Gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Uganda is open but booking a gorilla permit has become a little stricter. Since mountain gorillas are vulnerable to any human contiguous infection protection has to be priority.
A lot has changed since the corona virus holiday that has affected the entire world. In Oder to secure a gorilla permit, you need to follow the below.
Check Availability
Gorilla permits are on high demand in Uganda and Rwanda making it quite challenging to secure one. You need to have prior information about availability from the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority. The telephone lines are normally so busy.
At Arch Safaris And Tours, we offer free information about gorilla tracking permit availability according to the dates of your preference.
We have great relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board which makes has helped us to give feed back to our clients. Our turnaround time is 24 hours.
Secure A gorilla permit
Whether you want to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you need to pay for your gorilla permit. Immediately availability of gorilla permits is positive you need to confirm your desire to do gorilla trekking by payment
No gorilla permit is preserved for any one. They are on first come first served basis since the demand is so high.
In Uganda, since July 2020, the gorilla tracking permit cost $700 and in Rwanda, the gorilla tracking permit price is $1500
Send Your details
Since gorilla tracking has age limit, you must provide some personal details. Your names on the passport, nationality, date of birth and passport expiry date are relevant.
Book Accommodation For Gorilla Tracking Safari
Since gorilla permits are booked according to area, you need accommodation closer to that area. This is because gorilla tracking starts early morning that is to say in Uganda 0830 hours and Rwanda 0730 hours
Briefing is the starting point of your gorilla tracking safari and in case you miss it you area not allowed to see the gorillas.
When selecting the lodge where to spend your night, you must know the area where your permit was booked.
At Arch Safaris And Tours, our clients’ wellbeing is our priority so we advise our clients to book accommodation facilities that follows the SOPs of World Health Organization.
For our prepackaged safaris we are working hand in hand with accommodation facilities that are observing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Test For Covid 19 prior To gorilla Tracking Safari
Negative test results for Covid 19 is the number one requirement before travelling for gorilla tracking. Whether you are tracking gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, you must have a certificate that confirms you negative of Corona Virus at least 72 hour prior to arriving.
Book Professional Driver Guide
Gorilla tracking being a once in lifetime safari experience, you need to have a ride with a knowledgeable and professional guide.
Our guides at Arch Safaris And Tours are professional as they have been in operation for a long time and regularly go for refresher courses.
In case you are entirely using road transport for gorilla tracking, you need a specious car that is well maintained. Whether you are using a safari land cruiser, coaster or Safari van, it must be sanitized.
In case you are travelling with others each vehicle must have a space or an empty seat between two clients seated on the same row.
Wear a mask before entering the car and sanitise too. Inspect the inside of the vehicle and ensure that it is clean and well sanitized too.
If booking flying Gorilla Tracking, you must observe the social distance and sanitise too. Good aeration is a must. Since the number of passengers using the planes has been reduced, you need to book a seat in advance so that you do not miss out.
Itinerary
Day one: Drive To Volcanoes National Park
Early in the morning, your driver guide will pick you from the airport and drive you to Kigali City. Visit the Genocide memorial where the remains of the fallen people of Rwanda are preserved.
You will listen to the tales of what happened during the 100 days of terror in 1994. Carry on to Volcanoes National park.
Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/ Virunga Volcanoes Lodge/ Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day Two: Gorilla Tracking In Rwanda
Get up early in the morning for breakfast and head to the ranger guide station for briefing. You will be advised on how to behave while with the gorillas.
On the way, you may have the chance to meet other primates like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys to mention but a few.
Lots of birds live in the forest like Rwenzori Turacos, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwings so many other. In case you are a keen birder, this is an opportunity for you to meet them.
Finally when you get to meet them, enjoy there presence. They feed on foliage to survive so have to search for there own food. Watch them play in the vines and groom there little ones.
Take some photos for memories and get back to the lodge to relax.
Day Three: Drive To Kigali Airport.
Having seen the gorillas, drive back home to catch up with your flight back home.
What To Wear For Gorilla Tracking In Rwanda
Tracking boots are comfortable to protect your feet from pricking surfaces.
Masks are a must wear as a protective gear against the corona virus.
Hand Sanitiser is very vital to kill germs that you may encounter.
Long trousers and shirt that are another protective gear for your skin from anything that may sting you.
Energy snacks give you more push while in the forest
A rain Coat or poncho is worth carrying as it rains at any time without warning.
A camera will protect your great memories of this once in a lifetime experience.
Garden gloves are a protective remedy for itchy surfaces which you may touch in case you slide.