Best place for gorilla trekking; Gorilla trekking is a thrilling and the most famous activity that attracts big numbers of tourists. Gorilla trekking involves visitors moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the endangered gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is done in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Where to go for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern region. Bwindi impenetrable national park is famously known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Nkuringo sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south and Buhoma sector in the north. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family while Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 21 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and it allows visitors to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in Volcanoes national park which is located in northwestern part of the country in Musanze village. Volcanoes national park is a home of about 10 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily, Best Place for Gorilla Trekking .
Gorilla trekking in Congo
Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in two national parks that is Virunga national park which harbors the mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Biega national park which is popularly known for harboring Eastern lowland gorillas. Virunga gorilla national park is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families namely Humba, Lulengo, Bageni, Kabirizi , Rugendo, Mapuwa, Munyanga and Nyakamwe while Kahuzi Biega national park is a home of 5 habituated gorilla families namely Chimanuka, Nganwa, Mugaruka, Mpungwe and Bonnani which are open for trekking on a daily basis.
Gorilla trekking experience
Gorilla trekking in all destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek. Trekking of gorillas takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours deepening on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, different bird species, animals among others. Once the gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits
Cost of gorilla trekking permits vary depending on the country you wish to visit for example a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda-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.
A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park Rwanda costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities while a gorilla trekking permit in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Congo costs 400 USD per person for both foreign non residents and foreign residents, Best Place for Gorilla Trekking .
Best time to go for gorilla trekking
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 anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the wet/ rainy season when the gorilla trekking trails are wet, muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
Gorilla trekking can either be done in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park or Kahuzi Biega national park depending on your preference. For more information, kindly contact our tour consultants to book an affordable gorilla trekking package.
