Top Gorilla Tracking Destinations In Africa

 Gorilla tracking is the number one dream come true activity on an African Safari. The magical moment is the when you stare deep into the brown shy eyes of mountain gorillas. This magic only happens in 3 African countries

Gorilla tracking Safari In Uganda

Uganda hosts the biggest population of mountain gorillas in the world. They are residents of mountainous Bwindi forest Park.

Gorillas live in families under the leadership of an autocratic silverback. Most of the time he fights to death defending his family. He is the supreme leader of his family and never cautioned for his actions.

Which areas do mountain gorillas in Uganda live in

Mountain gorillas in Uganda live in Buhoma gorilla tracking area, Nkuringo Gorilla Tracking area, Rushaga gorilla tracking area and Ruhija gorilla tracking area.

When you book a gorilla tracking permit, ensure you get to know the area where your permit has been booked.

This will assist you to search accommodation suitable for your over nights. You are advised to spend the night in the area closer to where your permit has been booked.

This assists you not to rise up early in the morning to drive the bumpy impassable roads.

What Time Do you Take to See the Uganda Mountain Gorillas

Gorillas are very mobile primates as they have to look for there own meal for the day. The time taken to see the gorillas is not known as it is dependent on the circumstances in the forest.

There are however chances of finding the mountain gorillas between 1 hour after starting your trek to about 6 hours. The chances are open.

What happens when you meet the Uganda mountain gorillas?

As you draw closer to the gorillas, you may hear them murmuring at each other. You are requested to keep calm and wait to take photos as the ranger must first establish the mood of the gorillas.

When allowed to take photos of the gorillas, use a flash less camera as the flash scares them. They may o into hiding denying you the chance of spending a full hour with them.

After this chilling but exciting moment, leave nothing, carry nothing but memories and photos on this once in a life time experience.

 Gorilla tracking In Rwanda

 Rwanda is another one of the lucky countries in Africa to still host the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorillas in Rwanda also live in families under the leadership of a silver back. Rwanda has the second largest population of mountain gorillas in the world.

For conservation reason, mountain gorillas are allowed to be seen by only 8 tourists per day.

This is to reduce on traffic congestion that may lead to trampling on the vegetation which is the daily meal for the gorillas.

 What is the cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda?

The price for a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500. This is used to assist in the conservation and treatment administered to the gorillas when ill.

It is also shared with the community in order to encourage they to be part of the gorilla conserving members.

What do you need to Park for Gorilla tracking in Rwanda?

You need to have very particular wear while you trek to see the gorillas. This is because the wilderness may not be kind to your skin

A pair of boots, insect repellant, long trousers and long sleeved shirt, garden gloves, a light back pack, drinking water bottle, energy bites, hire a porter before the start of trek READ MORE……

Gorilla tracking in D.R.Congo..

 Mountain gorillas also live in D.R.Congo. They are residents of Virunga Forest National Park.

As political instability has always been a hindrance to gorilla tracking in the Virunga Forest, a few people do visit this park.

Other primates are residents of this area like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and so many others.

A number of birds are residents of this park too.

What Else you need to know About Gorilla Tracking

Best Time for Booking a Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year but there are tourism peak seasons and low seasons. During the peak seasons the prices for all the safari packages  are very high yet during the low seasons, the prices for the packages my differ.

You need to book a gorilla trekking permit atleast 3 months in advance of travel to prevent last minute panic as only 8 gorilla permits are released for tourism per day.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is open to everyone but you must be at least 15 years of age

However it’s not a good idea to track gorillas when you have a cold for conservation reasons.

Do some exercises to keep fit because the topography of Bwindi Impenetrable Park and Volcanoes National Park is volcanic. While in the jungle, you hike and get done the valleys, bypass numerous rivers as this area is a water catchment surface.

What to Do And Not To do while with the mountain Gorillas

Conservation is the main reason why few people are allowed to be with the mountain gorillas each day, you must be ready to follow the instructions.

Do not trample on the grass use the tails because the mountain gorillas entirely feed on foliage for survival.

If you eat anything while in the jungle, do not liter because the mountain gorillas may eat anything and die. This is a great loss.

In case you have a cold, be kind to these animals and say before starting the search because they are highly susceptible to human infections which may turn into death.

Keep up with the other group to avoid getting lost in the jungle.

In case you need to ease yourself, its best to ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you and afterwards you have to cover beyond recognition to keep the environment clean and protect the animals that may be curious of what you have covered. Keeping your voices low while you trek to see the gorillas gives you enough chances of seeing the mountain gorillas since they get to notice your presence before you do.