Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda Where To go

Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda Where To go 

To go for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda, you must acquire a gorilla permit first. You cannot proceed with any plans of the Uganda tour or Rwanda safari without a confirmed gorilla permit from either countries. The gorilla permits for Uganda or Rwanda have limits that is maximum 8 permits per day per family. This was set by Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board to minimize the effects of mass tourism. enquire Now

In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the only habitats for the mountain gorillas. Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park as the home for the mountain gorillas. All together these pristine forests form the Virunga area including Virunga National Park in D.R.Congo.

You shiver as you sweat during the gorilla safari at the first glance of the majestic mountain gorillas as the giant silverback emerge from the tangled vines that makes part of the daily meal. The entire gorilla family may seem not to mind your presence as they keep munching on the close by foliage chewing each piece at a time but donot be fooled to try and reach out. Keep the required distance in the rules

Note that both Uganda and Rwanda try to keep the gorilla trekking adventure as natural as possible so that all tourists get the authentic feeling when among these endangered primates. The managing authorities of these gorilla destinations try not to let the mount gorillas get used to human presence and dependence that is why one hour is allowed with them.

Where to go For Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Not knowing how to navigate this dense, lush Bwindi forest which hosts almost half the total population of the mountains gorillas in the entire world approximately a population of 459 gorillas.

From the outside of the Bwindi forest, you may ask yourself how you are to explore this vast forest in search of the mountain gorillas but there are different trailheads where it all starts.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of about 327 square kilometers with a jagged terrain which makes crossing from one area to another quite challenging.  The park was divided into four areas Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija under which gorilla trekking permits are booked.

At the moment, Bwindi impenetrable National Park has about 19 gorilla trekking families that is Bitukura, Mishaya, Nshongi, Rushegura, Busingye and others. Bwindi also has the gorilla habituation experience where maximum four tourists accompany a team of researchers to have four hours with semi-habituated mountain gorillas.

Other than the mountain gorillas , other 9 primate species are present in the park such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. More than 350 bird species are residents of Bwindi forest too. Other wild animals may be spotted too including forest elephants, giant forest hogs,

Mgahinga National Park

Get it off the bucket list by embarking on a gorilla trekking safari to Mgahinga National Park. if you are searching for less travelled destinations with no crowds, Mgahinga forest has you covered. Mgahinga National Park is in the southwestern corner of Uganda even though it may be the smallest Uganda National Park it is home to mountain gorillas and others primates.

So far Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga forest is open to the public and as the habituation process is still going on, more families may be opened in this park.

Golden monkeys safaris are also part of the activities to do in Mgahinga National Park as the park hosts some of these endangered primates. You can choose to do golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience in this park. As you explore the forest, you may encounter other primates such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others.

More than 115 bird species including Albertine rift endemics have been recorded as residents of Mgahinga forest some include Handsome Francolin, Dusky’s Crimsonwing , Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco and others.

In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the only home for mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The gorilla trekking adventure in this forest is considered to be bee steeper compared to Uganda and D.R.Congo. This is because of the presence highlands that result from the Volcanic actions in this area. Five mountains that is Mountain Gahinga, Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Bisoke and Karisimbi influence the topography of Volcanoes National Park.

At the moment about 12 gorilla families are open to the public in Volcanoes National Park some include Amahoro, Hirwa, Umubano, Susa, Agashya and others. To get to the mountain gorillas one needs every tourists is requested to posses a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit.

Volcanoes National Park is home to golden monkeys so it is here that gold meets silver in the jungle. You can book the golden monkey trekking tour in Rwanda. One needs a golden monkey trekking permit first from the Rwanda Development Board.

Birders on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, may get the opportunity to in identify a number of birds including Albertine rift endemics because Volcanoes National Park has over 200 bird species.

When Is The Best Time To Plan The Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda And Rwanda

The best time to plan and do the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is when you are ready because this is an all year wide activity. Uganda and Rwanda have two seasons the dry and wet season but the dry season is most preferred that is June to September and December to Mid-January when less moisture is expected in the forest. The nature of destinations where mountain gorillas live in Uganda and Rwanda is that they are moist most of the time because of the dense network of rivers that crisscrossing the forest and regular rains that fall.

When planning the gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda, it is best to reserve the gorilla permits first and this can be atleast 6 months to a year in advance especially if you hope to travel in the high tourism season. The high tourism season of Uganda is normally June, July, August, September, December and January.

Even reserve other logistics that support the gorillas trekking safari including accommodation, transport in advance because as the season, opens the options run out.

Be ready to share the gorilla trekking adventure with other tourists in this high season because of the overwhelming demand for this Uganda safari or Rwanda tour in this season.

Donot ignore planning the Rwanda or Uganda gorilla tour in the wet season that is March, April and May because no matter when you travel, be sure to find the mountain gorillas, chances of getting the gorilla trekking permits as a last minute client may be more open in the wet season. Imagine having the forest to yourself and the rangers on ground so you have all attention fixed onto you as you turn your dream of the gorilla trekking safari a reality.

What to expect during the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda

• No matter how many time you go for gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda, the experience is always different that is why many book double gorillas trekking safaris. Each gorilla family showcases different characteristics just like humans.
• On gorilla trekking day in Uganda or Rwanda, you have to report to the ranger station atleast before 0700hrs for document verification. Expect to meet other trekkers for briefing before the gorilla trekking.
• The ranger guide takes through what is expected of you before meeting the mountain gorillas and after finding them. At this point to you can hire a porter at an affordable cost of about $20 to assist carry your gorilla trekking gears or even give you a push when tired
• After allocating you a gorilla family, the ranger guide and other two-armed rangers accompany you to search for the mountain gorillas following the trail heads where the family was last seen the previous day.
• Donot let your morale and excitement of being with the mountain gorillas fade away because of the long time you take to find these primates but open your mind to spotting other forest dwellers. In Bwindi, Mgahinga or Volcanoes forests there are other primates such as the golden monkeys, chimpanzees in Bwindi, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys and others. Enjoy the whistling birds that regularly meander throughout the forest including Albertine rift endemics. The Virunga area was affected by volcanic actions forming different features including ridges, plateaus and others.
• Assist with tracing the mountain gorillas by following the clues they leave behind such as fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, listen to there calls and much more.
• The ranger guide may warn you as you draw closer to where the gorilla family may spend the day. Remember the mountain gorillas are the bosses at this point so try not to violet the rules of gorilla trekking. Even when you see something odd about the gorilla family, donot try to run away but wait for the ranger guide to find the cause of the matter.
• Utilize the best of your gorilla trekking safari time to the maximum because only one hour is strictly allowed with the mountain gorillas so that they can be left to go about there day activities. The mountain gorillas have feelings too because they bear approximately 98% human DNA so donot try to provoke them because they can charge.

Stealthily get away from the mountain gorilla family after the elapse of the gorilla trekking time without causing any suspension and carry nothing but photos of these vulnerable primates back to the starting point. Expect a certificate as an acknowledgment for having completed the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

What Is The Cost Of The Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda And Rwanda

The cost of the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic.  The cost of the gorilla permit is compulsory for any category of gorilla trekking safari package you choose .

The current Uganda gorilla trekking permit cost is $800 international nonresidents, $700 for international residents, $500 for other African and 300,000shs for east Africans.

The current price of Rwanda gorilla trekking safari permits is $1500 for international nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $500 for Other Africans and $200 for East Africans.

In addition to the cost of the gorilla permit, consider the necessary logistics that support Rwanda safaris includes accommodation, transport and others.

For accommodation to use during Uganda or Rwanda safari, you need to choose that in your budget that is up-market, mid-range and basic. These accommodation range with the cost and each offers different inclusions in the cost so consider    

Accommodation costs to incur during the gorilla trekking safari may include Full Board, bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Bed only and my other plans. It is best to spend the night before the gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda within or closer to the destination where you are booked to do the gorilla trekking adventure.