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Useful information for Visitors
1. Mountain gorilla visits:
Contact details for ORTPN: 250. 76514 in Kigali
250. 546645 in Ruhengeri
Visits to gorillas must be booked through the ORTPN offices. You must present yourself at the ORTPN offices situated at the prefecture offices in Ruhengeri (opposite the Hotel Muhabura) at 08h00 on the day of your visit. ORTPN currently has a team of 80 trackers and anti-poachers, many of whom speak French or English.
To minimize human disturbance to the gorilla groups, visitors must maintain a distance of 7m proximity to the gorillas, the duration of each visit is limited to one hour and maximum number of visitors is 8 people per group.
2. Fees for mountain gorilla visits:
The fee for gorilla visits is $250 per person for non-nationals and 5,400 FRw for Rwandan citizens. You must organise your own transportation to take you up to the park boundaries. ORTPN can offer assistance with transportation, but you should contact them prior to making your visit.
Guidelines for a gorilla visit:
Kinigi Guesthouse provides comfortable and clean accommodation with breathtaking scenery at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. It is situated 14 kilometres from Ruhengeri town, and only 200 metres from the Park headquarters. Rates range from US$ 15 - US$ 35 per night.
Contact: Kinigi Guesthouse,
Telephone: 250. 08533606 or 250. 546660
4. Further advice for your visit:
The climate in Ruhengeri is unpredictable although you can generally expect both sun as well as rainfall during the day. Ruhengeri is 1,700m above sea level. It is generally quite cold, particularly in the evening. Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid nettle stings. It is likely that you will get hot whilst walking though the forest and will cool down having reached the gorillas due to the high altitude, so you are advised to bring additional clothing.
Nights are quite cold, so a warm jumper is advisable for the evenings.
Wellington boots or hiking boots as well as waterproof raingear are essential when on a gorilla visit. You are strongly advised to bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking in the presence of the gorillas is forbidden.
Photography is permitted, although you may not use a flash and if you are intending to bring a video camera, then this must be cleared with ORTPN and will involve a fee. Porters are available to help you with transporting your baggage for a small charge.
The altitude during gorilla visits may cause difficulties for some visitors, however pace yourself, drink plenty of water and make sure you eat well the day prior to your trip and eat a substantial breakfast. No one should feel deterred from making this trip.
The authorities have made security of visitors among their highest priorities. There should therefore be no need for concern about personal security.
Contact details for ORTPN: 250. 76514 in Kigali
250. 546645 in Ruhengeri
Visits to gorillas must be booked through the ORTPN offices. You must present yourself at the ORTPN offices situated at the prefecture offices in Ruhengeri (opposite the Hotel Muhabura) at 08h00 on the day of your visit. ORTPN currently has a team of 80 trackers and anti-poachers, many of whom speak French or English.
To minimize human disturbance to the gorilla groups, visitors must maintain a distance of 7m proximity to the gorillas, the duration of each visit is limited to one hour and maximum number of visitors is 8 people per group.
2. Fees for mountain gorilla visits:
The fee for gorilla visits is $250 per person for non-nationals and 5,400 FRw for Rwandan citizens. You must organise your own transportation to take you up to the park boundaries. ORTPN can offer assistance with transportation, but you should contact them prior to making your visit.
Guidelines for a gorilla visit:
- Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited, especially when close to a gorilla group.
- Once with the group should the occasion arise that you need to cough, please cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.
- When with the gorillas, please keep your voice level low and only talk in whispers.
- If you get stung by a nettle, please refrain from crying out load and try not to make any rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.
- If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, then do not be alarmed, stand still and look away and certainly never run, the guides may ask you to move slowly away if necessary.
- Never make any rapid movements and do not disturb the vegetation when with the group, there may be a gorilla hidden behind the leaves.
- Please do not leave litter anywhere in the park.
Kinigi Guesthouse provides comfortable and clean accommodation with breathtaking scenery at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. It is situated 14 kilometres from Ruhengeri town, and only 200 metres from the Park headquarters. Rates range from US$ 15 - US$ 35 per night.
Contact: Kinigi Guesthouse,
Telephone: 250. 08533606 or 250. 546660
4. Further advice for your visit:
The climate in Ruhengeri is unpredictable although you can generally expect both sun as well as rainfall during the day. Ruhengeri is 1,700m above sea level. It is generally quite cold, particularly in the evening. Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid nettle stings. It is likely that you will get hot whilst walking though the forest and will cool down having reached the gorillas due to the high altitude, so you are advised to bring additional clothing.
Nights are quite cold, so a warm jumper is advisable for the evenings.
Wellington boots or hiking boots as well as waterproof raingear are essential when on a gorilla visit. You are strongly advised to bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking in the presence of the gorillas is forbidden.
Photography is permitted, although you may not use a flash and if you are intending to bring a video camera, then this must be cleared with ORTPN and will involve a fee. Porters are available to help you with transporting your baggage for a small charge.
The altitude during gorilla visits may cause difficulties for some visitors, however pace yourself, drink plenty of water and make sure you eat well the day prior to your trip and eat a substantial breakfast. No one should feel deterred from making this trip.
The authorities have made security of visitors among their highest priorities. There should therefore be no need for concern about personal security.
Rwanda Tourism
Rwanda Tourism: Gorilla Tourism » Nyungwe National Park » Akagera National Park » Travel Information
