Visit Rwanda has launched “Gorillagram” as a new marketing and conservation strategy for the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The new program”GorillaGram” was launched in September 2022 during the celebration of the World’s Gorilla Day. Its then that Rwanda Development Board unveiled “GorillaGram” a new use of this medium that aims to help protect and care for the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Travelers who visit mountain gorillas use their mobile phones photos, which they post on different social media platforms including instagram. Since many people who follow the travelers view these photos, Visit Rwanda believes that sharing these photos can turn into scientific contributions
GorillaGram enables visitors to Volcanoes National park to use their instagram photos and Videos to become “Citizens Scientists”. Travelers can also add optional provided tags on their instagram accounts as they make their posts. Rangers, researchers and monitoring teams in Volcanoes National Park will use these tags keep track of the gorilla groups and individuals via aggregation systems that store the posted photos in smart galleries.
What are smart galleries?
For those wondering what smart galleries are, these are like photo albums but they can gather and display photos in a library that meet specified criteria. According to Micheal Rugwizangogo, a tourism officer at Rwanda Development Board, GorillaGram is at its core conservation and awareness initiative. GorillaGram will help to continue work being done by Visit Rwanda and their tourism partners to maintain and grow the country’s mountain gorilla population through
About Gorilla Tourism in Rwanda
Gorilla tourism is Rwanda’s major tourist activity. Statistics show that the high populations of travelers who visit Rwanda purposely come to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park. Spread over 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes Park shelters the highest population of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif. Over 350 mountain gorillas habituated into 10 families live in this bamboo forest.
Gorilla Families in Rwanda
There are 12 gorilla families habituated in Volcanoes National park Rwanda. However, only 10 gorilla families are open to travelers. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of 8 travelers. These gorilla groups include Hirwa, Agashya, Umubano, Titus, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, Susa A, Pablo, Amahoro, Ugenda and Kwitonda gorilla families. Each family is unique in its kind and offers an exceptional experience. Travelers are allowed to spend an hour with the endangered gorillas counted from the time you meet them.
Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda requires you to have a valid gorilla permit issued by Rwanda Development Board. Also known as Gorilla pass, a permit is a document which allows you to visit the gorillas. Therefore each traveler with no permit will not be allowed to see the endangered gorillas. Africa Adventure Safaris helps you to book, reserve ad even pick your Rwanda gorilla permit saving you time and energy. Each Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500.
When is the best time to visit gorillas in Rwanda?
Dry season between June and September, then December to February is the best time to visit gorillas in Rwanda. This season is generally dry with less or no rains, which make it easy to trek through the jungle searching for the gorillas. Gorilla permits normally sells out quickly during this season due to high demand. You are therefore advised to book as early as 6 months before the trekking day.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Some of the things you should carry when visiting gorillas in Rwanda include hiking boots/shoes. These should be light and waterproof. Also, carry gardening gloves, scarf, sunglass, hat, rain jacket, sweater, long pants, toiletries, stockings and long sleeved shirt/blouse. You are also reminded to carry first aid kit incase of any injuries during the trek. You also need drinking water and energy giving snacks to keep you strong during the trek. A porter and walking you stick are very helpful during your gorilla trekking adventure.
Rwanda Gorilla Safaris
If you are interested in Rwanda gorilla safaris, Africa Adventure Safaris is at your service. We offer tailor-made safaris ranging from a 1-Day Rwanda gorilla tour to over 18 das safari combining Rwanda and Uganda. Our Rwanda safaris entail gorilla trekking in Volcanoes Park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest, game viewing in Akagera National Park, city tour, Mt Karisimbi/Bisoke hiking and golden monkey trekking. Birding is another interesting activity to do in Rwanda.
Conclusively, we congratulate Rwanda Development Board upon the launch of Gorilla Gram and hope for the best with this new initiative.