Where to go for gorilla trekking in Africa.
Where in Africa can I do gorilla trekking? Gorilla trekking is a thrilling and well-liked activity that draws a lot of tourists to Africa. Trekking for gorillas entails walking through a tropical rainforest to find habituated mountain gorillas and spending 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 gorilla trekking destinations
Trekking with gorillas in Uganda
With half of the world’s mountain gorilla population living in two national parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park—Uganda is one of Africa’s most popular gorilla destinations. More than 22 habituated gorilla families can be found in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is situated in the Kanungu district in southwest Uganda. These sectors are Rushaga in the south, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo in the south, and Buhoma in the north.
Another gorilla attraction in Uganda is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is situated in the southwest of Kisoro district and is home to the Nyakagezi, a habituated gorilla family. Daily trekking is offered there.
The gorilla habituation experience, which involves training the wild mountain gorillas to become accustomed to human presence for hiking, is another service provided by Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Only the Rushaga area offers the gorilla habituation experience, which allows visitors to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
Rwandan gorilla trekking
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is conducted in the Volcanoes National Park, which is situated in Musanze Village in the country’s northwest. More than eleven habituated gorilla families can be found at Volcanoes National Park, which is accessible by 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, which is home to eastern gorillas, and Virunga National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas. There are roughly eight habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park and roughly five habituated gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park, both of which offer daily trekking opportunities.
Gorilla trekking begins very early in the morning with a briefing regarding the guidelines to be followed during the journey in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park. 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 gorilla trekking routes.
Because mountain gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, trekking with them in Africa can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. In addition to seeing other primates, mammals, and various bird species while trekking, you will have the chance to spend an hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat, where you can observe them feeding, playing, nursing, and grooming their young, as well as take pictures and videos and learn more about their habits and behaviors.
The ideal time to visit Africa for gorilla trekking
While it is possible to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo at any time of year, the best time to do it is during the dry season, which is also referred to as the peak season and lasts from June to February. In contrast to the rainy season, when the routes are muddy and slippery, which makes hiking challenging, access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable during the dry season because there is little or no rainfall in the gorilla destinations.
The price of African gorilla trekking permits
Legal paperwork known as gorilla trekking permits are given to tourists over the age of 15 so they can visit habituated gorilla families and spend an hour with the primates in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park cost 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, 400 USD per person for Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park, and 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
How to reserve permits for gorilla trekking
Through a reputable tour operator like Experiya Tour Company, you can reserve gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Simply contact us with the date, month, year, and gorilla destination you would like to visit. After getting in touch with us, we will see if there are any permits available on the days you have selected. If so, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will buy the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf as soon as we get the payment.
Things to bring on an African gorilla trekking safari
Insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to keep you warm, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, garden gloves, a warm sweater, energy snacks, warm water to keep you hydrated, a face mask, a waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rain, a camera and extra batteries to take pictures during the hour-long trek with the gorillas, binoculars, a walking stick to support you during the trek, and a waterproof backpack to carry your trekking gear are some of the essentials you should pack or bring when you go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo.
