Gorilla Trekking In Rwanda Or Uganda Which Is Better

To find the difference between gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, you need to note that these two countries are part of the only three countries in the world that are home to these endangered primates.

In Rwanda gorilla trekking happens in Volcanoes National park while in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla trekking is an adventure where limited number of tourists gets to meet a fully habituated gorilla family for one hour only. Every tourist is expected to book a gorilla permit and present it to the rangers before briefing for verification.

Rwanda has chances of one day gorilla trekking experience for those who chip-in a gorilla safari while on a brief break in Rwanda however you need to do ground work in advance so that every thing goes as planned.

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What is the difference between gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Rwanda currently has about 12 gorilla trekking families open to the public while Uganda is home to more than 20 gorilla trekking families open.

The time to drive from Kigali in Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours while drive time from Kampala in Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga is about 8 to 9 hours.

Rwanda offers more luxuriant and top notch gorilla trekking experience right from the briefing point while Uganda offers gorilla trekking in untamed and authentic environment

The cost of Rwanda gorilla permit is currently $1500 per person while Uganda gorilla trekking cost is currently $800 per person.

Age limit for Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and beyond while gorilla trekking age limit in Uganda is 12 years and beyond.

The gorilla trekking experience of Rwanda is quite steep compared to that of Uganda. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has five of the six Virunga Volcanoes.

After or before gorilla trekking in Uganda, there are several options of safari activities you can do too like visit source of River Nile, game safaris in Uganda and others yet Rwanda has limited activities choices.

Uganda hosts almost half the total number of gorilla families there are in the world more than 452 out of the total population of about 1062 mountain gorillas.

Uganda offers gorilla habituation experience where four hours is allowed with semi habituated gorilla family as another alternative activity.

What Are The Requirements For A Gorilla Trekking Safari In Rwanda And Uganda

• Book a gorilla trekking permit from either Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board.
• Reserve necessary safari logistics in advance including accommodation, transport, driver guide so as to plan accordingly. For gorilla trekking in Bwindi Uganda, consider the sector where your gorilla permit is booked before booking a permit.
• Pack the right gorilla trekking gears like garden gloves, sturdy safari boots, safari hat, camera and more.
• Keep fit before gorilla trekking to enable to hike so that you can explore the forest. This is because at times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys.
• The age limit for booking a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is 12 years and over yet Rwanda gorilla safari age limit is 15 years and beyond. This is because children below these ages may not be in position to hike the tough terrain or control their reactions in case the gorillas try to tease.
• When packing for gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, cross check with the packing list for gorilla trekking so that you do not forget the essential items for this safari.
• During the gorilla trekking adventure, adhere to the rules of this adventure so that you do not  fall out with the highly sensitive mountain gorillas.
• Do not forget rain proof gears during gorilla trekking because rain falls in this area without warning no matter the season.

Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Volcanoes National park

In Rwanda, Volcanoes national park is the only home for the mountain gorillas. This park lies in North western part of Rwanda and its topography is influences by five Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi and Muhavura.

Generally, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in a steep environment so get ready to hike. Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National park is home to other primates including golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more. More than 200 bird species are living in Volcanoes forest including Albertine endemics.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

For gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Bwindi forest is on the fore front. At the moment Bwindi forest is home to more than 23 gorilla trekking families open to the public. Because of the vast size of Bwindi forest it was divided into four areas that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo each has gorilla families.

As a biosphere reserve that has survived for more than 25000 years, it is home to a number of other species like more than 350 birds species, 88 months, more than 200 natural tree species and more

The southern part of Bwindi is open for gorilla habituation experience where four hours are allowed with the mountain gorillas.

Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National park is also open in Uganda with currently one gorilla family open to the public called Nyakagezi family. Mgahinga National park has authentic mountain gorillas experience since these gorillas are less visited and vegetation still intact.

Other than mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National park is home to golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more.

Are Mountain Gorillas Aggressive During Gorilla Trekking

By nature, the mountain gorillas are not aggressive but calm unless provoked. Mountain gorillas can charge when incited but tourists are encouraged not to panic but remain composed as you wait for the ranger guide to provide way out.

Some of the signs that mountain gorillas show when agitated include chest beating, running into hiding, pulling vines, hooting and more. Follow the new advise provided by the ranger guide on how to go about the disgruntled mountain gorillas without escalating the situation.

Adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking to avoid appearing suspicious to the mountain gorillas that are highly sensitive to intruders in their vicinity. Do not use flash photography while with the mountain gorillas.

When Is The Best Time To Plan And Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda

Advance planning atleast 3 months to a year in advance is necessary when planning the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda. The dry season is best time for doing gorilla safaris in Rwanda or Uganda because:

The gorillas spend most of the time closer to the ground because there is less food supply and its highly competed for with other forest inhabitants in the canopies.

Even though the Virunga forests are misty most of the time, in the dry season, there is lesser precipitation favoring faster movement while searching for the mountain gorillas. Even the rivers and streams in the forest rest within normal course reducing on the amount of water that logs.

More sunlight sips through the dense leaves to the ground creating a favorable environment to take nature inspired photos inclusive of forest inhabitants since flashlight is not accepted in the forest.

The wet season which is normally March, April, May and November although normally characterized by heavy down pour is good fore gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Rwanda too.

How Long Does Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda Take

• The time to take on Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda depends on factors prevailing in the forest mainly that is from about 30 minutes from starting time or more. The location of the mountain gorillas is influenced by food location, incase of a fight with other gorillas, conception they develop on tourists and more.
• The pace of tourists also influences when to locate the mountain gorillas because the jungle has some huddles that may affect tourists’ movements like slippery slopes, over grown vegetation and so much more.
• After locating the mountain gorillas only one hour of viewing is allowed to allow them carry on with their daily activities. Seeing the mountain gorillas feed, groom, play, nap, tease each other and more is exciting to watch as this is like resurrecting human history.
• Get away from the gorilla family without causing alarm when your time with the mountain gorillas elapses.

What Chances Do I Have To See The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking

• There are 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda or Uganda. Mountain gorillas may be free to explore the forest but they can be traced by:
• Each day a team of rangers wakes up to follow up on the location where the mountain gorillas nested the previous night and possible direction they may be taking for the day. These clues are used to trace the mountain gorillas.
• Mountain gorillas live in families of over 30 member that are rarely broken and these stay in a particular feeding location for sometime until they relocate as the food supply gets scarce. This makes it easier to trace the mountain gorillas and even when they relocate its not far from the previous location.
• Tourists are encouraged to participate in tracing the mountain gorillas by using some clues like foot prints, look out for freshly chewed foliage and more as these may be leads to finding these primates.
• Mountain gorillas are bulky in size which doesn’t favor their fast movement so no matter where they move to, tourists can catch up with them. A fully grown mountain gorillas may way about 200 kilograms and the female almost half this weight.

Why Choose To Do Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought after African safari adventures and an opportunity to share the same space with the few leftover mountain gorillas there are in the world.

As a way to give back to the conservation fraternity, every gorilla permit purchased has a percentage that supports the gorilla conservation fund.

Beyond the mountain gorillas, the Virunga forests are home to other unique wildlife including primates, game, birds, natural plants and much more. Such forests are getting scarce as their existence is being affected by modernization.

Meeting the mountain gorillas is like the rebirth of history of man as their behavior is closely similar to that of humans like napping, playing disciplining, sobbing, caring for one another and much more.

What Are the Guidelines of Gorilla Trekking safaris?

Whether in Uganda or Rwanda, gorilla trekking guidelines are the same

Volunteer to stay behind in case you catch a communicable infection before gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to human infections that may end in their massive deaths.

No feeding the mountain gorillas when around them as they are wild animals that must not depend on human supplies.  

Maintain 8 meters gap from the mountain gorillas when you locate them. Even when they bridge the gap try to slowly move back without causing suspension.

No using flash photography when taking photos of the mountain gorillas.

If you have to eat or drink when with the mountain gorillas do it in 200 meters from them.

Upon meeting the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking, only one hour is allowed with them.

Stay closer to the rest of the trekkers as scattering or sounding the mountain gorillas may cause them to fear your presence.

In case you need to sneeze or cough do it away from the rest of the mountain gorillas cover your mouth a d nose well.

Avoid spitting on vegetation or the ground as this is food for the mountain gorillas and this may contaminate the food.

Dig a hole of about 30 centimeters in case you wish to take a long call while on a search for the mountain gorillas.

Avoid littering the forest while searching to find the mountain gorillas as this changes the environment where these primates live.

Age limit for gorilla trekking is 12 years and over in Uganda and 15 years and beyond in Rwanda.

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