Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo; Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity that attracts big numbers of tourists to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking in involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two destinations that is Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park both located in south western part of Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family while Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families available for trekking daily. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done in four sectors namely rushaga sector in the south, ruhija sector in the east, buhoma sector in the north and nkuringo sector in the south.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in rushaga sector and allows only 4 people to visit a gorilla family per day and spend four hours with the mountain gorillas under habituation.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in north western part of Rwanda in musanze village. Volcanoes national park is a home of over 10 habituated gorilla families that are available for trekking on a daily basis.

Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo

Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo is done in two national parks that is Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park. Virunga national park is a home of 6 habituated gorilla families and Kahuzi biega national park is a home of 9 gorilla families and only 5 gorilla groups are available for trekking daily.

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is conversant with different gorilla trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located and during trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, mammals, variety of bird species, colourful butterflies, plant and tree species among others. Once they are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their habits, behaviours, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take beautiful pictures among others.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families and spend four hours with them in their habitat. Gorilla trekking permits in volcanoes national park cost 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park costs 400 USD per person for foreign non residents and gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

How to book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf.

Booking gorilla trekking permits under Achieve Global Safaris is the best option to use in that we will not only purchase permits on your behalf but also plan for your entire gorilla trekking safari which involves transportation to the national parks, accommodation where you will stay during the safari, services of an experienced driver guide, other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking and other destinations to visit during the safari.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.

What to pack for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

There are a number of essential items that you should pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo including insect repellent, hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket/ poncho, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, face masks, warm sweater, a hat and sunglasses, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, back pack among others.

Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary activity that can be combined with activities in Queen Elizabeth national park such as wildlife viewing, lion tracking experience, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge among others. For more information about gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking safari packages.