Rwanda is one of the countries where one can trek mountain gorillas is the world with the others being the Democratic republic of Congo and Uganda. Mountain gorillas can be found in volcanoes national park.
Mountain gorilla filming was introduced so as to promote mountain gorilla conservation and also increase awareness of mountain gorillas in all parts of the world. This experience can only be done in the wilderness because mountain gorillas cannot survive for long in zoos.
The maximum number of people allowed to film a mountain gorilla family is only 8 people, all participants in gorilla filming must fill in the forms and submit them before embarking on gorilla trekking, it’s also advisable to always send in your filming requests to the responsible authorities or the tour operator helping in getting permits in advance of 3-6 months before arriving in the country.
Mountain gorillas are a sub species of the eastern gorillas with the other sub species being eastern low land gorilla, gorillas share about 95% of their DNA with humans and also have their nose prints unique to each individual just live human thumb prints are unique to each of them.
Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores animals that feed on vegetation with a diet mainly comprised of fruits, stems, bamboo shoot, roots, pith, bark, leaves and sometimes compliment their diet with insects, ants and termites.
Gorilla filming permits
Gorilla filming permits in Rwanda can be obtained at $5000 per person per hour and on top of that each individual in the group must pay $1500 for normal gorilla trekking. The filming crew will also need to deposit $2000 to the Rwanda Development board and this money will be refunded once you give them a copy of your CD after filming. The filming must also proof that filming was for promoting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park.
The gorilla filming permits can be bought from Rwanda Development Board or with help of a trusted tour company.
What to carry
Gorilla filming is just like gorilla trekking therefore you will need to carry water proof hiking boots, rain coats, warm and long sleeved clothes, plenty of drinking water, garden gloves, sun screens, insect repellents and energy snacks among the rest.
Best time
Volcanoes national park can be visited all year round but for better filming, you will need to visit during the dry season of June to September and December to February when the weather is very favourable with no thick vegetation, slippery and muddy trails.
Gorilla trekking Other than gorilla filming which is a quite expensive activity, tourist can opt to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trekking experience. A maximum of eight people will be allowed to visit a gorilla family and children under the age of fifteen years or sick adults will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas. One hour of observation and taking pictures is always given to tourists once the group is found. Gorilla permits cost $1500 per person per trekking.
