have their nostrils pointing to the sides but if you look closely at the golden monkeys, their nostrils face upwards.
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda mostly takes place in the Volcanoes which is found in the Virunga Mountains and it has only one session per day which starts in the morning. Those who are willing to take part in the golden monkey trekking are advised to report at the headquarters by 7:00 am for a mini briefing about the trek before it starts and it is only fifteen minutes away from the Park.
The Golden monkeys in the Rwanda are divided into two troops and the largest is located in the Sabinyo and this has 80 to 100 monkeys and it is the most visited troop in Rwanda. The other troop is located in the Volcanoes and it is slightly smaller in number.
Golden monkeys are speedy moving little primates, very amusing to see as they suddenly jig from tree to tree or run after the other in loop around you. Watching these reddish gold back monkeys that blend in perfectly with the golden bamboo trees is an amazing experience.
Golden monkey safari in Rwanda starts 7:00 am in the morning; visitors can see two troops that have been habituated for tourism in the park numbering about 80 individuals, a maximum number of 8 people are allowed to track golden monkeys for only one hour at cost of US$100 per person. Visitors can arrange their permits in advance or get them at Kinigi the park headquarters where porters can also be hired at US$10.
L’Hoest’s Monkeys in Nyungwe and Gishwati Forest
Nyungwe national park is also a place where you will find lots of primates and one of them will be the L’hoest monkeys therefore a primates watching adventure to Nyungwe is the perfect opportunity you can have to see these monkeys.
L’Hoest’s monkeys are endemic to Albertine Rift and can be found in Nyungwe and Gishwati Forest. They have a dark coat with a white beard and live in small groups dominated by females, with a single male. These primates are also called mountain monkeys because they prefer to stay in mountainous areas.
Olive Baboon & Vervet Monkeys in Akagera NP
Akagera National Park is home to olive baboons and Vervet monkeys, which can be spotted on safari drives. Other species can only be seen at night – the small potto, closely related to the lemurs of Madagascar, and bush babies, with their distinctive large eyes for superior night vision, and bat-like ears to track insects in the dark.
Best seasons to visit Primates in Rwanda
The best time to visit Rwanda is between June and September, which is during the Dry season when wildlife viewing is at its prime. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Rwanda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet and one can’t avoid rain completely. Walking in the forest is easier in the Dry season and that is also the recommended time for most primate walks, including gorilla trekking.
Lastly, Rwanda’s tourism is one of the reasons why Primates should be on your bucket list.
Read MoreGo Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Mention Rwanda to anyone with a small measure of geo-political conscience and that person will have no doubt recall images of the horrific genocide that brutalized this tiny country in 1994. But since those dark days a miraculous transformation has been united and today the country has one tribal unity, political stability and promising future.
Volcanoes National Park
Tourism is once again a key contributor to the economy and the industry’s brightest star is the chance to track the rare mountain gorillas through the bamboo forests in the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park is the highlight of the country, which runs along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, is home to the Rwandan section of the Virunga’s, comprising of five volcanoes: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.
While most tourists to the park are understandably driven by the desire to have a face-to-face encounter with real gorillas in the mist, there is good reason to stay in the area once you have finished tracking: the gorillas share the park with rare golden monkeys, a troop which has also been habituated to human contact. The Virunga which towers over Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, also present a variety of rewarding climbing and trekking options. To get the most from the Virunga’s give yourself as much time as you possibly can. This is absolutely a park that rewards those who linger.
When to go
The long dry season from June to September is the ideal time to track mountain gorilla as it is well drier.
Accessibility to the Park
Access to Volcanoes National Park is via Musanze (Ruhengeri), although all gorilla treks need to report to the park headquarters in Kinigi north of Musanze at 7:00am. Musanze is a pleasant enough town to explore on foot and it’s situated near a number of interesting natural sights with the massive Virunga volcanoes looming to the north and west.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the highlight for any visitor in Rwanda. Virunga massif protects over 604 mountain gorillas which amounts to roughly half of the world’s existing population and is the ideal place for a gorilla safari in Rwanda. An encounter with a silverback male gorilla at close quarters can be a hair- raising experience, yet despite their intimidating size, gorillas are remarkably non- aggressive animals, entirely vegetarian and usually quite safe to be round. The term once in a lifetime is bandied about a lot, but gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park is one experience for which it just happens to be true.
Gorilla Trek
To determine whether the trek will be easy or had, it depends on which group of gorillas you go and see some journeys are just a short stroll but others a half day slog. You will most likely spend several hours scrambling through dense vegetation up steep, muddy hillsides, sometimes to altitudes of more than 3000m. At this altitude you will certainly be a little breathless, but someone amount of walking is unlikely to find the walk all that tough. If you are not used to walking is though it might be very different story and you should request a group closer to the trailheads.
The Gorilla Encounter
Visits to the gorillas are restricted to one hour and flash photography is not allowed. While you are visiting the gorillas, do not eat, drink, smoke or go the bathroom in their presence. If you have any potential air bone illness, don not go tracking as gorillas are extremely susceptible to human diseases. Visitors request to keep 7 meters from gorillas at all times.
The number of people allowed to visit each of the group is limited to a maximum of 8 people per day, limiting the total number of daily permits to an absolute maximum of 80. Children under the age of 15 years are not allowed to visit the gorillas.
Reservations
Bookings for gorilla permits can be made through the Rwanda Development Board tourist office in Kigali or a Rwandan tour company. With demand often exceeding supply, you will need to book well in advance if you want to be assured of a spot, especially during the peak seasons of December – January and July- August.
Golden Monkey Tracking
In case you still have enough time in Volcanoes National Park, Golden monkey tracking is another activity one can opt to do after mountain gorillas tracking. More like chimp viewing than a gorilla encounter, these beautiful and active monkeys bound about the branches of bigger trees. If you are looking for a reason to spend an extra day in the park, do not miss the chance to track these rare animals. Permits to track the golden monkeys cost US$ 100 per person are easy to get hold of, simply enquire at the Rwanda Development Board office in Kigali or Musanze or at the park headquarters in Kinigi.
The Virunga’s which tower over Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; also present a variety of rewarding climbing and trekking options. To get the most from the Virunga’s give yourself as much time as you possibly can. This is absolutely a park that rewards those who linger.
Cost of Gorilla Permit
The gorilla permit costs US$ 1500 per person per day which includes park entry, compulsory guides and guides’ fee.
Clothing and Equipment
You need to be prepared for a potentially long, wet and cold trek through rainforest; a pair of hiking shoes is a must, as is warm and waterproof clothing. The stinging nettles at higher elevations can really put a damper on the experience, so consider wearing trousers and long-sleeve shirts with a bit of thickness.
Despite the high altitudes and potentially cold temperatures, you also need to be prepared for the strong sun. Floppy hats, bandanas, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen are a good idea, as are plenty of cold water and hydrating fluids.
When you check in at the park headquarters, you may be asked for identification by the park rangers. To avoid any potential hassles, carry your passport with you at all times in addition to your gorilla tracking permit.
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Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: An Unforgettable Experience
As interesting putting food in the mouth, gorilla tracking is one of the safari activities that is not isolated or missed by tourists when they are having a safari of their lifetime as this activity can’t be missed in menu of the various activities they want to explore which will bring you closer to related human beings. Some of the Gorillas families that are tracked include the following: Susa made up of 41 gorillas, Sabyingo, Amahoro etc. Just like in other countries like Uganda, where Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and in DRC, it is done in Virunga national park. For Rwanda, it is done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwest of Rwanda considered to be the only national park where gorilla trekking can be done. Primate tracking in Rwanda is done by various touring companies as the packages for this tracking ranges from 2 day gorilla trekking Rwanda to 12 day trekking Rwanda which gives a wide variety of Gorilla groups to be trekked.
More so, to even start trekking these so called primates in volcanoes national park, a tourism permit must be issued by the body concerned with tourism called Rwanda tourism board. This gives license to the tourists of which type of gorillas to be trekked at that moment. Permits for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking goes for around 750 dollars per day of which some bid of the money goes to the communities around the national park for development and well being of people around it. A primate tracking is most suitable in the dry months of June to September and also December, January and February making this activity easier than ever before as you will see below.
Although Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park starts from 20 minutes to three quarters of the day in the evening, their some requirements that are needed to do this activity as tourists will go through a couple of challenges like rain, muddy soil, insects e.g. aunts which needs some bid of wearing strong shoes etc. These are some of the requirements needed to trek this amazing Gorillas are as follows.
Tip number one is dressing according to the Safari activity. Wear shirts made of synthetic material which tend to dry faster. This is due to the fact that in most cases, this activity may be done in the rainy season which needs some bid of drying faster to make the tourist more comfortable. Their after you are advised at the bottom to wear long pants made of synthetic material which also tends to dry faster than other type of clothes making the Safari more sweet and affordable to do . The other clothes like short jeans will make the activity more difficult to do as they will make the tourist uncomfortable and unable to walk properly.
Wear proper foot wear(boots) that is reaches above the ankle, this is because while moving though this good scenery of tropical forests, there will be thorns, sticky plants that may endanger the lives of the tourists most especially the legs. This will help you to move though the muddy soils, dangerous insects like the aunts that are of a danger to the lives of the human beings. On top of that, wear gators over those boots so that you can cover the remaining space which might be used to enter other staff like water making the tourist unreliable to do. On top of that wear high rubber willies with treads on the boots.
Pack enough food and water before you come for this activity as it mostly takes you a long period of time from morning to the evening hours during the dry months of June to September. This may be in form of snacks, a bottle of water most especially a liter is enough for the all day and it is advisable for one to bring these items along with him or herself after all some companies do provide some food to the tourists before proceeding to national park. When you have reached the park in side, you are not allowed to give any food to these gorillas which might endanger the life span of these primates.
Speak about your trekking preferences meaning that you as the tourist will have to communicate to specific company you had booked with to inform them about your fitness level and other diseases you may be facing plus also what type of Gorilla you might want to see first. This enables the guide to assign you to a group that is in with your range which you can afford to do as some of tracking groups may even track within or just outside the national park.
Making sure that video camera is working in good conditions and already for use. The first thing is to put in mind is that light from camera shouldn’t be there as long as it does not disturb the movements of the so called primates. These photographs which are made tend to be of a darked exposure because of the so many trees that are situated in the park more so a camera should be kept in a water proof bag so that water does not disturb its settings
Go for Gorilla tracking activity in a dry season is other tip for gorilla tracking meaning that the best months for Gorilla tracking are from June to September and also from December, January and February as these months tend to be dry because in the dry periods, movements of people within the park is much easier than ever before plus also cars are able to move in those roads drive safely. And that is why tourists are advised to come in the dry months although; they can also come in any period of the year. The wet months include the following march, April, May etc.
Practice Gorilla etiquette meaning that you should start and learn to respect the environment of these primates such as their behavior and knowing that you a visitor to them. Don’t be afraid to these primates as they are close friendly to the human beings. More so if they approach you, don’t just run for hide out as they think that you have stolen something from them which marks in the end of the tips for gorilla tracking in Rwanda
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The Blazing Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Trail
It’s amazing to see less expected impressive attractions on your holiday in any corner of the world. Just imagine the joy and happiness felt when you capture such a moment. It’s a wish for many travelers though some instead fail even to grab the prime moments of travel.
However, jungle forest is a place full of surprises and remarkable adventures. gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, birding, culture walks, forest walks, boat rides, Dian Fossey visit, hiking are the main tourism activities within and around the park. When you take a trip to Volcanoes National park, you don’t only stick to the original travel plans since there are many other tourist activities which can be done within and outside the park and booked at last minute. Except gorilla tracking other activities can be booked on the very day for the adventure and you can also use one stone to kill two birds by paying for one activity and also view the other attractions for the other activity that exact point of visiting a beautiful area like this.
The most excellent perfect escape is when you track mountain Gorillas and also view other primates including the rare golden monkey. Gorilla tracking travelers enjoy tracking gorillas and also golden monkeys and both activities require you to have a minimum of two days since both activities kick off at the same time every day. But sometimes Golden monkeys and Gorillas move outside the forests and Travellers are able to view them while at their lodges of residence or during the other trek which is a great surprise since it happens to only lucky travellers.
If you get a chance and even take a nice photo captions with in that short time of the spot then next day’s adventure may be another advantage.To those who view the primates without plans of tracking enjoy a great moment without paying a penny the reason as to why some travellers love spending nights in well located Gorilla lodges & Accommodation with great chances both Gorillas and Golden monkey views. To experience and appreciate it is in most cases when you have paid for one and the other passes by as a bonus.
Another surprise is taking park in all the park interesting activities in just three days yet others move all the way for just one. If you have a duration of three day at Ruhengeri you can start by tracking gorillas, hike the lovely mountain of either Bisoke or Karisimbi in the afternoon on the first day and then start the other day by trekking Golden monkeys, visit Diany fossey tombs and also spend the sometime with the locals that’s if boat ride are not your thing. Alternatively you can use the afternoon of day one to visit lake Bulera and Rukundo. Ending your tour by doing all this trust me you will earn yourself the most romantic safari in Rwanda or simple the best Rwanda tour holiday ever. Make sure you shut your eyes and body for the Gorilla land adventure full of relaxation modes and adventure. For birders don’t miss out the opportunity of sporting hundreds of birds in volcano forest during the gorilla tracking adventure as you hike through the bamboo forest. Feel calm and ease as you explore Rwanda’s best park and the most desired tourist destination worldwide.
Read MoreLake Kivu Kayaking
The Serena Hotel has introduced a new water sport package for its clientele at Kivu Serena in Gisenyi. Various people have been talking about Gisenyi as agreat tourist destination which l agree without any doubts , because of the well built hotels along the shores , white sandy beaches and great scenery with a cool and quite relaxing environment. Lake Kivu the main attraction had very little to offer for holiday makers and tourists because they were only limited to swimming in the lake and sun bathing. The introduction of Kayaking and wind surfing adventure sports at Kivu Serena has added value to Gisenyi as tourism destination. In this Article we shall introduce to our readers what Kayaking means and in future editions we shall review Kayaking Lake Kivu.
Kayaking is a recreational sport in which participants use specialized boats called kayaks in a wide variety of waterways. Kayaks are boats which take a number of forms, depending on the function for which they are designed. People can take kayaking trips on the ocean, up rivers, in surf zones, and along white water courses. Participants can often have minimal skills and still greatly enjoy themselves. Some people take kayaks with them when they travel to go kayaking, and others rent kayaks or participate in guided kayaking trips at a destination.
A kayak is a boat with a covered deck and a small hole for someone to sit in. The legs of the sitter are concealed, warm and dry, inside the boat. They were originally designed for use in the Arctic, where cold water spilling into a boat could potentially be dangerous for someone using it. Many traditional kayaks were custom made for the individual user. Kayaks are propelled using double bladed oars, and they can be quite rapid and maneuverable.
One of the most common types of kayaking is recreational kayaking in rivers and lakes, using wide, highly stable kayaks. Because the water is usually relatively calm, people do not need much experience to enjoy this type of kayaking, although preparing them for a spill with life jackets is an excellent idea. More skilled kayakers enjoy ocean kayaking, which involves taking kayaks out onto the open ocean. More complex currents and big waves make this type of kayaking more dangerous.
People also use kayaks to go racing, or to navigate white water courses. Both of these types of kayaking require much more skill, along with specialized boats. Another type of kayak enjoyed by some people is the surf kayak, which is designed to be used in areas with breaking waves. The kayak is designed to be highly stable, and can be used almost like a surf board to ride the waves. Some companies also manufacture inflatable kayaks, which can be packed down to make luggage less cumbersome. Several variations on the inflatable kayak exist, including a version which includes an internal frame to make it more stable and safe for ocean use.The gear required for kayaking is fairly minimal.
At the most basic, a kayaker needs a kayak, a paddle, and a life jacket. For kayaking camping trips, waterproof bags which can be stuffed into the kayak are extremely useful. Longer kayaks often have a separate hatch for stowing gear. Kayak camping is a great way to explore the outdoors from the water, pulling ashore to hike, camp, or eat.
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