Where to go gorilla trekking in Africa? In the whole world Mountain gorillas can only be found in three African countries namely; Uganda, Rwanda and democratic Republic of Congo. The population of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world is 880 and the population is shared by the three above mentioned countries. All the three countries offer an amazing Gorilla trekking experience in their national parks that these mountain gorillas inhabit.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is one of the most attraction about this country and it has pushed thousands of tourists and Visitors from different sides of the world to visit this country and carry out this activity ,Uganda the Pearl of Africa homes the highest Population of mountain Gorillas compared to the rest of the three countries(Rwanda and Congo)where these magnificent primates are found in two Uganda’s National Parks which are all based in the western region of the country, National Parks where these Mountain Gorillas inhabit are Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park,Mgahinga gorilla National Park which definitely makes Uganda the top destination for Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
Among the two National Parks for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is usually highly recommended as the Best for Gorilla trekking due to the fact that it homes half of the world’s Mount Gorillas meaning about 400 of these majestic primates are found in Bwindi, These Mountain Gorillas has their respective families where each Family is headed by a male Mountain Gorilla and they have names.
As of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only about 10 Mountain Gorillas found in this Park which all the 10 are of the same Family not like Bwindi with over 18 Mountain Gorilla Families
About four gorilla trekking sectors including; Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector can be found in Bwindi impenetrable forest, these are different sectors where Gorilla Trekking can be done depending. However Among the four sectors Buhoma sector is the unique and most preferred sector by the Visitors which at some point it can be highly demanded and Busy compared to other three,it important to note that regardless of the sector your going to Trek in Gorilla Trekking Permits should be booked in advance because they are limited and fixed for that case in Uganda its only Uganda wildlife authority(UWA) that provide these Permit or through your trusted Tour Operator Achieve Global safaris can also be able to secure your permits in advance.
Apart from Uganda being the Top ranked destination for Gorilla trekking in the World among the Three countries where Mountain Gorillas can be found, it also offers the most affordable Gorilla Trek permits compared to Rwanda and Congo.
In Uganda a gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD per person that’s for nonresidents, (visitor who are not based in Uganda) 700 USD for foreign resident (a resident who is not a Ugandan citizen) and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African residents, however kindly note that these costs are subject to change according to season.
Gorilla Trekking activity is one of the main Tourist activity that contribute a high income on both Uganda as a country and on Uganda’s Tourism development ,Uganda is a very safe country to do gorilla trekking because these National Parks are Protected areas and the security is done be Uganda military forces to ensure its safe and secure and to also prevent poaching etc. for the safety of both tourists and animals day and night searching for rebels inside and outside the park as well as making sure that all travellers who come to Uganda for safaris are safe during gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda “THE PEARL OF AFRICA”
Mountain Gorillas are usually reside in the high-altitude areas which at a point require visitors to hike in wet, muddy and slippery hills that’s if it’s in rainy seasons but in dry season it definitely won’t be slippery, but regardless it’s a rewarding and a fascinating experience in the wilderness and you have an opportunity to engage and spend time with these beautiful creatures and learn how they live.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda commonly referred as a country of a thousand hills is one of the most beautiful and clean country in Africa and this is one of the three countries where Mountain Gorillas can be found and they can be found in the volcanoes national park which is a Rwanda’s National Park in Musanze town just a two hours’ drive from the capital city of Rwanda Kigali.
As of recent Rwanda was the most best destination for Gorilla trekking( and still is for tourists who are not on the budget) before they raised its trekking permits which helped Uganda to take over Rwanda, However Rwanda is Big and Unique when it comes to luxury gorilla trekking tours and have the most beautiful Events that are carried on for Gorillas like “KWITA IZINA” this is an event that happen every year where different people around the world congregate in Rwanda to name new Mountain Gorillas and give them families , Rwanda Permits for Mountain Gorilla trekking are highly costed compared to Uganda’s and Congo but that has never stopped Tourists to go and Gorilla trek in this amazing Country. As Uganda has 19 Mountain Gorilla Families, Rwanda has about 14 habituated gorilla families which are open for public viewing throughout the year. Some of the habituated mountain gorilla families in volcanoes national park includes: Amahoro, Agashya, Sabinyo, Karisimbi, Bwengye, Isimbi family, Titus Kwitonda among many more.
Rwanda charges USD 1500 Gorilla trekking permit per person for Non-residents, USD 500 for foreign residents of Rwanda, as well as citizens and residents of other African countries and finally USD 200 for citizens of Rwanda and east African citizens.
Regardless of Rwanda being super high on gorilla trekking Permits it still stands to be the unique destination for gorilla trekking activity, Rwanda is usually the best choice for tourists who might not be bothered about the budget for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking Congo
The democratic republic of Congo is one of the destinations where Mountain Gorillas can be found and its open for Gorilla trekking activity. Two national parks in Congo where these mountain gorillas inhabit includes Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park which the two are open for gorilla trekking throughout the year. Among the three countries, it is only in Congo where tourists can get a chance to trek both the lowland gorillas as well as the mountain gorillas that live in the high-altitude areas of Virunga national park.
Virunga national park is part of the volcano massif conservation area and it is a home to about 8 habituated gorilla families which are always available for trekking. Some of the habituated gorilla families include, Lulengo, Humba, Rugendo, Bageni, Kabirizi among others.
Where by Lowland gorillas can only be seen and trekked in Kahuzi Biega national park. The park has about 5 habituated mountain gorilla families such as the Mpungwe, Mugaruka, Chimanuka, Nganwa, and Bonnani family.
Congo offers the most affordable gorilla trekking permits amongst all gorilla trekking destinations. A gorilla trekking permit in Congo costs $400 during the low season, the permit is charged at $200 USD per person for all tourists who wants to trek gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Congo favours almost all the budget travellers who would prefer enjoying gorilla trekking in all seasons because it offers the cheapest gorilla permit compared you Uganda and Rwanda.
Visitors and tourists can only be permitted to spend one hour with the gorillas from the time they meet the gorilla family and only of 8 people and below can be allowed to trek a gorilla family.
In all these countries trekking can be done all year around ,However its very important and advised to book permits before like a period of 3 to 4 month to ensure that there permits are on because a lot of tourists visit these countries for this specific activity of Gorilla trekking which makes most of these be fully booked for trekking and Focus East Africa Tours for Uganda /East Africa tour operators are the most trusted tour operators you can trust your safari with and bookings of all these permits in any the three countries and experience your Gorilla trekking your safari without burdens.
Gorilla permits in Uganda VS Rwanda.
Compared to Rwanda, it is simpler and less expensive to reserve and buy gorilla permits in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for issuing gorilla permits in Uganda. Approximately 160 permits are printed daily, eight for each gorilla family in Bwindi and Mgahinga. To reduce human-mountain gorilla interactions, only a small number of permits are issued each day. Despite having more mountain gorilla families than Rwanda, Uganda and Rwanda follow the same regulations for the daily allotment of permits to each gorilla family. Every day, Rwanda prints 96 gorilla licenses.
The gorilla permits in Uganda are easier to obtain than those in Rwanda since more gorilla permits are printed in Uganda than in Rwanda. To properly arrange for the gorilla trekking safari in both Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla permits must be reserved in advance.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the best place to book and buy permits in Uganda, particularly if you are not a citizen. Registered tour companies facilitate the gorilla trekking safari planning process and make it easier to buy permits from UWA.
Rwanda gorilla permits are readily available from the Rwanda Development Board and a reliable travel operator. The RDB website makes it simple to verify if permits are available, but to make the procedure easier, we suggest making your reservation through a reputable tour operator.
The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda VS Uganda.
The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda is cheaper than the permit in Rwanda and this is because Rwanda has always marketed itself as a luxury destination. In order to adequately care for the mountain gorillas and the amenities provided to trekkers who travel to both countries for gorilla trekking, both countries raised the price of the gorilla permit.
Uganda: The cost of a typical gorilla trek permit in Uganda, according to the category tourists, is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300 000 for East African citizens. The cost of the gorilla habituation permit is $1000 for foreign residents, $1000 for citizens from other African countries, $1500 for foreign non-residents and UGX750,000 for East African citizens.
Rwanda: The cost of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African citizens and $500 for citizens from other African countries and foreign residents. Rwanda offers discounts on gorilla permits when you book in bulk (over 30 permits) and if you book to also participate and spend at least two nights at either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park.
For more information about gorilla trekking and the gorilla trekking permits that is in the entire East Africa that is Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo do not hesitate to contact us at Focus East Africa Tours out experienced tour consultants will help your plan and organize for you a fascinating gorilla trekking safari that will offer you the everlasting safari memories.
What To Expect on Gorilla Habituation experience in Uganda.
During the gorilla habituation experience, expect to attend briefing with other fellow tourists and follow the team of Researchers. Expect them to go into hiding at any moment because the gorilla family that is open for the gorilla habituation experience is typically not yet used to having guests. These gorilla families are normally wary of new faces in there vicinity so be as cooperative as possible with the new instructions that may be given when on ground.
Finding a mountain gorilla during gorilla habituation experience is not easy to determine but you can open your mind to seeing other forest dwellers including black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and others. An array of birds flock the park including Albertine rift endemics. Upon finding the mountain gorillas only four hours are allowed with them for conservation reasons. For more information, please contact us.
When Is The Best Time To Book The Gorillas Habituation Experience?
The dry season is the ideal time to reserve a gorilla habituation tour. The dry season typically lasts from December to January and June to September in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Even during the dry season, gorilla habituation is the most popular year-round adventure.
Although the forest is noted for having a moist climate for the majority of the year, the dry season typically sees less moisture in the forest. The Bwindi forest’s ground is typically moist due to waterlogging from the extensive network of rivers and frequent rainfall, yet less sunlight can reach the ground through the thick canopy. The terrain is typically drier during the dry season, allowing for quicker mobility.
During the dry season, the mountain gorillas typically move more quickly and are easier to see because they communicate with one another as if to warn of your presence. Note that the dry season is the peak tourism season so availability of the gorilla habituation experience permits gets more challenging as the season unfolds. Uganda Wildlife Authority normally opens four gorilla permits to the public.
When deciding whether to go to Uganda for the gorilla habituation experience, don’t overlook the wet season. In the Bwindi region, March, April, May, and November are typically the wet seasons. Seeing the gorillas is guaranteed regardless of the time you choose to participate in the gorilla habituation experience.
In the low season expect to have no or less company during the gorilla habituation adventure, the vegetation is lush green tangled and rivers may flood the forest.
How Much Is The Cost Of Gorilla Habituation Adventure In Uganda.
There are three different price points for the gorilla habituation adventure: luxury, mid-range, and basic. The standard cost is the gorilla permit cost which is currently $1500 for international nonresidents, $1000 for international residents and other Africans and 750000shs for East Africans.
The gorilla habituation permit cost includes park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, gorilla conservation fee, four hours with semi-habituated gorillas and others.
The gorilla permit cost excludes tips, accommodation, transport and other expenses of personal nature.
Additional logistics costs that support safaris in Uganda include transport, accommodation, gas or fuel and others. Together with our tours consultant you can make your dress gorilla safari a reality. Ask for assistance from our Safari consultant on how to plan the gorilla habituation safari and receive a quotation.
