Do you want a more private Gorilla trekking safari experience in Africa but are puzzled about how to make this arrangement look no further we have you covered with the relevant details.
You must know where you want to do gorilla trekking in Africa because it’s only done in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. In Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga national park area the home of gorilla trekking. In Rwanda Volcanoes National park and D.R.Congo gorilla trekking is in Virunga National park.
During gorilla trekking you need to have a gorilla trekking permit per person per trek. In Rwanda the gorilla trekking permits are sold by Rwanda development Board while in Uganda the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the selling body of gorilla permits.
Currently the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $700 per person and Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 per person. The Virunga Gorilla permit can be bought on the day of trekking from the headquarters.
Although gorilla trekking permits are highly demanded worldwide yet just a few are open for tourists purchase each day, there chances of having an exclusive gorilla trekking experience.
You need to note the below options that no matter the time you choose to do gorilla trekking and the budget you select for your gorilla trekking package.
Highlights Of How To Book Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Safari In Africa
Timing of gorilla trekking safari
Number of people travelling with for gorilla trekking
Close-off a gorilla trekking family
Type of gorilla trekking safari you choose is it gorilla habituation.
When you select the less busy times of gorilla trekking tours in Africa, you may get the chance to do an exclusive gorilla trekking experience without other trekkers.
The shoulder seasons that is March to May or November are less populated with trekkers. During this time, you may be the only one booked for a certain area or gorilla family no matter your budget plan. Whether you have chosen the luxury package, Midrange gorilla safari package or Budget package, chances of trekking exclusively are high.
The high season that is June to September and December to mid-January permits call for high demand of permits
Number Of People Travelling With For Gorilla Trekking
The more the merrier and this is fit for gorilla trekking. Travelling solo for an African Safari is interesting but sharing your experiences with loved one is more memorable. When you travel with a group of about 8 and you request to trek the same gorilla trekking family, you have high chances of getting this request once you do it in advance.
With this arrangement, you get to do gorilla trekking with only the people you are familiar with. You go through every detail and fun of this adventurous experience together making the most remarkable memories to turn to any time.
Close-off gorilla trekking family
Closing off a gorilla trekking family for a more private experience is possible. You buy off all the other gorilla permits of the entire family so as to enjoy trekking with only those you have travelled with. At the moment, the gorilla trekking permit cost $1500 in Rwanda and $700 in Uganda per person per trek.
Tourists have different reasons for preferring a more private gorilla trekking experience with no other people attending. It’s best done when no one has booked some gorilla trekking families for that day of your preference.
Type Of Gorilla Trekking Safari You Choose Is It Gorilla Habituation.
When you do gorilla habituation with people close to you, you enjoy the entire experience of grooming semi wild mountain gorillas to get used to human presence. Gorilla habituation is done by only 4 tourists with researchers and rangers. You follow the gorillas from de-nesting time to sometimes re-nesting.
Help in taking note of all there behavior and other noticeable acts as required by the habituator leaders.
The Uganda gorilla habituation permits costs $1500 per person per trek and you are allowed to be in presence of the gorillas for 4 hours only when you locate them.
What Itineraries To Use For Exclusive Gorilla Trekking Safari
3 day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
3 day Gorilla Trekking Tour In Rwanda
5 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
6 Day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
7 Day gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking and Wildlife Safari
8 Day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and Wildlife Tour
When Is The Best Time To Book Gorilla Permit For Exclusive Africa safari
All year round is open for gorilla trekking but the shoulder seasons have more chances of selecting a family with no or less people booked for the day for an exclusive budget. The months of March to May and November may have this opportunity.
For the busy months that is June to September or December to January, you have high chances of closing off a gorilla family once you book in advance at least 6 months upfront. This is because of the busy season when the demand for gorilla permits is at the peak. There are less chances of finding an open family to close off for an exclusive gorilla trekking experience. This is if you want to book gorilla safari in a very short time during this period.
How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Gorilla trekking in Africa is Safe especially in Uganda and Rwanda. The governments of both countries have set up top security organs that work with ranger guide in maintaining peace and harmony in this forested area. The Uganda tourism police is one of the organs responsible for keeping law and order in the Bwindi area.
Early morning, a group of ranger guides moves in the forest to trace where the mountain gorillas can be found for the day. They patrol the area too so as to check for any intruders in the forest before tourists come.
The rangers that escort gorilla trekkers keep communicating with the radio calls to the headquarters so in case of anything unusual they communicate as soon as possible to get backup.
Mountain gorillas were at the stage of extinction by the 1980s. They were in the red list of IUCN because of the human interference like poaching, setting snares in there forest, killing them for trophies, using them as pets and so much more.
With the study of late Dr Dian Fossey, gorilla trekking is one of the options to create a relationship between humans and the mountain gorillas.
Whenever you book a gorilla safari, you contribute to the gorilla funds that have supported there increase in numbers over time. The funds acquired from the cost of gorilla permits are used to buy medicines for the gorillas, support the community close by that would harm the gorillas, pay the ranger guides and so much more.
Gorilla trekking is one of the electrifying wild experiences especially when you come face to face with the huge giants in the jungle. It’s a magical moment looking into the dark brown eyes of the mountain gorilla. Taking the photos while in the wild is unforgettable.
Which Is The Best Country For Exclusive Gorilla Trekking In Africa
Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, exclusive gorilla trekking is possible anywhere. You just need to tailor the best plan which will soot your preferred gorilla trekking experience. Timing for booking your permits is so important because every day all over the world people are booking the gorilla permits.
Depending on your budget, you can make a choice of the best country to do an exclusive gorilla trek based on the above ideas.
What Gorilla family in Best for Exclusive Gorilla trekking
All gorilla families in all countries are lovely to choose for your exclusive gorilla trekking experience. They have different attributed like some have many infants, some have many gorilla members, some juveniles are very charming, some have many silverbacks to mention but a few.
The most interesting moments is when you are in front of the gorillas. Some adrenaline may be stimulates but hold you freight so that the gorillas do not realize this. They sometimes love teasing there visitors.
A number of game drives from rich game parks like Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison Falls National Park READ MORE
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park
Hiking on Mountain Rwenzori but you need a number of days to prove your level of fitness before getting to snow peaked Magheritah peak
Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National park, Mabamba Swamp
Launch trips to dramatic Murchison Falls and Kazinga channel.
A safari trouser or long sleeved shirt to cover you from biting nettles and rough surfaces in the jungle.
A pair of binoculars to get a clearer picture of the beauties in the wilderness
Garden gloves to protect your palms from getting dirty or damaged when you tripe and fall while hiking.
An extra battery to exchange with when one runs low white taking photos in the wild.
Energy bites to eat when you get hungry while trekking to locate the mountain gorillas.
Tracking boots that can withstand slippery slopes in case you have to hike to get to the gorillas.
Insect repellants to wear and keep away the stinging insects in the jungle.
A fleece or jacket to keep you warm especially in the morning before sunrise.
Camera to take and protect all memories of your gorilla trekking experience.
A rain coat to protect you from getting wet when it rains and time.
What Rules Follow For Gorilla Trekking
No feed the mountain gorillas
Volunteer to stay behind in sake you acquire any communicable infection like covid-19
No dumping waste in the wilderness because vegetation is food for the mountain gorillas.
Never provoke the mountain gorillas because it may not go well with them.
Do not use flash photography because it scares the mountain gorillas
Avoid spitting on the vegetation as this is food for the mountain gorillas.
Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you meet them.
In case you wish to defecate, ask your ranger guide to dig a hole at least 30 meters deep and burry all materials beyond recognition.
Never smoke before the mountain gorillas.