The cost of the gorilla trekking safari in Africa varies with destination that is either Uganda or Rwanda . The gorilla trekking permit cost varies with destination and at the moment, the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 while Uganda gorilla permit cost is currently $800.
To make the entire gorilla safari package other logistics that support your stay during this Africa safari must be considered too that is cost of accommodation, cost of transport, vehicle hire to mention but a few. In addition to gorilla trekking you may also wish to explore more of Uganda or Rwanda by engaging in game drives, birding, launch trips, chimpanzee trekking, mountaineering to mention but a few.
Both Uganda and Rwanda are endowed with safari activities worth adding to your wish to do list but time, physical capability and budget may be your obstacles. For a change in usual holiday destinations in Africa, choosing Rwanda or Uganda will perfectly fit that change you wish to make.
In Uganda, you can go gorilla trekking in only two destinations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in the southern part of the country. These thick evergreen forests host over 20 gorillas families that are open to the public but only maximum 8 permits are open to the public.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority ( UWA) has the mandate to sell and regulate the Uganda Gorilla Trekking permits. It is best to spend the nights before the gorilla tracing day within close proximity or within to where you are to do the gorilla trek in order to catch up with the early morning time of briefing.
Bwindi impenetrable National Park is sectioned into four areas that is Buhoma in the north where the main headquarters of the par are situated, Ruhija area to the east, Nkuringo and Rushaga areas to the south. Each of these sectors of Bwindi forest is separated from another by some barriers like plateaus, ridges, deep valleys which are a challenge to cross from one area to another. This is why you are advised to book accommodation to use for gorilla trekking within or closer to the area of Bwindi where your gorilla permit is booked.
In Uganda other than gorilla trekking in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you can also engage in Birding, community visit, visit lake Bunyonyi with its authentic and scenic views, excursion hiking, Nature walks, research especially on fauna and for a o mention but a few
In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the only home for gorilla trekking safaris. The Volcanoes National Park is situated in Northwestern part of Rwanda and is one of the luxuriant evergreen forests in the country.
The Volcanoes National Park is currently home to approximately 12 gorilla families some of which include Umubano, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Muhoza, Karisimbi to mention but a few. To book a Rwanda, gorilla trekking permit, the Rwanda Development Board has the mandate to sell and regulate them. You can use the assistance of an accredited Tour company like Arch Safaris And Tours to help you plan your Rwanda safari holiday inclusive of gorilla trekking
Other than gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, you can do golden monkey trekking, Birding, hiking, Nature walks and others in this forested National Park.
How Easy Or Difficult Is The Gorilla Trekking Tour?
In general, the nature of the topography of the Virunga area of which Uganda and Rwanda form part is ragged resulting from volcanic actions in this area leaving behind serried plateaus, ridges, deep valleys and much more. These highlands are shaded by thick vegetation that has culminated and tangled over the years.
During the search to find the mountain gorillas, you may be required to slope to the starting point of the trek and back. Navigating the thick forest with tangled vines can be challenging but you my make use of the machete to trim your way through.
A part from the mountain gorillas life in the jungle accommodated variety of wildlife inclusive of other primates, vipers, rough plants, stinging insects, creepers to mention but a few. You must be ready to face these challenges without causing any suspension. Also wear the right gorilla trekking gears like insect repellants, safari boots, safari attire to mention but a few
Religiously observe the rules of gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda because these are some of the tricks to finding the mountain gorillas quickly or later. Some of the rules of gorilla trekking include no making noise while in the forest, donot touch the mountain gorillas, eating before the mountain gorillas is forbidden, attending briefing before the gorilla trekking adventure is compulsory and absconding may lead to a penalty.
Have some level of fitness before the gorilla trekking safari makes it quite easier even when you have to hike to where the mountain gorillas may be spending the day.
Honestly, time taken on a gorilla trekking tour is hard to determine as it varies with factors prevailing in the forest for both Rwanda and Uganda. Some tourists have located the mountain gorillas in two hours yet others have spent more than three quarters in search for the mountain gorillas.
To locate the mountain gorillas some of the factors that influence this may include food proximity, mood in the forest, weather conditions of the day, pace of fellow tourists and much more.
Much as finding the mountain gorillas may be quite challenging sometimes, be sure to see them because they donot normally move very fast. Each day a team of ranger guides wakes up earlier to patrol where the mountain gorillas may have spent the night and take note of where they may be heading to. It is not always hundred percent correct that they are to be in this same location. These rangers make a report which rangers leading tours may also put into consideration when with tourists.
The ranger guides with tourists use the path leading where the mountain gorillas may have been seen the previous day because they donot normally move far from here. On the way, as tourists, you are requested to participate in searching for the mountain gorillas by observing clues they leave behind like foot prints, fresh dung, listen careful to there murmurs, freshly chewed foliage and much more
Even though gorilla trekking time taken is hard to determine, you can keep your mind busy by focusing on other forest dwellers like sparkling waterfalls, a number of primates, unique flora, stunning highlands to mention but a few. You may not notice how fast times flies when you keep your mind open to seeing other forest dwellers before finding the mountain gorillas.
You hear them murmur before they come into view. Finally, when you are face to face with the mountain gorillas, watch them go about there daily life feeding, playing, grooming, collect food to mention but a few. Out of curiosity, some of the gorillas may want to reach out to you or your belongings but try not to show signs of freight.
While taking photos of the mountain gorillas donot use flash light as this scares these shy primates. Only one hours is allowed with the gorilla family during gorilla trekking so that they can go about the rest of there day activities. During Gorilla habituation process, the mountain gorillas are allowed to be before humans for just one hour.
When getting away from the gorilla family after gorilla trekking, do it stealthily so as not to look suspicious before the gorilla family.
Are Mountain Gorillas Dangerous?
Mountain Gorillas are not dangerous despite there huge body, seemingly tough, dark faces covered in fur with sunken eyes. On the outlook they seem ready to stage a fight but they are very calm and cowardly. You can notice these traits as you spend more time with the mountain gorillas and when they cannot stand your presence, they retreat into the deeper ends of the forest.
Even though the mountain gorillas bear such traits, they can also charge when provoked. When angry, the mountain gorillas pull grass around them, hoot, thump hard there chests ad so much drama. However, it is not all the time that you witness these odd behaviors that they are agitated as sometimes the mountain gorillas are playing teasing tricks, trying to capture attention, having family issues and others.
Upon witnessing such odd behavior amongst the gorilla family, donot panic to get away because you may escalade the situation so stay calm and wait for your ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter. Follow his or her example and listen carefully to the instructions given.
After an hour with the mountain gorillas get away slowly without causing any suspension.
Why Do A Gorilla Trekking Safari?
There is nowhere else in the world that you will find the mountain gorillas as they can only survive in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. The mountain gorillas can only survive on the supplies of the Virunga forested area.
A safari to go gorilla trekking in Africa makes you one of the lucky gorilla permit winners for the day to see the mountain gorillas as maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla family each day yet the gorilla families are limited.
Gorilla trekking is also a way to support the conservation fund and work done by different bodies in and out of the three gorilla resident countries. When you purchase the gorilla permit, a portion of the funds collected is used to support mountain gorilla conservation. Mountain gorillas are some of the endangered primates in the world and according to the last census about 1000 mountain gorillas are living in the entire world.
Other than the mountain gorillas, during the search for the mountain gorillas, you may get to spot other forest dwellers like different monkey species, array of birds including the Albertine rift endemics, stunning waterfalls and others. The mountain gorilla habitats are biosphere reserves rich with fauna and Flora.
After gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you can engage in other safari activities within the same boundaries based on your holiday time and budget. In Uganda, you can do game safaris, birding, scenic viewing, hiking, visit the source of river Nile, white water rafting to mention but a few. Rwanda offers game safaris, cultural experience, chimpanzees trekking, hiking and others. Instead of having to re-apply for a visa to engage in these African safari activities, after gorilla trekking, you can carry on to be part of these activities.
What Are The Guidelines Of Gorilla Trekking Safari
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