Commercial flights will resume on August 1, 2020, and Rwanda has reopened Gorilla trekking tourism. We can help you plan a safari in Rwanda after the lockdown. Read on for more information. The tourism industry has faced several difficulties since the spread of COVID-19, making it one of the most hit industries at the moment.

After hearing the cases, some nations have put a halt to tourism, and Rwanda has even banned gorilla trekking. According to the ministry of health, as of March 29, 2020, 70 cases have been recorded in Rwanda. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proclaimed the COVID-19 outbreak as a worldwide pandemic and a public health emergency of international significance.

As time has passed, Rwanda has become one of the most popular tourist spots in all of East Africa. Rwanda has seen an increase in its revenue in recent years, thanks in large part to the popularity of gorilla tourism at Volcanoes National Park. Half of the world’s gorillas live in East Africa, making a gorilla trekking adventure once in a lifetime for those lucky enough to see these endangered primates in their native habitat.

Relating to hiking with gorillas and the Volcanoes National Park

The French name for Volcanoes National Park is Parc Des Vulcans, and the Kinyarwanda name is Parikia Yigihugu yibirungu. The forest is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including endangered primates like mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as other bird and animal species, trees, forest pigs, bushbucks, and more. Part of the Virunga Conservation Area, the park is in Rwanda’s northwest. This includes five dormant volcanoes: Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura.

Gorilla trekking is available at all times of year in Volcanoes National Park, although the mountain gorillas are the main draw. Trekking with habituated mountain gorillas allows you to see these endangered primates in their native habitat, where you can see how they dine, move, sleep, and coexist peacefully. If you follow the lead of the park rangers, guides, and trackers, your odds of spotting a mountain gorilla are 99 percent.

Day one of the journey begins at 7:00 am in Kinigi with a safety briefing; while sharing 99% of their DNA with humans, gorillas are still considered wild animals, so it’s important to listen to and obey the instructions of your guides. It all depends on where the gorillas are in the jungle and how they’re moving; the gorilla journey might take anywhere from half an hour to many hours.

With the assistance of Encounter Africa Safaris, you can plan and execute an unforgettable, budget-friendly gorilla trek to Volcanoes National Park—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

This is why the Volcanoes National Park gorilla expedition in Rwanda has been temporarily halted.
Since the origin and transmission of COVID-19 are still a mystery, wild creatures such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys are at risk of contracting the virus. For the Time Being, Rwanda Ceases Following the country’s first reports of the pandemic on March 20, 2020, the Rwanda Development Board announced plans to allow gorilla trekking in three of the country’s national parks.

In the country’s national parks, such as Volcanoes, Gishwati-Mukura, and Nyungwe Forest, you may find the endangered primates. We will inform you when this suspension is lifted. If you would want to be informed about the latest tourism news on the coronavirus pandemic in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you may contact Encounter Africa Safaris.

How to change your Rwanda gorilla trekking reservation and visit Volcanoes National Park
Travel packages and gorilla permits to Volcanoes National Park are often booked in advance by tourists at various times throughout the year. COVID-19 has caused several problems, including but not limited to: trip cancellations on already-booked dates; fear of travel; and the suspension of inbound and outbound flights by various nations. You can rearrange your permits and travel plans, so this shouldn’t be a problem for you.

The Rwanda Development Board has updated its policies on tourism cancellations and postponements in light of the present global climate. As a result, travelers who have already bought gorilla permits may need to reschedule their trips.

Travelers who want to delay their gorilla permits or park permits in Volcanoes National Park due to flight cancellations, travel bans, or COVID-19 can do so for free for up to two years, provided they submit the necessary paperwork and the permits are still available.

Tourists and visitors who bought reduced mountain gorilla trekking permits during the low season may use them whenever they choose within two years, provided that the permits are still available.
Tour operators are no longer required to submit the final payment for the booked permits 30 days prior to the visiting date. This is contingent upon the availability of permissions and the submission of proper papers.

Subject to the completion of official paperwork and the availability of permits, the removal of the 7-day notice time before visiting date allows visitors to postpone their park permits.
This deal is valid for six months starting from the date of signing (9th March 2019) of this announcement, unless otherwise changed. The revised permits may only be used once, and no more than two years after March 9, 2020, to access Volcanoes National Park or any of the other designated national parks or tourist destinations.

When will the Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking suspension be lifted?

As of 2019, tourism accounts for 25% of Rwanda’s GDP, making it a vital sector of the country’s economy. Nearly all of Rwanda’s national park income come from gorilla trekking, making it a huge moneymaker for the country’s tourist sector. Encounter Africa Safaris will keep you informed of when the ban will be lifted and gorilla tourism will resume.

Can I schedule a gorilla trip in Rwanda at this time?

After this, tourism is in a prime position to spearhead future recovery and keep all aspirations of adventure alive. In the wake of this worldwide pandemic, our industry will spur economic development that will aid in the recovery of whole nations and communities. Since nations are making great efforts to limit the COVID-19, it is still possible to schedule your gorilla vacation for next year.

We are able to arrange gorilla permits online since the Rwanda Development Board efficiently handles this process, which allows us to work from the comfort of our own home. However, for the time being, we need to be calm and prepared, for this too will pass. Tomorrow, we can go on our trip since we stayed home today. Traveling tomorrow will help the economy, honor other cultures, foster global understanding and camaraderie, and fulfill all of our lifelong travel dreams.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected visitors to Volcanoes National Park in search of gorillas?
Economic deterioration and stakeholder anxiety have been plaguing Rwanda and the tourist sector since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. As a tactic to restrict the spread of the virus, Rwanda halted gorilla tourism. The following are some of the issues associated with this policy:

Money Drowning from Gorilla Tours

As tourism contributes to Rwanda’s economy in several ways, gorilla activities have made a notable addition to the country’s earnings. A large number of gorilla permits have remained unsold for the last month, impacting the whole tourism supply chain, as a result of travel bans imposed by several countries, aircraft limitations, and the suspension of gorilla trekking activities in Rwanda. Since the nation has been under lockdown for the past several weeks, almost no tourist business has taken place.

Cancellations of flights

There has been a significant reduction in travel into Rwanda as a result of airline cancellations and groundings. Because of the impact on gorilla tourism, Rwanda has closed its borders to all foreign nations and citizens. Volcanoes National Park is readily accessible from many border crossings, attracting visitors from neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are afraid to travel, which has cut into gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Park rangers, tour guides, and other tourist workers may soon find themselves out of work.
The tourist industry has ground to a halt, leading to the layoff of many personnel. Since there is no longer any need for their services, many people have lost their jobs, including park guides, driver guides, park guards, employees of lodging establishments and tourist firms, and countless more.

With so many people depending on tourism, its multiplier impact is more important than ever. We eagerly await the COVID-19 pandemic’s containment so that individuals may breathe a sigh of relief and return to their jobs to provide for their families and communities.

Notes regarding COVID-19 safety

The most critical thing individuals can do to keep themselves and others safe is to accept personal responsibility. In order to better protect themselves, we suggest that our guests read up on some simple preventative measures (WHO recommendations for public). Among them are:

Timely cleaning of hands
Make sure your hands are clean.
Proper way to cough,
Putting off a trip in the event of sickness,
We will travel later, so for now, remain home and be safe.
Staying away from those who have severe respiratory illnesses.

If you are concerned about your health or the safety of your travels, it is imperative that you keep up with the newest information by checking in with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other reputable sources on a frequent basis.

The Rwanda Development Board, the Rwandan Ministry of Health, the UNWTO, and the WHO have all set safety standards and instructions that Encounter Africa Safaris is adhering to. To stay updated on the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic, you may reach our home-based team.

Due to recent regulations regarding gorilla tourism in Volcanoes National Park, we must remind our clients that they should reschedule their trips and gorilla permits at a later date. at more information about our services, please visit Safari Booking or Tripadvisor. Please do not leave your homes until we have discussed future travel plans.