How To Go Gorilla Trekking In Christmas Season

Choosing to do gorilla trekking in Christmas season is a life changing and unforgettable African adventure. You can choose to do gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda or Uganda depending on your budget and preference. As you plan this safari adventure, note that gorillas permits in Uganda and Rwanda for festive seasons sell out fast so advance booking is necessary.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park while Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park as its gorilla safari destination. Because of the restrictions on the number of gorilla permits open to the public each day, many people interested in this adventure during Christmas are left out especially late bookings.  

You need to secure accommodations to use during the gorilla trekking tour and from here you can quick get to the ranger station to catch up with briefing which starts early. Failure to get to the ranger station in time for briefing may lead to getting disqualified from attending gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda.

In case you specifically want to do gorilla trekking on Christmas day, then you have plan for this in advance because permits for this day sell out in advance. Even gorilla trekking permits for New year in Rwanda and Uganda are demanded for in advance. To be on the safe side, book your gorilla permit atleast 180 days before the desired date because chances of finding last minute permits are close to none.

How To Book Christmas Season Gorilla Permits in Uganda Or Rwanda?

Know that demand for Christmas gorilla permits is high in the festive season, it is best to secure yours in advance.

Choose a date for the gorilla trekking adventure and the number of permits you hope to secure then enquire about availability of these gorilla permits in Uganda or Rwanda

Our safari consultant checks for gorilla permit availability from the list of Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board then gets back to you in the shortest time possible. The status of the gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda changes anytime without warning.

It is best to book your gorilla permits as soon as availability is found because there presence changes anytime due to high demand for the gorilla permits of the festive season. No gorilla permit is reserved without payment.

later avail some persona details like your full names as presented on the passport, date of birth, Nationality to be added to your gorilla permit and retrieved on the day of the gorilla tour.

How Much Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda Or Rwanda

The cost of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is at the moment $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and 300000shs for East Africans. It is best to secure the gorilla permit in advance especially those for the festive season because of the high competition for them.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits at the moment cost $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents and other African countries and $200 for East Africans

The cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda or Rwanda is inclusive of one hour with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide fees, park entrance fees, mountain conservation support and others.

The gorilla permit fee is excusive of transport, accommodation, snacks, porter hire and others.

Is It Safe To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is safe even though this adventure is in a thick and jungle. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park but these are guarded by well-trained ranger guides together with other security operatives of Uganda.

In Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is the home of gorilla trekking adventures in the country but this is under the supervision of the Rwanda Development Board well trained ranger guides together with other security organs of Rwanda.

Before proceeding to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you must attend briefing where you get in depth explanation on how to behave while on a gorilla safari. Each gorillas trekking safari must be supervised by a ranger guide with a rifle and another carries a machete in case of an emergency.

While searching for the mountain gorillas in the wild, you must remember to follow the rules of this adventure. Wear the right gorilla trekking gears so as not to hurt by the rough surfaces in the jungle.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda?

The time taken on gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda varies with factors prevailing in the wilderness. From the starting point of the gorilla trek, some tourists may take about 120 minutes to find the mountain gorillas while other may spend more time. Some of the factors that may determine when  to find the mountain gorillas include food location, mood of the gorilla family , weather conditions of the day and others.

As it is not easy to be sure of where to find the mountain gorillas, in order to keep the excitement of seeing these primates, you need to bear some level of patience. Open your mind to seeing other forest dwellers like other monkeys, different birds, sparkling water falls, rich botany including fully grown natural trees and others.

Finally when you find the mountain gorillas watch them engage each others and all the funny gestures they show off to there visitors. These mountain gorillas are calm in nature but can also loose there cool when provoked so be mindful not to agitate them. In case the mountain gorillas try to reach out to you stay calm because sometimes they are curious to know about what you are carrying in your bags. Try to stay in one position and not move around. Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them as a conservation measure to allow them go about there day today activities

Are mountain Gorillas Dangerous?

In nature mountain gorillas are calm primates and poses a serene characteristic but can also charge when provoked. Before opening a gorilla finally to the public, it is first habituated for unknown time. Gorilla habituation is a process by which a wild gorillas family is helped to get used to human presence without altering there nature until proven ready to face humans.

Before proceeding to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, tourists must attend briefing to be informed about what is expected of them before and after locating the mountain gorillas. The briefing helps you to learn the characteristic of these gorilla families so that you donot cause any suspensions.

Sometimes, the mountain gorillas may charge but not all the time that you are the source of there anger. At times it may be there fellows, in case they are having family feud, territorial fights and much more so donot react upon seeing this but stay cam until your ranger guide establishes the route cause of the matter.

Follow instructions given rather than rush to get away because this may escalate the matter with the mountain gorillas.

Is Gorilla Trekking Easy Or Difficult

Whether you do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, it is quite a challenging adventure because of the nature of the topography of this area which is rugged, the over grown vegetation that has tangled over the years, misty conditions in the forest, the unstable mountain gorillas and much more.

All tourists are requested to bear some eve of fitness and patience before heading for the gorilla safari. Carry some energy bite to munch on because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire tour. Before starting the search for the mountain gorillas carry some packed lunch because return time after finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine, hire a porter to assist with your belongings so that they donot weigh you back.

Passing through the tanged vains may be quite challenging but wait for the ranger guide with a machete to trim the path heading to where the mountain gorillas may be.  Follow the trails constructed by the former tourists so as not to create more paths that can lead to degradation.

For those with physical movement challenges, they can use the assistance of sedan chair services but this need to be booked in advance so that all necessary arrangements can be done in time.

What Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Trekking During Christmas Season

 Just like booking the gorilla trekking permits in advance, secure accommodation to use during this adventure in time. The demand for accommodation at the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda is overwhelmingly high during the festive season so for those hoping to find options at the last minute may find this challenging.

Volcanoes National Park Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Gorilla Nest, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Kinigi guest house, Le Bambou hotel

Bwindi National Park Accommodations: Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Engage Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Nshongi Camp

Mgahinga accommodations: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

How Much Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Safari?

The cost of a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. The cost of the gorilla permits cuts across all categories and at the moment, the Gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda is $800 and in Rwanda $1500 per person per trek.

Other costs that may be considered when making a quotation for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda may include accommodation, transport, number of days on safari, number of people travelling with, timing of the tour and others.

At Arch Safaris and Tours, we can help you package your gorilla safaris to fit within your budget and also avail free advise on questions about the gorilla tours. Contact Us For Any Queries

Can Children Do Gorilla Trekking During Christmas Season

Children eligible for gorilla trekking tours are allowed to engage in gorillas trekking. The age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 12 years and over while Rwanda is 15 years and over. There is age limit on gorilla trekking because of factors like the nature of the terrain of this area, time taken in the forest, first glance at the mountain gorillas and much more. Children below these ages may not be in position to with stand the conditions in the forest and also the get tired early.

What to Pack For Gorilla Trekking During Christmas Season

Foldable Safari hat to protect your hair from water falling off the trees and buzzing insects in the wilderness.

Safari boots that can move on slippery slopes.

A torch to light in the evening when lights go out

A camera to take photos of your experience with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness.

Long trousers and trousers to provide extra protection to your body.

A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and offer extra security to your body.

Snacks to munch on when hungry especially when you take long hours in the wilderness.

Foldable water bottle to carry with drinking water to use for quenching thirst.

A back bag to carry in your belongings so that they are not lost in the wilderness when you fall.

Garden gloves to wear in case you need to catch a tighter grip when you are in the wilderness.

A pair of binoculars to catch a clearer look of far ranging features.

Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with when ones runs out during the gorilla trek.

Other attire to change into after the gorilla trek 

A light water proof bag to keep in your shoes so that they donot stain the rest of your belongings.

Some warmers because the temperatures of this area drop especially during the early morning or evening period. You need to keep warm.

Some hard cash to make on ground payments because credit cards are not commonly used as a means of exchange in Africa because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them. Book Now