Gorilla trekking is typically a guided hike into the tropical forests characterized by entangled scrubs, dense vegetation, and tall trees for trekkers to see a specific gorilla family. In the course of trekking to see gorillas, tourists use machetes to create their path and walking poles are required to offer extra support while hiking through slippery steep slopes.
Since mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity, the only means to see them is trekking through their natural habitat characterized by dense and misty rain-forests with altitudinal range of about 4500m. Trekking to view these endangered species in Uganda starts from any of the 5 locations at 8:00am after briefing and allocation of a habituated gorilla family to a group of 8 visitors and park guide leads trekkers throughout the entire adventure.
Gorilla trekking takes 2-6 hours depending on trekkers speed of walking or nature of the habitat. This is inclusive of one hour the park ranger guide will allow trekkers to spend observing, learning more about gorilla behaviors, taking photos and more.
What is the difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking?
Gorilla trekking includes following gorillas and it is usually conducted by a group of 8 trekkers each group is assigned to a particular gorilla family group. Besides, a trained park ranger guide is allocated to lead each group of 8 visitors during the entire gorilla trekking experience.
A phrase gorilla tracking is often used to mean “gorilla trekking” though tracking specifically involves monitoring and looking for a particular habituated gorilla family. The park ranger / tracker uses various strategies and symptoms to guide them trace where gorillas are before visitors begin the actual gorilla trekking adventure. Most often, park trackers are sent to the forest early to begin the search; therefore, gorilla tracking comes first, then later gorilla trekking follows.
How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Trekking to see mountain gorillas in the wild is a lifetime opportunity. But it all requires some physical wellness since it involves hiking elevation range of 2600-4500m featuring dense vegetation and unpredictable weather. In case visitors have heavy luggage, there are porters for hire at USD 10-20 and not to encounter challenges hiking through the steep slopes, trekkers are advised to do adequate physical exercises before the actual date of visiting Uganda, Rwanda or Congo for gorilla trekking.
Where can you find gorillas?
Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the 3 best African countries where you can see gorillas. These 3 countries are famous for mountain gorillas which live in the 4 National Parks- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda; the Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo and to the Northwestern side of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park. D.R. Congo is also known for Eastern Lowland gorillas that thrive within Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park.
Mountain gorillas and Eastern Lowland gorillas are two sub-species of Eastern gorilla. There are other sub-species of gorillas in Africa and they include the Cross-river gorillas and Western Lowland gorillas.
How much are gorilla trekking permits?
Gorilla trekking permits offer trekkers an hour of face to face encounter with gorillas in the wild. Each gorilla permit can be obtained at USD 700 in Uganda and for foreign non-residents, USD 600 for foreign residents and UG. Shs. 250,000 in case of East African citizens while Rwanda gorilla safari holidaymakers pay USD 1500 for gorilla trekking permits. The D.R. Congo issues out her gorilla trekking permits at USD450 whether you are visiting Kahuzi-Biega NP or Virunga National Park.
Best time to travel for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking is a year-round adventure though the best time to see the endangered mountain gorillas is usually during the drier months of the year. The 2 phases of dry seasons / months in each year start from June to August and December to February. These are the months when most gorilla safari parks experience less or no rains with forest floor kept relatively drier and less slippery. This isn’t a case with rainy season (March to April/October to November) when plenty of rains are recorded.
What to carry on your gorilla safari in Uganda, Congo or Rwanda?
The list of items to pack for your gorilla safari holiday are many but the essential ones include a camera free from flashlight, gardening gloves, long pants/trousers, poncho/rain jacket, bottled water, hiking boots, energy snacks, daypack, sunglasses, insect repellent, first aid box, long sleeved shirt, sweater and others.
