All About Gorilla Trekking

When Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Uganda, Rwanda and Dr Congo, you are required to go to the park headquarters for precise briefing on the conduct around the Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Lowland Gorillas.

Here you are welcomed by a park ranger guide who distributes you into groups of 8 then after with a lead park ranger, enter the green forest vegetation to trek the rare species of Mountain Gorillas.

You enter the forest and trek along the varying trails in a period of 3- 5 hours following guidelines from the park rangers with trackers then after a while you meet the Gorillas and in an hour stay in their presence.

While in the presence of the Gorillas (1 hour), keep calm and quiet then with your camera with no flash, take many photos to keep for memories. After trekking the Gorillas, return to the park headquarters for your Gorilla Trekking Certificate then to lodge.

 

What is the Best Gorilla Trekking Destination?

The best Gorilla trekking destination is determined according to the tastes and preferences of the trekkers. For Gorillas can be trekked in Uganda at Bwindi Forest National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo at Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The Best Gorilla Trekking destination may depend on the vegetation terrain, location of the Gorillas and number of Gorilla Families to be trekked.

Bwindi Forest National Park offers challenging trekking Adventures which involve travelers to hike through the thick green forest vegetation searching for the Gorillas.

Mgahinga National Park gives you a Gorilla Trekking experience similar to that of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and photography is very clear.

When interested in taking clear stunning photography, Mgahinga National Park is your ideal Destination and for a tough challenge to watch the Gorillas, Bwindi Forest National Park is your place to go.

What is a Gorilla habitat Like?

Gorillas are fond of inhabiting different habitats and these depend on where they feed, best vegetation. Mountain Gorillas live in the thick forest vegetated regions of the Mountains, tropical Rain forests which vary in temperature (around 23°C) and rainfall amounts. Mountain Gorilla tropical rain forest habitat is situated at a high altitude of (1,650-3,790 m/5,413-12,435 ft) in Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.

Eastern Lowland Gorillas live in the Lowland areas of tropical forests with thorny shrubs, trees, and succulents (plants that are able to store water in their cells) of the DR Congo.

Gorillas also like regions with tropical deciduous forests and shrubs which lose their leaves during the dry season and generate new leaves when it rains.

When is the Best time for trekking Gorillas?

Gorilla Treks can be done any time around the year although the Best time to Trek the gorillas is during the months of June to September then December to February.

How to Obtain a Gorilla trekking Permit in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Permits are obtained through contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority directly as you send an email or contact an authentic Tour Operator Agency that book the permit on your behalf before you arrive.

How much is a Gorilla trekking permit?

Gorilla Trekking Permits cost US $700 per person in Uganda, Rwanda US $1500 per person and DR Congo US $400 per person.

Will I see Mountain Gorillas?

Since Gorillas are wild, watching them is not 100% guaranteed but be sure you will see them in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park

What is the Weather like on a gorilla trek?

Bwindi Forest National Park’s weather is 23° C (73° F), and 11° C (52° F) at night with rain that usually falls all the time due to the location of the park close to the equator.

What Rules to Follow when Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo

  • Keep a distance of 7 meters away from the Gorillas
  • If approached by a Silverback Gorilla don’t run but rather scot when looking down to avoid any danger.
  • Don’t make abrupt mоvе and nоiѕе in the presence of the gorillas.
  • Don’t stare direct into the eyes of the Gorillas as this is provocation to them hence war.
  • Don’t Smoke, drink оr eat in the presence of the gorillas.
  • Children under the age оf 15 aren’t allowed to trek Gorillas.

Things to carry for Gorilla trek?

  • A Good Camera without a flash
  • Insect repellent to smear so that you don’t get bitten by insects like mosquitoes.
  • A pair of gardening gloves to protect you from thorns.
  • A walking stick to use while trekking the Gorillas.
  • A Daypack to carry all your essentials and goodies.