The trek to see endangered mountain gorillas is a thrilling and unforgettable experience, providing a special mix of verdant vegetation, rugged mountain terrains, some of the most incredibly breathtaking sights on Earth, and climaxed with the face-to-face encounter with Giant Apes in their natural habitat. While it is an exciting experience, the process of searching for mountain gorillas in the wild isn’t a walk in the Park because it involves hiking for 2-6 hours (sometimes even longer) to areas of 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level. This already sounds difficult for many travelers but to make the most of this incredible experience, you might need a porter to unlock the full potential of this once-in-a-lifetime hike.
Having the perfect companion (in form of a porter), you will be able to conquer the rugged terrains, dense forest, and steep slopes while searching for the mountain gorillas hence making memories that will most likely last a lifetime. When navigating through Volcanoes National Park, the porter is surprisingly one of the most important people you will need for a number of reasons. He/she will carry your backpack and camera equipment up and down the Virunga Mountain slopes while searching for the allocated gorilla family Rwanda, in addition to providing physical (holding your hands and lifting you in case of falls) and emotional support.
Mountain gorilla natural habitats (dense forests high in the mountains) are considered one of the most challenging areas to hike in Africa but are well suited for the proficiency of a local who understands the terrain, cold weather, and dense vegetation like the back of his/her hand.
Why you need to hire a porter during Gorilla Trekking
Are you embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trek in Volcanoes National Park to search for the mountain gorillas? Then your trek will start from Kinigi Park Headquarters (the starting/briefing point for this Park’s activities). When you converge at the Park Headquarters at 7:000 am, there will be reliable porters to make sure your walk is safe and swift. When time comes for you to bid farewell to Volcanoes National Park, the porters will be eagerly waiting for the next assignment.
Porters, who are mostly members of surrounding local communities, are hardworking people who face tough economic times hence carrying your backpack is one of the ways to earn directly from gorilla tourism. Interestingly, majority of these porters were once poachers and when you hire them, you are not only supporting their families/livelihoods but also indirectly contributing to the protection of mountain gorillas. Much as they may not be fluent in English, they are an important backbone of your gorilla trekking team because they carry your load and ensure that you successfully reach the mountain gorillas and return safely and soundly to the Park Headquarters. With porters carrying your backpack and camera equipment, visitors can relax and relish their gorilla trekking experiences.
For the elderly/senior visitors, sedan chairs can be provided at $350 per person and are lifted by four able-bodied porters who help maneuver through the ups and downs of Volcanoes National Park.
Cost of hiring porters during gorilla trekking
The cost of hiring porters during gorilla trekking usually ranges from about $15 to $20 per person per day, but doesn’t include their tips. Tipping is normally done at your personal discretion and ranges from $10 to $15 per person, and is paid at the end of the gorilla trekking adventure.