Which is the best Gorilla Trekking Destination of Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking topping the list of some of the most sought after African safari activities is limited by conservation purpose. Rwanda in the northwestern and Uganda in the South western are the only three destinations in Africa where mountain gorillas live.

Mountain gorillas ( Gorilla Beringei Beringei) are best viewed in the Virunga area which is composed of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. Being just meters from the few leftover mountain gorillas is a dream come true experience. Mountain Gorillas are also the few survivors of the arid conditions that affected Africa between 12000 years to 18000 years ago. Gorilla trekking is like walking in history.

Both Uganda and Rwanda have there unique actions that may them special for tourists from every part of the world. Rwanda is the land of a thousand hill and compared to other African countries, it is one of the most organised and you must be a law-abiding person to be in Rwanda. Uganda has so much to include to the gorilla trekking trip like game safaris, chimpanzee trekking and much more. Enquire Now

Generally, No matter where you go for gorilla trekking whether in Uganda or Rwanda, the feeling you get when in the company of mountain gorillas is unforgettable. Gorilla trekking takes one hour by elapse of time, most tourists want to engage more with these fragile primates as you discover much more about them every moment that opens.

Tending Gorilla Safaris

10 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and game safari

9 day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife tour

8 day gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and game safari

7 day gorilla, chimpanzee, wildlife Uganda safari

6 day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tour

5 day Rwanda gorilla trekking and game safari

3 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

3 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda

While on gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda, you have an opportunity of  spotting a variety of other species unique to the Virunga area. Virunga area is  ecologically homogenous. This is why you may find similar fauna and flora in Bwindi forest, Mgahinga forest and Volcanoes forest. Some of the other Virunga forests occupants may include olive baboons, chimpanzees blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and others.

Which is the best gorilla Trekking destination of Uganda and Rwanda?

• Rwanda has a chance of doing 2 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda which is more practical to those on transit to another destination. For Uganda, the least number of gorilla safari days is 3 day gorilla trekking in Uganda.
• The current cost of gorilla trekking permit for Uganda is $800per person per trek while the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person per trek. The current cost of Rwanda gorilla permit is double the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit.
• The drive time from Kigali to Volcanoes National park in Rwanda is about 3 hours and on fairly well structured road network. The drive time from Kampala to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks is about 8 to 9 hours excluding stops. This can be broken done by making stopovers to other Uganda safari destinations like taking chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park or game drives in Lake Mburo National Park.
• Uganda has almost half the total number of mountain gorillas living in the world with more than 20 gorilla trekking families including Nshongi, Rushegura, Habinyanja to mention but a few and four gorilla habituation families. Rwanda currently has 12 gorilla trekking families including Amahoro, Hirwa, Umubano and others.
• For a more steeper and challenging gorilla trekking experience, Rwanda may offer a better choice as Volcanoes National Park  environment is composed of five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Muhavura, Gahinga and Bisoke. Uganda gorilla trekking areas may not be as steep although the Uganda gorilla habitat side was also affected by Volcanic actions. Mgahinga National Park topography is composed of three of these Volcanoes that is Mountain Mgahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo.
• Uganda offers more choices of Uganda safari activities to combine with gorilla trekking. Some of the Uganda safari activities include chimpanzee safaris ( Chimpanzee trekking and habituation Experience), Uganda Game safari, visit source of River Nile, Launch trips, Uganda Birding and others. Rwanda offers  a limited choice of other Rwanda safaris activities that is Game drives in Akagera National park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda birding and others.
• Other than gorilla trekking which last one hour, Uganda offers gorilla habituation experience where tourists have more time with semi-habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla habituation experience is an adventure where maximum 4 tourists accompany a team of Researchers to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas. So far the cost of gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is $1500 for international non residents and this is the same cost for gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda.
• The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years and over while age limit for gorilla safaris in Uganda is 12 years and beyond.
• Uganda has two gorlla trekking destinations that is Mgahinda National Park and  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  which has four areas that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Rwanda has Volcanos National Park as its only gorilla trekking destination.
• Whether you do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, the feeling of spending that time the mountain gorillas is precious. Mountain Gorillas are natural victors and refugia that overcame the arid conditions of the ice age era.

 Even when the mountain gorillas were about to go into extinction by 1980s, the bravery Dian Fossey an enthusiastic primatologist took to defend them until death speaks volumes on how special these primates are.

 Even if gorilla trekking is on high demand, both in Uganda and Rwanda the maximum number of people allowed todo gorilla trekking per family per day is 8 people. This is to reduce behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas and the fragile environment where they live.

When Is The Best Month To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is an all annual Africa safari activity however the dry season is most preferred when there is less precipitation in the forest. The Virunga area is generally known for receiving untimely rains that fall without warning.

 During the dry season which is June to September and December to January, the trails in the forest are quicker to navigate because there is also less protruding under growth to obstruct the way. The mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants are full of life and may be quicker to trace in eth dry season.

Note that the dry season works as the high tourism season in both Uganda and Rwanda so expect completion for the limited number of gorilla trekking permits. It is best to book the gorilla permits for Uganda or Rwanda in advance to reduce on the chances of last minute panic.

The wet season which is March to May  and November receives less gorilla trekking booking in Uganda and Rwanda but be sure to see the mountain gorillas no matter the season. Chances for last minute gorilla trekking permit availability may be open but still advance booking is the safest approach.

How much is the gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda or Rwanda?

The cost of gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda vary with the package you select that is Up Market, Mid-range or budget. The universal gorilla tour cost no matter the package is the gorilla permit. At the moment the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permits is $800 for international non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other African Nationals and 300000shs for East Africans.

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

To calculate the gorilla safari cost of Uganda and Rwanda, you may consider some of the below time of booking the safari, number of people travelling with, additional safari activities to combine with gorilla trekking and others.

Is the cost of Gorilla permit worth the money?

The cost of the gorilla permit is worth every coin as mountain gorilla are some of the engendered primates in the world that you can only meet in the Virunga area worldwide and nowhere else. Spending the night closer or within the gorilla trekking destinations is like sleeping in history.

A portion of the funds collected from the sell of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are used for park manage and mountain gorilla conservation. A portion is given to the surrounding local communities who help with protecting the mountain gorillas. These funds support the local people’s projects.

Hiring a porter during gorilla trekking is one way to directly give back to the local people as they use this money to run the days today activities in there homes.

How sure can I be to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda?

Mountain gorilla trekking is a sure activity in Rwanda and Uganda. Mountain Gorillas survive in a particular location for sometime until food is proved insufficient for all family members. Each day a team of rangers rises up earlier to check on the mountain gorilla families there nesting place and establish possible way about.

Mountain gorillas have heavy bodies that donot favor fast movement. The average weight of a fully grown male mountain gorilla is 200 kilograms whereas the female may be almost half this weight.

At the start of the gorilla trek, ranger guides follow the path leading where the mountain gorillas were last seen the previous day following clues left behind by them and advise of the early risers. This is to reduce on the time to spend in the forest searching for the mountain gorillas. mountain gorillas rarely depart from there previous location.

As part of the fun and to do activities during gorilla trekking, tourists are requested to help tracing these mountain gorillas using the clues left behind like foot prints, fresh dung, freshly leftover foliage, listen to the noise in the forest and much more as requested by the ranger guides.

How long is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?

The duration of gorilla trekking varies with conditions prevailing in the forest and the pace of tourists. Finding the mountain gorillas varies with factors like the death of a gorilla family member, death of a member, weather conditions prevailing in the days and others.

No matter what time you locate the mountain gorillas, the feeling you get when standing before the mountain gorillas is unmatched. Its like find the lost relatives because of the resemblance mountain gorillas have to humans.

You get to discover the actual truth mountain gorillas have other than how they are portrayed in films and animations as aggressive primates. Mountain Gorillas are such vulnerable primates that can only go into hiding when agitated.

This however doesn’t mean you try the patience of these mountain gorillas. They can get angry too. When angry, mountain gorillas thump there chests hard, walk on one leg, pull grass around them and much more.

Upon seeing such behavior, donot panic but wait for the ranger guide to establish the genesis of the matter before you escalate it further.

Can I do gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda in the same safari?

Yes, you can do gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda in the same safari but ensure you full fill all necessary requirements in time like booking the gorilla trekking permits for both Uganda and Rwanda in advance. Ensure you book all necessary logistics to support the stay on safari in both countries in advance.

The time taken to cross from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is about 5 to 6 hours but having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition is an added advantage especially on the country roads in Uganda.

Is Gorilla Trekking safest in Uganda or Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking is safe in both Uganda and Rwanda, the park authorities in both countries coordinate security matters to ensure that no tourists are hurt. Uganda has Uganda Wildlife authority ranger guides and Rwanda the Rwanda Development Board ranger guides to protect the mountain gorillas, other forest in habitants, the forest and tourists in there company.

The collaborate with other government security agencies of there countries to keep law and order in and out of the gorilla trekking destinations.

 As tourists, you must not go for gorilla trekking without an escorting ranger guide. Keep closer to fellow trekkers so that you are not forgotten in the park or lost in the wilderness although the ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest tourist.

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