About 400 mountain gorillas live in volcanoes, with only 10 habituated gorilla families: Sabinyo, Susa, Karisoke, Karisimbi, Bwenge, Hirwa, and Agashya. You and your companion may be given any of these gorilla families on trek day, however, if you have health difficulties, tell your guide at the briefing so you can choose an easier journey. Learn about Rwandan gorilla trekking and how to spend your wedding anniversary with primates.

Rwanda gorilla wedding anniversary planning: what to consider

Planning a Rwanda gorilla wedding anniversary requires several considerations:

Volcanoes National Park has budget/basic, mid-range, and luxury accommodations. Rwanda is a premium safari location, but you may find affordable lodging. We recommend going all out on your wedding anniversary and getting a place that suits you. Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotel, Bisate Lodge, Silverback Lodge, and Virunga Volcanoes Lodge are other options.

Choose between shared or private transportation. Tourists are transported from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park in 4×4 safari vehicles. The comfy, well-aerated automobiles contain water bottles. Sharing the automobile with other travelers reduces safari prices. A private safari drive with your lover is possible, but it will cost extra.

Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a vital part of it, therefore travelers should bring cash (local currency preferable) to pay their guides. Do tip the porters who help you carry your bags for a stress-free gorilla hike, driving guides, and room service. This additional fee shows gratitude for your services and is worth it.

This depends on your anniversary, but we’ll look at Rwanda’s peak/dry and wet/low gorilla trekking seasons. June to September and December to January are the greatest months for gorilla trek safaris in Rwanda, although service operators raise fees owing to the huge number of visitors. You must book in advance if you are not going on a budget. The low/wet season: October to November and March to May are the greatest months for budget travelers since service providers charge less.

The porters at Volcanoes National Park were locals who poached gorillas and other animals until being pushed out of the forest and moved to a neighboring settlement. If you can, utilize one—porters depend on it to sustain their families. Porter tips are not included in the safari fee and are paid at your discretion. We recommend spending $10 every day. Porters can only carry 15 kg, so pack accordingly.

Rwandan gorilla permits | Trekking gorillas in Rwanda

Gorilla permits are the only way to see endangered mountain gorillas. The Rwanda Development Board issues it to tourists who book gorilla safaris, and RDB-registered travel operators sell it. Rwanda’s gorilla permit price depends on the buyer. East African nationals (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan) pay $300, foreign non-residents $1500, and other African residents and citizens $500.

If you visit Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park on your gorilla trekking safari, Rwanda provides a $1050 per person discount. This is the only time the deal works.

Tourists should arrange gorilla permits six months in advance due to strong demand.

Rwanda gorilla trek packing list

A happy wedding anniversary with Rwandan gorillas requires proper packing. Below is a list of items to bring for the walk.

Cameras and binoculars are devices. Any camera will work, although we recommend a lightweight point-and-shoot. A tripod, spare lens, batteries, lens cleaning, memory, an additional camera if feasible, and a camera bag are also needed. You can observe gorillas, birds, golden monkeys, and other primates in the national park using binoculars.

Clothing: packing clothing is difficult since you may have a lot to carry and not want to overpack. To enjoy your Rwanda gorilla hike, bring the proper outfits and colors. Tsetse flies are drawn to blue, so don’t pack it. Black camouflage, associated with the army, absorbs heat. Long-sleeved shirts prevent bug bites and tree scrapes and keep you warm. If you don’t wear jeans, non-jean pants are better. Bring undershirts also.

Keep your legs toasty and keep mosquitoes out with thick socks. Before the walk, tuck the pants into the socks.

Hikers may avoid scrapes using garden gloves.

Because Uganda’s weather is unpredictable, take a thick sweater and rain gear for both seasons.

For Volcanoes National Park treks, sturdy ankle boots are advised. The shoes don’t need to be fresh to fit properly and prevent blisters. Ensure they are robust enough to keep you on your feet throughout the walk and buy waterproof ones if possible.

You may also bring sandals and shoes to wear at your hotel/lodge after the trip. Take adjustable gaiters while buying shoes, especially in the rain.

Ugandan tap water is dangerous, but your safari includes bottled water. You will need a refillable water bottle of at least a liter to carry water on the journey.

Insect repellent: protects skin from insect bites.

Sunscreen and a sunhat: Apply your preferred sunscreen before the walk. Sunhats and sunscreen may be carried in the bag for reapplication.

First Aid kits: Hotels/lodges usually provide these, but you may bring your own. Emergency supplies including painkillers, gauze, spirit, iodine, cotton, and plaster should be in the pack.

Day backpack: You can’t carry all your stuff, therefore this bag will hold your daily essentials. The day backpack should be waterproof and hold basics like:

Bug spray.
Sunscreen.
First aid kit.
A reusable water container.
Any other personal things.

Rwanda gorilla trekking restrictions  | Trekking gorillas in Rwanda

Visitors planning a gorilla trip in Rwanda must obey the Rwanda Development Board’s requirements, which include:

Trekking minimum age: Rwanda prohibits gorilla trekking under 15 years old. This is because children are harder to handle and may break rules. You may bring the kids to other activities than gorilla trekking.

No more than eight persons per day may hike with a gorilla family to minimize illness transmission and disruption of their routine.
After finding the family, each group spends an hour with the gorillas.
Visitors should stay 7 meters from gorillas.

Loud noises and sudden moves near gorillas are prohibited. Communicate in low tones.
If a gorilla approaches, follow the guide’s instructions: don’t run and bow to indicate submissiveness, and don’t stare at it since it may be a challenge.
Keep the national park clean by avoiding littering. All trash should be carried out of the park and placed in designated containers.

Eating and drinking around gorillas is prohibited. You may consume snacks in authorized spots.
Smoking is prohibited for gorilla trekkers and visitors.
Tourists should turn down the camera flash before snapping images of mountain gorillas because it scares them.

Golden monkey trekking is another safari activity in Volcanoes National Park after gorilla trekking. One additional area to observe golden monkeys is Mgahinga National Park. Attend the Kwita Izina ritual to name infant gorillas, primate hikes, community visits, and bird viewing.

Couples’ weddings are significant. Celebrating an anniversary is the greatest approach, particularly if you’ve planned a safari with your sweetheart.

We can help you plan a Rwandan gorilla wedding anniversary safari. You must contact us to make your day special.