What Are The Chances of finding Gorillas On Gorilla Trekking Safari In Africa

There are about 98% chances of finding mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda during gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation. The opportunity of taking part in searching for mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is like winning a lottery.

Although various zoos around the world keep limited numbers of gorillas in exhibits or cages, they are not naturally living.

Majority of the gorillas in zoos are living alone or in limited numbers of family members that may not be blood related.

During gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you have the best opportunity of meeting naturally living mountain gorillas. They are blood relatives that have stuck together in the forest.

 In the entire world only about 800 mountain gorillas are existing and of which about half the number are residents of Uganda.

Bwindi Forest National park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in D.R.Congo are the only natural homes of the mountain gorillas in the world.

Why Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the activity of following the mountain gorillas in the forest until you meet them (not dictionary meaning).

In the forest mountain gorillas live on there own and have to search for a meal to support there huge bodies. They are entirely vegetarian so in order to feed and satisfy there hunger, they have to look for there own food.

This prompts them to meander the forest throughout the day and so should the trekkers for the day.

What happens At the Ranger Station before Gorilla trekking

As gorilla trekking is one of the special wilderness African Safaris to do, you need to know the forest dynamics.

Mountain gorillas may be wild primates they are also the masters of the forest. Every trekker needs to understand, follow rules and regulations of gorilla trekking

Upon arriving at the ranger station, you must have all the required gorilla trekking gears in your water proof light bag. Wear a mask and carry a hand sanitizer as the corona Virus is still existing in the world.

The ranger guides take you through the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. Some of the rules include not feeding the mountain gorillas, no making noise while in the forest, volunteer to stay behind in case of any contiguous infections Read more.

The trekkers are divided into groups of 8 trekkers who are escorted into the forest to start searching for the mountain gorillas.

The entire group follow the trail where the gorillas were seen the previous day. Early in the morning a team of rangers wakes up and follow the gorillas and after finding them, communication is passed to the ranger station.

All 8 trekkers who are in the group follow the route where the gorillas were seen until you get to meet them.

What Is the Best Gorilla Trekking Family to trek

No matter the gorilla family you are given, you will have fun as long as you follow the instructions advised by the ranger guide. While with the gorillas, keep watching what each member of the family is doing.

Trust me gorillas may bring you some chills as you watch the way they interact with each and in case of babies you get a different feeling.

 What is the age Limit for gorilla trekking

15 year and above are the only ones allowed to do gorilla trekking. Gorillas are very sensitive primates. The mountain gorillas are easily scared by anything strange like lightening, noise, staring in there eyes which sends them into hiding.

Children below 15 years may find it difficult to walk through the thick boggy forest yet the time to find the gorillas is not known. It may take between 30 minutes to about three quarters of the day depending on the proximity of there food.

How To Book a Gorilla Trekking permit in Africa

Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda or Rwanda starts with checking availability. You can never confirm having a gorilla tracking safari without a gorilla permit. It is the entry ticket to any gorilla safari.  

Since only 8 gorilla permits per family are released per day, it is very helpful to know the status of the gorilla permits on the day you prefer to have the gorilla trekking experience.

Advance booking gives you the chance to feel comfortable while at the national park. In case you get on the waiting list you are not sure if someone will not show up for you to take there place.

Which Activities To Do with Gorilla trekking in Africa

Africa is endowed with lots of natural attractions like game, scenery, mesmerizing topography, friendly people and so much more.

Uganda being one of the three lucky homes of the naturally living mountain gorillas has a lot in stock for you to include in your gorilla trekking safari in Africa.

The country has lots animals like lions, giraffes leopards, cheetahs, herds of elephants,   herds of buffaloes, water bucks, rhinos, warthogs, chimpanzees, rich avian life and so much more.

Some of the parks you may include on your itinerary include Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison falls National Park, Kidepo valley national park, Kibale National park the list is endless.

Lots of fresh water lakes and rivers create a beautiful scenery while you go on the road trip to the countryside of Uganda.

Rwanda another home to the natural living mountain gorillas in the world. The Volcanoes National park is the specific home of the gorillas in Rwanda.

Rwanda has gone has additional activities to do with gorilla trekking like chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park, a visit to the Rwanda genocides memorial in Kigali where remain of the Victims of 1994 genocide are preserved, game drives in Akagera National park to mention but a few.

 Great Migration in Tanzania can also be an extension of the gorilla trekking safari in Africa. Tanzania and Kenya share the east African Visa with Rwanda and Uganda. In case you have the East African Visa, you can easily visit any of these countries as an addition to your safari.

In case your plan is to visit Africa for gorilla trekking, you can also make the plan to add the great migration giving you the chance to hit two birds with one stone at the same time.