Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda | Bwindi | Volcanoes | Mgahinga
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional and one of the major activities in Uganda and Rwanda that attracts big number of tourists. Gorilla trekking involves visitors walking on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park while in Rwanda gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes national park.
Apart from Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking is also done in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda is the most visited gorilla destination due to the fact that it harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The national park is located in southern part of Uganda in Kanungu district.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 21 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience where the mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector and visitors get an opportunity to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is also done in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is located in southern region in Kisoro district. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family named Nyakagezi which is available for trekking daily.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in northwestern region in Musanze village bordering with Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Congo. Volcanoes national park is a home of over 11 habituated gorilla families which are open for trekking on a daily basis.
Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park is an interesting activity that starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking.
After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group is allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with different gorilla trekking trails.
Trekking of mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food.
During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, different bird species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment which gives you an opportunity to watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, learn more about their behaviors, habits, take pictures and record the incredible moments to show people back home after the safari.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document or card that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit a habituated gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 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 while a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a government body in charge of tourism in Uganda or Rwanda Development Board (RDB) a government body in charge of tourism in Rwanda by contacting the head offices via email or telephone calls.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the dates, month, year and gorilla destination you wish to visit.
After contacting us, we will check for permit availability on your desired dates. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they usually get sold out quickly especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February therefore in order to avoid last minute disappointments, you are advised to book in advance.
Best time to go for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the wet or rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda
There are a number of items to pack or carry for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda including comfortable hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainforest, camera and extra batteries to take photos and record videos, a pair of binoculars, energy snacks and bottled drinking water to keep you hydrated, garden gloves, back pack to carry your essential items among others.
How to get to the gorilla trekking destinations
Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda can be accessed by road and air transport means.
When using road transport means to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters via Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
When using road transport means to Volcanoes national park, you will drive from Kigali to the park headquarters which takes about 2 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda gives you breathtaking and unforgettable memories on your safari. For more information, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book an affordable gorilla trekking package.
