Home Page
Custom SafarisPlan Your TripATTRACTIONSTestimonialsResponsible TourismAbout UsContact UsHome
The Mountain Gorillas
Rwandese Volcanoes National Park (IUCN Biosphere Reserve, Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National park and the DRC’s parc national des Virungas (UNESCO World Heritage sites) are home to the rarest of the great apes.

Mountain gorillas have slow rate of reproduction. Female give birth for the first time at about age of 10 and will have more offspring every three of four years. A male reaches sexual maturity at between 12 and 15 years, when he is in charge of his own Group. Able to conceive for only about three days each month, the female produces a single young and in rare cases twins (Happened in 2006 in SUSA Group found on the Rwandan side of the virungas – Twins were born and they survived until present day).

The gorilla is shy and retiring rather than ferocious. It usually seeks no trouble unless harassed. However, the dominant male will valiantly defend his family group is threatened. Family groups are close-knit and may have up to 30 members but, even if smaller, the group usually consists of at least one older male, one or more females and a few Juveniles.

Gorillas have strong attachments to members of their own group. Even when Groups meet and mingle, and then subsequently part, each animal tends to remain with its respective unit. The Silverback (Adult male gorilla), named for the silvery grey hairs on its back, normally leads the group, serving as its chief protector and defender.

That Mountain Gorillas survive today is largely thanks to Dian Fossey, who is buried at her research centre in the Virungas alongside the animals to which she dedicated her life. Fossey became a household name following the release of the film “Gorillas in the mist”. Critical and public acclaim ensure that Gorillas in the mist also served as international awareness of the plight of Mountain Gorillas.

Golden Monkeys
Golden Monkeys a subspecies of blue monkey found only in the bamboo forests of the volcanic mountain chain that forms a part of the boundary between Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC. It is an unique experience that anyone planning to trek gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda should consider.

The golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) weighs 10-25 pounds and has a golden body, cheeks and tail with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail-end. Little is presently known about the ecological requirements of the golden monkey, and the subspecies population numbers have never been determined. Sharing the lofty montane forests of the Virungas with its great ape relatives the mountain Gorillas they are an endangered species in Volcanoes National Park like the mountain gorillas.

Akagera Game Park
Akagera comes as an exciting surprise after the steep cultivated hills and breezy climate that characterize the rest of the country. Set a relatively low altitude along the Tanzania border, this beautiful game reserve protects an archetypal African Savannah landscape of tangled Acacia bush, interspersed with patches of open grassland and a dozen swamp-fringed lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River.

Akagera stirring and varied scenery is a complemented by a superb range of big game. Herds of Elephant and Buffalo are most likely to be encountered when they emerge from the dense woodland to drink at the lakes, while lucky visitors might stumble across a Lion, a Leopard or a spotted Hyena. Giraffe and Zebra are frequently seen in open woodland, and more dozen types of Antelopes habit the park. The game in the park is recovering after year of poaching and human presence.

Nyungwe Forest Reserve
This massive montane forest, in the southern Rwanda, the largest in Central Africa. It was established as an ecotourism project that allows limited access to one of the largest tracts of montane rainforest in Africa and the in-depth study of forest ecology undisturbed by agriculture or other human developments. There are over of pristine hiking trails in the area that expose walkers to enormous hardwood stand, numerous waterfalls, and an eye – boggling variety of other trees and insects (including some dazzling species of Butterfly). With 275 species (24 of which are regional endemics), 13 primate varieties, and mammals ranging from Leopards to forest Pigs, the Nyungwe Forest Reserve is a prime example of the wonders of the African forest. The main attraction of Nyungwe is the proliferation of black- and – white colobus Monkeys. The mammals wander around in the huge troupes, some of which are made of over 300 agile individuals. Other primates likely to be encountered are L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, vervet monkey, Olive baboon, blue monkey, golden monkey, grey-cheecked mangabey, red-tailed monkey and chimpanzee, subspecies of black and white colobus monkey. In addition to a variety of butterflies and Orchids, over 275 species of birds have been recorded. Some over 250 species of trees and shrubs grow to over 165 feet (50m) in height.

Hiking is quite difficult in Nyungwe as it is an incredibly mountainous reserve with a variety of habitats including wetlands, forested valleys and bamboo zones. Elevation ranges from 5250 to 9680 feet. The vegetation at Nyungwe is very thick and many slopes are incredibly steep, if not impossible to ascend, so unfortunately colobus and the other primates may be difficult to approach closely, and those such as a Chimpanzee who are extremely agile difficult to follow.

Canopy Walkway
The Canopy Walkway which has been completed in the Nyungwe Forest National Park is 50 meters above the ground level, and 200 meters long. This impressive walkway with its three towers is the biggest in East Africa.

The hanging platform which allows tourists to view different animal species in Nyungwe forest spreads over hundreds of square meters and will allow tourists to be at the "eye-to-eye level" with different primate species, and many bird species, all of which are fond of inhabiting the upper scales of the forest.

The Lakes
Lake Kivu is extraordinary beautiful: a vast inland sea enclosed by the steep, green terraced hills that are so characterized of rural Rwanda. Along its shores lie three resort towns, Rubavu , Huye and Rusizi, connected by a wild roller- coaster road that tumbles through lush plantation field and relic patches of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over the shimmering lake.

Lake Kivu is the largest of numerous lakes which fills the valleys of Rwanda lakes BULERA & RUHONDO, close to the gorilla –tracking centre of Musanze, are often neglected gems: deep blue waters ringed by steep hills and tall waterfalls, with outlines of nearby Virunga volcanoes providing a spectacular backdrop.



More About the Gorillas  •  An endangered species
The Virunga Volcanoes - Rwanda  •  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Uganda
Why should I do this?  •  Gorilla Tracking Permits

We Proudly Accept Visa Cards!


Boulevard De La Revolution • Kigali, Rwanda
Mail P.O. Box 5770 • Kigali, Rwanda
Telephone +250.255.108703 • Mobile +250.788.358982
© 2024 East Africa Eco-Explorer, All Rights Reserved