Gorilla trekking Africa

Gorilla trekking in Africa is one of the activities on the bucket list of travelers coming to Africa. There are only three countries in Africa where you can find the mountain gorillas in the wild,  and you can therefore do gorilla trekking in one of the following countries. Uganda, Rwanda and Congo all these countries offer you an opportunity to view the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. so its all your choice to choice which country of your interest so you will have the best of the gorilla trekking experience once you have an encounter with these gentle giants the gorillas.

In Africa, mountain gorillas are known to be one of the biggest games in the world with a variety of gorilla species that have enabled the activity to take place. These primates are being protected by many conservation associations that have promoted the continued existence of this animals .During the Gorilla trekking, the guide leads to the forest in search for the Gorillas , but the experience is not easy it’s a bit tiresome so it requires a lot of physical fitness and also with the help of your friends giving you a push and pull through until you finally locate the gorilla family.

During your encounter with the gorillas, you will enjoy the experience as you watch the gorillas and studying their behaviours. You will sight the Silverback which is a male gorilla that provides the safety of the family and the young ones. Surely this is one of the most exciting experience of your life time.

The following are the countries where we find mostly the gorilla trekking Africa activity

Uganda

Uganda is found in Uganda and its one of the top tourist destinations for gorilla trekking activity with a large number of gorilla species found in the national park. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is mostly done in Bwindi forest National park south western part of Uganda and in Mgahinga national park. The park is situated at the top of the Virunga bordering the DR Congo and Rwanda.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest, has several sectors with all gorilla habituated families ready for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience, these include; Rushaga, Ruhijja, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sectors with all gorilla habituated families open to all tourism activities.

The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda

The fee for the gorilla permits in Uganda is currently at $600 per person trekking the gorillas and for the gorilla habituation is $1500 per person trekking. Note that, gorilla trekking lasts for one hour from the time you meet the gorillas and gorilla habituation experience lasts for four hours with the gorillas. by this time, you are able to ask the guide all the questions concerning the gorillas as you get to study them and their behavior.

How to get there

By road either on self-drive on a private car or with the registered tour operator companies for example adventure in the wild safaris we organize tour packages with all the transport from the start to the end of the safari. The distance from Kampala to Bwindi national park is 512km and the drive time is approximately 9 hours’ drive.

The other alternative is the domestic chartered flights from Entebbe international airport Uganda where can also arrange a flight to Bwindi impenetrable forest landing at Kisoro airstrip and you transfer to Bwindi for the start of your activities.

Rwanda

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is at the volcanoes national park located in Rwanda a bout 80km from Kigali international airport. The gorilla trekking in Rwanda is lot easier since the parks location is not far from the airport its easily accessible. The drive from Kigali to volcanoes national park is about 2 hours drive. While at the park, there are a lot of other species of animals and birds that can be sighted during the gorilla trek in the forest.

During gorilla trekking, the guide will lead through the forest until you locate the gorillas. Although gorilla trekking can be done all year round, Remember gorilla trekking involves hiking steep slopes so it’s always convenient to trek during the dry seasons of the year since wet seasons , the path becomes muddy and slippery to pass through so it get some times hard but never the less both seasons wet or dry , you can still do gorilla trekking it all has the same experience.

Cost of gorilla permit in Rwanda

The Rwanda permits cost $1500 per person trekking the gorillas and its issued by Rwanda Development Association the difference is Rwanda permits are slightly higher in price than Uganda.

Read more about: Rwanda Gorilla trekking

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

In the democratic republic of Congo, gorilla trekking takes place in Virunga national park with over 250 gorilla habituated families at the same region, this is both shared by Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda all together forming Virunga conservation region known the Virunga Massif. The park harbors over 8 gorilla habituated families ready for trekking, with the help of the guide, the rangers to keep the security through out the activity in the forest.

Lately Congo was not being visited by the tourists due to raise in political instabilities causing a lot of insecurity in the country which caused a lot of difficulties in accessing the national parks. But currently Congo is now very safe and already receiving visitors to many different parts of Congo most especially at the Eastern part of Congo known to be having the best spots for tourism activities.

The cost of the gorilla permit in Congo

The gorilla permits in Congo geos for a fee of $400 per person, per permit to trek the gorillas in the Virunga National park.

This is only the highlight and the guideline for the gorilla trekking in the east African countries like Uganda, Rwanda and Congo but for more information, you can reach to us at Adventure in the wild safaris a tour operator company we offer quality service evidenced by our excellent reviews on trip advisor. We will be ready to answer all the questions so that you will have the best of your gorilla trekking safari to any of the three countries in east Africa.