RE: Gorilla Trek at budget - HELP PLEASE

Hey, I am an 18 year old Australian and am obviously new to this forum, but I need the help of some one who has some knowledge

Next year I am planning on doing a 6 months of backpacking across Europe, however flying via Africa, spending 2 weeks in South Africa (JBay to surf) and stop over in Rwanda for a few days on my way up to Europe, purely to do a Gorilla trek. Just have a few questions about it because I am finding it very difficult to get information on this part of my trip. I am aware of the 500$ permit fee.

As i am clearly on a budget, what do people suggest as the best/cheapest way for me to do this trek?
I have emailed a few tour companies and have recieved different prices for three day tours. One being US$ 1695, another US$ 2167. Would this be overpaying? considering the 500 for the permit, is the transport, cheap accomodation, food and tour guide really worth the additional $1100?
Are there other ways of doing it, which can make the trip cheaper? buying the permit seperately?

I am really struggling to find much information on this, so if anyone could get a chance to help me out I would be extremely thankful.

The permit should be the greatest expense. Once you are in the park the experience is the same for everyone. You can bus yourself there and stay in a cheap guesthouse. The one slightly tricky thing is getting yourself to the park gates in the morning. If you cannot swing a ride with other trekkers, then you can arrange a ride on site.

You do need to book your permit in advance. Once you know your trekking date, then you can start planning the rest.

Peace,

BB

Thanks a lot for that,

so you would suggest to not book with a tour site? when do you think June/july would start to fill up?

BigBri is spot on. There's no reason to book the gorilla trek with a tour. Kigali to Ruhengeri (now has a different name apparently) is a very straightforward minibus journey of about two hour with hourly departures in Kigali.

The tricky part is getting a ride from Ruhengeri to the National Park on the early morning of the trek. There's no public transportation, and the cost of hiring a car and driver to get you there should be about 50USD. Best is to find other trekkers who'll be making the journey and split the costs. The restaurant at Hotel Muhabura at meal times would be a good place.

As regards your question on timing of reservation, I did the trek back in May 2007, and was able to book in Kigali 3 days before the trek. June and July may be busier, and in any case, if you'll be traveling to Rwanda for the specific purpose of seeing gorillas, it makes sense to book as soon as you have an idea of your dates.

Enjoy..

"when do you think June/july would start to fill up?"

I would start working on your permits as soon as you know your time frame. In 2010 things were crazy, with July, August and September filling up months in advance. (There were a few openings here and there, but if you have specific dates, start early!)

Peace,

BB

Last September (09) my husband and I camped at the Kinigi Guest House ( http://www.rwanda-direct.com/rwanda-kinigi-guesthouse/) which is right by the park gate where you assemble to sort the gorilla treking groups. From memory the camp site was something crazy like $3USD each, and there was a dorm also (apx $10USD). We met people there who we chatted with about sharing transport, although in the end we joined a different couple who we met at the park HQ. As they were paying $100 for their vehicle and driver (it can be up to an hours drive to the trailhead for your gorilla group) we paid them half of that.

To get to Kinigi we got a mini bus to Ruhengeri, and then another minibus to the village near Kinigi and walked up to the guesthouse (about 2kms). There is a reasonably priced restaurant at the guest house.

If you are flexible, you should be able to get a permit when you arrive... but if you need to have a specific date / range you'd be best to sort it in advnce.

Happy planning.

I cant thank you all for your time and help, I was really worried when i heard back some quotes from different tour companies that I would have to fork out a really large sum ontop of the permit. But its great to hear some actual knowledge from people that have done the trip, and that there are achievable ways of doing it at a budget.

Is there any other activities you guys suggest to do while in Rwanda? the genocide memorial is one, but are there many other day tours which would be interesting?

Thanks again guys, and sorry for the hastle.

That is a lot of money for a 3days gorilla tour. Did the US$ 1695 and US$ 2167 include everything in a tour package, for instance gorilla permit, full board accommodation, meals, transport costs from and to the air port?

I do advise you to travel with a safari company that has range of US$ 1195 to US$ 1360 including the above services.

Travelling on your own may be disturbing and bouring. You still have time, try contacting tour companies they will help you find a group to join, making it even cheaper than what I have quoted for you.
good luck

@katonatours

I have been working in Kampala during this week, before heading home I have one week of vaccation in Rwanda, where I want to trek gorillas. I'm travelling on my own, 23 years, on a budget, and would find it more fun to travel with other young people.

Which tour companies would you recommend me to contact?

Thank you
Frederik

You can contact as many tour companies as possible from search engines and compare their rates.

Whether you book through a group or sign up by yourself, the actual gorilla trek happens in the same way. You go to the base camp, get your briefing, get divided into groups of 8 based on fitness, etc, and each group of 8 goes off in search of a different family.

Other than that, it's a personal choice. For myself, traveling solo in Rwanda was a pleasure with decent infrastructure and friendly people - certainly not disturbing or boring.

Davidh,
Thank you for the comment.
"Boring and disturbing" I meant if he traveled on his own from his hotel of residence for instance if he is to spend a night in Kigali, the distance to the park would last 1 hour and without company from other trekkers, this is boring.
Otherwise, He will have to find himself a car hire or get on a bike for a ride which is disturbing