Gorilla safaris give you that opportunity to be just a few meters from the only living mountain Gorillas in the world. there is no where else in the world where you will get the chance to be as close to the mountain gorillas as you are while on gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience the wild. Contact us
Gorilla habituation experience is an adventure where tourists are allowed to accompany a team of researchers and ranger guides to follow a semi habituated gorilla family for four hours.
Gorilla trekking safari allows maximum 8 tourists to have one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family. One must book a gorilla permits to be gives access to a day with the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. This must be done in advance to reduce on the chances of missing out on these permits.
Rwanda and Uganda are popular gorilla trekking destinations in Africa. D.R.Congo gorilla trekking is possible too but because of political instability, this is an unreliable destination for this Africa safari adventure.
In Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the only homes of gorilla safaris. Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park as its gorilla trekking destination.
What Is Unique and Interesting about gorilla safaris in Africa?
Gorilla Safari Is An Africa adventure with great History
Gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation safari is the only chances to be in the same wild space with the few surviving animals of the arid conditions of the ice age era that hit Africa between the period of 12000 to 18000 year ago. This led to the loss of several wildlife habitants like the forests in Africa but Bwindi forest, Volcanoes forest are some of the victors of this era.
Gorilla safaris only happen in three African countries world wide
Mountain gorillas can only survive in the Virunga area in the entire world so donot expect to find them elsewhere. Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo are the only hosts of these prehistoric primates. Booking the gorilla safari is a dream come true adventure that can only be fulfilled in the three countries.
Discover the true Nature of Mountain Gorillas during Gorilla safari in Africa
Mountain gorillas are portrayed as aggressive and intimidating but you can only know there true nature during either gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience. Despite there huge size and intimidating outlook, mountain gorillas are more scared of humans than humans are.
Mountain gorillas have daily activities like humans like breast feeding , searching for food, grooming, combing hair, bonding, playing, nursing and much more. They live in tight families and yarn to conquer more members from other families to widen there territories. Dominant Silverbacks normally want autonomy over the rest of the members just like humans. No one choreographs these primates to do all these but nature rules.
During gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience, tourists are advised not to stare into the brown deep eyes of the mountain gorillas but do it stealthily. Looking into the eyes of mountain gorillas makes them shy away and pushes them into the deeper ends of the forest.
When agitated, instead of mountain gorillas attacking there opponent, they thump hard there chests, hoot, run into hiding and much more drama. In case you get chance to witness this it makes the trip unique and unforgettable.
Gorilla Safaris Are Trips For A Few Lucky Tourists
Each day only maximum 8 tourists are allowed to go gorilla trekking per gorilla family. Only maximum four tourists are allowed to do gorilla habituation experience per day per family. With the limited number of people allowed to do these gorilla safaris, competition for gorilla permits is high whether in the high or low season.
When you happen to book a gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority, you stand to be one of the few lucky winners. Gorilla safaris are unique and on high demand but minimizing effects on the environment where these huge primates live is priority. Mountain gorillas survive on the supplies of the forest only.
In case you are looking for tranquility and a getaway from the chaotic noise of the city, gorilla safaris have you covered with only the sounds of tales of the jungle dwellers.
Center for spotting other unique primates in the world
While on gorilla safari, you have a free opportunity to spot other primates that survive with the mountain gorillas in the jungle. The golden monkeys stand out and these too are endangered primates in the world that are only living in the Virunga area.
Other primates in the Virunga area include Blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, pottos, Dent’Mona monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons.
Gorilla safaris are a double chance for Birding in Africa
During gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo, chances spotting over 100 bird species are high. These pristine forests also host some Albertine endemics that are rare to spot elsewhere.
Some of the birds you may spot during gorilla safaris include Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s and Dusky’s Crimsonwing , Rwenzori Turaco, Red faced Woodland Warbler, African Hill Babblers, Collared Apalises, Alpine Chat, Malachite Sunbird, Kivu Ground Thrush and others.
Center For other African Safari Adventure
A combo of gorilla safari with other African safaris is possible when you travel to Uganda and Rwanda. If you are looking for a thrill while on an African safari, a combo of gorilla safaris with chimpanzee trekking is possible within the boundaries of these three countries. Gorilla safaris with game safari in Africa, Gorilla safaris and a visit to the source of River Nile and others.
This however requires a professional to customize your itinerary to suit your need and interest without backtracking and time wasting. At Arch Safaris And Tours, our professional and experienced tour guides are on ground to assist you with all the necessary planning.
Mountain Gorillas are close human relatives
The mountain gorillas have about 96% human DNA bringing them closer to humans. the mountain gorillas have a close resemblance to humans from there outlook to some characteristics. When with the mountain gorillas, you get a reflection of humans behaviors in them.
The adorable spell of the mountain gorillas keep you wishing for extra time in there company as many tourists see them like lost relatives living in the jungle.
Gorilla safaris whether gorilla trekking or habituation experience is open all year however the most popular time is the dry season. During the dry season, the mountain gorillas are full of live and trails are quicker to navigate.
The dry season is normally the peak tourism season in Africa that is June, July, August, September, early October, December and January. Even other forest dwellers are full of life like other primates, birds, butterflies and several others.
Mountain gorillas feed closer to the ground since there is less food supply up in the trees. They have time to nap comfortably on the ground and play. This makes it more quicker to locate the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking or habituation experience.
Note that this being the peak tourism season in Uganda and Rwanda, demand for the limited gorilla permits is high. This creates scarcity of gorilla permits especially if you hope to book this adventure at the last minute. Gorilla safaris require you to secure the gorilla permits in advance at least 6 months to a year upfront. Expect more people joining the gorilla safari no matter the budget you travel.
During the wet season that is normally the low tourism season too in Uganda and Rwanda, the demand for gorilla permits decreases so it you wish to pay less for having a solo gorilla safari, this may be the perfect timing.
Those with a limited budget but have gorilla safaris on their bucket list may make use of the low season when even other service providers may discount there costs to breakeven.
Where and How Can I Book A Gorilla Safari Permit in Africa?
Uganda has two gorilla safari destinations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park. When booking gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi, consider the area where this permit is booked that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo. Uganda has more than 20 gorilla families open to the public and 4 gorilla habituation experience families.
Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park is the only destination for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda. So far Rwanda has 12 gorilla trekking families open to public booking. Some of Rwanda gorilla families include Hirwa, Susa, Amahoro, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Agashya and so many others.
When booking a gorilla permit, you need a date when to start the safari and possible date departure from this safari. You can also choose a specific day when you hope to go for the gorilla safari.
Upon receiving your Enquiry, our tours consultant checks gorilla permit availability from the list of Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.
With a positive gorilla permit availability response, our safari consultant gets back to you as soon as possible. We advise that you purchase the gorilla permit as soon as you can because there status changes ant time without warning.
The only guarantee to a gorilla trekking safaris is obtaining a permit.
The time of the gorilla safaris varies with factors prevailing in the forest. When the weather is wet, searching for the mountain gorillas is more challenging. In case the mountain gorillas are grieving they move deeper in the forest.
This makes it hard to select which gorilla family is quicker to trek in Uganda or Rwanda because of the factors prevailing in the forest, the gorilla family that was closer the previous day may be the furthest the next day.
For the shortest time to be on gorilla safari in Africa, in Uganda 3 day gorilla tour is the least time to book this adventure while Rwanda 2 day gorilla safari
Is A Gorilla Safari in Africa Tiresome?
Yes, expect some fatigue while on gorilla safari in Africa. The nature of the terrain in the Virunga area is composed of volcanic remains like ridge and plateaus. Tourists may be required to hike in order to locate where these mountain gorillas are.
Mountain gorillas may go into hiding in case they are agitated by visitors which may prolong the gorilla trekking time.
The way to the mountain gorillas is sometimes slippery and soggy from the regular rains that falls and matter that decomposes. This may delay tourists and slows down the search for these mountain gorillas.
Are Children allowed to do gorilla safaris in Africa?
The age limit for gorilla safaris in Africa is 15 years in Rwanda and 12 years in Uganda. This age is limited to this because of the nature of the terrain on this area. At a glace the mountain gorillas may send a chill down your spine but you are advised not to show any signs of freight.
Children below these ages may not be in position to withhold the intimidating look in the eyes of the mountain gorillas.
What Is The Cost Of A Gorilla Safari In Uganda Or Rwanda?
The cost of the gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda vary with the package you choose that is Up Market, Mid-range or budget. The cost of the gorilla permits must be considered too as this is key no matter the package you choose.
What is the cost of Gorilla permits for:
Uganda
At the moment, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for international nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and 300000 shs for East Africans
Uganda Gorilla habituation experience permit cost $1500 for international nonresidents, $1000 for foreign residents, $1000 for other African nationals and 750000shs for East Africans.
Rwanda
Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents and $200 for East Africans.
The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda area inclusive of park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, one hour of gorilla trekking or four hours of gorilla habituation experience. Purchase the gorilla permit in advance to avoid last minute panic when planning a gorilla safari.