What Are The Chances Of Finding Mountain Gorillas In The Wet Season

During the gorilla safaris, chances of finding the gorillas in the wet season are about 98%. The wet season which is normally March to May and late October to November are normally characterized by .heavy down pour. Note that the Virunga area where mountain gorillas live are known to receive untimely rains. Book Now

To do a gorilla safari in Africa, you can choose to do gorilla trekking where one hour is allowed with the fully habituated gorilla family for one hour or Gorilla habituation experience where four hours are allowed with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

To do mountain gorilla safaris in Africa only three countries are open for this adventure that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Visiting the mountain gorilla is done once in the day to minimize the effects of mass tourism to the environment that feeds these vulnerable primates, reduce on the possibility of stressing the mountain gorillas that are highly sensitive to intruders in there vicinity.

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Where to Go For Gorilla Safaris

In Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is home to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda with so far 12 gorilla families open to the public. In general the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is steeper because of the several highlands that make up its topography.

To do Gorilla trekking in Rwanda you must have a gorilla permit from the Rwanda Development Board. Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to other inhabitants including blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. More than 200 bird species are confirmed residents of Volcanoes National Park and others.

In Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a prehistoric forest which is believed to be in existence for more than 25000years. Bwindi forest is regarded to be a biosphere reserve which is believed to have survived the ice age period. Because of the vest size of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park it is divided into four areas that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo and under these areas are different gorillas families.

In Bwindi forest you can do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience but take note of which area your gorilla permit is booked before reserving any safari amenities. Bwindi forest hosts other inhabitants including more than 9 other primate species, more than 350 bird species including Albertine rift endemics, other mammals, more than 200 tree species and others.

Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking is one of the main activities in Mgahinga National Park and despite the fact that it is the smallest National Park in Uganda. At the moment one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi is open to public visits in Mgahinga National Park.

Other than the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is home to the endangered golden monkeys, other primates too, more than 115 bird species and others.

The topography of Mgahinga forest has three of the six Virunga Volcanoes and other highlands that influence its composition that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo. An excursion hike on either of the mountains is exciting and gives you a stunning view of this rich area.

In D.R.Congo

Virunga National Park

The Virunga National Park is home to the mountain gorillas in D.R.Congo but because of political instability, the gorilla trekking experience in the country is retarded. At the moment about 6 gorilla trekking families are open to public booking in Virunga area but the conservation campaign is still on going.

The Virunga forest is home to the lowland mountain gorillas too, other primate species, a multitude of bird species including Albertine rift endemics.

How To Easily Find The Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Safaris in the wet season

Finding the mountain gorillas starts with accepting to attend briefing at the ranger station where details of how to behave before and during the meeting with these primates is given in details.

The ranger guides allocate tourists the gorilla families to trek and these lead the way following the trail where the gorillas family was last seen the previous day. The ranger guides also use advise given by the early trackers who follow the mountain gorillas to establish where they may have spent the night.

As tourists, you may assist with tracing the clues left behind by the mountain gorillas including fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, listen to the murmurs, left behind hairs, foot prints and much more.

Have some level of patience when searching for the mountain gorillas because in order to still maintain the urge to find the mountain gorillas. Open your mind to viewing other forest dwellers including primates, birds, features, waterfalls, different species and more.

When you find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them as they are habituated to be in there presence of humans for that time during gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience only four hours are allowed with these primates and a conservation measure. The mountain gorillas live in cohesive families that only move from one location to another when it is necessary so finding them may take some time but be sure of finding them.

What To Expect During Gorilla Safari In The Wet Season

During the wet season expect the trails in the forest to be soggy and boggy because of the regular rains that fall yet there is normally mild sunshine throughout the day. The dense canopy of the forest where mountain gorillas live also permits less sunlight though to the ground. The Virunga area has a dense network of rivers and streams that may overflow in the wet season leaving the ground soggy.

The trails in the forest are normally obstructed by the vegetation that protrudes over and at times falls over then rotes to create a slippery environment. Be mindful when searching for the mountain gorillas in the forest while on gorilla trekking tour.

The mountain gorillas and other primates normally spend more of the time at more elevated spots in the wet season but be sure to find them too. Having some level of fitness is very important while on gorilla trekking safari because sometimes the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes of the highlands in the forest.

It may rain any time during the gorilla search which may last an entire day so carry some rain proof gears to protect yourself from getting wet.

The number of tourists who engage in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience is normally small or none in the wet season. There are chances of taking an unprepared for solo gorilla safari in the wet season which may give you chance to receive full attention from the ranger guides. There is less disturbance during gorilla safari from other tourists. 

How Much Is The Cost Of The Gorilla Safaris In The Wet Season

The cost of the gorilla safaris in the wet season is categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. the cost of the gorilla permits is across all packages too. In Uganda, the current cost of gorilla trekking permits is $800 for international nonresidents, $700 for international residents and 300,000shs for East Africans.

The current cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for international residents, $200 for East Africans

In Uganda, the cost of the gorilla habituation permit is $1500 for international nonresidents, $1000 fr international residents and other Africans and 750000shs for East Africans. With gorilla Habituation experience four hours are allowed with the semi-habituated habituated gorilla family.

The cost of the gorilla safaris is determined by other factors include season, number of people travelling with, addition safari activities to combine with gorilla safari and other. Consider the logistics to that support the gorilla safari including accommodation category, transport and others. Donot forget to pack extra hard cash to use for on ground purchases because credit cards are not commonly used in Africa.    

How Can I Book A Gorilla Permit

To book a gorilla permit for the gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience, below are the steps to follow.

Steps

Select the date to do the gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience, as this assists with finding availability of the gorilla permits. Identify the people to travel with during gorilla safari.

Find availability of gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.

Book the gorilla permit as soon as you can because there availability changes any time without warning. Even when you find availability of the gorilla permits, there status may change anytime without warning.

Note that there is no gorilla permit reserved without payment and first come first served basis is considered before booking the gorilla permits. Purchase the gorilla permits as soon as possible to save yourself from last minute disappointments

Provide some personal information about yourself to use for identification including your full names as presented on the passport, date of birth, Nationality and others.  

There are chances to pay fully for the gorilla permit or in instalments of 30% and 70% respectively but some factors that must be considered.

Who Can Do Gorilla Safaris

Gorilla safaris are open to everyone however there is age limit factors that you need to consider. At the moment, the age limit for gorilla safaris in Uganda is 12 years and over while the age limit for gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is 15 years and over.

Even those with physical impairment condition one can go for gorilla safaris with the help of sedan chair services.

Why Choose To Do Gorilla Safaris

When you choose to do gorilla safaris, you get the chance to share the same space with the few leftover mountain gorillas there is in the world. The moment you stand face to face with the mountain gorillas is unforgettable and melts your heart. It is the moment of truth when you get chance to witness the reality about the mountain gorillas and how they survive in the forest.

By purchasing the gorilla permit, you get the chance to contribute to the conservation of the mountain gorillas which are only few left in the world. The conservation of the mountain gorillas is still going on with more funds still required.

Other than gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience, the destinations where you go gorilla trekking are wildlife rich with chances of spotting several primates, birds, butterfly, other mammals, different plant species and much more.  The choice of doing the gorilla safaris and finally securing a gorilla permit is compared to winning a lottery because of the limited availability of gorilla permits at the destinations.

What are the rules of Gorilla safaris

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.

Donot the touch 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 age limit gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and Uganda 12 years. 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