Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris?

Gorilla trekking safari tours to Uganda and Rwanda are popular on most travelers’ bucket lists when planning a holiday to Africa. Mountain gorillas are an endangered primate species only found in three countries in East Africa; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trekking to see mountain gorillas in the wild is a thrilling experience – many past travelers describe it as life changing. Most safari packages to Uganda and Rwanda have mountain gorilla trekking as the main activity however, you can still experience beyond gorillas on your African safari tour. Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris is very possible as both Uganda and Rwanda boast impressive cultures where you can immerse yourself before or after a gorilla trekking adventure in the forest.

Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris allows you to experience the unique culture, broaden your experience, and support local communities. When you combine gorilla trekking with cultural experience during safaris, you will have an opportunity to visit major cultural sites near the gorilla trekking destinations, local communities, and villages. Both in Uganda and Rwanda, people living near the gorilla trekking National Parks have unique cultures and in the past years, they have embraced showcasing their culture to visitors. This is not only a way of earning an extra cash for a living but also an opportunity for the locals to showcase their unique way of life to the rest of the world. If you are wondering if Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences during safaris is worth the time and money? The experience is absolutely worth every penny and effort.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda & Cultural Tours – Combining Gorilla Trekking with Cultural experiences

Rwanda is one of the three countries in East Africa that inhabit the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, just about 2 hours drive from Rwanda’s Capital, Kigali. Volcanoes National Park is home to now 12 habituated mountain gorilla families which you can trek during your Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari. Beyond gorillas, the areas around National Park are inhabited by the Kinyarwanda people who have a unique culture and way of life. Combining your gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park and cultural visits to the neighboring communities will surely broaden your experience in Rwanda.

Although Rwanda cultural tours are more popular in the City Area of Kigali, the areas around Volcanoes National Park also have impressive cultural sites, perhaps the best in the country including; Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village located near the park entrance and the Musanze Caves located 30 minutes’ drive from the park. Here is all you need to know about combining gorilla trekking in Rwanda with cultural tours;

Combining Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with Cultural Visits

You can Combine Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda with Cultural Visits to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, located just at the entrance of the park. A cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village will give you an opportunity to experience the unique Kinyarwanda culture as you engage the local communities. You will enjoy a traditional welcome, enjoy traditional performances including music and dance where you also get the opportunity to participate.

You will witness the unique art displays including items like; beadwork, basket weaving, and pottery among others. While here you can also gift yourself a souvenir. For those who are more adventurous, you can also have an opportunity to follow different trails in these areas, Taste different cousins, and witness cooking demonstrations. These tours also allow you to enjoy witnessing daily life exhibitions such as the construction of traditional homes and agriculture. You can also enjoy storytelling by the elders during your tour here. This enriching experience will broaden your experience in Rwanda while giving you a new perspective of life in Africa.

How do I combine my gorilla trekking safari with cultural experiences in Rwanda? If you wish to combine your gorilla safari with a cultural visit, inform your tour operator to make the arrangements since the experience involves some extra costs. The cultural experience can be done before gorilla trekking or after gorilla trekking in Rwanda however, we recommend doing this experience after your Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure.

Cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda

Before you embark on a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda, you are required to buy a gorilla permit. The gorilla permit in Rwanda is issued by the Rwanda Development Board, an authority responsible for protecting mountain gorillas and their natural habitat. The gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD 1500 for foreign non-residents (international visitors), about USD 500 for foreign residents working in Rwanda, and about USD 200 for visitors living within East Africa.

Is a gorilla permit inclusive of the cultural experience? The gorilla permit does not include the cost of your cultural visit to Rwanda. The gorilla permit only covers the park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, and applicable government taxes. Book your gorilla permit to Rwanda with Acacia Safaris Limited.

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

If you are planning a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural village for a cultural tour in Rwanda, expect to pay around USD 35 per person/tour. However, the money is really worth the experience as you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique Rwandan culture.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda also known as the Pearl of Africa is home to two national parks that inhabit the endangered mountain gorillas. The two gorilla trekking parks in Uganda include; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are located in the southwestern region of Uganda. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the primary destination for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, hosting more than half of the remaining mountain gorilla population, with 20 habituated gorilla families.

Regardless of where you will be trekking in Uganda, you can combine still combine your safari with a cultural experience in Uganda. Areas around Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are occupied by the Bakiga and Batwa people. The Batwa are the original dwellers of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. They are known to possess great knowledge about the forests and their inhabitors. The Bakiga are the other group of people living around these National Parks, known for their unique culture and ways of life. If you are planning to a gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, combine your adventure with a culture tour to either the Batwa Community or the Bakiga Villages. Here is all you need to know about combining gorilla trekking in Uganda with Cultural experience;

Combining Gorilla Trekking in Uganda with cultural visits

While on a Uganda gorilla tour, you can also combine your adventure with a visit to the nearby local communities. The most popular cultural tour that is usually combined with gorilla trekking in Uganda is the Batwa village visit. This experience grants you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Batwa people. You will have an opportunity to witness their cultural performances such as music and dance, learn the ways of the forest, and also enjoy storytelling by the elders.

Cost of Gorilla permits in Uganda

Just like Rwanda, to trek gorillas in Uganda, you need to acquire a gorilla trekking permit which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a body responsible for protecting gorillas and their habitat in Uganda. The permit fee in Uganda usually depends on the type of traveler; Non foreign residents (International Visitors) pay up to USD 800 per permit/trek, Foreign Residents with working permits pay USD 700 per permit/trek, and East African National pay UGX 300,000 per permit/trek. The permit is issued to a single individual and is only valid for one trek in the forest.

Is the cultural visit fee included in the gorilla permit in Uganda? Unfortunately no, the gorilla permit in Uganda only covers the park entrance fee, ranger fees, and all other applicable government taxes. To embark on a cultural tour to the Batwa community after a gorilla trekking you will pay an extra USD 30 to 40 per person/ tour.