Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo : Gorilla trekking tours and safaris only happen in three countries in the whole world Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Uganda gorilla trekking – Rwanda gorilla trekking –Congo gorilla trekking is ultimate packages that are safely organized by different reliable tour operators in a sense that visitors wish to meet up with our closest related cousins in their natural environment said to share 98% DNA of the human ‘’endangered mountain gorilla species. In the above-listed countries Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo mountain gorillas or gorilla species are found in different national parks.
Fact, Gorilla trekking tour or gorilla trekking safari is one of the popular and incredible activities to be done while on the Uganda Safari, Rwanda Safari, and Congo Tours. Mountain gorilla trekking /gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in two parks that is; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park and Congo at Virunga National Park.
Gorilla trekking tours and Gorilla trekking safaris involve booking your gorilla permit first to access this gorilla trekking destination, then before heading to trek gorillas in their natural inhabitant’s visitors are briefed first about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations and later hike into the jungle in search for the gorillas. The trekking experience can take about 30 minutes and 7 hours, depending on several factors including mentioned proximity of the gorilla family assigned to search from, the location of the gorilla family assigned many more. Later upon locating the gorilla family, you have been given to trek from, a series of interactions kick-off to mention know how gorillas go their daily life, survive in the forest, take memorable photography, and capture videos. Then after the gorilla trekking experience, trackers simply will head back to the briefing point and later transfer to your lodge or any destination of your choice.
Mountain Gorillas Trekking / Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Africa /Gorilla Trekking Briefing
Mountain gorilla trekking tours and safaris are conducted in only outstanding four destinations – Uganda referred to as the Pearl of Africa is honored with two gorilla national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda hosts one that is Volcanoes National Park and the last in Democratic Republic Congo within Virunga National Park. Travelers wishing to carry out gorilla trekking safaris in the future or planning to do gorilla trekking tours, we recommend you to check out one of these countries; Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Travelers planning to go for gorilla tracking – gorilla trekking tours in any of the mentioned gorilla national parks, Bwindi Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. You will be required to buy a gorilla trekking permits which costs different in different countries. In Uganda, gorilla trekking permits cost USD700 per person per day, Rwanda doubles Uganda’s rates thus being the most expensive charging USD1,500 for a gorilla permit and Congo is the cheapest among the three countries costing USD400 for each permit.
Well, gorilla trekking involves briefing the trackers first before heading out to their natural environment. So upon your arrival at the park headquarter the park ranger guide and offices take you through a short briefing about the gorilla trekking rule and regulation and you will be required to present your gorilla permits. Then the park ranger will group you in a group of eight ‘’8 people’’ according to your assigned gorilla family /group. After, you will go into the forest to enjoy this incredible gorilla trekking experience.
More so, Gorilla trekking /Mountain gorilla trekking in Africa remains the finest ranking astonishing activity on the African Safari Destination and even all over worldwide. Gorilla trekking /gorilla tracking experience is a process where trekkers /visitors are accompanied by armed rangers and tour guides head deep into the forest via different trailheads in search of habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking activity in all countries usually starts as early as 7:00 am with a briefing at park headquarters about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. By 8:00 am, trekkers set off to start the adventure of looking for the gorillas /gorilla trekking tour /gorilla trekking safari /gorilla trekking adventure.
Once you allocate the gorilla family you’re assigned to, trekkers are given one hour to spend in presence of the endangered mountain gorillas while learning different behaviors of gorillas including feeding, copulating, breastfeeding, grooming themselves, and seeing them building their nest on the ground in the evening.
In Africa, you might be wondering about the best places to trek mountain gorillas or carry out gorilla trekking in listed gorilla national parks that is; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Uganda and Mgahinga Gorilla National park, followed by Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and other places Virunga National Park Congo.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is the main highlight activity done by travelers on their Uganda Safaris as we can see millions of tourists flocking in for gorilla trekking through Entebbe International Airport as a gateway to enter Uganda. However, Uganda is gifted with two gorilla national parks that are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the most visited tourist destination by tourists who visit Uganda Gorilla Safaris and this is because the park is home to the half remaining population of mountain gorillas among others. More so, the park is home to a biodiversity of rare fauna and flora species including primates, mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and plant species not forgetting the local Batwa. The local Batwa are termed a unique attraction in Uganda ‘’the Pearl of Africa’’.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is quite rewarding and impressive while in the forests and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is carried out in four sectors including Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Rushaga gorilla sector was separated for Gorilla Habituation Experience and other sectors are for Gorilla Trekking Activity. All these gorilla sectors or gorilla trekking regions allow trekkers above 15 years to take part in Gorilla Trekking Adventure. More to that, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to about 22 habituated gorilla families and about 162 gorilla trekking permits are available daily thus making Bwindi Impenetrable Forest worth a place for gorilla trekking in Uganda and the entire Africa. Generally, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts more than half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas as compared to other gorilla destinations.
Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Uganda also boosts with another gorilla trekking place known as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a home to two habituated gorilla families that is; the Nyakagezi gorilla family and the Hirwa gorilla family that no longer migrates from Kigali Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park. The fact that Mgahinga National Park has only two gorilla families available and allows 16 permits per day since a group of a maximum of 8 people is permitted to trek on a particular gorilla family for one hour per day.
What are The Costs of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Africa?
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits costs USD700 per person for Foreign nonresidents, USD600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 for Ugandans and East African Community members. However, gorilla trekking permits can be obtained either directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices or through a trusted tour operator.
Gorilla Habituation Experience is a full-day lifetime experience that involves four hours to stay with a gorilla family and can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Uganda. The activity costs USD1,500 per person per day If you don’t hesitate, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.
Getting there; Either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National can be accessed within an 8 to 9 hours drive from Kampala, Uganda’s Capital City and both are located in the southwestern region of Uganda.
Besides doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park, travelers can do other amazing park activities.
Other activities to engage in Bwindi includes; the Batwa experience and trail, birdwatching, guided nature walks, and gorilla habituation among others. Mgahinga activities include; Golden monkey tracking, Golden monkey habituation, Batwa Garama cave exploration, cultural encounters, Hiking, and nature walks, Mountain volcano climbing among others.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is one of the most done activities by tourists on Rwanda Safaris. Rwanda a land of a thousand hills ranks as the second best destination to go for gorilla trekking adventure after Uganda’s Bwindi.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is carried out in Volcanoes National Park within Virunga massif and is considered the main key tourism activity in Rwanda thus leading to boosting the tourism sector. Due to the high price of gorilla trekking permits, Rwanda is considered to be a luxurious gorilla trekking destination because k the permits cost USD1,500 per person per day, higher than Uganda gorilla trekking which costs USD700 and Congo gorilla permits cost USD400.
Due to Rwanda’s expensive gorilla permits, several visitors choose to take a flight into Rwanda and then have a border crossing to go trek affordable mountain gorillas in either Uganda or Congo. Then return to Kigali – Rwanda for other activities such as Chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, hiking Dian Fossey tombs, genocide memorials visit, visiting caves many more.
Getting there; Volcanoes National Park takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Congo is one of the most done activities carried out by several travelers on a Congo Safari. However, Congo is considered to be the thirst best destination to see the great mountain gorillas in the wild following Uganda and Rwanda. In Congo, mountain gorilla trekking safaris are carried out in Virunga National Park which is part of the Virunga Massif shared amongst three countries; Uganda in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Congo in Virunga National Park.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park enables visitors to encounter the beauty of the oldest national park in Africa. Virunga National Park is recognized as the first park to be gazette and opened for tourism, but due to political instabilities faced by Congo in recent years and the tourism sector has declined. Due to political unawareness in the countries, the government of Congo has protected every park with a convoy of armed officers to ensure maximum security for travelers.
A Congo gorilla trekking permit cost USD400 per person per day. Although gorilla permits in Congo sometimes go as low as USD200 during low seasons to attract more trekkers this makes Congo the cheapest destination for Gorilla Trekking in Africa.
More so, gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park. It is an impressive experience that allows travelers to explore different corners of the park and offers a great view of Lake Kivu located within the border of Rwanda and Congo Gorilla Destination.
What Are the Requirement for Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
Therefore, gorilla trekking tours –gorilla trekking safaris in Africa can be done in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.
Below is the requirement considered or that you need to know before you arrive for gorilla trekking.
A gorilla trekking permit; In Uganda, gorilla trekking permits cost USD 700 per person per trek and Rwanda costs USD1,500, and in Congo, costs USD400 per person per day.
Porter; While gorilla trekking with heavy luggage, porters are available to help you in activity might be chimpanzee trekking or volcanic hiking among others. Porters are available at the park headquarters offices.
Fitness; Body fitness is required in gorilla trekking in Africa. Uganda’s gorilla national park involves fitness to encounter mountain gorillas. Travelers are encouraged to take part at least in the gym for body fitness in preparation for the gorilla trekking expedition. Trekking mountain gorillas in Africa requires real hiking experience through muddy and slippery trails thus a certain fitness level is required to keep pushing till the end.
Mountain gorillas live in elevated areas of an altitude ranging between 1160meter to 4300meter high which is a bit high to ascend and descend while searching for the habituated mountain gorillas in their natural inhabitant. However, travelers who are less fit need no to worry about allocating to a gorilla family that is very near.
Gorilla Packing lists; Gorilla trekking safaris require a stable packing list for any traveler planning to go for gorilla trekking tours such as; Camera with full storage to take memorable photography, garden gloves, long-sleeved clothes both light and heavy, a warm sweater, good hiking boat, a raincoat, a cap, sunglasses, and insect repellent, enough mineral bottle and lunch boxes are recommended because you never know how long gorilla trekking might take. Gorilla trekking safari in Africa is unpredictable.
What Are Rules and Regulations for Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
Here are particular rules and regulations to be followed during the gorilla trekking safari in Africa. They include;
There is a maximum of eight people allowed to engage in gorilla trekking experience for an hour per day.
The limited age for gorilla trekking in Africa is 15 years and below is considered to be a minor and not allowed trek mountain gorillas.
If you want to lose ‘’human disposal’’ ask your tour guide to dig a hole and bury it underground at least 30 cm deep.
Do not eat, drink, or lit rubbish in the park,
Trekkers are recommended to keep a minimum distance of 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas for safety purposes.
If you have a cough or flu and want to sneeze. Please turn your face away from mountain gorillas to avoid spreading human diseases to these rare primates.
Flash discs are not allowed to be used because they scare the gorillas
What is the best Season for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
African weather condition is favorable and always experience average rainfall and sunshine thus rewarding visitors to any gorilla trekking destination of your choice. However, trekking gorillas during the dry season helps trekkers to take clear photography and the chances of seeing gorillas are 100%.
The dry months start from; June to September and December to February. Though the dry months are considered to be high season and the gorilla trekking permits tend to be sold off. So we recommend you always book your Gorilla Trekking Permits in advance at least 6 months before the trekking date.
How Long Does Gorilla Trekking Take?
This is a common How Long Does Gorilla Trekking in Africa Take? asked question by several travelers planning a gorilla trekking safari in Africa. However, the gorilla trekking experience can take about 30 to 7 hours, depending on the movement of the gorilla family you’re assigned to. Other factors; a lacking body fitness. Once they are found one hour is allowed to spend with the gorilla family observing and learning about they feed, play, and survive in the jungle.
Lastly, taking part in Gorilla Trekking tours or gorilla trekking safaris you will never regret because it’s once in a lifetime experience on the African continent. Just know the activity is worth more than you can imagine.
