How to stay healthy while visiting Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. During gorilla tours, volcano climbing/hiking safaris, birding tours, or golden monkey tracking safaris, visitor health/fitness matters a lot. Tourists with plans to visit Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking or volcano hiking should ensure that they are physically fit before undertaking their adventure.
Trekking to see mountain gorillas or hiking to the top of volcanoes like Karisimbi (4507m) requires some level of physical wellness in you. These adventures come with an altitudinal challenge and to have a successful trip, early preparation is key.
How to stay healthy on a tour to Volcanoes National Park
If you plan to track mountain gorillas, adequate exercise must be done before visiting Volcanoes National Park. Exercise is one way to ensure that you keep fit for your exhilarating gorilla trekking adventure or hiking. Before the actual tour to Volcanoes Park, you can utilize the high-altitude back home or travel early to Rwanda and exercise while in Kigali. This is one way to ensure you get used to tough terrains and on an actual visit to see mountain gorillas or volcano hiking, you won’t face challenges. It guarantees a smooth hike/trek through the jungles and tough terrains during your Volcanoes National Park holiday.
Risk of contracting malaria on a tour in Volcanoes Park Rwanda
The chance of contracting malaria on Rwanda safaris in Volcanoes National Park is very low. This is considering the park’s altitude. This may not be the case if you are traveling to other parts of Rwanda. Observing precautions against malaria and taking some vaccinations as directed by your local doctor may be recommended depending on where you plan to visit on a Rwanda safari holiday.
To reduce the risks of contracting malaria, we recommend that you carry along with you antimalarial medication and make the best use of mosquito repellent that contains DEET. Also, ensure that the bare skin is always covered to protect it from mosquito bites.
Safety precautions for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda isn’t unhealthy country for visitors and it is possible to get medical assistance on a tour. The main towns/cities like Kigali have well-established hospitals and you can also have access to pharmacies at least in every town regardless of the size.
When you get out of Kigali city, over 34 district hospitals and 380 health centres are spread across the country. These are fully equipped with not only medicines but also qualified medical assistants and nurses.
To curb the shortage of medical staff in government-owned hospitals, the private medical sector in Rwanda is up-to-date. Over 300 private clinic dispensaries are found in Rwanda and the availability of these medical facilities makes it easy to have access to medical assistance while on a tour.
Before visiting Volcanoes NP
Visit your local doctor at least 8 weeks before you set off for a Rwanda safari in Volcanoes National Park. When planning a tour to Rwanda or any part of Africa, medical checks are essential. Make sure that you are up-to-date with tetanus, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A. You may also need to get immunized against yellow fever, meningitis, and rabies.
Observe covid-19 guidelines
With coronavirus still in existence, observing the Covid-19 safety measures should be a must while on a tour in Volcanoes NP. This helps protect you and endangered apes such as mountain gorillas/golden monkeys from this infectious disease.
Some Important Things to Pack
A successful tour in Volcanoes National Park requires you to pack wisely. Essentials to consider on your packing list bottled water, snacks, a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, cameras, first aid kit, waterproof hiking boots, gardening gloves, a sweater, and many others.