Complete guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
An all-day outdoor adventure, gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda is a trip in the bush in pursuit of a certain habituated gorilla family in the wild. Starting at around 7:00 am with registration and a briefing at the relevant national park office, this is an early start activity for the day.
Usually the park officials will be aware of the overall whereabouts of every gorilla family as well as their distance from headquarters. Your own fitness level and preferred trekking style will decide which gorilla family they assign you to see and the duration of your trip. This page will examine gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda in terms of cost, accessibility, ideal timing, why Uganda or Rwanda and so much more.
Gorilla Trekking: briefing period
Depending on the area and gorilla family you are seeing, you will walk or drive to the start site after the briefing and with your ranger guide, then begin hiking about 8:30 am. Usually, you trek for at least one hour before finding your designated gorilla family.
You may not locate your group for three or more hours sometimes. The climb is all part of the experience; the surroundings are rather breathtaking. Especially at altitude, be cautious to maintain your own speed and sip plenty of water as dehydration is really common.
The rangers will invite you to leave your baggage when you enter range of your gorilla family so you may approach the group more intimately. You will spend an hour with the gorillas once you have contact. They could eat bamboo, hang from branches, groom one another, nurse their newborns, play, sleep, fart or mate. Each encounter is different; enjoy their presence.
Should the mountain gorillas be on movement, you will be able to follow them always maintaining the necessary minimum distance of seven meters. They might approach your organization showing some curiosity. This is natural and not cause for any anxiety. Should they approach you, the rangers will encourage you to keep composure and back off gently.
The ranger guides will look after you in the forest and are well informed. Make sure you inquire of them about the jungle, other animals, and gorillas. Each gorilla family is personally familiar to them, and they can provide you distinct names and characteristics. Essential team members as well are porters, who will carry your day pack and assist in getting you up and down the slopes for a little price and a tip.
Hiring one or two porters can help the numerous young people remaining near Bwindi impenetrable National Park find jobs, even although their role is to aid you by offering a push and/or a pull when the going becomes rough. Through travel, students will understand the reasons for conservation.
Controlling gorilla trekking’s expectations
Not knowing precisely where you will locate the gorillas adds part of the thrill of seeing them. Though hiking might be exhausting, the height, the dark forest, the rain, and the muck are rewarding.
Depending on where you are located, the gorillas will be found in somewhat diverse environments: in an open clearing with unhindered views and plenty of sunshine, or in a denser section of the forest beneath a heavy canopy. Plan your pictures keeping in mind the lighting conditions; flash photography is absolutely forbidden. Though sightings are not assured, there is at least a 95% chance you will locate your gorilla family.
Ugandan and Rwandan gorilla family distribution
One must show a current gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Uganda to ensure your place on the day of trekking. Following briefing and under the direction of park officials, they will assign each of you a gorilla family based on your physical inclination and level of interest. This implies that on the exact day you will be assigned to travel on a gorilla family. Ask for a gorilla family and preferred trekking path; they will do as much as they can to match your preference.
Why is an hour activity include viewing mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda?
Strictly one hour are Gorilla Trekking tours in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Those who have seen habituated mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda would tell you that one hour is plenty.
One rationale presented for one hour is because they train habituated mountain gorilla families to accept visitors for one hour everyday for conservation and beyond this, gorillas may charge to guests as they also need solitude to eat and establish their nests.
Believe me, you have plenty of time to see the gorillas; simply ask your guide where you would like to stand or where you would want to walk. It will not be upsetting for the gorillas. You should stay around seven meters (~20 ft apart).
How can one schedule a gorilla hike in Volcanoes NP or Bwindi?
The top foreign tourist attraction in Uganda and Rwanda is seeing the mountain gorillas; with so many local and foreign tour companies able to assist plan your trip.
A competent tour operator provides thorough local knowledge with personnel or reps on-site. They will be acquainted with the vicinity of every gorilla family having personally visited the lodges. When you are organizing your vacation, this information will be very helpful.
Tour companies should use dependable ground crew, especially experienced drivers familiar with the area and able to manage the steep dirt paths (near Bwindi, for example).
A tour operator can arrange your additional activities, lodging, and transportation and create an itinerary if you choose to go further after gorilla sightings. Make sure the gorilla trekking trip you purchase includes your tracking permit in the cost.
Although professional bodies like AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and RTTA (Rwanda Tours and Travel Association) screen its members, many excellent hotels and tour operators are not members of these groups.
If you do your research and make good advance bookings, you might potentially book independently. Allow plenty of time for travel. You are on your own should you miss a bus or break down. In such cases, gorilla permits cannot be postponed, hence you may find yourself forfeiting whatever savings you save by going alone.
At least six months before you want to visit, reserve your gorilla tour and permit. There are just a few daily permits, hence excursions fill fast.
If you want to see many gorillas, you will need several permits as each one lets you view them just for one hour.
The gorilla journey throughout Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
Two choices exist for you on how to ensure your gorilla permits trekking in Volcanoes National Park if you are organizing a gorilla trekking tour or safari vacation to Rwanda. To manage any problems with regard to booking and acquiring your mountain gorilla permits, first and most safely consult any registered and licensed tour operator.
Operating in Uganda and Rwanda, fully recognized and licensed Tour operator Katland safaris Once contacted, we will look for Rwanda gorilla permit availability. Save them for you free as long as you arrange an all-inclusive gorilla trekking Safari to visit Volcanoes National Park, home of habituated mountain gorillas.
We immediately handle everything and get Rwanda Development Board on your behalf. Once licenses are obtained, we plan all the other arrangements including travel, lodging, and any transfers engaged. Usually, we send one of our most seasoned safari advisors who guides you on what to do, anticipate, and offers all pertinent information till you become persuaded to book with us.
The second option is to reserve everything on your own by getting gorilla permits checked by Rwanda Development Board and then paying to RDB straight. A Rwanda gorilla permit simply covers park access costs, seeing a habituated gorilla family and spending one hour with these animals, services of an armed ranger guide, and a certificate.
It leaves out lodging and transportation while at Volcanoes National Park. Once you have your gorilla permit, you can move on and arrange all the other related logistics like lodging and transportation to and from Volcanoes National Park.
One may plan a one-day gorilla hike from the Capital City Kigali just at Volcanoes National Park. One may rise early, go to National Park’s volcanoes, hike gorillas, then return under late twilight or night. Although this is conceivable, we advise against it because anything may happen and results in delay and missing your trip after a costly SUD$1500 payment for your gorilla permit plus transportation.
We really advise you to at least arrange to spend two nights close to Volcanoes National Park. Since you never know when you will be leaving the park, spend one night acclimatizing before the gorilla trip and another after the trip. Early returns will allow you to enjoy optional events such community or village walks and woodland walks among others. Get advice on how to spend the additional hours in Volcanoes National Park from Contact Katland safaris.
Depending on carrying capacity, Katland safaris provide transport choices ranging from USD$100 for our well looked after Safari Vans to USD$250 to 300 for Luxury Land Cruisers. While in the vehicle heading to and from Volcanoes National Park, well-trained safari guides drive all of our vehicles and supply drinking water.
Why chose Rwanda for a trip in gorilla trekking?
One should spend USD$1500 for a gorilla trekking permit for numerous reasons, including the fact that it is as reasonably priced as USD$400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and USD$800 in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These are the reasons one should migrate to Rwanda, even if the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have enticing reasonably priced gorilla licenses.
Less taxing physically on the trail
Actually, compared to Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda, gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is considered to be less challenging. Most visitors who have crossed mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park usually confirm this.
Less Fruit in Volcanoes National Park
When one considers forest cover between Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park, one finds that Bwindi impenetrable national park is denser than Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Sometimes the deep forest cover in Bwindi impenetrable National Park makes photography challenging compared to the bamboo mostly seen in Volcanoes National Park. Usually tall and thin, bamboo trees are less likely to block one while he or she captures images and videos of mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Less traffic from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
From the designated Airport of Kigali, Volcanoes National Park is the simplest mountain gorilla National Park to reach. Comparatively to Mgahinga or Bwindi impenetrable national Parks, which are 10 hours’ journey from Kampala/Entebbe Airport on bad roads, the park is only two to three hours’ trip on well-maintained roads. By booking our flying safaris to gorillas and taking regular or charter flights from Entebbe Airport to Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park one may avoid such drives.
Gorilla permits funds put to use
Given the cost of a gorilla permit from Uganda or Congo, a Rwanda gorilla permit at USD$1500 seems absurd. The Rwanda government ranks first when compared to the way this money is spent as most of it is effectively utilized to safeguard the threatened primates as well as enhance nearby Volcanoes National Park. The experience is worthwhile and they always pay a dollar spent to view mountain gorillas in Rwanda to good use.
planning a gorilla Trekking safari tour in Uganda
Unlike Rwanda, Uganda has two main national parks where one may see naturally occurring mountain gorillas in their native environment. The two parks located in the southwest of this nation known as the Pearl of Africa are Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable National Parks.
Permission to hike mountain gorillas of Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a gorilla one you own. We advise you to study the material about Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable National Park before deciding on anything to enable you to make a better decision. Katland Safaris can provide you with pertinent knowledge about the two National Parks. Give us a call.
Gorilla excursions to Bwindi, an inaccessible National Park
The mountain gorilla groups of Bwindi impenetrable National Park are dispersed across many areas unlike other National Parks in Africa. This suggests consequently that one must reserve lodging in the area where his/her gorilla permits were booked. To help you avoid coming late for registration and briefing on the day of your gorilla trip, we also strongly advise reserving lodging not too far from the National Park gate.
More precisely, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a vast tropical rain forest including four areas suitable for mountain gorilla trekking. These areas include Ruhija in the east, Buhoma in the north, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. Every one of these areas has more than four habituated mountain gorillas.
If you arrange a gorilla permit hiking in Buhoma, for instance, make sure you reserve accommodations in the Buhoma area and the rest is applicable elsewhere. based on your interest and physical ability, we will handle all this on your behalf when you book a gorilla permit in any of the aforementioned areas as well as guide you on where to spend your overnights based on your budget and interest. Contact Katland safaris.
Depending on the area you are scheduled to hike mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable National Park may be accessed by road from Entebbe or Kampala over 9 to 10 hours. You will meet Local drum manufactures, Equator, witness the Hima grazing their Ankole Long-horned cows as well as the stunning and rolling hills of the Kigezi area on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Flying into Kigali Airport and driving 4-5 hours to Bwindi impenetrable National Park is the quickest route of access. Better yet, travel into Uganda via Gatuna border if scheduled in the east’s Ruhija district of Bwindi. Using Chanika border crossing is advisable if scheduled in the Rushaga or Nkuringo area. For information regarding crossing Rwanda to Uganda by road, kindly get in touch with us.
When should one go gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda?
Planning a gorilla trekking journey to Uganda or Rwanda in Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and or Volcanoes National Park correspondingly requires knowledge of roughly identical visitation seasons and temperature. This implies that for the optimal time to go gorilla trekking, everything we have mentioned here also applies to Uganda and Rwanda.
Climate and walking conditions in Uganda and Rwanda
First of all, it is clear from definition that it rains all year round when deciding whether to go gorilla trekking in a rainforest such as Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Having said that, these two African nations in the tropics have rainy and dry seasons suitable for gorilla trekking.
Drier and warmer temperatures
May, June, July, August had drier and hotter weather; thereafter, in December and into February. Since there are less muddy paths and walks in both Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively, gorilla trekking is easier during the dry season. The main drawback of arranging to go gorilla trekking in dry seasons is that it falls around summer and peak seasons for the activity.
This suggests that, in case of non-booking in advance, gorilla permits might be difficult to get. If not three to five months, we advise all people intending to go gorilla trekking during dry seasons to arrange gorilla permits a year in advance. Last-minute gorilla trekking trips to Rwanda and Uganda are arranged by Katland Safaris under long-standing permission when requested.
Wet circumstances of the weather
April, May, September, October, and November see wet and rainy conditions most prevalent. Roads are muddy during this period, hence paths become rather dangerous.
That gorilla trekking occurs all year round, and chances of sighting gorillas are 90 percent and greater. You must be very physically fit and have the appropriate gear with you to prepare really effectively. Should it be necessary, we strongly advised a porter for a push or a pull.
From 21°C (70 F) to 30°C (86 F), temperatures in Uganda and Rwanda are set year-round; higher elevations cause drops to 10°C (50 F). Though it’s cold at night, the effort of climbing and trekking will warm you throughout the day.
When should one schedule a gorilla trip during Peak/high season in Rwanda and Uganda?
In Uganda and Rwanda, peak or high seasons follow the hotter, drier months of June, July, August, September, and December through February. These seasons fall between summer vacations and mild weather that draws more visitors to Volcanoes National Park.
Book six months or more ahead whether you want to do gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during peak season or if you are in a big group. You have more options on where you stay and where you hike gorillas the sooner you book.
Though they cannot be assured, last-minute appointments during low season or with smaller parties are feasible.
Events & Festival Time in Uganda or Rwanda
Every September, Rwanda hosts an annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ritual that provides an interesting window into Rwandan culture and attempts at gorilla preservation. Though by invitation only, the event is free to attend. A decent tour operator will set your access.
As it is common, plan ahead if you want to follow the gorillas and attend the ritual.
Kwibuka, which means recall in Kinyarwanda, is a more serious event. In honor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in which about one million Tutsi—70% of the Tutsi population—were slain, this sequence of events takes place in April. These are welcoming events for visitors. In Rwanda, April may be a somber month.
Often asked questions about gorilla treks
Worth it is gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?
For many individuals visiting Uganda or Rwanda, gorilla trekking is by far one of the most amazing and one in a lifetime experience. It is quite rare to hear anyone say that it is a less than wonderful experience and should be regarded as a whole day’s activity in a pristine natural environment, not just the valuable hour with the great apes.
As earlier noted, all gorilla safari packages to see mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda are quite expensive. Whether it is quite so life-changing for you, may depend on how passionate you are about wildlife encounters (and early morning starts!).
Make sure you are ready to fully benefit from the experience. Wear the correct gear, be as fit as you can, relax, and avoid trying to schedule too many events. Uganda and Rwanda are interesting nations with much more than “just” gorilla trekking; finish out your trip with a few additional days of getting to know your location.
Is safest gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?
Right, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda means visiting wild mountain gorillas. Many people will wonder: how deadly the mountain gorilla is? Will they charge toward our direction? Nothing will happen to you if you follow laws and guidelines and advice provided to you by your ranger guide. We can boldly guarantee you that gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is safe.
We have never heard of such an incidence for all the years we have been doing gorilla safaris to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This is so because every gorilla family seen by visitors is accustomed to humans and totally acclimated by pertinent park personnel. Rest assured, nevertheless, that your gorilla trekking trip to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or volcanoes National park will be secure.
Furthermore well known is the fact that gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda occurs on foot and in remote woodlands. One can even be assaulted by other wild creatures or humans like rebels or poachers. Both Uganda and Rwanda take visitor security and safety very seriously; all parks are under surveillance and an armed ranger will accompany you to frighten away such animals should they come across. Since our first concern is customer safety and security, Katland safaris only operate in secure destinations.
How tough is gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?
A certain degree of physical condition is very advised as trekking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga, Bwindi impenetrable or Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively may be extremely difficult. Although you should make sure you are well prepared both physically and psychologically, anticipate going through muddy paths, heavy vegetation and extensive forest cover while on your walk. Regular rains in these woodlands mean hiking and trekking may be muddy and even dangerous. This is why we advise you to pack appropriate equipment for your trip.
If you are physically unfit or elderly, not to worry; Katland safaris will always have answers for you. You may pay porters to carry your photographic gear and daypacks when in Bwindi impenetrable National Park or volcanoes. This allows you to move or climb with great simplicity.
We advise renting a stretcher or sedan chair and porters to take you to and from the gorillas if you are elderly and incapable of walking for long distances. This adds an additional cost ranging from USD$300 to USD$700. As long as you let us know you need, Encounter may arrange this on your behalf. Your day will be unforgettable for all the right reasons if you use common sense and a respectable degree of fitness.
Mountains gorillas from Rwanda
One can reach Volcanoes National Park via softly sloping agricultural terrain. There are many ecosystems in the park: bamboo forest, open bush and darker, moss-covered trees with rocky trails. The forest denser the higher you ascend.
Mountains Gorillas in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a thick tree, shrub, and creepers rainforest. There is rugged terrain with access via steep dirt roads. Some trees, reaching fifty meters in height, provide a thick canopy. Trekking over the forest might be challenging, and your ranger guide might have to create a trail with machetes from scratch. The woodland intersects rivers and waterfalls.
Though the trek to view the gorillas may be rather steep in certain areas, the woods of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are less thick than those of Bwindi.
Why do mountain gorilla trips in Rwanda and Uganda cost so much?
Trekking mountain gorillas from Uganda or Uganda does not come that reasonably priced. While in Uganda is presently USD$800, a gorilla permit in Rwanda alone is USD$1500 per person each trip. This rules out lodging and transportation expenses. One might therefore wonder why gorilla treking in these two nations is so costly. These are a few of the explanations.
Mountain gorillas regarded as endangered species all around. A greater charge to view them becomes unavoidable in order to restrict the amount of contacts of the gorillas with humans in order to protect them from probable illnesses from human beings. This has also not prevented individuals vying for gorilla licenses in Uganda and Rwanda.
Furthermore, the need to gather the necessary money to preserve these mountain gorillas and their habitats charges visitors who want to include gorilla treking on their schedule. This same money or part of it is utilized to protect the forest, pay researchers and staff of Uganda and Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Though the price may not be cheap overall, given the experience and significance of preserving this endangered primate, it is still really reasonable.
Exists a gorilla trekking age restriction in Rwanda and Uganda?
Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda has a consistent age because laws controlling the protection of these endangered primates practically match each other. The gorilla trekking minimum or age is fifteen years. Only if you are 15 years of age or above may you be permitted to see habituated mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Before being permitted to walk gorillas in any park, you are expected to provide your passport information both at the park headquarters and on booking your gorilla permit. Although Rwanda is rather rigid, Uganda Wildlife Authority sometimes lets a 14-year-old who is almost turning 15. Such a youngster has to be physically healthy and mature to handle the walk. Please get additional information; please contact Katland safaris; we would be happy to provide advice.
How near to Mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Volcanoes NP can one get?
Volcanoes National Parks and Bwindi both permit a 7-meter gap between the gorillas and your ranger guide will help you to make sure this is followed too. Mountain gorillas could approach you as they are ignorant of this regulation. Should they do, your ranger guide will counsel you to remain cool, drop your voice, and avoid making eye contact. Steer clear of attempting to interact with a family member as this will likely result in charges mostly from the Silverback.
A silverback gorilla is around how large?
The biggest living primate in the world is the mountain gorilla A fully developed male gorilla will weigh between 300-440 pounds (140-300 kg) and stand between 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters). Rising about 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters), female mountain gorillas weigh between 300-220 pounds (90-100 kg).
Mountains gorillas are shockingly fast and very powerful. Between 8 and 15 times stronger than a person, a gorilla can run 25mph.
Contact Katland safaris by email, WhatsApp or phone for more information on the often asked topics about mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Why deal with safaris from Katland?
Expert in planning fantastic wildlife, cultural and adventure safaris in East Africa, Katland safaris Over the course of 15 years, we have developed a staff of expert Safari consultants and guides that will ensure seamless planning and execution of your safari. We licenced to operate in East Africa and are completely registered.
Members of AUTO (The Association of Uganda Tour Operators), we closely coordinate Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, and Uganda Tourism Board. Over the many years we have lived, we have catered to many satisfied customers and some have been able to live a review on travel advisor and Safari reservations.
