Is Gorilla Trekking Worth It?
Is Gorilla trekking worth it? If this the question you have been asking yourself for centuries, the answer is YES! Gorilla trekking is worth the money put in, the time put in and even the effort. Most of tourists that have had an encounter with Gorillas in their natural habitats can testify about how fascinating Gorilla trekking is. That agitating feeling as you stand in front of the endangered mountain gorillas is something that makes the adventure worth you’re your money. Well, before we go any further, let’s look at where exactly can one trek gorillas? In Africa, Mountain Gorillas are trekked in only 3 countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Uganda, we have 2 destinations where one is capable of trekking mountain gorillas that is Bwindi impenetrable national park which harbors the largest population of mountain Gorillas with more than 50% of the entire remaining population of gorillas thrilling in the wild. Another destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda is Mgahinga Gorilla national park with only 1 Gorilla family “Nyakagezi”.
In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is conducted in Volcanoes national park the only park in Rwanda that harbors these giants.
In Democratic Republic of Congo, Mountain Gorilla trekking is done in Virunga national park though Congo is blessed with another specie of Eastern Gorillas known as Eastern Lowland Gorillas with in Kahuzi Beiga national park.
Back to our Question, Is Gorilla trekking worth the money?
Yes, let’s have a look at the cost of Gorilla trekking permit in different destinations.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is currently at $700 for Foreign Nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and Ugandan shillings 250,000 for Ugandans and other community member states of East Africa. this gorilla trekking permit comes hand in hand with the park entrance fees thus no need to pay entrance when you are heading to any destination in Uganda be it Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park for gorilla trekking adventure.
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda currently costs $1500 per person. One could wonder as to why a Rwandan permit is more expensive yet the gorillas are the same. Well, once you have your trip and encounter with these Gorillas then you will compare and contrast to see what’s unique and why the difference in the permits to trek similar gorillas. The cost of Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is actually equivalent to the cost Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda which also goes for $1,500.
Off to Democratic Republic of Congo, a gorilla trekking permit costs $400 during high season and goes as low as a half the cost to $200 during low season making it the cheapest gorilla trekking permit.
Probably, the cost of Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda at $700, in Rwanda at $1500 and Democratic Republic of Congo at $400 seems to be a lot and indeed it’s a lot of money spent but this helps in catering and facilitating a lot of things including sensitizing the community members about the beauty of conserving the endangered mountain gorillas, as well as improving standards of living for the people in these communities like the Batwa people that well expelled from the forest in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park which acted as their home for several decades thus they need support and the only way to help them is through the money obtained from the Gorilla trekking permits.
Is Gorilla trekking worth the time?
Well, after spending your dollars on gorilla trekking permit in Uganda at $700, in Rwanda at $1500 and in Democratic Republic of Congo at $400, the next question running in your mind is probably whether 1 hour is worth it. Trust me that 1 hour which is the maximum duration allowed between you and gorilla is enough time and you will really enjoy the magic of standing just 7m away from Gorilla and watch them play, feed, copulate, breastfeed and many more. However, spending 1 hour with Gorillas doesn’t necessary mean that you got only 1 hour in the forest, No!
The entire Gorilla trekking activity lasts from a few minutes of forest walk to several hours about 7 or even more depending on the movement of these gorillas, the trekking speed of the people in a group of maximum 8 trekkers since you always have to consider the slowest person in the group. We have received different trekkers from time to time and some of them find gorillas easily while others really trek for long hours before encountering with gorillas but all in all as soon as you set your eyes on gorillas, you will spend 1 full hour with the gorillas taking photographs and closely interacting with Gorillas after which, you exit the forest. Still wondering about 1 hour? If yes then the reason for allowing only 1 hour is to ensure that Gorillas aren’t interrupted thus experts feel like 1 hour a day is the maximum time one could interfere with these gentle primates in the habitat then leave them alone to move on with their daily activities. In case you fil like an hour is less time, then the best option is to take on a Gorilla habituation experience that lasts 4 hours in presence of gorillas and its only done in Uganda the pearl of Africa with in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park though the challenge with gorilla habituation is that you are dealing with the primates that aren’t used to humans thus expect them to keep shying away from you unlike trekking where you deal with gorillas that are used to people thus 1 hour spent with them is memorable and enjoyable.
Across all the 3 countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, Gorilla trekking experience is the same though the only difference could be on the nature of terrains, the cost of gorilla permits of course, comfort of accommodation facilities, security levels and many more but 1 hour spend with Gorilla is really worth it.
Conclusion,
At the end of the trek, you will confirm that indeed Gorilla trekking is worth the money and time put in. Check out our bestselling gorilla safaris to Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo to spend 1 hour with gorillas in their natural habitat and enjoy the fun filled moment in the jungle.
