Best place for gorilla trekking in Africa.
The greatest location for gorilla trekking in Africa Gorilla trekking is a unique and well-known pastime that draws many people to Africa. In a gorilla trekking adventure, visitors trek through the tropical rainforest to find habituated mountain gorillas and spend an hour with them in their natural habitat. Three African nations—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—are the destinations for gorilla trekking.
Africa’s top destination for gorilla trekking
Trekking with gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is home to the greatest population of mountain gorillas in Africa, making it one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking. Two national parks in Uganda are used for gorilla trekking: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Both are situated in the country’s southwest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 21 habituated gorilla families spread across 4 sectors: Buhoma in the north, Nkuringo in the south, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga in the south. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated gorilla family, Nyakagezi.
A thrilling gorilla trekking experience is also available in Uganda, where untamed mountain gorillas are tamed to become accustomed to trekking humans. Only the Rushaga Sector in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda. Those who participate in the process get to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
Rwandan gorilla trekking
The Volcanoes National Park, which is situated in Musanze Village in the country’s northwest, is another of Africa’s top destinations for gorilla trekking. Volcanoes National Park is one of the greatest places to go gorilla trekking because it is home to more than ten habituated gorilla families that are accessible for trekking every day.
Trekking with gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gorilla trekking is conducted in two national parks: Kahuzi Biega National Park and Virunga National Park. Eight habituated gorilla families, including the Kabirizi, Mapuwa, Rugendo, Bageni, Lulengo, Munyaga, Humba, and Nyakamwe families, can be found in Virunga National Park and are accessible for daily trekking, whereas five habituated gorilla families, including the Mpungwe, Bonnani, Chimanuka, Nganwa, and Mugahuka families, can be found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Experience trekking with gorillas
A training regarding the guidelines for trekking is given early in the morning before gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park begins. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to travel with and a knowledgeable park guide who is familiar with the various gorilla trekking routes.
Because mountain gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking with them in Africa can take anywhere from two to seven hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. You can spend an hour with them in their natural environment while trekking, which allows you to observe their daily routines, capture pictures and films to share with folks back home, and learn more about their habits and behaviors.
The ideal time to visit Africa for gorilla trekking
Although gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the best time to do it is during the dry season, also known as the peak season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because there is less or no rainfall in the park during this time, making access roads and gorilla trekking trails dry and passable, making trekking easier than during the rainy season, when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery, making gorilla trekking challenging.
The price of African gorilla trekking permits
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Africa varies based on where you want to go. For instance, a permit in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, 400 USD for foreign residents and non-residents, and 700 USD for foreign residents and non-residents in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, 600 USD for foreign residents, and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens.
Things to bring on an African gorilla trekking safari
Long-sleeved shirts and pants, hiking shoes, garden gloves, a waterproof rain jacket or poncho, a camera and extra batteries, a warm sweater, face masks, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, energy snacks and drinking water, a walking stick, and a backpack are some of the things you should bring with you on an African gorilla trekking safari.
