Amahoro gorilla group is one of the most peaceful gorilla groups to trek on Rwanda tour. It is fully habituated meaning it can be trekked by visitors on Rwanda gorilla tours. Amahoro group derives its name from the local word Amahoro which is translated as peace. This habituated mountain gorilla group is headed by Ubumwe silverback gorilla. The word Ubumwe means togetherness.
Are you searching for a peaceful gorilla group to trek in Rwanda? Then you don’t need to search that long. Amahoro gorilla group is the right group to explore anytime when you travel for Rwanda gorilla tours.
Unlike most gorilla groups in Rwanda, Amahoro roams around the slopes of Visoke Volcano. A trek to unearth the unique features of the Amahoro gorilla family takes you on a medium altitudinal challenge.
Amahoro group is an amazing group with about 17 members. This is comprised of adult females, silverback gorillas, juveniles, blackback gorillas, and young gorillas. Take note that, we can’t guarantee the exact composition of any gorilla group. The composition often fluctuation based on real reasons/factors including deaths, new births, and migration of gorillas between the groups.
The Ubumwe silverback group is known to be one of the very few gentle silverback gorillas. In gorilla groups, losing gorilla members is normal. Ubumwe lost several members to Charles in the Umubano group.
What awaits you on an actual gorilla trek with the Amahoro group?
Treks to see the Amahoro group begin with planning a gorilla trip with the local tour operator (Maranatha Tours and Travel) info@silverbackgorillatour.com. This includes booking a valid gorilla permit, accommodation, and means of transportation to and from Volcanoes National Park.
On the actual day of trekking the Amahoro gorilla group, you will report to the Kinigi offices to be briefed and also get cleared by the park offices. The park official will be allocating each group of 8 visitors one experienced park ranger guide.
The actual trek with the Amahoro group begins at around 8:00 am, taking you via the lush natural forest and steep slopes. On locating this group of mountain gorillas, expect to have a solid one hour for a close encounter and photography moment.
Do you need a gorilla permit to trek the Amahoro group, and how much is it?
Yes, you need a valid gorilla permit if you are to be allocated Amahoro group to trek. The cost of gorilla permits cuts across all gorilla groups including for trekking Amahoro gorilla family. The current price for a Rwanda gorilla permit stands at USD 1500 per person. All rwanda gorilla permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board
How to book a permit and gorilla tour in Rwanda?
The quickest and safest way to have your gorilla permit booked or safari is by dealing with a local tour operator such as Maranatha Tours & Travel. Talk to our expert at info@silverbackgorillatour.com / call/WhatsApp: +256 414 231 454 | +256 772 636 412. Book your gorilla tour in advance at least 2-6 months before you take a flight to Rwanda to trek the Amahoro gorilla group or any of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla group families.
Best time to visit the Amahoro gorilla family group
The safest and best time to visit the Amahoro gorilla group in Rwanda is during the dry season. This can be from June to September or anytime from December to February. It is around these two dry season phases when the gorilla habitat remains relatively drier and easier to trek through while in search of the Amahoro group.
What should you pack for the Amahoro mountain gorilla group trekking?
The essential items to consider packing for Amahoro group gorilla trekking include a valid permit, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, long trousers, gardening gloves, high-energy giving snacks, a camera, rain jackets, sunglasses, waterproof hiking/trekking boots, first aid kit, insect repellents, and many others.
Other gorilla groups to explore in Rwanda
Additional mountain gorilla groups to visit in Rwanda besides Amahoro. They include Sabyinyo, Titus, Pablo, Umubano, Kwitonda, Ugenda, Igisha, Bwenge, Hirwa, Susa A and Susa B.
Where to trek Amahoro gorilla group & other gorilla families in Rwanda?
Volcanoes National Park is the only park in Rwanda where visitors can trek Amahoro gorilla family and any other family of mountain gorillas in the Land of a Thousand Hills. This park lies in northwestern Rwanda and is notably one of the oldest protected areas, gazetted in 1925.
Today, Volcanoes National Park occupies a land area of only 160 sq. km consisting of bamboo forest and rainforest plus 5 of the 8 chain Virunga Volcanoes.
Additional wildlife to explore in Volcanoes National Park include bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, golden monkeys, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, elephants, and more than 200 species of birds.
The birds to search for in Volcanoes Park include Narina trogon, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Lesser honey guide, black cuckoo-shrike, Bat hawk, African swamp hen, White-collared olive back, Strange weaver bird, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s robin chat, to mention but a few.
What else to do in Volcanoes National Park besides trekking the Amahoro gorilla group
You can enjoy gorilla trekking as an independent activity or together with extra activities in Volcanoes National Park. These include golden monkey tracking, bird watching, volcano hiking, and cultural visits to the Iby’Iwacu community.
Accommodation choices to stay
Top places to book for overnight stay include One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla’s Nest Lodge, Kwitonda Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge and Kinigi Guesthouse.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park to trek Amahoro gorilla group
Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri is accessible both by road and air. By road, you can drive from Kigali for only 2-3 hours to the park or cross from Uganda via the Katuna/Chanika border.
Even if you are from Nyungwe Forest National Park, it is possible to connect to Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla trekking. By air, domestic fly-in tours can be arranged, and set off point is Kigali Airport to Ruhengeri Airport.
Overall, the Amahoro gorilla group has a special story to tell the world. Consider it a must-do on your gorilla trekking safari tour in Rwanda and you won’t have any regrets. Start planning and book your gorilla vacation with the local expert –Maranatha Tours & Travel.
