12 Most Asked Gorilla Trekking Safari Questions And Answers In Africa

The mystery surrounding gorilla trekking safaris is rising lots of questions about its uniqueness but everybody has different answers about there feeling after meeting the mountain gorillas.

World over, mountain gorillas are left in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. They meander through the Virunga area in search for food that takes them through day and night. An adult gorilla may eat up to 200 pound of foliage. There favorite is the bamboo but can feed on fruits, soft stems, leaves, tubers and others.

These mountain gorillas by 1980s were at the verge of extinction as the census then stated that only about 250 mountain gorillas were in the world. at the moment about 1000 mountain gorillas are living in the world because of conservation. Every gorilla permit that you buy supports the gorilla fund through which conservation is promoted.

Even the local community which is not yet fully ion board to support the existence of the mountain gorillas is slowly joining the campaign. More effort is still required and thanks to those who labor to visit the mountain gorillas they are still thriving.

The mountain gorillas are living in four National parks in the world that is Volcanoes Nations Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda which hosts almost half the total number of gorillas and Virunga National Park D.R.Conngo.

You must have a gorilla trekking permit to bellowed access to the mountain gorillas and the numbers are limited to maximum 8 tourists. For conservation reasons so that  mass tourism is avoided and the food for the mountain gorillas is not trampled on.

What Is Gorilla Trekking In Africa

Gorilla trekking is the activity of following habituated mountain gorillas in the jungle. They live in families under the dominant silverback which is normally an autocratic leader. For you to be allowed to do gorilla trekking, you must book a date and when you get the chance of reserving a gorilla permit, we advise you to purchase it as soon as possible because they are fast sold.

First come first served basis is used when booking the gorilla permits so that everybody quenching to do gorilla trekking has equal opportunity. You must attend briefing so that you listen to all the details necessary for you to succeed in meeting the mountain gorillas.

Know that although mountain gorillas are serene, they are very sensitive so follow the gorilla trekking rules keenly.

Where to Do Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Bwindi Impenetrable National park

This is one of the historical Uganda National Parks that are believed to have been a refugia for several species that survived the ice age era.  The forest is estimated to be about 25000 years old. Bwindi locally means impenetrable and indeed this double meaning is fit for this forest. This forest occupies about 327 square km of land.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park lies in southwestern Uganda hosting so far 18 gorilla families. The rich fauna of Bwindi includes about 10 primates and others include olive baboons, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others.

The temperature of Bwindi Impenetrable National park range from 7 degrees centigrade to about 28 degrees centigrade. Bwindi annually receives about 2390 mm of rain but the heaviest rains are received in March to May then September November. This area has an altitude of about 1160 meters to 2607 meters above sea level.

The different vegetation zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National park make it one of the best uganda birding destinations hosting over 350 bird species. Including about 23 species of 24 albertine rift endemics. You may have chance to spot Handsome Francolin, African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, African Hill Babbler, Red faced Woodland Warbler, Mountain Masked and Chestnut Throated Apalises, Collared Apalis Banded Prinia and others.

READ MORE

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa and was gazette in 1925. The topography of Volcanoes National park is composed of five Virunga volcanoes where mountain gorillas love meandering. These mountain include Mountain Karisimbi, mountain  Gahinga, mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhabura and Mountain Sabyinyo.

In 1967, an American philanthropist Dian Fossey staged her research in Karisoke Research Center. She tried to study the behavior of the mountain gorillas and discovered that one of the ways to use for conserving them is to allow humans to have the chance to visit them. this was the birth of the gorilla trekking idea but her life was ended in 1985 when she was assassinated.

During the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the mountain gorillas and there habitat Volcanoes National park were affected but late gorilla trekking in this forest resumed in 1999.

At the moment about 13 gorilla families are so far fully habituated for human presence and you can book a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit through Arch Safaris And Tours

READ MORE

Mgahinga National Park

This is the smallest mountain gorilla habitat covering about 33.7 square kilometers. The park has a backdrop of three distinctive volcanoes that is Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo and mountain Gahinga. Hiking to the top of some of these mountains gives you chance to see the border of the three countries Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Mgahinga National park is one of the less visited gorilla hosting National parks and its vegetation is still virgin. This however doesn’t mean it has less to offer because it is a great uganda birding destination, you can do Batwa pygmies visit, nature walks and others.

At the moment, Mgahinga National Park hosts only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi whose history is known to be a mobile group. This gorilla family would in the past move into Rwanda or D.R.Congo because they do not understand political boundaries. Of late, this family has settled in Uganda and gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park can be prebooked.

READ MORE

Virunga National park

This mountain gorilla habitat is in D.R.Congo. Its Mountain gorillas have faced a lot of human interference because of the civil unrest in this area. At the moment only 6 gorilla families have been habituated but buying its gorilla permits is upon the conditions prevailing in the forest.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits In Africa

You must have the date when you wish to do gorilla trekking in Africa. know the country where you are interested in doing gorilla trekking that is Uganda, Rwand and D.R.Congo.

When you enquire about your interest in doing the gorilla trek, our safari consultant check for availability from the respective authorities . in Uganda, Uganda wildlife authority is the gorilla permit selling body and Rwanda gorilla permits are sold by Rwanda Development Board

We advise our clients to purchase there gorilla permits as soon as availability is got to because there demand is high yet they are limited.

How Much Is a Gorilla Trekking Permit In Africa

The gorilla trekking permit being the entry ticket to gorilla trekking is a must purchase and this must be done in advance. Purchasing your gorilla permit on ground is challenging because you are not sure if they are available, which gorilla trekking area they are from, if there will be a no-show and much more. It is a risky venture to attempt for last minute gorilla trekking adventure.

In Uganda, the gorilla permit costs $700 per person, Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 per person per trek and D.R.Congo Gorilla permit currently costs $450 per person per trek.

How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking Safari

The security of Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking areas is perfect because there ranger guides coordinate to maintain law and order in this area. The involvement of other security agencies of these countries also promotes peace in this area.

Personal security however is the most important where by you have to follow the rules of gorilla trekking.

Try not to count a lot of money in public

Eating from anywhere may cause you food poisoning.

Do not enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide

Never provoke the mountain gorillas they are wild animals that must be left in peace.

Pack and wear the right gorilla trekking gear to protect your body from harsh conditions in the forest.

How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking In Africa

 The topography of the gorilla trekking area is volcanic so expect to hike some ridges and plateaus. At times the mountain gorillas feed or lounge from the slopes depending on the prevailing conditions in the forest.

Hire a porter at the start of your gorilla trekking tour in case you wish to be free while hiking in the forest.

Do some exercises in advance of gorilla trekking to stretch your muscles a little so that you don’t get so tired by the end of the trek.

When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking In Africa

All year around gorilla trekking is open but the best time that people visit is June to September or December to January. This is because there is more sunshine penetrating through the dense forest canopy to reduce on the moisture in the forest. Even other forest dwellers like monkeys, birds, butterflies are more active this season.

The low seasons are also gorilla trekking times because mountain gorillas occupy certain locations for sometime as a family. They only migrate when food becomes scarce or other factors. There are normally less people visiting so chances of doing a solo gorilla trek are high.

Chances of getting discounted gorilla trekking services like accommodation are more open in the low season.

Which is the best Country For Gorilla Trekking Safari in Africa

Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo, the feeling you get after meeting the mountain gorillas makes you forget want you may have gone through. The difference in which is the best place to trek the gorillas depends on personal feeling and what you wish to see on safari

 Uganda has the biggest percentage on the total number of mountain gorillas. The other half is shared between Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Rwanda gorilla permits cost is $1500 per person where as Uganda gorilla permit costs $700 per person per trek., and D.R.congo gorilla permit price is $450 per person at the moment.

The distance from Kigali Airport to Volcanoies National park is about 3 hours where as the distance from Entebbe airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National park in Uganda is about 530 km for about 8 hours to 9 hours.

Rwanda gorilla safari organization is more elaborate and in an organised location where as Uganda gorilla safari briefing still need more organizing.

Which accommodation to book for gorilla trekking in Africa

In uganda, booking accommodation for Bwindi Impenetrable National park must be in the area where your gorilla permit is booked to avoid early morning drive to get to the briefing point.

 A few of the Bwindi accommodations include Gorilla safari Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Resort and others.

Mgahinga National park Lodge include Gahinga Lodge and others can be booked in Kisoro town.

Volcanoes National park accommodation include Sabyinyo silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest house, Lebambou and others.

What Is the age Limit For Gorilla Trekking

The age limit for gorilla trekking in all three countries is 15 years and above. This becues of the rules of gorilla trekking that the children below age 15 years may not be in position to abide too like not making noise when in the forest. Even the time of locating the mountain gorillas is unknown, which requires some patience. This is not easy with children below this age. The provocative nature of the mountain gorillas may cause the child some freight.

How To Get to The mountain Gorillas Destinations

By Road

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a number of routes you can take the gorilla trekking destinations. Some of them include Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukingiri to Buhoma. This is the most direct road trip to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. READ MORE

Mgahinga National Park is about 540 km from Kampala or Entebbe International Park. you drive through Kampala to Kabale to Kisoro to Ntebeko. The journey takes about 8 hours to 9 hours.

Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours from Kigali Airport. You go through winding roads that go round the numerous hills from which Rwanda gests her name Land of a thousand hills.

You drive from Kigali Airport or city to Musaze and then Kinigi.

By Flight

In Uganda daily domestic flights depart Entebbe airport or Kajjansi air strip to Kihihi Air strip for about 1 hours and half. You use a transfer vehicle to Bwindi Impenetrable National park for about 2 hours.

Another route is Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Airstrip for about 2 hours but you need a transfer vehicle to Mgahinga National park or southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Flights from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National park are available in Rwanda.

Are Mountain Gorillas Aggressive

In general, the mountain gorillas are serene creatures but you do not need to provoke them. they are shy so try not to stare at them because this may agitate them pushing them into hiding.