Can I Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda Without A Permit
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No, every tourists is required to hold a gorilla trekking permit for Uganda or Rwanda before being accepted to join this once in a life time adventure. The number of gorilla permits is restricted to maximum 8 per day to minimize the number of people that visit the gorillas and protect the environment where they survive.
Uganda has over 160 gorilla permits open to the public per day whereas Rwanda opens about 96 gorilla permits open to the public per day. During the peak tourist season, all these gorilla permits sellout and even when demand spikes, the number is not increased as a conservation measure. When you miss a gorilla permits you may have to alter your dates to one where permit availability is present.
On gorilla trekking day in Uganda or Rwanda, every tourist is expected to present a gorilla permit at the ranger station for verification plus personal identification documents.
Key Details about Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda
Location: Uganda gorilla trekking is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Rwanda gorilla trekking is in Volcanoes National Park
Cost of gorilla permit: Current cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 per person. Rwanda current gorilla trekking permit $1500 per person.
Age limit for gorilla trekking: 15 years and beyond is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda.
Gorilla trekking Duration: 1 hour of gorilla trekking is allowed but finding the gorillas may vary from about 30minutes to about three quarters of the day depending on factors prevailing in the forest.
Space from mountain gorillas: When with the mountain gorillas, keep atleast 8 meters apart from them to avoid directly contacting with these highly vulnerable primates. Out of curiosity, the mountain gorillas may move closer but try to step back without causing any suspensions.
Packing list For gorilla Trekking: Sturdy safari boots, garden gloves, safari hat, energy bites, rain proof gears, insect repellant, camera, torch, extra clean wear, stockings and more.
Best time for gorilla trekking: The dry season that is June to September and December to January is best time for gorilla trekking but this adventure is open all year. Do not be discouraged to plan going gorilla trekking in the wet season that is March to May and late October to November as this season has its fun moments.
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Can I Do Gorilla Trekking In Both Uganda And Rwanda In One Safari
It is possible to do a gorilla trekking safari in both Uganda and Rwanda as long as you acquire a gorilla permit per country.
Rwanda and Uganda share a border via Gatuna or Cyanika where you can cross into both countries. The drive from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda into Bwindi forest is about 3 to 4 hours. Do reserve a visa in advance if you must have one before travelling to Rwanda or Uganda to save time at immigration.
To understand the difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda you need to visit both countries.
Gorilla trekking happens once a day starting early morning with compulsory briefing but after completing the one hour get away as recommended by the ranger guide.
Is Gorilla Trekking Safe
Gorilla trekking is safe because tourists are in company of professional ranger guides and a tourism police officer who leads this adventure. The ranger guide walks with a radio call that keeps him or her in constant communication with security officers at the main headquarters of the park incase backup is needed.
Tourists are encouraged to keep up with the rest of the trekkers during gorilla trekking so that none is forgotten in the jungle. Request for a stick to help avail extra support to cross over some challenging spots along the trails.
Adhere to rules of gorilla trekking throughout the adventure in order not to agitate the mountain gorillas and others forest dwellers. Avoid trying out anything that can provoke and trigger the mountain gorillas into charging.
Wear the right gorilla trekking gears in order to protect your body from rough surfaces in the wilderness like stinging nettles that may rub on your skin.
In case the mountain gorillas charge, do not panic or make noise because this may escalate the situation. Watch out and adhere to the new advise availed by the ranger guide to calm the mountain gorillas like showing submission, staying steel, pretending to chew foliage and more. The mountain gorillas are the controllers of life in their habitat so do not be stubborn and try to defy.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking Adventure
Some trekkers have reported finding the mountain gorillas in 30 minutes after starting the adventure while others may take more time.
Time to take on Gorilla trekking adventure is influenced by factors prevailing in the forest like weather condition of the day, location of the mountain gorillas, condition of the trails especially when they are over grown by undergrowth and more.
Do not walk at an extremely slow pace because you are not sure of where to find the mountain gorillas or you may delay the rest of the trekkers.
Rangers often stop for breaks during gorilla trekking so that you are not warn out before finding the mountain gorillas.
When you finally locate the mountain gorillas, only one hour of gorilla trekking is allowed in their company to allow them continue with their daily plans.
What To Expect during Gorilla Trekking Safari
Trekkers walk through the dense rain forest searching for the mountain gorillas. Expect to share this gorilla trekking adventure with stranger maximum 7 more.
The trails tourists walk on are wet most of the time because rain falls in the Virunga area any time without warning. The dense canopies of the forests where mountain gorillas live obstruct the sunrays from sipping through to the ground.
Along the way, look out for other forest dwellers including other primates, forest elephant, duikers, an array of birds and more. Different features stand out in Virunga forests including water falls, ridges and more resulting from vigorous volcanic forces that swept through this area with stumps of remnant highlands.
Mountain gorillas normally produce sounds or leave clues to direct where the gorilla family may be spending the day. Tourists are encouraged to adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking in order to find these primates.
