What Are the Chances of Seeing Mountain Gorillas? What are the chances of seeing mountain gorillas; However, chances of seeing mountain gorillas in the wild is about 99%, unlike other wild animal whose viewership is a probability in the wilderness, mountain gorillas to see them. These wild creatures live in a particular area for some time and their movement is not so fast. There are high chances of seeing Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda and both countries have got several gorilla groups that are well- habituated and used to the presence of human.
The following reason is that both Uganda and Rwanda have invested in training their trackers and ranger guides who have an ideal of locating these gorillas in the forest and guiding you to where you will be trekking the following day.
Take note, that in Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking can take about 30 to 7 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas’ group you’re assigned too. However, you need to be physically fit in the body and if you are physically slow, the ranger guides will bear with you till you reach the gorillas.
Another thing, you need to know is that gorilla family allocation in Uganda and Rwanda depends on individual’s interest and physical fitness. If you feel you want a more accessible family, please request a ranger guide to allocate you to a gorilla family with many individuals.
Other factors that enhance your chances of seeing gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is hiring porters or sedan chairs. Well, porters are around to assist you during the hike by carrying your heavy luggage and giving you a push to your successful trek.
Well, the elderly or physically unfit tourists can take advantage of using stretchers or sedan chairs by help of the porter who carry you to the gorilla family. This comes with an extra fee but ensures you to encounter mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.
Generally, the best place to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park both located in the southwestern part of the country and Bwindi Is known as the home to half remaining world’s population of mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home to over 23 habituated mountain gorillas and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has two habituated gorilla families.
Rwanda gorilla can be trekked in Volcanoes National Park and home to over 12 habituated families.
The fact that, Uganda and Rwanda offer skilled guides who helps tourists on gorilla’s safaris hike through the forest and see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Though the time to see mountain gorillas in both countries is not guaranteed but success rate for seeing gorillas is at 99% because the experience can be well organized.
Where to purchase gorilla permits Uganda and Rwanda;
In Uganda gorilla permits can be purchased from ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. The number of gorilla permits is minimized to maximum of eight clients for conservation reasons. This is because when the number of visitors is more than that, can lead gorillas to nervous.
When is the best time to book Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda?
Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla trekking can be open all year around but the best time to book your gorilla permit starts from June to Mid-September and December to February. More so, we recommend you to book your gorilla permits at least six months in advance in order to avoid last minute bookings.
What to pack for Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Hat
Insect repellant
Poncho or raincoat
A camera
Travel adapter and charger
Safari boots to protect you from slippery trails
Hand gloves to protect your palms from biting nettles
Binoculars to see far ranging objects in the wilderness.
