Where To Trek Gorillas

February 1, 2024

Where To Trek Gorillas

Gorilla trekking in East Africa is one of the top tourism activities that are done in Africa which involves travelers hiking thick forests that harbor the amazing endangered Gorilla species. Many people may wonder where to trek gorillas from. Safari Vacations and Travel Services will take you to the places where to trek gorillas from. Travelers get a chance to spend time with the gorillas in the forest, usually 1 hour for Gorilla trekking and 4 hours for gorilla habituation. It’s such an interesting activity that Safari Vacations and Travel Services would like to organize for you so that you can visit our close relatives.

Gorilla habituation is basically for researchers and gorilla trekkers who would love to spend more time with the gorilla species in the forest. Tourists go to find the gorillas that are not used to human presence and are in the process of being tamed so that they can get used to humans. Gorilla Habituation is done in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Where can one do Gorilla Trekking?

Tourists engage in Gorilla Trekking in East and Central Africa, specifically in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. In Uganda, tourists engage in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park happens to harbor the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world and it has up to 25 gorilla families ready for trekking every day while Mgahinga National Park has one gorilla family ready for trekking. In Uganda, travelers can go for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park also one of the gorilla destinations.

Meanwhile, in Rwanda, tourists see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the most visited national park in the country. In DR Congo, tourists go for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. In Congo, tourists can find another species of the gorilla Beringei which is the Eastern lowland gorilla. tourists find them in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park. Therefore one can choose to trek Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking

Trekking gorillas in any of the mentioned national parks does not come at a free cost. Tourists can only do the activity after purchasing a gorilla permit from the concerned authorities. Alternatively, tourists can contact a trusted and experienced tour operator to buy on their behalf. Gorilla trekking Permits in Uganda cost USD800, Gorilla Habituation permits in Uganda cost USD1500. Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda cost USD1,500, and Gorilla Trekking permits in Congo cost USD400.

The gorilla trekking experience

This is one of the best safari experiences that a traveler can engage in. On the gorilla safari tour, you will reach the park headquarters as early as 6:30 am. This is irrespective of which country where you are trekking. On reaching the park headquarters you will find the park rangers who will take you through a short briefing. They will give you the guidelines, rules, and regulations of the gorilla trekking experience. After the briefing, you will start the trek. You will be accompanied by armed rangers and gorilla trackers who know how to find the gorillas.

It will take about 2-4 hours to find the gorillas, and once you locate them. After locating them, the guides will grant you 1 hour to spend with the majestic creatures. During this hour you will observe the gorillas, take photos, and enjoy your moment. After the 1 hour, you will trek back to the starting point where you will meet the driver guides to continue with your safari.

Essentials to Carry for the Gorilla Safari Experience

Essentials are those key items one needs to have to be able to go through the gorilla experience successfully. For example, one needs to have a gorilla trekking permit, a valid VISA, a valid Passport, and a yellow fever card as the essential documents.

Other things to carry include, long-sleeved trousers and shirts, hiking boots since one may encounter biting ants in the wild, a rain jacket, a waterproof backpack, gloves, a safari hat/cap, extra snacks and water, cameras, and their batteries.