Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Vs Congo
Planning to take a gorilla trek in Africa? Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are some of the best places where tourists can enjoy gorilla watching in Africa. When it comes to making a choice on where to go gorilla trekking, many travelers become confused and some decide to visit the different parks on a single gorilla safari and enjoy this brave once in a lifetime experience! In this post we compare gorilla tourism in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tourism is one of the major economic activities in Rwanda – the country is nick named “the country of a thousand hills”. Rwanda has three National parks namely, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera national Park. Other tourist attractions in Rwanda include Lake Kivu, Genocide memorial museums, Local art and craft shops, Fruit markets, Kigali city among others.
The chief Rwanda’s tourist attractions include mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, Golden monkeys, the Virunga mountain peaks and many others. The Country is designed in mountainous regions making it a must visit!
Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest countries in Africa endowed with lots of tourist attractions namely Mountain and low land Gorillas, Bonobos, lot of birds and wildlife, Virunga Mountains among others. Tourism in Democratic Republic of Congo is not well developed due to political instabilities which some times force tourism activities halt. On the other hand, Rwanda is peaceful and tight security to ensure smooth flow of tourist activities.
In terms of marketing tourism, Rwanda is far better than D.R.C – per annum, Rwanda advertises her tourist potentials to be known worldwide.
The Kwita Izina – Gorilla naming ceremonies which are conducted every year markets the country’s tourism to a great extent. Gorilla naming is meant to introduce new born Gorillas to the world – young Gorillas are named and the ceremony is attended by many tour operators from different corners of the world.
It is only 2 and a half hour drive from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park, 1 and a half hour from Kigali to Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park is 8 hours drive. The short distances enables visitors spends little time on a Rwanda gorilla safari – therefore, tourists on tight schedules should visit Rwanda. In addition, the good roads in Rwanda promote Rwanda tourism than that of Democratic Republic of Congo. The roads to Rwanda’s National Parks are well constructed to simply the transportation of visitors from one destination to another.
Rwanda’s mountain Gorillas are easily found – the shortest trek is approximately 2-3 hours. Gorilla trekking safari is the climax of all trips in Rwanda and being the simplest trip leads to promotion of Rwanda tourism.
Presence of Akagera National park with lots of wild animals and birds – morning and afternoon game drive exposes tourists to animals like Elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, common or cape eland, roan antelope, hippopotamuses, sitatunga, burchell’s zebras, orive common baboons, giraffes, crocodiles, little bee eaters, open billed stock, marabou stock black headed gonolek, robin charts among others. Birds like Ring-necked Francolin, Madagascar Pond-heron, Shoebill, Pallid Harrier, White-spotted Flufftail, Red-faced Barbet among others.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park hosts ten habituated mountain Gorillas which are exposed to tourism. The more Gorillas groups a country protects, the famous the country become and the reverse is true.
Nyungwe Forest National park is known for protecting 13 primates including chimpanzees, olive babon, Vervet monkey, Mona Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Angla Colobus Monkey, Blue Monkey, L’Hoest Monkey among others. The listed primates add positive impacts to Rwanda’s Tourism over that of Democratic Republic of Congo.
The people of Rwanda are hospitable and welcome foreigners – this is because, most of the people learnt a lesson from the 1994 civil unrests which costs the lives of a thousand people. It should be noted that tourists need to meet people who are friendly. On the other hand, Democratic Republic of Congo citizens feel uncomfortable with foreigners as they suspect them to be spies.
Tourism in D.R.C rag behind due to the fact that many of the tourist attractions like the primates and other wildlife are killed by rebels while others depart the country to the nearby countries like Uganda, Rwanda and others. It is also unfortunate that some people kill wild animals for meat/ food – the process has resulted into tourism failure.
Read MoreUganda Elephant Populations on Increase
According to a recent survey, there is a consistent increase in the numbers of elephant populations in Uganda’s national parks reported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The surveys were conducted by WCS and UWA with funding from Paul G. Allen and WCS, as part of the Great Elephant Census®. This report comes in a period where most elephant populations are declining across the rest of Africa.
Uganda’s protection efforts is bringing good news and hope that there is still a chance to save the elephant population across Africa. This is good news for the elephants, of course, and also good news for tourism in the Pearl of Africa hence growth a great boost to Uganda’s tourism industry that is largely based on wildlife. The elephant is one of most sought after animal in Africa and many tourists visit Africa to enjoy game viewing including the big five, which includes the grand elephants! Many tourists visiting Uganda enjoy wildlife safaris in national parks and elephants are among the animals that they look for while on safari.
The survey comes an encouragement for conservation efforts to see elephant numbers increasing in Uganda as a result of effective protection in different national parks, despite recent increased poaching and ivory trafficking across much of Africa.
According to an interview with the WCS Senior Conservationist Dr. Paul Elkan, the major reasons contributing to this increase is the strong Ugandan Government leadership, targeted investment in field based anti-poaching and anti-trafficking action, and transboundary elephant protection efforts, are the most important bases for sustaining efforts and addressing the poaching problems in Queen Elizabeth national park one of the Uganda’s national parks with high numbers of elephant population in uganda.
During the early 1970’s – 1980’s, Uganda had been facing decrease in her elephant numbers due to the rampant poaching and limited resources for the then Uganda National Parks. Elephants became confined to protected areas due to poaching pressures from human population looking at trading ivory hence a dropped as low as 700-800 elephants the country. Uganda was labeled by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in 2012 as one of the eight countries of primary concern in the ivory trade because of the volume of illegal ivory that had passed through Uganda.
With improved protection since the 1990s and the creation of UWA, together with support from Government, donors, and conservation partners, elephant numbers have now increased to over 5,000 individuals today.
In June 2014 the WCS and UWA staff conducted several aerial surveys where the current elephant numbers in the different national parks was established. Murchison Falls National Park – 1,330 elephants, 2,913 in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 656 in the Kidepo Valley National Park and neighboring Karenga Community Wildlife Management area. Elephant numbers in Queen Elizabeth Park have reached levels similar to those in the 1960s before heavy poaching hit the Park. For Murchison falls, the numbers are steadily increasing a former elephant stronghold, which means UWA’s protection efforts are yielding positive results for many wildlife species in Kidepo Valley and Karenga.
A number of recent elephant poaching incidents were recorded in Queen Elizabeth demonstrating the critical need for reinforcing anti-poaching and surveillance efforts in the Park both within Uganda and along its border with neighboring Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. No recent elephant poaching incidents were observed in Murchison or Kidepo Park/Karenga during the survey, which is a notable improvement in security for those areas.
According to the survey, its was establish that, its very important to establish transboundary conservation programs with Kidepo Wildlife Reserve in South Sudan and adjacent areas in Kenya so as to conserve wildlife that keeps moving to and fro each country.
In conclusion, while it is encouraging that elephant numbers are increasing, poaching remains a big challenge in Uganda and there is a need to remain vigilant from the government and community surrounding national parks. Recently for example, illegally killed elephants were discovered in Queen Elizabeth Park which means, Uganda is still not completely secure from poaching.
Read MorePlanning a Gorilla Trekking Safari
Just like any other journey, a gorilla trekking safari requires good and prior planning. Sometimes, a sucessful safari requires planning well in advance atleast a year before the travel dates you intend to take a holiday. Are you looking to taking a gorilla trek? Here are the things you should know so that you can easily plan a great safari to the gorillas in Africa.
When to go gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking safaris can be done throughout the year. The hiking itself can be more arduous in the rainy seasons from April – May and in November, but at an altitude of 2000m and more, it can of course rain here at any time of the year. For more detail, see Rwanda’s climate.
The most popular times for gorilla tracking are during the drier months, between December and February, and from about June to mid-September.
Permits for gorilla trekking
Inevitably, securing permits for trekking gorillas over these popular periods can be difficult at short notice, so you should plan well ahead. We will make all the arrangements for buying your permits. A maximum of 80 gorilla tracking permits are available each day. Permits cost US$750 per person per visit, which may seem a lot but don’t begrudge it; this money provides Rwanda with a compelling economic reason to conserve the park and, amongst other things, pays for a 24-hour guard for each gorilla group. (Armed teams constantly track each habituated group – like royal bodyguards in the UK!).
There is some talk of reducing the cost of gorilla permits in the future during the low, rainy season so contact us for further information on this if you’re thinking of taking a gorilla trekking safari in April, May and November.
How fit do I need to be to track gorillas?
You don’t have to be super-fit for a gorilla tracking safari but it does help if you have a general level of fitness, if only to enhance your overall enjoyment of the experience. Walking will be at a slow pace with time for breaks if needed. Depending on which group you track, and the time of year you go (gorillas tend to move down the mountains in the rains), you might find yourself walking on some pretty steep slopes for several hours. On the other hand, you could reach your group after a 30-minute stroll. It’s best to prepare for the most active option however, and if nothing else, a few hill walks before you leave would be beneficial.
The gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park
Whilst a gorilla safari in Rwanda is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, the staff at Volcanoes National Park have been doing this for several years and run a very smooth operation, hence treks to the mountain gorillas are well-organized and clearly structured.
What it’s like on a gorilla trekking safari
On the day of your gorilla trekking, you’ll set off very early in the morning to track to the apes from the edge of the forest. Your driver/guide will take you from your lodge (see places to stay in Volcanoes National Park) to the park headquarters in Kinigi village. The guides here speak excellent English and are very good. They will be taking you to a specific group of ‘habituated’ mountain gorillas, which they know well and are used to human visitors.
You’ll be divided into parties of 8 and after a briefing on safety and gorilla trekking etiquette, you’ll be driven to the start of the trail to reach your mountain gorilla group. Your guide will then lead you along generally clear paths up into the forest, in radio communication with the trackers that stay with the group so that they can be located. The altitude is over 2,500m, so although the pace is unhurried, the hike is tiring and can be steep in parts, taking from 30 minutes to a few hours. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit breathless at this altitude – this is perfectly normal.
Most trekkers are a little apprehensive – a large silverback male gorilla can weigh up to 200kg, or three times the weight of the average man, but the apprehension usually vanishes when you see the group. Often the gorillas will be spread around a small area of dense vegetation. They’ll continue with their feeding and interactions, nonchalant about their visitors, though watching you with interest. Occasionally one, often a playful youngster, will approach you with curiosity – sometimes coming so close that you’ll have to move away.
Gorilla tracking etiquette
Mountain gorillas share 98% of our DNA and as such are very susceptible to catching human infections, particularly respiratory ones, but they don’t have our immune system to deal with them – a common cold could eventually prove life-threatening. Various rules for gorilla trekking are therefore in place to help protect these precious primates.
Only one group of tourists can visit the mountain gorillas each day and once you’ve found them, you’ll have just one precious hour in their company. If you have a cold, flu or other contagious infection, you shouldn’t go gorilla trekking.
You should keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas, although of course the gorillas themselves are unaware of this and will often get very close, in which case you should try to move away.
When you’re with your group, you should try not to make sudden movements and to keep your voices low so that the group remains relaxed. Although these mountain gorillas are now used to seeing people, do bear in mind that they are still wild animals and can sometimes react unexpectedly, so always heed your guide’s and trackers’ instructions.
You won’t be allowed to eat or drink when you’re with the gorillas.
What kit should you take for a gorilla trekking safari?
Paths on gorilla treks can be slippery, muddy and steep so sturdy walking boots are essential. Some people take thick gardening gloves because of the brambles and nettles en route and you should wear long trousers rather than shorts. A waterproof jacket may come in handy and take some water and a snack in case it’s a long trek. You might also find a walking stick or pole helpful.
For a small fee, porters are available at the trailheads to carry your backpacks and offer a hand during tricky parts of the hike. Even if you don’t really need them, hiring a porter is a helpful way to contribute directly to the local economy and chatting to them en route can enhance your experience both of local life and of your gorilla trek.
Photography on a gorilla trekking safari
If you’re a keen photographer, taking your own pictures of mountain gorillas is one of the most magical photo sessions you’ll ever experience. Do bear in mind that the light can be poor in the rainforest and that use of flash is not permitted. You might also need to protect your camera against heavy rain.
Read More2015 Annual Kwita Izina
The dates for the 11th annual Kwita Izina, a gorilla naming ceremony have been realeased by the Rwanda Development Board as Rwanda Continues with its Efforts to protect the mountain gorillas in Africa.
The land of a thousand hills is getting filled with excitement as the celebrations of the 11th annual Kwita Izina – Gorilla Naming Ceremony draw close. The famous Kwita Izina is a Rwandan celebration of naming newborn baby gorilla which have been born with the same year period. This ceremony come up as an ancestral cultural baby naming ceremony that happens in the African societies after the birth of a newborn child which is a very important experience that calls for partying and celebrations.
The main reason for this occasion is to catch the attention of the whole world, about the need to protect these endangered mountain gorillas through monitoring each individual infant gorilla and their groups in their natural habitat. Today, the Kwita Izina has caught the attention of both locales and international audience about the importance of protecting the mountain gorillas and their habitats in the Virunga Mountains – the Volcanoes national park located in the north of the country.
This year the annual baby gorilla naming ceremony, Kwita Izina, according to officials from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Tourism and conservation department will be held on September 5th, unlike in previous years when the Kwita Izina was held in July, due to the need form the country to ensure compliancy with the Northern corridor tourism events calendar – a three-some tourism promotion initiative established under a tripartite agreement between Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, each member country set a period to focus on a flagship tourism event.
Looking back on last year’s ceremony, a total 16 babies mountain gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park were given names. Each year a focus theme is set, by the head of Tourism and Conservation at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Last year’s theme was ‘Conserving – Empowering – Growing’, set to reflect and celebrate the efforts of all those that have contributed to the sustainable regional and national conservation of the mountain gorilla and other wildlife in general.
Today the Kwita Izina has received thousands of regional, local as well as international audience very enthusiastic about travelling to the Virunga mountain ranges to visit the endangered mountain gorillas. So far, the Volcanoes national park mountain gorillas have been receiving substantial resources from international conservation organizations, donors and concerned people for the conservation efforts of the Mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The park is the prime spot for tourists looking for gorilla safaris in Africa given the improved accessibility to the park located in a distance f 3 hours drive from Kigali.
The Kwita Izina largely looks at protecting the remaining home range of the endangered mountain gorillas which for decades is the Virunga Massif – a chain of volcanic mountains comprising of Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP, DRC’s Virunga NP and Uganda’s Mgahinga NP. The Volcanoes national park actually covers two third of the Virunga Massif’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas.
Read MoreChoosing a Tour Operator for Your Safari
There are loads of tour operators on the African continent offering a wide range of safaris. These include even the specialty tour operators offering specific safaris to travelers. Some tour operators offer other travel services that range from tours, to flights, hotel and lodge booking, car hire, phone rental services etc. While planning for your safari, it is very important to carefully select a reliable agemcy that will be able to offer a memorable safari for you. Here are some of the tips that will help you choose a good tour operator for your vacation in Africa.
It is advisable to interact with several tour operators before you can make up your mind over which safari company will take care of your tour. To start with, you need to find out the area of expertise of the tour company in relation to you preferred safari option. Some are experts in luxury holiday tours well as others specialize in tailor made safaris, camping, mountaineering, lodge safaris or overland vacations.
A little research in necessary to establish the reputation of the tour operator you choose to take care of your vacation. Take time to discover the membership of that operator in different reliable tourism organizations such as Africa Travel Association, ATTA, and so much more. If you are looking at a particular country, check out if that tour operator subscribes to some of the national and local tourism organizations.
Any of the tour operator should be able provide any travel information you need regarding your Africa safari; including visa, flights, hotels, travel and health insurance, security, communication and so much more.
Get a written copy of the terms and conditions from the Tour operator. In fact, you can probably have each company mail you a copy of their policy. After receiving a copy of each company’s policy, review the policies carefully. In doing so, you will be able to find the best deal for you and you will also familiarize yourself with all of the policies.
Avoid as much as possible, brief case tour operators. The list of tour operators on this page has been carefully selected basing on the credibility, Association membership, customer care and service provision. We are however not responsible for any loss or damage or dissatisfaction regarding any travel guide or travel agent listed on this very page. We try to ensure that these companies don’t default. Under such eventualities, you should contact us and have them removed accordingly.
Read MoreUganda Declared Top Birders’ Destination in Africa for 2013
Uganda has 34 key bird viewing points in wetlands, water bodies, wildlife reserves, national parks and forest reserves. Common bird species include shoebills, herons, eagles, blue throated rollers, red headed malimbe, scaly breaste illadopis, titi hylia, giant king fisher, scaly francolin among others.
If you are looking to a birding safari in Uganda, there are about 70 professional and well-equipped guides who can whistle and call birds at a given point, identify them and take you to their destination under their umbrella body Uganda Safari Guides Association (USGA)
Statistics from Minim show that Tourism contributed 9.0 percent of Uganda’s GDP, US$ 805 million foreign exchange earnings from 1.2million visitors in 2011. The tourism accolades never stop coming for Uganda. On top of being voted Best Tourist Destination for 2012, Uganda was declared Africa’s Preffered Birding Destination in October after Africa Bird Club voted two of Uganda’s birding sites among the top 10 birders’ destinations in Africa.
Bwindi Forest, the best place for gorilla safaris in Africa was, actually, voted the best birding site in Africa with Murchison coming in at no. 9 – and with over 1050 bird species within its borders, Uganda sits comfortably among the best birding
destinations in the whole world.
Birding is one of the most important tourist activities in the world garnering chunks of money for countries that have given it priority.
To ensure that Uganda stays in the international tourism limelight, the ministry of tourism and other stakeholders have declared 2013/2014 the “Year of Birding” in Uganda.
The minister of tourism, wildlife and antiquities Ms Maria Mutagamba did the declaration at Kasenge Resort Beach in Mukono on Saturday.
“As we begin our journey through our next 50 years of Independence allow me declare Uganda as the favourite birding destination for 2013/2014,” said an evidently joyful Mutagamba.
This declaration comes weeks after Birdlife International, a global program on conservation and protection of birds and their habitants, alongside Nature Uganda announced that there are 34 important bird areas in Uganda with diverse bird species that qualify Uganda to be the leading birding destination on the continent.
Mutagamba said that Uganda has been priding in recent accolades like the one of Lonely Planet which was influenced by the iconic Mountain Gorillas but birds will give Uganda even new dimensions and more options to shine on international tourism market.
The minister said the two accolades provide an important avenue and platform for showcasing Uganda’s rich bird diversity that shows the country’s endowment of having 1056 bird species that account for 10 percent of the globe’s total bird species and 50 percent of Africa’s bird species population.
Uganda Tourism Board Executive Director Cuthbert Baguma said that it’s now very important to start promoting the country as a major birders’ destination.
“This country is for all Ugandans that calls for patriotism by positively promoting the country in order not to kill the thriving tourism industry,” he said. He said they want to form a crisis management committee responsible for responding to all negative publicity that has smeared the country’s image, especially on the relentless Ebola and Marburg cases.
“There needs to be a committee which counters these negative and – most of the times – exaggerated stories and show people that things are under control,” added Baguma. “And they’re.”
Mr Hebert Byaruhanga, the chairman Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) said that Uganda beats many African countries in having rare bird species that can bring in money but the business hasn’t been tapped into.
He said that despite being a land-locked country, Uganda has over 1000 bird species including migratory birds which normally flock ocean coasts.
He also emphasized the fact that birding needs as much promotion as gorilla tracking. “A tourist going on a gorilla trek may only spend 2 to 3 days leaving only US$500 for a gorilla permit and maybe some more little dollars but a tourist interested in birding will spend between 14 to 21 days and they spend over $5000 and that should be simple mathematics of what is more important,” he said.
The guides also said that usually tourists who come in for birding also do gorilla tracking yet those who come to see the primates are specific.
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