Affordable Gorilla Trekking Options in Rwanda

Affordable Gorilla Trekking Options in Rwanda

The idea of trekking gorillas in Rwanda is a dream of many wildlife lovers, yet the expenses of gorilla permits and travel arrangements are sometimes too high to be affordable for travellers on a tight budget while on a Rwanda safari. However, you can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime adventure within realistic budgetary constraints. This handbook looks at the possibility of doing gorilla trekking in Rwanda on a budget, with useful tips, alternative things to do and other important travel tips to guide you in planning a memorable yet affordable primate safari to the Land of a Thousand Hills.

The Cost of Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

The gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person and the fee is one of the highest wildlife permit costs in Africa. It is costly to conserve the park in Volcanoes National Park and regulate the number of visitors to preserve the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Nevertheless, the price is a price to pay, as Rwanda is one of the best destinations to undertake gorilla trekking because of secure, well-organised gorilla treks as well as the convenience of travelling to the park, as the Kigali International Airport is just two hours away.

The price of the permit is not negotiable but other travel aspects like accommodation, transport and food are some of the areas that can be saved. You can also have a gorilla trek without spending much by choosing low-cost lodges, joining group tours, or combining your gorilla trek with other Rwanda activities to make the most of your time in Rwanda.

Economical hotels around Volcanoes National Park

One of the major expenses in your gorilla trekking holiday in Rwanda is accommodation. To those with tighter budgets, there are a number of cheap lodges and guesthouses near Musanze and Kinigi that are comfortable and within easy access of Volcanoes National Park. The Kinigi Guesthouse, Fatima Hotel in Musanze and La Locanda are the alternatives providing basic but clean rooms, hot showers and local food, but also keeping you close to the trekking headquarters to get a briefing in the early morning.

Such lodges normally assist their visitors in planning packed breakfasts and affordable transport to park gates and therefore would not be in a position to pay premium prices to access the services of hired transports. You can also manage your food budget by booking accommodation that offers meals and at the same time enjoy the local Rwandan cuisine.

Participation in Group Tours to Save Money

One of the best ways of ensuring that Rwanda gorilla trekking is affordable is joining a group gorilla trekking tour. Group tours enable you to share the cost of transport, the fee of the guide and other logistical costs with other people travelling in the group, which can reduce your per-person cost considerably. Most Rwanda tour operators have scheduled group treks and you can also get a chance to meet other people with the same interest in wildlife and adventure in the process.

During booking, you will want to find reputable local operators that offer budget gorilla trekking in Rwanda. They usually provide packages that include gorilla trekking with a tour of Iby’iwacu cultural village, tours of local markets in Musanze or a day hike of Mount Bisoke to ensure your trip is well balanced and value maximised.

When to go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda on Budget

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done all year round but the most budget-friendly months to do it are during April, May and November, which are the low seasons. During these months, there are usually fewer tourists, and although the permit prices do not change, the lodges and tour operators often reduce the prices in order to attract the visitors, which will save you money on the accommodation and tour package.

It is also low season which is the rainy season so you will be walking on muddy trails, so bring waterproof clothing and heavy hiking boots. The trekking is also quite satisfying even during the rain since the gorillas are likely to be on the lower sides of the mountains, at times making the trek shorter and not so physically demanding.

Alternate Low-Cost Primate Experiences

When the gorilla trekking in Rwanda is still beyond your budget, you can always opt to experience other primate trekking opportunities that are much cheaper but provide the same high wildlife experience. The best option is chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park and the permit fee is $150 per person. The park is also a hot spot of biodiversity, as colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and many species of birds can be found there.

Also available in Volcanoes National Park is golden monkey trekking at $100 per person that features an easier trekking experience but enables you to visit the same volcanic habitat that the mountain gorillas have.

Money-Saving Traveling Tips

You can further cut down your Rwanda gorilla trekking costs by:

• Use of the public buses or common transfers to travel back from Kigali to Musanze to save the cost of using a personal car.
• Prepare your lunches when in the stay by purchasing fresh fruits and snacks in the local markets.

It is possible to think of a 3-4-day short itinerary so that your trip will be more concentrated on gorilla trekking and other activities around you and the accommodation cost is minimal.

• Bring your own bottles of water and snacks to cut down on the waste of money.

Ensure you book your trek early enough to get discounts on the accommodation, especially during the low season.

Conclusion

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done affordably by planning well, budgeting realistically and making smart decisions in transportation and lodging. You can save some money by taking group tours, travelling in low season, and combining your trek with other activities so you can have a close encounter with the mountain gorillas, the famous symbol of Rwanda. Budget gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda are planned today and you can feel the great feeling you get when you commune with nature in the way that only a gorilla trek in the Volcanoes National Park can bring you.