Why visit Rwanda for Postcoivd19 Gorilla Safaris
Have you considered visiting Rwanda for a postcovid19 gorilla trekking experience? The land of a thousand hills is the best destination to visit for postcovid19 gorilla safaris. For close to 4 months, Rwanda Development Board closed all visits to Volcanoes National park to prevent the further spread of the deadly coronavirus.
However, in June 2020, Volcanoes Park was reopened for tourists with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Over years, Rwanda has ranked as a top gorilla safari destination in Africa receiving the highest number of travelers from all parts of the world. The reasons why you should visit Rwanda for postcovid19 gorilla safaris include among others:
- Discounted gorilla permits
Rwanda Development Board reopened for gorilla tourism with huge discounts on gorilla permits. Between June to 31st December 2020, a single Rwanda gorilla permit is discounted to $200 for Rwanda nationals and East African citizens while foreign residents pay $500. This is a huge discount from the previous $1500 paid by all travelers despite the nationality. The availability of discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda is, therefore, one of the reasons why one should visit Rwanda for a postcoivd19 gorilla safari.
- Ease of Access to gorilla park
Volcanoes National park is the nearest gorilla park from the airport. The park is located roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive from Kigali International Airport which makes it the easily accessible gorilla destination in Africa compared to Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga, and Virunga National Park. Rwanda is the best place for short gorilla trips especially one-day gorilla trek which entails pickup, gorilla visiting, and drop-off on the same day.
- Ease of gorilla trekking
It has also been discovered that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is less challenging compared to Bwindi Forest National park. Gorilla families in Volcanoes National park live in low-altitude areas which makes it easy to find them. Also, Volcanoes National park is majorly comprised of bamboo trees which are easy to trek through compared to the Impenetrable forest of Bwindi. Photography is therefore excellent in Volcanoes Park, especially in the dry season.
- Security in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa. YES, no civil wars have been recorded in Rwanda for the last 25 years. Also, the government of Rwanda has heavily invested in security organs including tourism police who continually patrol around in Volcanoes National park to ensure everything and everyone is safe. The tight security with no internal and external threats guarantees travelers of their safety during their stay in Rwanda.
- More Habituated gorilla families
Second, to Uganda, Rwanda is home to the highest mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park shelters over 15 gorilla groups available for trekking every day. Among these include the Amahoro gorilla family, Kwitondo, Karisimbi, Umubano, Agashya, Susa A, Hirwa, and Sabyinyo gorilla family among others. 15 gorilla groups guarantee the availability of 120 gorilla permits issued every day. Gorilla permit bookings in Rwanda can be done directly with Rwanda Development Board. Alternatively, you can book a Rwanda post-covid-19 gorilla safari through credible tour companies such as Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, African Jungle Adventures, Matooke Tours, 4×4 Uganda, and many others. These are one of the best gorilla safari companies in Rwanda and the whole of East Africa.
What are the safety measures for postcovid19 Gorilla safaris in Rwanda?
In order to ensure the safety of the endangered mountain gorillas and travelers in Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board has pout Standard Operating Procedures for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park. These include:
- All travelers to Rwanda must test negative for covid19 within 72 hours before arrival
- Mandatory temperature screening at Kinigi park headquarters
- Mandatory face masks which cover up the mouth and nose
- Mandatory handwashing with soap and clean running water
- Travelers must also sanitize with alcohol-based content
- Keep a distance of 10 meters away from the gorillas
- Any traveler with any signs of sickness will not be allowed to trek the gorillas
- Travelers will be briefed separately in their groups of eight
- Park rangers and wardens must test negative for covid19
- Spend strictly one hour with the gorillas
Gorilla Trek Add-ons
In addition to gorilla trekking, travelers on Rwanda holidays have a wide range of gorilla trekking add-ons to make a complete Rwanda safari package. The other things to see and do in Rwanda include Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National park, big five game safari in Akagera National Park, Golden monkey trekking, Twin lake tours, genocide memorial museum tours and Kigali city tour among others. Our 6 days Rwanda gorilla tour is a perfect package for you to explore this small beautiful country.
Rwanda is a suitable postcovid19 gorilla safari destination in Africa. Contact your travel agent today, take advantage of the discounted Rwanda permits, and enjoy this lifetime experience at low costs. The travel agent will arrange your transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari jeep, accommodation based on your budget and also reserve the gorilla permit for you.
