Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills has put in a lot of effort to ensure that it equally steps onto the international scene of remarkable safari destinations. Through their “Visit Rwanda” campaign, their efforts cannot go unnoticed. From the scenes of the vibrant culture to the landscapes that complement mountain biking in Africa and now home to the cleanest capital city on the African continent, it is undeniable that Rwanda is a worthwhile safari destination.
It is hard to talk about Rwanda without mentioning its dark history that has been marred by the 1994 genocide where the majority of the world then withdrew from Rwanda while blood streams became as usual as a run-off after a rainy day. But beyond that dark past, the country has risen from ruins to now a teemingly remarkable holiday destination considered by many people around the world.
Among the things that set Rwanda apart from almost any other African country is gorilla trekking. Though it is true that gorilla trekking is possible in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; Rwanda has intentionally invested in ensuring that it offers a better experience.
Access to Volcanoes National Park
One of the main handcuffs to gorilla trekking in Africa is the transport to Africa. Compared to the other two main competitors of Rwanda, it has more direct international flights than its competitors. The ease of access makes Rwanda a highly recommended gorilla trekking destination.
On top of the international flights that can easily connect to Kigali Rwanda, the country has invested massively in its road network. Though some parts of Rwanda are not tarmac, the country has invested more where it matters; that is access from Kigali to the Gorilla National Park.
The road network in Rwanda more so from the airport to the gorilla park is in perfect condition. This means that you will not waste any of your time due bad roads. You will access the park within the planned time which makes it easy to plan your trip.
When compared to Uganda and the Democratic of Congo, Rwanda has better roads in the central business district.
Accommodation Options
Though many people usually focus on the luxury accommodation options that Rwanda has to offer, they often overlook the fact that you can spend a night in Kigali and track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. When compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda is the only country where you can spend a night in the Capital and still track gorillas the following morning.
Given the fact that it is possible to spend the night in Kigali and track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, it is also important to note that this makes gorilla trekking accommodation cheaper than in any other destination.
Rwanda has a few luxury accommodation options in and around Volcanoes. Therefore those who are not simply looking for how to save on their gorilla trekking in Rwanda can consider those luxury options.
Gorilla Trekking Permit
In order to limit the number of people visiting the mountain gorillas on a daily basis, gorilla trekking permits are issued. Each goes for $1500 for foreign non-residents. Though many people prefer to discuss the price, they rarely discuss the ease of securing a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda.
In the case of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; you can only secure a permit through a licensed tour operator. In the case of Rwanda, you can organize your gorilla trekking permit directly from the Rwanda development board without any middleman.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The reason we dealt more with the other factors instead of the activity itself is because it is more or less the same in the three countries. Volcanoes National Park extends to the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Uganda. Unless you get into the details of the terrain, the gorilla trekking experience is not so much different. Therefore if you intend to trek gorillas in Africa, it is wise to focus on other factors that compliment the gorilla trekking experience instead of focusing on merely the trek in the jungle.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of the most recommended safari activities on the African continent and we believe we have presented a few persuasive reasons why you should do it in Rwanda.