Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Gorilla Trekking Safaris, Gorilla trekking is the process of looking for mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The ultimate gorilla experience in Africa takes to either Uganda the home for 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Rwanda and Congo for the lowland mountain gorillas.

Africa should not miss on your bucket list having gorilla trekking as a must do, just imagine an encounter with these gentle giants a midst lush forests. What an unforgettable experience as you enjoy these incredible creatures with 98% human DNA.

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda.

Uganda, Rwanda and Congo the only destinations in the world where gorillas found, any safari to one of these destinations rewards the tourists with an opportunity to enjoy the gentle giants in their nature habitants hence a lifetime experience. Beneath are the gorilla destinations in detail,

Uganda.

Uganda the top gorilla safari destination with over half of the world’s remaining gorillas. Found in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Located in south western Uganda in Kisoro, lubanda and Kanungu district has the highest concentration of mountain gorillas and  found in the four sectors of the park which is Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Rushaga sectors. Over 21 gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are habituated and ready to be visited. Each gorilla family visited by a group of 8 tourists a day. Gorilla families in Bwindi include mubare, bweza, katwe, Oruzogo among others.

Mgahinga gorilla national park. The park located southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district and it has got two habituated gorilla groups namely hirwa and nyakagezi surrounded by the Virunga volcanoes.

Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda take place in volcanoes national park which is part of the might Virunga volcanoes. The park is a haven to 17 habituated gorilla families including hirwa, karisimbi, Sabinyo and Susa. A full hour will be spent in the presence of these gentle giants after finding them.

Congo.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Congo take place in Virunga national park and kahuzi biega national park which is a haven to over 100,000 low land gorillas.  The park has 5 habituated gorilla families including mpungwe, bonani and mugahuka.

 Gorilla trekking permit price.

Gorilla trekking permits are at different prices for non residents in the different countries;

In Uganda a gorilla trekking permit goes for 800$ and gorilla habituation permit is at 1500$.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost 1500$ which makes it a perfect destination for luxury gorilla trekking safaris.

Congo gorilla trekking permit costs 400$ each making it a perfect destination for budget gorilla safaris.

Rules and regulations of gorilla trekking.

The dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking include;

• A group of 8 people allowed to visit a particular gorilla family per day.
• Children below 15 years are not allowed to engage in gorilla trekking activity.
• Don’t liter in the park.
• Sick people  not allowed to trek the mountain gorillas
• A minimum distance of 8 m should be kept while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
• Eating and smoking are not allowed in the presence of these gentle giants.
• While taking photographs, cameras should not have flashlight.

What to wear while going for gorilla trekking.

• Water proof and comfortable hiking boots.
• Long sleeved clothes preferably in dull colors like khaki and grey.
• Rain coat just in case of rainfall.
• Knee high hiking gaiters.
• Insect repellant.
• A cap and shades.
• Gloves
• Light jacket.

Best time to see mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Africa is open all year round due to the favorable climate which has average rainfall and sunshine however the dry season is more favorable since the trails are dry unlike in the wet season when the trails are slippery.

The dry months are June to September and then December to early February, this is the peak season and when planning a gorilla safari it’s advisable you book earlier.

What to pack while going for a gorilla trekking safari.

• Water proof hiking boots.
• Cap and shades
• Water
• Snacks
• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Extra battery
• Insect repellants
• Gloves

A gorilla trekking safari after reaching at the destination starts with a briefing to ensure every person receives the best gorilla trekking experience. The activity lasts about 30 minutes to 6 hours basing on your fitness and the allocated gorilla family. After finding the gorilla family you are given an hour to enjoy them in their natural habitat, take photos and have funny. What an awesome ultimate life time experience of spending an hour while enjoying our closely related relatives in their natural habitat.