TREK GORILLAS
UGANDA & RWANDA
Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Travelers from all across Africa and the world still find gorilla safaris to be the most exciting safari activity. Gorilla trekking, also known as gorilla tracking, is the method used for gorilla safaris. It involves trekkers heading deep into the forest via various trail heads with armed rangers and tour guides in search of habituated mountain gorillas in the jungle. In order to begin the adventure of searching for the gorillas, mountain gorilla trekking in Africa typically begins as early as 7:00 am with a briefing at park headquarters about the Dos and Don’ts while trekking gorillas. By 8:00 am, trekkers set off to start the gorilla trekking adventure, gorilla trekking safari, or gorilla trekking tour. After locating a specific gorilla family, hikers have an hour to spend with the critically endangered mountain gorillas and learn about their many behaviors, such as eating, nursing, copulating, and perhaps nesting, if they are fortunate enough to travel in the evening.
There are just three locations in Africa where mountain gorilla trekking and tracking are possible: Uganda and its two stunning national parks, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. These locations are the ideal places to trek mountain gorillas. Other locations to see mountain gorillas is Rwanda gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, and gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park in Congo. Congo offers a second gorilla safari which is Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Gorilla safaris In Uganda
GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA
The primary location for gorilla safaris in Uganda is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is located in the country’s far southwest. Bwindi impenetrable forest is amongst the most explored park in Uganda by several travelers owing to its biodiversity and its abundance of gorgeous fauna and flora species including primates, mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and plant species without neglecting the local Batwa who are also termed as an attraction in Uganda the pearl of Africa. In the heart of an impenetrable forest, gorilla trekking in Bwindi is an incredibly gratifying and daring safari experience. There are four primary sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where gorilla trekking is conducted: Rushaga, the only area where gorillas are habituated; Buhoma, the main trailhead for gorilla trekking in Uganda; Ruhija; and Nkuringo. Everyday gorilla trekking is available in all of these sectors, enabling trekkers older than 15 to experience the thrill of going up with the primates. The ideal location for gorilla trekking in Uganda and throughout Africa is Bwindi Impenetrable, home to roughly 23 habituated gorilla families with over 176 gorilla trekking permits available daily. More than half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, more than any other location.
In addition to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking is available in Uganda in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is home to the Nyakagezi and Hirwa families, who migrated from Rwanda’s Kigali to Uganda’s Volcanoes National Park. This means that Mgahinga a national park so far has only two gorilla families’ available or trekking permitting 16 permits per day since a group of maximum 8 people are allowed to trek a particular gorilla family for one hour per day.
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $700 for non-resident foreigners, $600 for residents, and UGX. 250,000 for East African Citizens. Uganda Wildlife Authority can be contacted directly for the gorilla trekking permit, or a reputable tour operator such as Munda Africa can arrange for it. Travelling from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park to embark on a mountain gorilla treks takes approximately nine to ten hours.
In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors to Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks can enjoy other park activities including birdwatching, nature walks, the Batwa Experience, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park and much more.
Uganda Gorilla Safari Tours
5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Experience
21 Days Primates & wildlife safari
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda.
GORLLA TREKKING IN RWANDA
One of the most common excursions that many visitors to Rwanda do when on a safari there is go on a gorilla safari. Rwanda is a great safari destination for gorilla safari adventures, but Uganda is the finest site to see mountain gorillas. The main tourist safari activity in Rwanda is mountain gorilla trekking, which is conducted in Volcanoes National Park inside the Virunga Massif. This activity helps to strengthen the country’s tourism industry. Rwanda is regarded as a posh gorilla trekking destination, with permits set at $1500 per person—$900 more than those for trekking comparable mountain gorillas in Uganda and $1100 more than those for trekking in the Congo, where permits cost $400. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) offers this gorilla trekking permit directly, or you can get it through a tour operator that helps with gorilla trekking safari coordination. Because Rwandan gorilla permits are more expensive, many tourists choose to fly into Rwanda, cross the border to go see cheaper mountain gorillas in Uganda or the Congo, and then return to Kigali, Rwanda for additional activities like hiking Dian Fossey’s tombs, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, genocide memorial visits, and cave visits, among other activities. The journey to Volcanoes National Park takes two to three hours from Kigali city.
Rwanda Gorilla Safari Tours
4 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
2-Days Special Gorilla Safari
7-days Rwanda Primates Safari
STAY IN THE KNOW
What are the requirements for gorilla safaris in Africa?
Whether organizing a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, or any other part of Africa, there are many factors to take into account. There isn’t much variation in the requirements.
The list of things that a gorilla trekker should always have in their backpack is shown below.
Trekking Permit: When organizing a gorilla trekking safari, the first thing to think about is a permit for gorilla trekking. The sole means of gaining entry to mountain gorillas in their native environments is a gorilla trekking permit. Additionally, as was previously noted, a gorilla trekking permit costs $600 in Uganda and will increase to $700 in July 2020; in Rwanda, it costs $1500, and in the Congo, it costs $400 according to the individual.
Porter: These porters are extremely useful in any activity requiring hiking be it gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, volcanic hiking among others. Reservation a porter before setting off for a gorilla trekking expedition conserves you energy of bringing the backpack and also during difficult hikes and trails porters provide assistance in pushing and pulling the trekkers.
Level of fitness: When trekking for gorillas in Africa, fitness is important. Because of their natural features, Uganda’s parks require actual hikes to see mountain gorillas. To easily appreciate a gorilla hike, a certain level of fitness is required. Trekkers are advised to at least work out at the gym and get fit before going on a gorilla trekking expedition. This is because tracking mountain gorillas in Africa necessitates actual hiking and tracing through various muddy routes that climb hills and descend valleys. The tracks can occasionally be extremely muddy and treacherous, therefore one must be physically strong to persevere through to the finish. Additionally, mountain gorillas like living at elevations between 1160 to 4300 metres, which is a bit high to ascend and descend while looking for the habituated mountain gorillas in the jungle. Less physically fit tourists, however, need not fear because there is always a chair and porters to help them, or they might be paired with nearby gorilla families.
A backpack: filled with all the essentials, a backpack serves as a traveler’s toolbox. A camera to capture various moments while in the bush surrounded by mountain gorillas and other animal species is one of the things in the backpack. It is forbidden to use a flash light when taking pictures of gorillas or chimpanzees, so make sure this camera is configured such that the flash is off until you leave the gorillas’ habitat. Garden gloves, long sleeves, light and thick clothing, a warm jumper, appropriate hiking boots, a raincoat, a cap, sunglasses and bug repellent are all essential hiking gear. Since no one can predict the exact hours of the hike, it is also recommended to pack a lunchbox for the trip when going on an African gorilla trekking safari.
Trekkers must also ensure that their backpacks are well stocked with enough bottled water to stay hydrated.
Rules and regulations for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa.
- When going on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa, there are specific guidelines that must be adhered to. These guidelines include:
- A maximum group of 8 people is permitted in the presence of mountain gorillas for just an hour per day.
- In Africa, you must be at least 15 years old to go gorilla trekking; if you are younger, you are regarded as a child and are not permitted to hike with the gorillas.
- Do not little the park and in case of human disposal / waste, it should be buried under ground at least 30cm deep.
- Since sick people are more susceptible to human infectious diseases like the flu and the cold, they are not permitted to go on mountain gorilla treks.
- For their own protection, trekkers are expected to maintain a minimum of 7 metres between themselves and the mountain gorillas when they are present.
- When you need to cough or sneeze, please turn your face away from the mountain gorillas to avoid spreading human diseases to these endangered primates
- When around mountain gorillas or within the park, avoid eating, drinking, and smoking cigarettes.
- And lastly but not the least, do not take photographs using flash light. When in the gorillas’ environment, keep this in mind at all times.
When is the Best season for gorilla trekking in Africa?
The climatic conditions in Africa are suitable and always average with average rainfall and sunshine thus traveler are free to visit any gorilla trekking destination in Africa all year round. But the best times to visit are during the months when the gorillas are most likely to be seen because the parks are dry, there is less foliage, and the trails are thinner and easier to navigate. Hikers can take better pictures during the dry months, and the park’s hotels are always open and provide nice amenities.
Mid-December to mid-February and mid-June to mid-October are some of these dry months. The issue with the dry months, though, is that they are always regarded as peak season, which means that gorilla trekking permits frequently sell out. In order to do this, a gorilla trekking permit must be reserved at least six months in advance of the trekking date.
How long does gorilla trekking safaris last?
Many tourists who are organizing gorilla trekking safaris in Africa ask this question. Depending on a number of factors, such as the location of a certain mountain gorilla family, the distance the family travels, the fitness level of the mountain gorilla trekkers, etc., gorilla trekking can take anything from 30 minutes to a whole day. Nevertheless, trackers are only allowed to contact and take pictures with gorilla families for an hour after they are eventually encountered.
Note;
- Always arrive early for a briefing to ensure you don’t miss the greatest opportunity to view nature at its most beautiful.
- When trekking, be sure to always have enough water to drink and snacks to keep you going.
- Listen to your guide always while in the jungle surrounded by wildlife
- In conclusion, imagine yourself spending an entire hour in the company of mountain gorillas in the rainforest. It’s an incredible safari experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Come join us on a gorilla trekking adventure in any location around Africa you will not get disappointed.
GORILLA TREKKING