Uganda or Rwanda Which Is The best Gorilla Trekking Destination in Africa

Do you want to know Which is the best gorilla trekking destination to visit of Uganda and Rwanda, the answer lies in the below details. Mountain Gorilla trekking adventure in Africa and world over is happening in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. The mountain gorillas can only live freely in there natural habitat and nowhere else.

In Uganda the mountain gorillas are living in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga forest. Rwanda has Volcanoes forest as the only habitat for the mountain gorillas. For anyone to have chance to do gorilla trekking safari, you need a gorilla permit from either Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. The number of gorilla trekking permits issued per day is restricted to maximum 8 per gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda. This was done for conservation reasons as there is need to preserve the environment. Book Now

Uganda has over 20 gorilla trekking families open to the public whereas Rwanda has about 12 gorilla trekking families. The time you take to get to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is about 3 hours from Kigali while the drive time from Entebbe in Uganda to Bwindi or Mgahinga forest is about 8 to 9 hours.

No matter what you encounter on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda, the excitement you feel when you finally stand face to face with the mountain gorillas is unforgettable and incomparable. The majestic look of the silverback as he emerges from the tangled vines may brings goosebumps all over your body.

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Which Is The Best Gorilla Trekking Destination In Africa Uganda Or Rwanda and why

Rwanda has one gorilla trekking destinations so far which is Volcanoes National Park situated in the north western part of the country. In Uganda, two gorilla trekking destinations are present that is Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda.

The drive time from Kigali international airport in Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours on a fairly well built road. The drive time from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park is about 8 hours to 9 hours but you can break the journey with stopovers at destinations along the way.

The cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit at the moment is about $1500 per permit per person. The cost of Uganda Gorilla trekking permit is currently $800 per person.

Uganda has several other optional safari destinations you can combine with gorilla trekking like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and several other game safaris, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and others. Rwanda has limited optional safari destinations you can combine with gorilla trekking some include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park.

The Minimum number of days on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda is two days while Uganda has a 3 days as the minimum number of days for gorilla trekking. For each country Uganda or Rwanda the minimum number of days include traveling to the destination and gorilla trekking which starts early in the morning yet return time is hard to determine in case you want to move to the next destination.

At the moment Uganda has more gorillas trekking permits that is from over 20 gorilla trekking families . Rwanda has currently 12 gorilla trekking families. Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, only maximum 8 people are allowed to visit the mountain gorillas per day.

You can do gorilla trekking in Uganda from Rwanda which is a time saving route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Rwanda. The drive time Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park is about 6 hour to 7 hours.

Uganda has gorilla habituation experience with so far 4 gorilla families open to the public with extra time you can have with the gorilla family other than gorilla trekking. During gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, four hours are allowed with these semi-habituated mountain gorillas. 

What Are The requirements For A Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda or Rwanda

The Gorilla Permit

The gorilla permit is the only confirmation that allows you to join the gorilla trekking adventure. The number of gorilla permits available for public book is maximum 8 per day per gorilla trekking family in Uganda and Rwanda.

Due to high demand, these gorilla trekking permits in Uganda or Rwanda sell out fast leaving last minute shoppers with no options or without a chance of a permit. The peak tourism season especially June to October normally has high demand for the gorilla permits as so most people tend to secure them in advance.

To book a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda, you have to first  find availability according to the dates of your preference, it is best to book the gorilla permit as soon as you can because there status change any time without warning.

Accommodation for the Gorilla trekking time

Accommodation at the gorilla trekking safari destination is a very important element of this African safari. Gorilla trekking starts early morning with verification of your documents and tickets which is proceeded by briefing and all these are compulsory to very participant. Failure to attend briefing may end in getting a penalty or getting disqualified from gorilla trekking.

At the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda there are different categories of accommodations that is upmarket, mid-range and basic that you can book. During the high tourism season, the rooms at most of these facilities sale out in advance creating scarcity for late bookings. This one of the reasons why booking in advance the accommodations to use during gorilla trekking is very important. Last minute accommodation bookings may end in you having to spend one night at one facility and another in another so you keep pack and unpacking your bags which is uncomfortable.

Transport to use on Gorilla Trekking Tour

Transport to use during the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda is a very important element when drawing the plan for this Uganda or Rwanda safari. Whether destined for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you need a terrain friendly vehicles to move through that rough countryside that may even be extremely messy especially during the severe rainy season.

Having a professional and experienced driver guide in your company gives you extra information and the most recent one about this destination. It is best to fuel your tank to capacity before proceeding to these gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda because chances of finding refueling stations get slimmer as you go on.

When Is the Best Timing For A Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Even though gorilla trekking is open all year in Uganda and Rwanda, the dry season which us June to October presents the favorable environment for this adventure. In general, the mountain gorillas are full of life and getting to them easier in the dry season. Even others forest dwellers like birds, butterflies, others primates a quicker to spot.

The way to the mountain gorillas is usually described as being slippery and soggy most of the time but it betters as the dry season unfolds. More sunlight is allowed through the dense leaves to the ground reducing on the level of precipitation.

This dry season is normally the high tourism season of Uganda or Rwanda with completion for the available gorilla permits. On ground, there are more tourists so if you are looking for tranquility at the gorilla trekking destination, this may not be the right timing.

The wet season which is normally March through to May is also great time for booking the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda but there are normally less people in your company. In case you have a limited budget for your gorilla trekking safari, you can use the advantage of the low season when even the service providers are likely to lower their costs to break-even.

For exclusive gorilla trekking experience with no or less company of other tourists is more possible in the wet season. Gorilla trekking permits for the dry season are normally purchased as early as a year in advance and are randomly distributed to the tourists. It is quite hard to find an empty gorilla family that has not be allocated to any tourists in the peak season.  This makes it hard to close off the gorilla family.

How much is the cost of A Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda or Rwanda

The gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are packaged according to luxury, mid-range and basic each costing a different price. The universal cost of any gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda is the gorilla permit which is a must document you must present on the day of the tour. At the moment, the cost of the gorilla trekking permit of Uganda is $ 800 and Rwanda gorilla permit cost is currently $1500. Whichever gorillasafari package you choose must include the permit which you need to book in advance because they sell out very fast.

As mentioned prior, there are other costs you must incur on a gorilla safari inclusive of transport, accommodation and others.

How Safe Is The Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda Or Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is a safe adventure even though it is in the wilderness where you have to moved in search for mountain gorillas. The Bwindi forest or Mgahinga forest or Volcanoes forest  are thick forests with vegetation that has culminated over the years. Moving in the wilderness must be carefully done as the nature of the topography in this Virunga area isvolcanic with a series of highlands.

As you move in the wilderness, be careful as you by pass the tingled vines that may obstruct your way. The ranger guides move with a machete to help trim the protruding creepers that may obstruct your way. You can ask for a supporting stick to provide prevent you from falling back in case you slide. The ground is generally slippery most of the year so you must move carefully because even the matter that falls decomposes to form a slippery surface.

Try to follow the guidelines of the gorilla trekking safari in order not to offend the very sensitive animals in the jungle. Even though the mountain gorillas are known to be serene in nature, they can charge when provoked or agitated so carefullyfollow the rules of this adventure

What Are The Rules Of Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Or Rwanda

No making noise while trekking to find either the mountain gorillas because this makes them feel attacked.

Volunteer top stay behind in case you have a communicable infection like flu, cough, covid-19 and others.

While walking in the forest, try not to dump garbage in the forest because this alters the nature of the forest where these primates thrive.

When with the mountain gorillas keep a distance of about 7 meters from them to prevent chances of spreading any infection to these highly susceptible primates.

Never enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide as you may encounter animals that may hurt you or get lost in the wilderness.

In case you wish to have along call, request from the ranger guide to dig a hole for you atleast 30 centimeters deep. Then cover well beyond recognition so that these primates can exhume anything.

Donot the torch the mountain gorillas although they may try to reach out to touch your hair or belongings out of curiosity.

Feeding the mountain gorillas is forbidden because they are wild animals that must search for there own food.

Spitting on vegetation is forbidden as this may pass germs to the mountain gorillas

The uganda or Rwanda gorilla trekking and age limit is 12 years and 15 years respectively. This is because people of these ages may be in position to withstand tough conditions in the jungle unlike those below.

Only one hour is allowed with the fully habituated mountain gorillas for conservation reasons.

When taking photos, flash photography is not accepted because this may scare the mountain gorillas.

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