Gorilla Trekking Safari Mistakes That Can cost You The Experience  

The gorilla trekking safari mistakes that may cost you the entire adventure may start with not having a gorilla permit. Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, having a gorilla trekking permit is number one as it is the only confirmation to being part of those to attend the adventure.

Forgetting to top up your gorilla permit for those who purchase them in instalments. Even though purchasing in the gorilla permits in full is recommended, instalment purchase may be accepted as long as you are within the terms and conditions. When you forget to top up the gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda, it is reopened to the public without notifying you.

Having a communicable infection like cough, flu, dysentery, covid-19 and others before gorilla trekking safari may cause you to be left behind on the adventure day. Even within the rules of gorilla trekking, there is request for tourists to volunteer and stay behind in case you have a communicable infection. Gorillas are highly susceptible to human infections. Enquire Now

Being under age to participate in gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda. In Uganda people eligible for gorilla trekking safari is 12 years and beyond and Rwanda age limit for this safari is 15 years and over. The nature of the topography of the Virunga area where gorilla trekking safaris happen is quite steep from the serried highlands resulting from Volcanic actions in this area. Children under this age may find it hard to hike to where the gorillas may be or get scared and shout when they meet these primates.

Having no fitness during gorilla trekking tour may cost you the experience of a lifetime. Bearing some level of fitness before the gorilla trek is advised to be able to hike to where the family be spending the day. Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time deep in the valley so you have to hike to get to them however you can also use sedan chair or basket service to find these primates.

Arriving on the wrong date for gorilla trekking safari may cost you the experience. The validity of the gorilla permit ends on the date for which it was booked. When you forget or fail to attend gorilla trekking, your gorilla permit is deemed invalid so no refund is offered. A gorilla permit refund can only be proceeded in case you go through the right steps and its applicable.

Not attending briefing before gorilla trekking adventure may end in a penalty including getting disqualified to do this tour. Briefing is compulsory for every gorilla trekking safari you are part of no matter how many time you attend the adventure. During briefing, there is document verification, communication about the gorilla trekking rules and what is expected of you during the search.

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Where to Go For Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

In Uganda

Bwindi impenetrable National Park

For gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is the main destination. Locally the world Bwindi means impenetrable and indeed this doubled fits correctly with the nature of this park. At the moment, gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is done in four areas under which the park is divided that is Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma. Currently Bwindi impenetrable National Park has about 19 gorilla trekking families open to the public. Bwindi forest also hosts about 4 gorilla habituation experience families open to the public.

Bwindi forest being a biosphere reserve also hosts about 9 other primate species, over 350 bird species, over 88 months, 315 butterfly species, 51 reptiles and others.

Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is the foremost adventure in this smallest Uganda National Park. Even though currently one gorilla trekking family is open to the public that is Nyakagezi, the park presents the most untamed adventure because few tourists occasionally visit it.

Beyond gorilla trekking, Mgahinga National Park is home to golden monkeys which are another endangered primate specie. They live in troops under the leadership of an alpha male. Golden monkeys may be habituated but still bear there natural traits. You can choose to do golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience.

Mgahinga forest is endowed with three significant volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo where you can do a guided hike. More than 115 bird species have been recorded as residents of Mgahinga forest.

In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

With over 12 gorilla trekking families open to the public, Volcanoes National Park is the only home for these endangered primates in Rwanda. Beyond the mountain gorilla, Volcanoes National Park is home to other primates including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others,

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to the golden monkeys which is an endangered primate specie but exciting to watch during golden monkey trekking adventure.

Over 200 bird species have been recorded as residents of Volcanoes National Park including Albertine rift endemics.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda or Rwanda

Currently, the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permits is $ 800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign resident, $500 for other Africans and 300000 for East Africans. Uganda Wildlife Authority has the mandate to sell and regulate the gorilla permits in Uganda.

Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permit cost is currently $1500 foe foreign nonresidents, $500 for international residents and $200 for east Africans. The Rwanda Development Board has the mandate to sell and regulate the Rwanda safari permits. Note that first come first served basis is considered when purchasing Rwanda gorilla permits.  

In the cost of gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda and Uganda, some of the inclusions are one hour of gorilla trekking, park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, conservation support and more

How to Purchase Gorilla trekking permits in Instalments

To purchase the gorilla trekking permits for Uganda or Rwanda in instalments, you need to have purchased the permits before 90 days to desired gorillas adventure date. Uganda and Rwanda accept gorillas permit instalments of 30% and 70% respectively. Ensure to top up the permit before 90 days to gorilla trekking date or it will be re-opened to the public without notifying you and no refund for the deposit.

In case you wish to reschedule the gorilla permits for Rwanda or Uganda, ensure to follow the guidelines offered by Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board.

What are the requirements for Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Book a gorilla permit in advance as these get sold out especially in the peak tourism season that is June to September and December to February. The only entry ticket you present before being allowed to attend gorilla trekking is the permit.

Reserve accommodation to use during gorilla trekking safari in advance to avoid having last minute disappointments. Whether going on gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda or Rwanda, you need to spend the night before the gorilla trekking date within or closer to the destination where you are booked to do this adventure. Accommodations for the gorilla safari ae categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.

Book transport means to use during gorilla trekking safari before the adventure. Road transport is the main means used but use a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition because of the poor road conditions in the countryside. flying gorilla safaris are another alternative you can choose for this adventure in both Rwanda and Uganda.

Pack the right gorilla trekking gears including long sleeved shirt, safari hat, insect repellant and much more. To feel comfortable while on gorilla trekking safari, you need to wear the right attires in colors that are wilderness friendly and not those that attract insects that may sting you that is black, white and blue.

Have some level of fitness is a great choice because you need to be physically capable of hiking the severe highlands that the topography is endowed with.

How long is gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda

The time on gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda varies according to factors prevailing in the wilderness. From the starting point of the gorilla safari, the ranger guide leads the group towards the trail where the mountain gorilla family may have been last seen. Even though you may not be sure to find these primates in the same location, they donot normally move far from here. Each day a team of range guides, wakes up earlier than others to trace where the gorillas family may have nested and give clues of where they might be heading to.

The locations of the mountain gorillas, prevailing weather conditions, mood of the gorilla family and much more determine time of finding these primates. Having some level of patience and opening your mind to viewing other forest inhabitants keeps your gorilla trekking safari spirits up to the end.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons. Take as many photos as you can possibly have which will be the souvenirs to get back to after the adventure.

Why Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.

To do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda or Uganda, you get up close with the few left over largest primates in Africa. The mountain gorillas are endangered but there population is slowly recovering because of the conservation measures in place but these still require funding for sustainable existence. Gorilla trekking gets you to face your fears as the first glance at the mountain gorillas may send a chill down your spine because of the scaring physical look of the mountain gorillas. The more time you are in company of the gorillas, you get to realize that this may be a lie as these primates are calm and serene.

Primatologists have opportunities of spotting other primate species beyond the mountain gorillas. These live in the same destination with the mountain gorillas. Some other residents primates include golden monkeys, L’hoest, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and others.

The birding experience in Virunga forested area is never disappointing and rich too with chances of finding species including Albertine rift endemics. Some of the birds you may get chance find during gorilla trekking include Archer’s Robin chat, Kivu ground Thrush, collared Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, Western Green Tinker Bird, Mountain Masked and chestnut throated Apalises, Handsome Francolin and others.

Best gorilla trekking destinations of Uganda Or Rwanda

The gorilla trekking safari in general is fun no matter where you choose to enjoy this adventure either Uganda or Rwanda. The slight differences in gorilla safaris of Uganda or Rwanda have not so much effect on the entire experience. Some differences in gorilla trekking safari may come with.

Cost of the gorilla trekking permit where currently the cost of Uganda permit is $800 and Rwanda $1500 per person per day.

2 days gorilla trekking is the least number of days to do on Rwanda safari while 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking is the least time you can book the Uganda safari.

Currently Uganda gorilla trekking families are about 20 with another opportunity to do gorilla habituation experience. Currently Rwanda has about 12 gorilla trekking families. When booking gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, they are booked according to the four areas under which the park is divided.

From the international airport in Rwanda Kigali, the drive to Volcanoes National Park drive time is about 3 hours. From Entebbe international airport in Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park drive time is about 8 to 9 hours. Alternatively, in Uganda you may make a stopover to the game parks situated along the way to Bwindi or Mgahinga such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and others. After or before gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, you may make a Combo with other Uganda safari activities such as chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, hiking in Mgahinga Volcanoes, birding in Uganda and others. Rwanda alternative gorilla trekking safaris are limited with some being game drives in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park and others.

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