• Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
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Gorilla Trekking Experience

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Gorilla Trekking in BwindiIf you are looking for the best destinations for Gorilla trekking, think about Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,  Mgahinga Forest National Park and Volcanoes Nationals National park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively.

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What is the best time to go gorilla trekking?

In Uganda and Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is conducted throughout the year. Most tourists choose between July and September due to other reasons such as nature of jobs, the seasons of the year and general travel trends, but you can track the gorillas at any time of the year, it’s always the same experience.

Some tourists prefer June, July and August because it’s considered as dry season. April, may and November are as well tricky due to the rains (not heavy though) making it difficult due to steep terrains.

How can I get Budget Gorilla safari?

If you want to have budget gorilla safari, book earlier to avoid high costs in peak season. April, May and November are considered to be the low season since travelers fear to travel in Rain season.

Also, booing lodge or accommodation carefully. Sometimes working with a tour operator can save you lots of money. There are many guides around the internet which will instruct you to get to a bus up to Kabale and find your way to view the gorillas in Bwindi. But this is not easy at all. For whatever reasons you have, please use a tour operator in order to have a successful safari. You can think of a cheap gorilla tour but in the end, it can turn out to be expensive.

Other activities done after Gorilla Tracking

In Rwanda you can take a Dian Fossey trek golden monkey treks in Volcanoes too, visit Nyungwe forest national park and Akagera parks for wildlife trips.

In Uganda you can visit other primates such as the chimpanzee, baboons and monkey species. Sorry you won’t find the Orangutans here! You can visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the tree climbing lions. You can also visit Other East African destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania.

Can you adopt a gorilla?

You can adopt a gorilla in Rwanda or Uganda using the sponsorship projects of conservation organizations such as friend a gorilla. Since these mountain gorillas are endangered, your contribution to conservation is very much called for.

Age Limit of gorillas

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is 15 years of age. While it’s possible for you to have an excellent gorilla safari with your kids, sometimes it’s rather hard. Trekking requires some level of physical fitness.

Contributions of gorillas in Nyungwe Forest National park

Both in Uganda and Rwanda, the gorillas contribute to the local community by sharing the profits through services like clean water, health centres, and schools among others.

How much is Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit cost?

A gorilla permit costs $ 600 in Uganda and $ 750 in Rwanda. In Uganda, you can get Gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board. However, you can book permits through travel agents.

Gorilla trekking requirements  

Since Gorillas are trekked in the forest, it is wise to carry khaki clothes covering your body, and for your foot wear, you will need trekking boots, insect repellent, rain jacket and so much more. On your checklist or packing list of what to carry, your camera is a must, drinking water and a few snacks if possible.

Looking to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. We offer both budget and luxury gorilla safaris to prime destinations for gorilla watching in not only Uganda but also Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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Looking for a Gorilla Trek in Africa?

A gorilla trek can entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. Your trek will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees, and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate.

What is Gorilla Trekking?

Gorilla trekking is the process of searching for Gorillas in their natural habitat. It involves walking in the jungles to look for Gorillas.

How many Gorilla species trekked in the wild?

There are two Gorilla species trekked. Lowland Gorillas and Mountain Gorillas, however, Mountain Gorillas are rare and mostly trekked.

Where can I find mountain Gorillas?

Mountain Gorillas are found in Uganda and Virunga region. Mountain Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park- both in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Where can we trek Lowland Gorillas from?

You can trek lowland gorillas from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.

How much is a mountain Gorilla trekking permit?

In Rwanda, a gorilla permit cost US$1500, in the Democratic Republic of Congo it costs US$400 and in Uganda, the gorilla permit cost US$700

How many Habituated Gorilla families are in Uganda?

Based on Uganda Wildlife Authority information, Uganda has 20 habituated gorilla groups that are ready for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

How many habituated gorilla groups are in Rwanda?

Rwanda is known for protecting 10 habituated gorilla families found in Volcanoes National Park.

How can we access Gorilla parks in Uganda?

Uganda’s Gorilla parks include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park: You can reach BINP from Kigali Airport in Rwanda or Entebbe Airport in Uganda.  It’s an 8-9hrs drive from Entebbe/ Kampala and a 3-4hrs drive from Rwanda.

The Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters by road via the Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro.

From Kampala, you can access the park:

Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma, Kampala- Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma, Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo.

Mgahinga National Park is easily reached from Kigali Airport / Kigali city.  You can drive for 3-4hrs through Katuna or Kyanika border. From Entebbe Airport, you drive for 8-9hrs via Masaka- Mbarara – Kabale -Kisoro.

How is gorilla trekking conducted?

Gorilla trekking takes place in the morning. It begins with a briefing and then guests are grouped into 8 people to meet each Gorilla family. The time spent in the forests while searching for gorillas depends on their movement but takes approximately 2-6hrs but sometimes takes a full day.

GorillasWhat are the chances of meeting Gorillas?

The chances are high as long as you are ready to face all the challenges involved in gorilla trekking. However, In Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the chances are 99%.

How can I get a gorilla trekking permit?

You can book your gorilla permit through tour operators or direct booking from head offices of Gorilla parks via email or physically. In Uganda, you can get your Gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, In Rwanda from the Rwanda Development Board, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo from the Virunga Park offices in Goma town.

How can I book a simple Gorilla trek in Uganda?

Rushaga sector and Buhoma sector offer a simple trek because of the simple terrain and require less energy. The most strenuous Gorilla safari is in the Ruhija and Buhoma sectors where you need a high level of fitness.

What are the SOPs governing Gorilla trekking?

All guests must undergo a COVID-19 test before being allowed to meet Gorillas. Alternatively, guests can get vaccinated. Wash hands with clean water and soap, sanitize, and put on a mask.

What is the age limit for Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC?

Persons of 15 years and above are the only ones allowed to trek Gorillas. Anyone below 15 years can only trek gorillas in Uganda under special permission.

Gorilla trekking packing list for a gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC

Hiking shoes, Long sleeved trousers, shirts, a cap, cameras with extra batteries, Rain Jackets, Garden gloves, energy-giving snacks, and so on.

Gorilla trekking gears are equipment that one needs when going gorilla trekking.

Long trousers and long t-shirts/blouses

These help in the protection against the harsh and strong branches while hiking through the forests which can scratch the bodies.

Hiking boots

The hiking trails can be slippery especially when it rains so the boots are more comfortable compared to sandals and normal shoes during hiking.

Gardening gloves

They help travelers during hiking in the thick forests with small and no trails at all to support themselves on the branches and vines to prevent them from scratching their hands and also protect them from insect bites.

Rain jacket

On your gorilla trekking tour, you cannot miss having a rain jacket due to the weather changes and protect yourself from the rain in case it does.

Wear a hat

A hat helps to protect you from the rain and direct sunlight on your head and arouse the neck. You can also buy it from craft shops around as you go for your trek to support the local community.

Wear enough insect repellent

Wear enough insect repellent as you go for your gorilla trekking experience since you pass through the forests with mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and many insects that you meet.

Warm sweater/cardigan

In the gorilla trekking, national parks temperatures tend to be cooler especially in the morning when you set out for your gorilla trek and evening, so you carry a warm sweater with you to cover up.

Cameras and extra lenses

Carry cameras and extra lenses for photography and videos and take every moment with the primates as memories when you go back to your country and share them with other family members.

Extra batteries

Take extra batteries with you for your cameras so as not to miss pictures and videos of the mountain gorillas when your camera runs out of battery.

Binoculars

These will help while hiking to meet the mountain gorillas, and through the forests to view different species of birds, especially for birders and birds that are far from you and other wild animals.