"GORILLAS" Virunga by grets

Virunga Travel Guide: 22 reviews and 53 photos

Parc National des Volcans

Our visit to Rwanda was purely in order to see the endangered mountain gorilla.

Below are extracts from my diary written at the time:

The night before

As we are talking about tomorrow’s trek and I am sharing my concern about my lack of fitness holding the others up or maybe even preventing me from reaching the gorillas, a group of Americans arrive back. They look awful! Most of them can barely drag themselves along the room, they are covered in mud and sweat and when asked how they got on, they answer “it was the trek from hell!” They’ve been trekking for ten hours, on near-vertical muddy paths through impenetrable vegetation. One girl became so exhausted and scared of tumbling down the valley that she gave up before reaching the gorillas. Now I am really worried – this could be us tomorrow!

Preapering for the trek

We set off early after breakfast tomorrow to try and get to the Park Headquarters first, but it seems other people have the same idea. Parc National des Volcans has four habituated groups of gorillas, two of which are much further away the others, and we would like to try and get the “easy” group. A maximum of eight permits are issued per group per day, and although the price of the permit is a rather steep $375, I don’t begrudge it as I hope that it can help provide security for the future of the mountain gorillas. The money gives the local population an incentive to preserve the gorillas and their habitat, as well as providing a 24hr armed guard. Not so long ago, poachers shot a female gorilla in the Susa group, stealing her baby – probably to order from a zoo somewhere in the world. Our rangers, Alphonse and Fidel, go through our briefing for the day’s tracking, in both French and English, as we are joined by four people from France. We have been assigned the Sabinyo Group, a family of nine individuals, and the nearest group. This morning they were observed about half an hour away, which lifts my spirits no end.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Gorillas
Cons:Arduous climb through thick vegetation
In a nutshell:The most amazing wildlife experience - ever!

Last visit to Virunga: Aug 2004
Intro Written Sep 1, 2004
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Reviews (13)

Porters and guards Local Customs (1)

At the car park where the gorilla trek starts, porters are available for hire to carry your gear on the trek. I would... more travel advice

A steep scramble Warnings and Dangers (2)

Although extremely worthwhile, the trek to reach the gorillas can be very arduous! The slopes of the volcano are steep,... more travel advice

You could be in for a long walk.... - Virunga

You could be in for a long walk.... Off The Beaten Path (1)

There are four habituated gorilla groups in the Virungas, and it really is the luck of the day which group your permit... more travel advice

Come prepared What to Pack (1)

Walking boots, strong trousers or gaiters, (gardening) gloves to protect you hands from enormous stingy nettle,... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Who needs a certificate?

Things to Do (7)
See All Gorilla tracking....6

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (27)

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Kristymamoo Jul 2, 2007 at 6:48 AM

Wow!! How amazing!! My 9 year old daughter would love this trip - something tells me it would be advisable to wait a good few years though!! Pictures are beautiful. kristy :-)
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craic Jun 28, 2007 at 8:17 AM

oh what a brilliant trip! I have often wondered if you would be allowed to go if you were sick, a cold maybe.
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Gammy1968 Feb 10, 2007 at 3:18 AM

Hi Grete, what a wonderful travel page! I have rarely read anything more interesting and I have put a trip to the gorillas on my list of things to see during my lifetime... extraodinary experience! Claudia
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hindu1936 Apr 4, 2006 at 2:53 AM

hi grete, this is exactly what i was looking for. how to find the gorillas. thanks--j
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filipdebont Jun 25, 2005 at 10:15 AM

Wow, wonderful pictures from the Mountain Gorillas. I hope to see them in Bwindi N.P. in Uganda.
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Linda_T May 16, 2005 at 11:27 PM

I love your homepage, such interesting reading and wonderful photo's
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luddinra May 5, 2005 at 2:02 PM

Wow. I can feel what you felt. Makes me want to cry.
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VideoDave Apr 5, 2005 at 12:27 PM

Nothing like an eye level gorilla :-)
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roamer61 Mar 17, 2005 at 6:48 AM

Stunning. Truly one of the great animal adventures on the planet.
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Waxbag Dec 14, 2004 at 5:59 AM

Great information, and photos. I hope to get to Rwanda next year. How did you arrange your gorilla permits?