Gorilla trekking frequently asked questions

3 Days Flying Safari to Bwindi

Gorilla trekking frequently asked questions

Gorilla trekking frequently asked questions: Gorilla trekking is the major activity carried out in Africa where visitors move into the forest in search of the gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking is done in various African destinations which include Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Many visitors planning a gorilla trekking safari always ask many questions therefore we have outlined the frequently asked questions and their answers so as to help you plan a successful gorilla trekking safari.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity where visitors move into the dense tropical rainforests in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.

Where can I see the mountain gorillas?

Mountain gorillas are the most visited attractions in Africa and they are found in four national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park which harbors half of the world’s mountain gorillas and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the national parks which makes access roads and gorilla trekking trails in the jungle passable.

What is a gorilla trekking permit?

A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued to any visitor above the age of fifteen allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family in one of the gorilla destinations in Africa. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a government body in charge of tourism, in Rwanda it’s issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and in Democratic Republic of Congo it’s issued by Virunga foundation

How much is a gorilla trekking permit

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit differs according to the country visited for example a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person for all nationalities and it’s the most expensive in all the African countries, in Democratic Republic of Congo a gorilla trekking permit costs $400 for foreign non-residents and it’s the cheapest with a discounted permit which costs $200 during the low season in the months of March to May, October to November and in Uganda a gorilla trekking permit costs $600 per person for foreign non-residents, $500 per person for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 per person for East African citizens. Uganda however increased the price of a gorilla trekking permit by $100 effective 1st July 2020 therefore the foreign non-residents will be paying $700 per person and $600 for the foreign residents.

What are the chances of seeing the mountain gorillas?

Visitors who want to participate in gorilla trekking are required to have a valid gorilla trekking permit so as to be allowed to visit a habituated gorilla family therefore as long as you have acquired a gorilla trekking permit in time you have 99% of seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

When should I book a gorilla trekking permit? 

A gorilla trekking permit should be acquired 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because the permits are competitive and usually get sold out especially during the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February therefore in order to avoid disappointments you are advised to book in advance.

How much time can I spend with the mountain gorillas?

During gorilla trekking, visitors are allowed to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat learning about their habits, behaviors, lifestyle, taking photos, recording videos among others. The policy of spending one hour with the gorillas was put in place so as to minimize behavioral disturbances and allow the mountain gorillas to carry out their daily activities without disruption and discomfort. The gorilla’s daily route involves feeding, playing, social interaction among others.

How many mountain gorillas are in the world?

According to the gorilla census that was carried out in 2018, there are about 1063 mountain gorillas in the world where 459 mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda with in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.

How difficult is gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is not so difficult but it involves hiking in steep slopes and requires visitors to be physically fit therefore visitors who are not physically fit are advised to communicate with the guides so that they are allocated a gorilla family that is near to trek. The elderly and disabled are however advised to hire porters who will assist them during hiking in steep terrain by giving them a pull or a push.

Where can I see the lowland gorillas?

Eastern lowland gorillas is a sub specie of the gorillas which are larger than the mountain gorillas and in Africa the eastern lowland gorillas can only be found in Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo because other destinations harbor the mountain gorillas.

What is the age limit of gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo allows visitors who are fifteen year of age and above to participate in trekking therefore any visitor below fifteen is considered a child. This is due to the fact that children are un predictable and hardly listen to instructions for example children might make noise while in the presence if the gorillas, children can run incase gorillas charge, children tend to have communicable diseases which can easily be transmitted to the mountain gorillas.

How much does a gorilla trekking safari cost

Price of a gorilla trekking safari is determined by various factors for example the destination where you will be trekking from, transportation, number of people for the gorilla trekking safari, length of the safari, price of a gorilla trekking permit, cost of accommodation among others therefore when calculating for the cost of a gorilla trekking tour you should involve all those factors. Visitors interested in the price of a gorilla trekking safari should contact Achieve Global Safari.

What do I need to bring for a gorilla trekking safari?

Gorilla trekking in Africa is done in tropical rain forests where it can rain anytime of the day regardless of the season therefore in order to have a successful gorilla trekking safari you are required to carry various essentials which include hiking shoes for easy movement especially during the rainy season, garden gloves to protect you from thorny shrubs, long sleeved shirt and trousers to keep you warm, insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, rain jacket/poncho to protect you from rainfall, backpack to carry your essentials, camera to take photos, record videos among others.

What is gorilla habituation?

Gorilla habituation is a process where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. The habituation process takes a period of 2 to 3 months to be complete and it’s carried out by a team of conservationists, researchers, park guides, rangers, trackers among others.

Where can I go for gorilla habituation experience?

Gorilla habituation is an interesting activity that is only carried out in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda. In Bwindi the habituation experience is done in Rushaga sector which is situated in the southern part of the park.

What is the cost of gorilla habituation permit?

Gorilla habituation experience allows a maximum of 4 visitors to participate in the activity and spend four hours with the mountain gorillas under habituation. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person for foreign non-residents, $1000 per person for foreign residents and UGX 750,000 per person for East African citizens.

What else can I do apart from gorilla trekking?

Different gorilla destinations offer different activities which you can engage in on your gorilla trekking safari for example golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, birding, Batwa trail experience, nature walk, mountain climbing in Virunga national park, Volcanoes national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park, game drives, boat cruise among others.

In case you have other questions about gorilla trekking you should contact Achieve global Safaris.