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 Achieve global safaris 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.
