Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris?

Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences: Gorilla trekking safari tours are top bucket list items for many travelers to Uganda and Rwanda for a holiday in Africa. The gentle mountain gorillas are endangered creatures that are unique to the countries of Rwanda, D.R Congo and Uganda where they live in untapped jungles. Gorilla Trekking is a life changing experience as described by some of the past trekkers into the wild to see the gorillas of East Africa, the exhilarating safaris opens the beauty of Uganda and Rwanda wildlife and primates.

Whereas trekking to see mountain gorillas is the most done activity during the travels to Uganda and Rwanda, travelers can still engage in many adventures on an African safari tour.  Other amazing adventures like Cultural experiences can be combined with gorilla trekking on your Uganda and Rwanda Safari. You can visit nearby communities and learn about the culture of the local people after a gorilla trekking adventure in the forest.

While on Rwanda or Uganda, combining gorilla trekking with cultural experiences is an opportunity to learn about the African culture of surrounding communities, it widens the band of safari activities, and you explore villages and support the communities. The community sites visited on the combined mountain gorilla trekking and cultural experiences include; people initially in the Gorilla National Parks, and other people around the gorilla sanctuaries of Africa.

The unique cultures of the people near the Gorilla Trekking National Parks are studied during the combined mountain gorilla trekking and cultural experiences safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, since the local people are fond of showcasing their culture like dances and craft making skills to the travelers who visit their communities. The community tours/Cultural tours in Rwanda & Uganda offer opportunities for locals to earn some money from craft making, they use this moment to let the world beyond the gorilla national parks to learn about their way of life.If you are wondering if Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris is worth the time and money? You will enjoy each dollar paid for the combined Gorilla trekking and Cultural experiences Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda & Cultural Tours

Rwanda is one of the best places renowned for the endangered mountain gorillas living in its dense forests. The famous destination to do the Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the pristine forest of Volcanoes National Park found in the northwest of Rwanda. Driving to Volcanoes National Park from the capital Kigali takes about 2 hours using a 4×4 vehicle. The Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a thrilling adventure introducing visitors to the 12 Habituated Gorilla Families found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This rich gorilla world is surrounded by the Kinyarwanda people whose culture and lifestyle is one you should not miss when you travel to Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking. You can capitalize on the Rwanda Primate Tour by combining Gorilla Trekking and Cultural experiences Safari for unforgettable adventures in Africa.

The cultural tours of Rwanda run from the capital of Kigali going northwest wards to the remote areas around the home of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. one of the prominent cultural sites is the Iby’lwacu Village just a short distance from the main gate of Volcanoes National Park. Another cultural site is the Musanze Caves, you can drive for about half an hour to reach the site (30 minutes). For those interested in the combined Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Cultural experiences Safaris, here is all you need to know.

 

Combining Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with Cultural Visits

While on Rwanda Wildlife Tours, you can Combine Gorilla Trekking with Cultural Visits to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, which is a short distance from the main gate of Volcanoes National Park. Cultural tours offer you the opportunity to explore the Iby’lwacu Cultural Village well known to house the Kinyarwanda culture, introducing you to its diverse traditions. On arrival at the Iby’lwacu village, you are welcomed with traditional dances and you can indulge in the joyous dancing.

This cultural village has a great display of art work from local craft makers who are champions at bead making, pottery and weaving baskets. Souvenirs are some of the commonest things at your disposal and you can treat yourself with one or two. The place is a traveler’s paradise having some of the best trails to witness birds and endless scenic landscapes of Rwanda. The food Culture of Rwanda is very much appreciated by travelers who can taste different cuisines. The cooking demonstrations bring you into the traditional dining with some of the most hospitable human beings. You can interact with locals, tell stories and play board games. Cultural tours are a must-do item especially at Iby’lwacu Village while in Rwanda to experience the unique African Life.

Can I do both gorilla trekking and cultural tours in Rwanda? How do I combine my gorilla trekking safari with cultural experiences in Rwanda? In case you want to combine both gorilla trekking and cultural experience, you can book through your travel agent. However, you will pay some extra funds for the cultural tours which are normally done after your Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure.

Cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda

While preparing for the gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda, a gorilla permit is a requirement to allow you be part of the primate tracking. Rwanda Development Board is the sole body in charge of selling the gorilla permits and protecting the natural home of gorillas. Currently, Rwanda charges $1500 to foreign non-residents for a single permit for gorillas. If you are foreign resident, the permit will cost $500 and lastly, for East African Travelers it is about $200.

Is a gorilla permit inclusive of the cultural experience? While in Rwanda, the gorilla permit is paid for independently from the cultural tours. In most cases, gorilla permit will cater for your entrance into the park. Trekking officials like guides and rangers will be provided to you by the authorities.

How much extra will I pay for a cultural tour in Rwanda

In case you are very excited about doing your cultural village trip in Rwanda, travelling to the Iby’lwacu center is a must-do activity which cost about $35 per person. The experience is worth it, it will initiate you into the rich culture of the people of Kinyarwanda culture.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is the home of mountain gorillas found in two of its 10 parks, housing more than half of the population of the endangered primates in the world. The Gorilla Trekking Parks in Uganda are two wildernesses of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park found in the southwest part near Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.  Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to host your mountain gorilla trekking tour, this is because it has more than half of the endangered gorillas living in its dense forests. Furthermore, the trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers about 20 Habituated gorilla families that can be seen on a single day on Uganda primate tracking Safari.

In Uganda, combining gorilla trekking and Cultural Experiences enable travelers to maximize their safaris. The captivating Cultural tours bring you close to the nearby communities of the Bakiga and Batwa who inhibit the areas around Bwindi Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Visiting the Batwa village is an opportunity to learn about the way of life of the initial settlers of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During the time in Uganda, pass by the Bakiga Community Villages, learn the unique culture of the people. Expand your Uganda holiday Tour by combining your Gorilla Trekking Trip with Cultural Experiences, all the relevant information is provided in this article.

Combining Gorilla Trekking in Uganda with cultural visits

Uganda is a place of vibrant wildlife, landscapes and unique culture providing travelers with a wide range of activities. Combining your Uganda gorilla tour with a visit to the nearby local communities will expand your safari experience. One of the most visited  cultural centers that is usually combined with gorilla trekking in Uganda is the Batwa village to see the initial inhibitors of Bwindi. It is fascinating to learn about the traditional lifestyle of food gathering and ancient hunting practices common to the Batwa people of Southwest Uganda. During the day at Batwa Community Village, you will be entertained with traditional dances, taught the different customs and appreciate the story telling skills of the Batwa elders.

Cost of Gorilla permits in Uganda

One of the main requirements for gorilla trekking in Uganda is the “ Gorilla Permit” , without which it impossible to visit either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.  The central body that issues the gorilla permits is  the Uganda Wildlife Authority ( UWA), that protects the habitat for mountain gorillas as well as the 10 national parks of Uganda. The gorilla permit in Uganda is issued at different prices or fees depending on the category that the traveler falls in. Usually, the highest price for the Gorilla permit is $800 for Foreign non-residents. Foreign residents with working permits pay $700 for the gorilla permits and lastly about $100 for East African nationals from kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan. The permit is issued to one individual and it expires after completion of the Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.

Is the cultural visit fee included in the gorilla permit in Uganda? Just like in Rwanda, the permit for gorilla trekking is exclusive of the cultural visits. The permits in Uganda cover the entrance fee to Bwindi or Mgahinga and the respective charges like government taxes. If you are going to the Batwa or Bakiga community walks, you will be charged $30-40 per head for the village tour.