Is it safe to track Gorillas in Rwanda
Is it safe to track Gorillas in Rwanda? Yes, it is safe to track Gorillas in Rwanda. Rwanda is politically and socially stable and safe. However, many concerns and queries raised by intending travelers point to their safety in a country that is neighbors with Congo known for insurgencies and other forms of insecurities. What raises their fears the more is the fact that Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda shares the Gorilla habitat with Congo’s Virunga National Park.
In addressing the above concerns, Rwanda Development Board together with the Rwanda Defense Forces (the country’s army), ensured heavy deployments in all tourist places/parks and border areas. During Gorilla trekking and mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park, tourists have to be accompanied by armed soldiers on top of the park rangers or guides, and this is to ensure high level safety. Well, the country is generally safe and the heavy deployment is a just-in-case.
Safety of the Tourist before the Gorillas
First of all, tracking takes place to only the habituated Gorilla families whose members are used to human presence before them. Moreover the Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in place point to the safety of the Gorillas and the visitors. Visitors are required to keep a distance of 7 meters away from the animals. In a situation where a Gorilla could charge at the visitor, the rangers lead the visitors away or shoot in the air to scare away or calm the aggressive animal.
Letting alone the security offered to tourists during Gorilla trekking, Rwanda is known to be a peace-loving country with very friendly people. It is one of those countries in the world where tourists are treated like their own. This partly explains why most tours to Congo, in times it gets declared safe for travel, start and end in Rwanda. It is not only that Virunga Park is very close to Rwanda, but also that home feeling experience which comes with the safety. Tourists are always welcome to Rwanda and are free to use it as their base for visiting her neighbors – Uganda, Congo and Burundi. Check Rwanda to Uganda Gorilla Tours
Emphatically, Mountain Gorillas are Rwanda’s number one tourist attraction whose conservation and protection are held in very high regard. This is quite evident with the good state of conservation in which the Gorillas and their habitat are. On top of the Gorilla protection and conservation policies in place, the safety, security and wellbeing of the Gorilla trekkers (tourists) remain a major focus for the park guides, rangers, the army and Rwanda Development Board.
Where to stay during Gorilla trekking
There are safety and security standards to be met by lodges and hotels set to host tourists for Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park irrespective of their class (budget, mid-range or luxury). Choose from a selection of the below lodges:
Budget: La Locanda Hotel,
Mid-range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vince Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge,
Luxury: Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Bisate Gorilla Lodge.