Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Vs normal gorilla trekking
Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Vs normal gorilla trekking, Have you ever considered a personal or private gorilla trekking adventure for yourself or your family? This experience is provided by Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, initiated by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in 2017, specifically for affluent guests and photographers.
The VIP Exclusive gorilla trekking expedition is a private endeavor, accommodating a maximum of 8 tourists who are assigned to a specific habituated gorilla family, accompanied by a dedicated ranger guide service.
Encountering mountain gorillas is a unique opportunity to engage with these magnificent apes in their natural environment. Typically, trekkers encounter gorilla families with unfamiliar individuals for the collective experience, whereas exclusive gorilla trekking comprises just close family and acquaintances.
Exclusive gorilla trekking verses Normal gorilla trekking.
Participants in the exclusive gorilla trekking experience have the option to select their preferred gorilla family for tracking, hence enhancing their freedom of choice and selection, whereas in Normal gorilla trekking, trekkers are assigned to a gorilla family by park guides. In a standard gorilla trek, clients with various disabilities, including the elderly, may request a gorilla family near the trek’s starting location; yet, regardless of the assigned group, the experience remains as fulfilling. Clients may invite friends or relatives to accompany them on a private gorilla trek, however the group size remains capped at eight participants. In contrast, on a normal trek, individuals would be grouped with others, regardless of prior familiarity.
Clients who reserve the special gorilla trekking experience can partake in a briefing at their lodging, so enhancing the luxury of their trip, in contrast to standard trekking, where participants are required to attend a briefing early in the morning on the day of their excursion at the park headquarters. An exclusive gorilla trekking commence at any time on the designated day, unlike the normal gorilla Trekking, which begins precisely at 7 am.
Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Vs normal gorilla trekking, Clients on an exclusive Gorilla trekking receive royal treatment from the game guides, in contrast to the standard trek where participants must assume responsibility for their own protection due to the limited number of guides available.
Exclusive trekkers has ample space in the company of the peaceful giant apes. Competition is absent because to the restricted quantity. Participants in such treks typically include honeymooners, photographers, lone travelers, researchers, or families on vacation, whereas in standard treks, individuals may vie for space, particularly when seeking optimal photographic positions.
An Exclusive gorilla permit costs $15,000, which includes a private guide, luxury accommodation, and transportation from the hotel to the trip’s starting point, whereas a standard gorilla trekking ticket is priced at $1,500 per person per trek.
Nevertheless, as the private gorilla trek offers greater benefits than the standard trip, all hikers are required to adhere to the trek’s standards.
Reservations must be made in advance, contingent upon the availability of gorilla permits for a specific date. The interval must be no less than six months prior to the tracking date.
How to get an exclusive gorilla trekking permit
An exclusive gorilla trekking permit is a governmental certificate that allows people to discreetly visit the endangered mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park provides 96 licenses for daily gorilla tracking. To acquire an exclusive gorilla permit, an individual must reserve permits for an entire day for a particular gorilla family, allowing exclusive encounters exclusively with friends and family in a group not exceeding 8 individuals. You may pay either 100% or 70% of the total permit cost on that day, in advance three to four months prior to the tracking date.
Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Vs normal gorilla trekking, After establishing your travel dates, email info@gorillatrekkinginafrica.com your reliable tour operator, to verify and confirm the availability of permits for your desired trekking date. Upon approval with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), we will issue an invoice for your payment to secure the permits of your interest. Upon completion of the payment, we will proceed to get the permissions and provide you with scanned copies for your payment approval. The permits will indicate that you have remitted payment for an exclusive gorilla trekking expedition. Reserve your permission in advance to prevent last-minute setbacks.
What is the best time to participate in the exclusive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park is accessible year-round. Despite the varying problems presented by different seasons, the optimal period for tracking these apes is the dry season, specifically from June to September and December to February. During this period, the tracking trails are less muddy and not slippery; however, it becomes somewhat tough as the animals venture deeper into the bush in search of fresh foliage.
The rainy season from March to May and October to November experiences heightened rainfall, resulting in a tough landscape; yet, gorillas are readily observable due to the verdant flora and their feeding habits in accessible regions.
Trekkers must remain prepared to encounter any weather conditions in the park, as there is no assurance of dry weather throughout the dry season. The park comprises a tropical rainforest at a high altitude, where precipitation can occur at any time of the year
What items should you bring for your special gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda?
- The packing list for the private gorilla trek is identical to that of the standard expedition, comprising the following goods.
- Passports and the exclusive authorization for gorilla trekking.
- A valid passport is an essential document for international travel. Your passport must be valid for three months beyond its expiration date. You must provide the private permit to your ranger guide for verification during the briefing at your hotel.
- Rain jackets are essential to your gear, regardless of traveling during the dry season, as gorillas inhabit dense rainforests where precipitation can occur at any time during the year.
It is advisable to utilize quality hiking footwear to navigate the terrain effectively. - Garden gloves safeguard your hands from thorny plants encountered when navigating wet and slippery trails.
- Headbands and hair ties secure your hair, preventing entanglement in tree branches during movement.
- Wearing sunglasses, applying sunscreen, and donning a hat will safeguard you from direct sunlight.
- Water and sustenance: Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding, necessitating the provision of adequate drinking water and snacks during the expedition.
- Insect repellents are essential for preventing bites and stings during the walk, as primates inhabit woodlands alongside other perilous critters.
- Your park guide provides a walking stick for additional support during your hike.
- It is recommended that trekkers use porters to assist in transporting their luggage throughout the walk.
- To ensure a wonderful experience, one should bring a camera or binoculars to capture exceptional photographs of the primates and other wildlife cohabiting with the gorillas. This encompasses several wild creatures, avian species, and insects encountered during the walk to the gorillas.
- Avoid wearing bright colors to prevent startling the gorillas or provoking them to charge.