What is Gorilla Tracking/Gorilla Tracking Uganda, Rwanda &Congo-Africa Safari
What is Gorilla Tracking : Gorilla tracking is undoubting outdoor activity where visitors are allowed to see the endangered mountain gorillas for one hour after purchasing a gorilla permit in Uganda ,Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo .On your visit never miss out gorilla tracking on East African Safari traveler’s bucket list ,which can be conducted in tropical rain forest in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park ,Mgahinga Gorilla national park and Virunga mountains of Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park and Congo’s Virunga national park. Moreover, this activity is quite unforgettable memories of seeing these great mountain gorillas in their nature inhabits through thick, misty, wet and Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Virunga mountains make it more adorable, you spending 1 hour with the great giant cousin and his family it is just worth an experience.
Note, it’s good to first get the right information on gorilla tracking preparation such as gorilla permits prices and availability, also knowing which gorilla family you should track, what to pack, best time to visit mountain gorillas.
How to get there and what should be the best choice of your nice stay/accommodation. You can choose to combine both gorilla tracking and wildlife safari depending on your budget, you can choose to do it in Uganda or Rwanda because the best destination route also matters.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla Habituation Experience is a worth an experience, the best of spending more hours in the African jungle offering a memorable opportunity to spend up to four hours amongst a gorilla family of the great mountain gorillas. This activity starts in the morning after briefing at the park headquarters ,then be located to Rushaga gorilla sector a home to habituated gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and the only place where gorilla habituation experience can be done on elsewhere .
You will be accompanied by the researchers ,park rangers ,trackers ,doctors who will give you right information about the activity ,grouped in a group of 4 people .Once you find the group four hours’’4’’ will be given to you to observe them as they interact ,play and groom one another and photograph. This activity is a one-time chance to take part in the incredible task of habituating gorillas to the presence of humans.
There are two gorilla families where gorilla habituation can be conducted in the dense foliage of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest –Rushaga gorilla sector one of the four sectors for trekking mountain gorillas that is, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga. You will hike deep into forest trail head in search of these sociable creatures led by trained trackers, researches, doctors and guides, collect the samples that they have left behind as they roam through the forest. Its bit challenging trek but quite unforgettable and worth it when reach the family’s location, get close to these unique intelligent creatures.
When to Go for Mountain Gorilla Trekking /To See in Africa
Mountain gorilla trekking can be visited all year around in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Although the best time to go gorilla tracking is during the months of June ,July ,August ,September and December with in this period there are less rains and the parks are drier and roads are passable .The average temperature of the year in Bwindi is around 11 degrees Celsius in the morning and 23 degrees Celsius in the afternoon .You can also visit gorilla trekking in wet season month of March to May though the trails can be slippery ,challenging to trek but the accommodations rate tends to low due to few people who visits the park.
Where to stay
Where gorilla trekking is carried out there are best safari accommodations ranging from Luxury to budget, depending on how much you can afford.
What is the cost of gorilla trekking permits /you may wonder why gorilla trekking is expensive?
A gorilla trekking permits in Uganda Costs USD700 per person per day, Rwanda gorilla trekking costs is higher than Uganda’s USD1,500 per day, Congo gorilla trekking costs USD400 per person per day very cheaper. The permits offer you 1 hour with the endangered mountain gorillas in a group of 8 people. Always keep in mind that just 80 people are allowed to see the mountain gorillas in their nature environment each day. However, many, may wonder why gorilla trekking is experience than other African safari activities, the reason is that 75%of the monkey raised to conserve the gorilla surviving population like build schools, support the local people, road infrastructure and government funds.
Bwindi Gorilla habituation experience costs USD1,500 per person per day a full day activity the same price to Rwanda’s one-hour gorilla tracking, quite fabulous activity to spend full day in jungle trekking these gentle giants.
Uganda gorilla tracking permits can be got direct from Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices ‘’UWA’’ and Rwanda gorilla tracking permits from Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’ and Congo right with in the park.
What to pack for gorilla tracking tours in Africa?
They include; day pack, insect repellents, poncho, Light weight rain jacket, camera, bottled water, comfortable hiking shoes, gloves, long pants or trousers and energy giving snacks.
Rules and Regulations for gorilla tracking /post Covid Visitors
Gorilla share 98% of our DNA, making it possible for them to get corona virus and other airborne diseases like flu, cough, diarrhea making it a big threat to the survival of the gorillas. Below are the highlights;
Minimum age limit for gorilla tracking is 15 years of age.
Keep a distance of 7 to 8 meters away from the gorillas
Visitors are allowed only 1 hour to see mountain gorillas
Wear masks
Avoid sneezing and touching gorillas are wild animals
Regular sanitize and observe other SOP guideline
What to Expect on a gorilla tour?
On your day of your track, expect to weak up early have your aroma tea, after move to the briefing center by 7: 30am.After briefing, tourists will be allocated to their sign in tracking groups, in a group of 8 tourists. You will be led by the park guides and ranger as you start your search for gorillas in the forest. As you will be tracking there are high chances of seeing monkey species, butterfly species, mammals many more. The forest might be challenging and a good level of fitness is needed. At the end of the day, expect to be muddy and tired but with a humbling story to tell the rest.
Lastly, visit now and discover the quite unforgettable experience on African continent.
