Rwanda

Virunga National Park is one of the most special places on the planet. It is Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse protected area. It’s home to more than 2,000 plant species, 706 bird species, and 218 mammal species. It is the only park in the world that harbors three species of great apes, including Chimpanzees, Lowland gorillas and Mountain Gorillas, and is home to more species of birds, reptiles and mammals than any other protected area on the continent.

Gorilla photography trips in Virunga National Park are very exciting because they do give you an opportunity to capture images of closest relatives to human beings while in the jungle. Mountain gorillas are close relatives to human beings hence attracting a lot of travelers.

In Virunga national park, there are 8 habituated mountain gorilla safaris that travelers on a gorilla photography safari can trek. Each of the gorilla families is trekked by a group of 8 people and also these must have gorilla trekking permits.

The gorilla trekking permits can be got in advance from Virunga National Park main website or a reputable tour operator. The photographing activity starts with a briefing at the park offices where all trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity and even those of photography.

You will be led by armed ranger guides in the jungle and locating the mountain gorillas is 100% guaranteed because there are advance trackers that go to the jungle early to see where the mountain gorilla family is and then inform the rangers which route to use. The trekking activity takes 2-5 hours of meeting different park primates, mammals, and birds.

Once the mountain gorillas are located, the trekkers that want to take photographs must wait for the rangers to tell them if the gorillas are in good mood to be photographed. The photographers always hope to get the best images of the mountain gorillas during the gorilla safari. While photographing, the trekkers will see them eat, play, sleep and groom among others.

While on a gorilla photo safari, you need to inform the rangers to give you an exciting gorilla family to trek. Each habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park has a different number of apes with some having more silver backs, infants, breastfeeding mothers, and much more. Trekking any of these mountain gorilla families gives a different experience, photographing can be easy, hectic, or frustrating depending on the gorilla family trekked as well as the location.

You should follow the instructions of the armed ranger guides when photographing mountain gorillas, they must know that these apes are very shy primates and so they should avoid looking directly in their eyes and use cameras that have no flashlight.

For better mountain gorilla images, photographers must use the right angles, take time to observe, and then capture the images. Mountain gorilla photography is done with cameras that have no flash because the apes can get irritated and charge sometimes.

If ready for Virunga National Park for gorilla photography, you are advised to bring lightweight cameras that have telephoto lens to help them capture images of gorillas even when they are far. The camera should have a lens that is 300mm to 400mm range in order to get the best shots. X-factor lenses are the best if your goal is to be the best photographer and share images online. Photographers who want to capture the facial expression of gorillas need to use burst mode which takes several shots at once.

Photographers need to take as many pictures as possible in the 1 hour given to be around the apes. Rules and regulations of the trekking activity must be followed especially keeping a distance of 7 meters even though you are photographing.

When you decide to go for gorilla photography in Virunga National Park, the dry season is the best time to follow. June to September and December to February are the best months to have gorilla photography safaris in Virunga National Park because they are characterized by little or no rainfall which leaves the vegetation dry and skies clear for photography. Here the vegetation is also short with clear views of the mountain gorillas. You will also have passable roads giving it an advantage to be the best season.

However, it can also be done in the rainy months of March to May and October to November and in these months, the photographers will be able to enjoy huge discounts on the accommodation as well as trekking permits. Though in this season, the vegetation is thick and photos are not clear as well as the rains spoiling the cameras.

When photographing mountain gorillas, look to photograph them in the shade. Typically, by the time you find the group it could be in the late morning or early afternoon and by this point the strong African sun is high in the sky and therefore too harsh for the optimal photographs.

Look for any members of the group that are fully in the shade where the light is consistent and there is little contrast. This will push your cameras a little harder as the light will be lower, but you will be left with even tones and beautiful fur detail rather than the strong light bouncing off the glossy coats.

Rwanda is considered to be one of the greenest countries in the world. As the country pushes forward as a leader in technology, women’s rights, and environmental policies, they are also emerging as a major competitor in tourism in the greater East African region. The region as a whole offers an unparalleled escape into nature, abundant in Lakes and rolling hills, all at jungle’s edge.

More so the region has been ranked as the newest luxury safari destination. Last year Rwanda increased its gorilla trekking permits from $ 750 to $ 1500 USD per person and introducing new luxury programs among them include the exclusive and behind the scene experiences.

With the introduction if such programs the park has attracted the establishment of new sophisticated luxury safari lodges and exclusive camps including the Singita Game Lodges and One & Only Resorts (Kwitonda Gorilla Lodge & Kataza House and One & Only Gorillas Nest Lodge & Nyungwe House) among others as you will see below detailed article piece.

Bisate Lodge, Rwanda’s newest eco chic escape, which perches in the greenery of the hills like so many enormous nests. I arrived early with the intention of spending the morning getting lost in the nature around the property, but heavy rains postponed my plans, forcing me to stay inside and indulge in the cozy thatched lodge, designed after a traditional Rwandan palace.

The front windows of the lodge open up to expansive views of Mt. Bisoke and some of the smaller peaks in the Virunga mountain range. With a warm cup of tea in hand, I settled in front of the fireplace to learn more about Bisate’s story and the intention of the lodge.

It evokes a return to nature, with its infrastructure and furniture constructed from a hybrid of woods and woven grass. Each detail has been carefully cultivated to both reflect the local culture as well as give back to local communities by supporting Rwandan artists and builders. The ceilings are made from recycled plastic; the chandeliers, in opaque grassy green, are constructed from recycled glass. Volcanic rock from the region was used to build the fire place and local woods make up most of the structure. The chairs, baskets, and pillows were among many of the artisanal goods specially designed for the lodge by Rwandan artisans.

Bisate aims to invest in the surrounding environment. Immediately on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, the hope is that one day the lodge will be within the park itself following efforts of reforestation. The lodge was constructed with the intent to reintroduce plant species that have become endangered in the park, to extend the reaches of the park by planting new trees, and to encourage the increase of endangered species in the park by careful monitoring of wildlife on the lodge’s premises. When the sun finally did clear, we embarked on a hike through Bisate’s surrounding property, which encompasses trails through cutting through local villages at the edge of the rain forest.

Virunga Lodge

The rains commenced as we boarded our bus from Kigali to reach Virunga Lodge. As if on cue, they thinned out as we made our final leg of the trip deep into the hills where the lodge is located. Wrapping around the lodge’s property are the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and the deep blue silhouettes of peaks in the Virunga range are stacked on top of one another, fading into the distance behind the lakes. If you’re seeking the best of both the jungle and lakes, this is the sweet spot.

Rooms are constructed in free-standing stone huts, stacked into the hills. Each individual lodge has a private, expansive balcony offering views of the lakes – it’s the ideal place to practice yoga and mats are even provided in each room.

The view is most remarkable at sunrise when pale pink clouds encircle the volcanoes, tinted indigo blue from the early morning light. To warm up after a wet day in the rain forest, gather around the open fireplace in the center of the living room, while appetizers and drinks are served before guests gather in the dining room for a family-style dinner.

The verandah of the main lodge sits high up in the jungle, offering panoramic views of the twin lakes and of the Virunga volcanoes; it’s the perfect place to pass an afternoon. Rich hues of reds, mustard yellows, and fiery oranges bring a warmth to the interior of the main cabin. Decorated with textiles, masks, and wood carvings collected from around East Africa, the common room pays homage to the traditional art of the region.

In fact, venture outside your room, and you’ll have the pleasure of talking to local artisans as they weave traditional baskets from grass and sisal fiber on the veranda, their products exclusively for sale at the lodge. They may tell you a bit about Virunga’s role in community development, which is significant.

The lodge has built a school and library in the local village, and profits from the lodge have been dedicated to provide water access to villages, solar power panels, and many more projects seen as crucial to sustainability.

Beyond their dedication to community development, Virunga captures the importance of exploration and ecological conservation in the region as well, as is reflected the lodge’s latest addition: a map room dedicated to the career of Dian Fossey.

Photos and notes from her work with gorillas decorate the walls alongside maps and dedications to early explorers of Central Africa. Adventurers can also pay homage to this great woman by hiking to her grave to leave flowers.

Gorilla Photography Safari

Best Exclusive Lodges and Camps, Rwanda