Difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Only after you do the trip in both Uganda and Rwanda will you be able to really appreciate the variations between Gorilla trekking in both nations. Meeting the mountain gorillas anywhere is a unique experience that has left many searching for more. Others go ahead and schedule another gorilla trekking day or gorilla habituation to spend extra hours among the mountain gorillas.

One method to appreciate while helping to finance their protection is via gorilla treking.  The situation of the mountain gorillas was terrible in the past; numbers to around 300 as of the 1980s census conducted by American biologist Dian Fossey.

Every nation, including Uganda and Rwanda, has unique qualities and various trekkers rely on them to discover the differences between the two in terms of gorilla trekking.

Variations in distance to Cover on the way to the Gorilla Trekking sites

About 530km, or eight to nine hours, separate the travel from Entebbe airport or Kampala city to Bwindi impenetrable National park. Particularly the Kigezi highlands you pass over, this journey is picturesque; Equator and other breathtaking scenery abound along the road.

About three hours of twisting roads that bend at the foot of the hills drive from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National park. Rwanda has a thousand hills clothed in rich green foliage all year round.

Airlines are another choice accessible to cut the journey duration to Mgahinga National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National park. From Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airstrip daily domestic flights go to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip. These flights run around 1 and half hour. To go to your location, you must pay for a car that might run one and half to two hour.

Additionally possible is booking Rwanda charter flights from Kigali Airport to an airfield near Volcanoes National Park. Arriving here takes less than an hour, therefore cutting the travel time to other locations.

Given the roughly six hours it takes from Kigali Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National park, gorilla trekking in Uganda via Rwanda is also feasible.

The price of gorilla hiking permits

Whereas the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are $1500 per person.

Since your permission is only maximum 8 permits per gorilla family per day, whether you are trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda you must book it ahead of times. Only paying customers have opportunity to guarantee their gorilla permits using first come first served basis.

To prevent last-minute worry in getting your gorilla trekking permit, you must book it at least 90 days before the date of travel. Although the gorilla licenses are much sought after, only eight permits are available for each gorilla family.

The ways of transportation to reach the sites of gorilla treks

As was already said, road or domestic daily flights or charters are the two ways one may reach the mountain gorillas.

Should you want to drive, Uganda has the longest journey times—between eight and nine hours—to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National park. The rural Ugandan roads are more dirty and uneven.

From Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park, the journey duration is around three hours and Rwanda’s roads to there are more pleasant.

You particularly require a 4×4 wheel vehicle for both safaris to Rwanda or Uganda to utilize on the slick roads when it rains.

Daily flights to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip near Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National park have been planned for Uganda. Their daily operations fall morning and afternoon. Also there are chances to catch charter planes.

Count of mountain gorilla families at the sites

There are now around 13 gorilla families in Rwanda, including those from Sabyinyo, Susa, Hirwa, Amahoro, and other families. Currently accessible for tourist observation are around 19 Uganda gorilla families. In Uganda, you have higher possibilities than in Rwanda to locate gorilla permit availability.

But sometimes the Nyakagezi family, who live in Mgahinga National Park, would go into Rwanda. This made reserving gorilla permits difficult and they were sold based on mountain gorilla availability. These mountain gorillas have been residing consistently in Uganda late on.

Possibilities of Including Other Activities into Gorilla Trekking

In Uganda, there are more possibilities to incorporate additional things to gorilla treking than in Rwanda. Options for adding chimpanzee trekking sites, wildlife drives various water sports like white water rafting, launch excursions, spot fishing, cultural tours and others are great in Uganda.

Rwanda’s choices for additional activities include only game drives in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, birdwatching in Rwanda, boat excursion on lake Ihema and others.

About half of all mountain gorillas worldwide are found in Uganda, the country of destination. This allows you to hope to find mountain gorillas in Uganda’s bush. Since Rwanda tourism depends on one of the most selling foreign currencies, Rwanda gorillas are also quite well preserved.

Make sure you can locate the mountain gorillas in the bush whether you are hiking them in Uganda or Rwanda. These are less mobile primates walking on knuckles. Though the whereabouts of them is uncertain, sometimes following the paths where the mountain gorillas were last seen pays.

Regarding the difficulty of gorilla treking in Rwanda or Uganda

Volcanoes National park in Rwanda has steeper terrain. Five of the six Virunga Volcanoes that define the southern extent of the Albertine Valley are found in this wooded park. Particularly during the times the mountain gorillas are reclining on the slopes or eating, it will be more demanding. Slippery slopes, too humid weather and damp plants to grab on make the rainy seasons difficult.

Though volcanic activity damaged Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, its terrain is hot and steep. Its consists of slopes and valleys, fissured terrain, twisted vegetation. To find the mountain gorillas, you do not always have to climb.

Remember

Whether you are hiking gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, the last impression you have before these gentle giants is unparalleled. You ignore all the huddles you could encounter throughout the gorilla trekking safari booking and search.

Their remarkable behavior, which is like that of people, makes you somehow relate to them. Their DNA makes around 96% that of a human.

How Safe is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?

The combined efforts of the security authorities of both Uganda and Rwanda make the gorilla trekking region secure. Priority for any nation is the safety of the mountain gorillas and humans.

Your own safety, if needed, will help you to succeed in savoring the ideal gorilla trekking opportunities.

Keep closer to your gorilla trekking party to avoid losing yourself in the jungle. The Google map does not yet cover this huge region. Not even telephone signals are present in certain areas of this old forest.

To avoid food illness, never purchase meals anyplace when gorilla trekking. Ask your driving guide where to locate restaurants both on the route to the gorilla trekking sites and later on.

Rule forbids provocation of the mountain gorillas as this disturbs them. Make sure you follow the guidelines from the ranger guide and the laws of gorilla trekking presented at briefing time.

Large quantities of money should not be counted in public as they could attract the wrong kind of persons even among the travelers.

Should you desire to withdraw money from the visa points, do not seek assistance from anybody else save the custodians of these points.

Bring pertinent baggage that you can keep an eye on while your Africa safari; the more bags you carry, the more confused you could become.

To help your body stay safe, pack appropriate gorilla trekking clothing like safari boots, long pants and shirts, bug repellant.

Ask for a porter in case you need one to provide you a boost should you be exhausted.

If you must use a credit card, avoid using it with someone you do not trust as they could con you. Because of the involved method of obtaining money using credit cards, they are not a typical mode of money exchange.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Trekking gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda has a 15-year age restriction based on many considerations.

The Virunga area’s terrain is volcanic with high hills. To negotiate the hills, you have to be somewhat fit. A youngster under the age of fifteen may not be in position to climb should the family of mountain gorillas under travel route find themselves on the hills.

It is unknown where the mountain gorillas live, hence some degree of patience is necessary. Young children less than fifteen years old might find it difficult to wait patiently. Finding the mountain gorillas takes two hours or around three quarters of the day.

First glimpse at the mountain gorillas is terrifying which may trigger some adrenaline but this may be difficult for a youngster below the age of 15 years to remember to manage her anxieties.

It may be rather difficult to control noise producing in the jungle when searching for the mountain gorillas as it is illegal. Children forget particularly if they spend a lot of time in the wild.

Children under the age of fifteen may attempt to provoke the mountain gorillas; it is against this behavior. Should the mountain gorillas see this, they can become wary of the invaders in their neighborhood and decide to take leave.

Young children grow fatigued quickly, but until the gorilla walk ends, they cannot turn around. The ranger moves at the slowing trekker’s speed and should the youngster become fatigued, he or she might cause the whole party to stop. Long stretches in the outdoors might make the whole group of visitors bored.

What should one pack for gorilla treking in Uganda and Rwanda?

In the wilderness, an additional battery to swap in case one becomes low

Two garden gloves to guard your palms from thorns on plant stems where you could land your hands with strong grasp.

Safari boots enable you to walk better and shield your feet from rough wilderness conditions.

Foldable safari cap to cover your hair and prevent dripping water from tree branches.

Insect repellent to cover your body in should the forest be overrun with stinging insects.

When it is chilly, pajamas top worn in the night.

Warm clothing for early morning and late evening as the morning and afternoon are rather chilly in this region.

When hungry, particularly during the trek’s break, nibble on snacks. Dump wraps in the forest not here. It modifies its natural surroundings. Mountains gorillas and other forest dwellers eat from here.

a duffel bag you could carry yourself should you so require it.

At your lodge, toiletries fit for you will help you avoid any skin issues acquired.

Get in touch for more details about gorilla trekking and tracking.

Volcano hiking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Volcanoes National park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park hosts gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. with case you want to appreciate breathtaking views, these parks have ridges, plateaus, and mountains covered with volcanic terrain.

Five of the Virunga ranges—Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, and Mountain Karisimbi—are found in Volcanoes National Park. You could undertake a return trip to any of these summits in a day, but you will want an accompanying ranger guide.

Mountain Sabyinyo, Mgahinga National Park sits on the northern slopes of three of the five Virunga volcanoes; you trek to the summit and see boundaries of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo. Mountain Muhabura has lovely landscapes and a crater surrounded by alpine flora.The Mountain Gahinga path winds via bamboo forest to observe rich swamps.

There is opportunity for gorilla trekking in any of the 13 gorilla families now accessible to visitors in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. Among them are Group 13, the Amahoro gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Sabyinyo gorilla family, and others.

Book Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda and Uganda
Book Gorilla Trekking  Permits

First step in organizing this African trip is getting a gorilla trekking permit. To gorilla trekking, every visitor has to have a permit acting as an entrance ticket. A few gorilla permits for either Rwanda or Uganda are made available for public booking.

Especially in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda gorilla trekking licenses are reserved based on area. Before arranging lodging, find out where your Uganda gorilla trekking permit is scheduled as each of these locations may be far off from another. Sales of all gorilla licenses in Uganda is under the responsibility of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are booked based on gorilla family and under first come first served basis is utilized to guarantee its gorilla permits. Getting a gorilla permit for the easiest gorilla family to travel in Rwanda is difficult as mountain gorillas constantly move in search of fresh food sources.

Book lodging for Gorilla Trekking Safari

Key is overnighting in the region or very near the park where your gorilla trekking safari is planned. It encourages early rising and being ready for the briefing. While in Uganda at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in the park, in Rwanda gorilla safaris take place at ORTPN.

One of the possible causes of your disqualification from gorilla trekking even with a properly paid for permit might be missing briefings.

When your gorilla permit is purchased, it is based on area; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is a large forest. You must find lodging either near or within the gorilla trekking destination. Among the Bwindi gorilla trekking sites are the Buhoma, Ruhowicz, Rushaga, nkuringo, regions.

Among the lodging options for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are Buhoma lodge, Gorilla safari camp, Gorilla Forest lodge, Engage Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Trekker’s Tarven, Gorilla Resort, Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge and others.

Among the lodgings in Volcanoes National Park are Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, La Palle, Kinigi Guest house, Mountain Gorilla view Lodge and others. Given that Kigali City is almost three hours from Volcanoes National Park, you could want to spend the night there.

Mgahinga National park in Uganda offers limited choices for nearby lodging. While there are more alternatives in Kisoro town, around 14km, some of the Mgahinga National park lodges are up market.

Hire a driver guide for your Gorilla Trekking voyage.

Having a competent guide spices your Africa safari experience as they have enough to share with you about even beyond the mountain gorillas.

Having an expert driver guide also allows you to reach to your location without running across roadblocks or being lost. Hiring a guide will cost more the more experienced and informed they are.

Imagine traveling inexpensive with a dull guide. The whole journey makes you feel bored. Meeting the mountain gorillas and spending that priceless one hour with them excites everyone who plans gorilla treking.

Vehicle Loan for Road Trip to Gorilla Trekking Safari

Although the geography and kind of soil at the gorilla trekking sites is volcanic, sometimes the roads going there are slick and impassible due to rain. To appreciate your trip and negotiate rural, uneven roads, you need a 4×4 wheeler.

Should you plan a fly-in gorilla trekking adventure, you will need a transport car from the airfield to your lodge. Two hours from Kihihi Airstrip lies Bwindi Impenetrable National park in Uganda.

Extra Activities Within Gorilla Trekking Package
Combining gorilla trekking with other pursuits offers a whole experience of the naturally abundant wildlife of Africa.

Combining Gorilla Trekking with chimpanzee Trekking, birdwatching in Africa, white water rafting, game drives, Launch tours, climbing and others is possible. Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you should be aware of where each of those extra activities might be carried out.

Customizing the proper schedule for gorilla trekking safari and other pursuits helps you avoid backtracking.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda may be done at Nyungwe National park and Akagera National park.

Together with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Uganda safari parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and others

When should one book Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda?

Although gorilla trekking is available all year long, visitors peak seasons in the drier months, June through September and December through January. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda are highly sought after and sold quickly.

Although the Virunga region is well-known for getting early rainfall, the summer season gets less rain under usual conditions. The sunray penetration into the earth creates navigable paths. Even the busy forest dwellers—monkeys, birds, butterflies—are more active.

For those looking for unique gorilla trekking experiences, low tourist seasons are also very unique. Though the terrain could be wetter than usual, you can still expect to see the gorillas during this season. Those who want to photograph or video the mountain gorillas have opportunity to see the gorillas unhindered by other hikers.

Which nation best suits Gorilla Trekking & Hiking of Uganda?

While Uganda boasts around 19 gorilla trekking families accessible for public booking, Rwanda boasts about 13 gorilla trekking families.

While the travel from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National park is roughly 8 hours to 9 hours, your drive to Volcanoes National park from Kigali International Airport is about 3 hours.

While Bwindi Impenetrable National park has quite high terrain as not too many highlands, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda has much steeper topography for hikers.

While Uganda “s Mgahinga National Park has only three volcanoes that is Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhavura and Mountain Gahinga Rwanda has about five volcanic ranges: Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhabura and Mountain Gahinga.”

While Rwanda shares the count of its mountain gorillas with D.R. Congo, Uganda has over half the worldwide population of mountain gorillas.

While Uganda gorilla licenses are $800 per person every trip, the expense of gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is $1500 per person.

The Difficulties of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

Since the park runs on the slopes of five volcanic mountains, going gorilla trekking in Rwanda can anticipate to climb on difficult hills. Uganda gorilla trekking takes place on really steep hills. Usually, the Virunga region is covered with Afromontane flora and twisted crisscrossing creepers. After African forests vanished under dry circumstances during the ice age, the vegetation here represents part of the remaining forest cover.

While you follow paths built by frequent visitors to this region, sometimes a ranger guide needs to use a machete to clear the path where mountain gorillas are spotted.

Wearing safari boots shields your feet from jagged wilderness terrain, therefore preventing self-injury throughout the hike. It will be easy for you to walk the trail if you carry the appropriate safari clothing in the wilderness in Khaki and tan tones.

The wooded people live on stinging insects, hence they carry insect repellants to keep them away from harming you.

How Expensive Is Gorilla Trekking & Hiking in Uganda and Rwanda?

Other safari costs depend on the activities included or omitted in the whole package, as long as you have obtained the gorilla trekking permit.

Other expenses of gorilla trekking depend on the amount of days you want to spend on safari like 3 day gorilla trekking, 6 day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, 9 Day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safaris and so many more.

Your gorilla trekking and hiking excursion will need a Luxury, mid-range or Budget safari package.

The cost of the whole package for gorilla trekking decreases the more the paying guests scheduled for this safari book. The whole cost of the program decreases with decreasing trekker count. This is an excellent journey. This is so since you split expenses on things like petrol, lodging in case of rooms sharing, and car hiring.

The season you want to go gorilla trekking and hiking in. Usually associated with low season, the peak season arrives with demand for gorilla permits, lodging, and other safari conveniences.

The whole cost of the program depends on the frequency of gorilla trekking you want. The overall fee is variable if you want to conduct gorilla treking more than once.

The fee is great to cover in case you want to incorporate other activities in other parks like game drives, hiking, chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching and others.

How safe is gorilla Trekking & Hiking in Rwanda and Uganda?

Because of the combined security supervision including ranger guides and other top security authorities of both Uganda and Rwanda, the gorilla trekking places there are secure.

But first you have to consider your own safety by choosing the correct gorilla trekking equipment to guard against wild buzzing insects.

Keep your gorilla trekking party closer and avoid dispersing into the wild. This is a large region; if you get lost in the jungle, tracking you might be somewhat difficult. Since there is no network connectivity here, losing contact becomes difficult.

Counting big amounts of public money can help you avoid drawing the wrong kind of people. Also carry little cash to go through the safari days.

The mountain gorillas may lose their cool and wander out into the deeper reaches of the park, hence never harass them. Every gorilla trekking family is used to be among people for just one hour. Everyone has to make good use of it.

Never purchase roadside prepared meals from outside approved locations. This helps to prevent food poisoning.

Should you have any valuables, do not go with them on a safari or notify the lodge captain so that they may be securely housed at the lodge.

Walking alone in the forest without an accompanying ranger guide is perilous as other forest inhabitants like forest elephants, duikers, Giant forest pigs live in the forest despite the presence of the mountain gorillas. Should you have no defense, they may hurt you. Unlike the mountain gorillas, these wild creatures have not been habituated to human presence.

It is against policy to provoke the mountain gorillas as they can get agitated should you engage in activity the gorillas find unacceptable.

Get in touch to get more information.

Buying a gorilla permit on the actual day of trekking experience.

Although it is conceivable, buying a gorilla trekking permit on the day of the trip is very dangerous. Though you have previously booked lodging, you are not sure about a no show. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are reserved based on region; a no-show might occur in another section of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. This means you have to travel early to keep up with briefings from one location to another.

Usually this is inconvenient and there is a great risk of overspending because, at the destination you have little control.

Gorilla trekking takes place at Volcanoes National park in Rwanda; yet, you must visit ORTPN for a briefing there. Particularly during busy times, chances of no-show are few.

You have to have a strong network to hunt for the gorilla permit for you on ground earlier if you are to succeed in acquiring it on the final day.

Park headquarters might also be contacted as they could have some room for you to join other trackers.

As said above, we encourage our guests not to wait for last-minute gorilla trekking. Traveling to the gorilla trekking sites without a gorilla permit carries some danger. Even the lodging options for you are few, which results in one of the worst African safari experiences.

When would be the ideal time to reserve gorilla permits?

Sales of the gorilla trekking permits are quick, although only maximum eight permits daily per trip. To be safe, six months to the day of trekking is reasonable; you must book them at least ninety days before the date of the trip.

Booking sooner before the final day of toping-off—90 days to the date of gorilla trekking—you have great chances of paying for the gorilla permit in advance.

Sometimes visitors reserve their gorilla trekking permits early, as least a year in advance.

If you want to go with a group of trekkers, it is advisable to book the gorilla permits at least six months in advance to lower the possibility of not finding availability for the desired count.

You have to be aware of the location in Uganda where your gorilla permit is scheduled—for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Booking four gorilla trekking sites in Bwindi Impenetrable National park—the Buhoma region, Ruhijah area, Rushaga area, and Nkuringo area—is easy.

The Rwanda gorilla permits are booked based on the 13 gorilla families that are open for visitors at present.

Where in Africa should one go on Gorilla Trekking?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

About 10 primate species, including mountain gorillas, call this park in southern western Uganda home.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park welcomes around eighteen gorilla trekking families. Bwindi is a term that implies impenetrable; this twofold meaning fits its rich greenery.

Vegetation said to have survived over 30000 years is found in Bwindi forest. It provides sanctuary for around 350 bird species, including Albertine rift endemics. This biosphere reserve has more than 310 species of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 300 tree species, 88 moths and others.

You have to spend overnight either within or near the place your gorilla approves. Here, there are many kinds of lodging arranged in order of luxury amenities, mid-range and economical options. Buhoma lodge, Buhoma community Bandas, gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engage lodge, Silver Back lodge, Volcanoes Lodge and others are some of the lodging options you might arrange for gorilla treking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Currently just one gorilla family, Nyakagezi, is used for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park. This family used to wander into Rwanda in the past as they are free animals moving without awareness of the political borders that surround us.

Comprising an area of around 33.7 square kilometers, Mgahinga national Park is one of the less frequented gorilla habitat.  Three beautiful volcanic ranges—Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura, and Mountain Sabyinyo—form a wonderful background for the park.

From Montane woodland to bamboo zone, Montane forest and Ericaceous zone, the park has a rich green flora cover. One may trek them in a day; you need an accompanying ranger guide.

To be able to participate in this experience on the day you want to do so, you must have a gorilla trekking permit from Uganda wildlife Authority.

Mgahinga National park has accommodations include Gahinga Lodge and others reserved from Kisoro town.

Volcanoes National Park

Only in Rwanda is this park home for gorilla trekking in that nation. About 13 gorilla trekking families have so far been accessible for visitors. To be permitted access engaging in gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you need a gorilla trekking permit issued by Rwanda Development Board.

Golden monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and others all call Volcanoes National Park home.

Depending on their budget, many lodging options are set in place for visitors to reserve. Among the Volcanoes National park lodging options are Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Kinigi Guest House and others.

How Much Does the Gorilla Permit Cost in Africa?

While Rwanda gorilla permits now cost $1500 per person, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit at the present cost $800 per person.

As was already said, you must reserve your gorilla permit ahead of time to prevent last-minute frenzy in search of one. Although only a small number of the gorilla trekking permits are made available for public booking daily, demand for them is great.

Expect the state of availability to change any moment; first come first served basis is employed at the selling bodies while getting the gorilla trekking permits. Nobody authorized to keep any licenses free of charge.

What Are Included in the Permission for Gorilla Trekking Cost?

The ranger guide charge paid to the accompanying rangers explaining the gorilla family you see.

Medical treatment help for the mountain gorillas particularly in case of illness and additional treatment needed from the gorilla physicians. Mountain gorillas have to take care of their own well-being; sometimes, their needs beyond their control and need more assistance. For instance, the mountain gorillas saved from snares need care for their injuries at times; this is done from the wilderness.

Making sure you secure while in the outdoors will help you to pass the woodland peacefully without disruption from unidentified visitors.

The local community receives twenty percent of the entire income from the sale of mountain gorilla licenses to help their initiatives.

One approach to help park upkeep is include park fees into the gorilla permit cost. The park needs help running its daily operations today.

The age limit for gorilla trekking?

The nature of the terrain where gorilla trekking is done determines the age restriction for maintaining the permits: 15 years and above.

The gorillas live in mainly hilly terrain, hence anticipate some trekking, which may not be appropriate for a youngster below this age. To appreciate gorilla trekking, which may be somewhat difficult for a youngster below this age, even some degree of fitness is needed.

There is unknown time required to find the mountain gorillas. A youngster less than this age finds difficult to contain. It may induce him or her to have a tantrum, which would create a stamped in the gorilla trekking area.

What is the allowed number of Gorilla Trekkers?

Daily maximum visitor count for the mountain gorillas is eight. This was carried out in order to lower daily forest visitor count.

The gorillas eat only from the vegetation that nature offers: bamboo, soft stems, leaves, fruits. Should a large population be let into the forest, they may trample on the plants resulting in food shortage there. Food that will last through night and day is what mountain gorillas must consume.

Mountain gorillas are ambushed in case a large number of humans is let into the forest; so, they may encircle these peaceful giants and hide.

The rangers may find it difficult to manage a large tourist crowd in the wild; thus, the restricted number can clearly hear what the ranger is saying and appreciate the experience as well.

The mountain gorillas learn to be in the presence of maximum eight visitors during habituation.

The level of safety in Gorilla Trekking

Trekking gorillas is safe in Rwanda and Uganda. Safety on a gorilla trekking safari, however begins with you.

Even if you are in a company, never bring valuables with you for gorilla treking. Should the individual you share your room with not be familiar to you, they might choose your stuff. Tell the lodge captain any costly items so they may be kept in a safe. As you go, keep in mind to gather some treasures.

It is unsafe to go alone on the streets as you can come across pick pocketers.

Counting a lot of money in public is dangerous as it might attract the wrong individuals who could ambushing you even on the streets.

Give no one you do not know your credit card information. They might turn around for fraud.

If you want assistance during the withdrawal of foreign money, avoid asking any one on the streets. They may be the nasty ones.

Make sure you ask someone official for instructions so you get the correct one instead.

Should you be walking on the streets either before or after gorilla trekking, do it in a group or under UBAA’s automobile hiring.

When you can, try to avoid eating street food from unsuitable locations as it could lead to food sickness.

What aggressive nature Mountain Gorillas possess?

Mountain gorillas are calm species in nature. Their bashful nature makes visitors recommended not to gaze at them in the dark brown eyes. They could way into hiding should they feel uneasy.

Visitors are encouraged to keep in close groups when gorilla trekking so as not to ambushed the animals. Highly sensitive apes, they hide in case they detect anything unusual.

It is against policy to provoke the mountain gorillas as it might not fit the atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to back off gently should the mountain gorillas approach them. This helps one to avoid doing anything that might irritate them. Just one hour is provided for us to spend with the mountain gorillas.

Angry gorillas pound their chests, gather the grass about them, could move on one leg and hide away. As yet recorded, no visitors on past gorilla treks have been assaulted by mountain gorillas.

What should you carry for Gorilla Trekking?

a camera to save recollections of this Africa trip but cannot provide flash photography.

Safari starts to stroll on the sloping hill and traverse the path. There are dangerous pricking surfaces all over the forest.

Energy snacks can help you stay walking after breakfast.

Insect repellent to ward against possibly attacking stinging insects.

Garden gloves will help you to get a stronger grasp should you be hanging onto creeper in the wild.

Over your head, a collapsible safari helmet shields it from stinging insects.

Long sleeved shirts and trousers protect your skin from stinging nettle and abrasive wilderness surfaces.

In case your lodging lacks, toiletries.

Pajamas to wear to go to bed tonight.

Get in touch to learn more about your gorilla trekking rights.

About UWA the gorilla permit issuing body.

The gorilla destination activities under supervision in Uganda are carried out the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Selling all gorilla permits for Uganda falls to this authority. Right now, Uganda has 19 gorilla families available for visitors. Living in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi impenetrable national park are these gorilla families.

This authority also oversees other national park operations in Uganda like chimpanzee trekking, spot fishing, birding in Uganda, wildlife drives, launch tours, Nature walks, golden monkey trek and others.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority established a strategy of buying gorilla permit per region notably for Bwindi Impenetrable national park in order to provide gorilla trekking permits for Uganda. This is so because this forest is really large. People used to choose booking gorilla permits for the Northern Sector particularly in the Buhoma region in the past.

Four gorilla trekking sites in the Bwindi forest are known as Buhoma, Ruhijah, Nkuringo, and Rushaga regions. One must spend an overnight in the region designated for their gorilla permit. This is because it is highly disruptive to get up early to catch up with gorilla trekking advice in another region.

Sometimes the roads are slick; may discover a log blocking the road in darkness; may have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere; so much more.

Requirements for a gorilla trekking permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority

Find the day you want to go gorilla trekking to enable rapid checking availability. Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits are available daily, all year round. You have to know how many individuals you intend to go gorilla treking with.

In case availability is favorable, you should get your gorilla permit right away. This is so since no permission is reserved without payment. The sole proof of your interest in gorilla trekking adventure is buying the gorilla permit. First come first served principle is used while booking the gorilla permits and status changes any time.

Your complete names on your passport, nationality, date of birth, passport expiration date and others are some personal information needed when you book your gorilla permit.

Your information are shown at the dark stripe behind a gorilla permission card provided by Uganda Wildlife Authority.  This card is swiped into a machine on the day of gorilla trekking so that park headquarters may access this information.

Uganda Gorilla Permits: What Their Cost Is

For non-resident visitors, Uganda gorilla trekking licenses cost $800 per person; for foreign residents, they cost $700; for East African citizens, they cost 300000 Uganda shs. Within the gorilla permit fee is the following:

Park admission charges

Uganda’s wildlife department charges park entrance fees for every park under its maintenance. The park entrance cost per person comes within the gorilla permit budget. This adds to Uganda’s general conservation money for the wildlife authority.

Ranger Guideline Fee

An expert ranger guide leads each gorilla trekking expedition into the lives of the gorilla family they are walking with. They contain the background of the gorilla family, count of family members, names of relatives and others.

The salary for these ranger guides comes from the money you pay for the gorilla trekking license. This motivates them to keep helping to preserve mountain gorillas, which presents somewhat difficult tasks at times.

fund for Gorilla Medical Care

Mountain gorillas require additional help at times even if they have to live as animals seeking their own therapy. Not the cause for preservation, the mountain gorillas may die from severe injuries.  The gorilla physicians heal wounded gorillas in the wild.

For health inspections for these gentle giants, the gorilla physicians periodically gather samples from other gorillas.

Park maintenance

Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park require upkeep. Along with so much more, the trail maintenance, improvements at the briefing point Even the tools of communication employed in maintenance for gorilla treks.

Security of Uganda’s Gorilla Trekking Sites

Large woods like Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Forest need more security assistance from national agencies. To guarantee security for visitors and residents around these parks, Uganda’s security agencies work with rangers within the parks.

Community support from Gorilla Trekking safari continues

The community receives 20% of the yearly sales of gorilla trekking permits to inspire them to help to preserve the mountain gorillas. They supported community programs like health care, road repair, education, and others out of portion of this money.

When Should One Book Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits?

Uganda Wildlife Authority based on availability status may book all year round Uganda gorilla permits.

Especially for permits for peak season, which runs from June to September and December to January, reserving the mountain gorillas’ permits at least six months ahead is advised. This is due to the great demand; nevertheless, each gorilla family only has maximum of eight licenses.

You might be permitted to pay installments as long as you remember to top up before 90 days when you buy your gorilla permits in advance 90 days before the date of gorilla trekking. This configuration follows recommendations of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Although last-minute gorilla permit booking is doable, you can fret and still not know where to stay. Should a no-show arise, you might forfeit your lifetime African safari adventure right here in Africa.

Although you spent a lot for your safari, such uncertainty can cause you to skip gorilla trekking. Should gorilla permits become available, it may be in another place where you have to get up early to meet up with the briefing time. As was already noted, the roads linking many gorilla trekking sites are often slippery or very rough. These obstacles make catching up with briefing time difficult while driving.

The difficulty of gorilla trekking in Uganda

Given the geography of this region, gorilla treking is quite difficult. You may climb along many slopes and plateaus to reach the mountain gorillas. Depending on the dominant conditions in the woods, they sometimes recline or forage on the slopes.

The rain that pours virtually all day yet little sunray penetration is obtained causes the paths to be slick. Though sometimes rivers overflow to cover the land, this heavy forest canopy let less sunlight reach the ground producing muddy paths.

On your way to the mountain gorillas, you encounter a lot of twisted foliage with many creepers hanging down the massive tree limbs. The ranger guides sometimes must clean this with a machete. To go where the mountain gorillas reside, you must stroll through this kind of forest.

Every visitor is randomly split into groups of eight hikers who must know how to suit each other. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed of the slowest trekkers so that not one person gets lost in the wilderness. The speed of the trekkers allows you to quickly or after a long period find the mountain gorillas.

Obstacle from other mountain gorilla viewing travelers. When you find the mountain gorillas, some visitors might feel compelled to position themselves so as to capture the gorillas from the finest angles without letting others get the photographs. You have to be able to manage such fellow customers without sparking a riot.

Nobody knows how long it takes to find the mountain gorillas. One finds it difficult to identify which gorilla family is more fast in locating. Depending on the dominant conditions in the forest, the one you may be accustomed to see extremely swiftly might go into the deeper parts of the forest. Finding the mountain gorillas is expected to take two hours to around three-quarters of a day.

Where in Uganda Would Gorilla Trekking Best Take Place?

Booked for gorilla trekking, every region is very fascinating. The region determines the booking for Bwindi Impenetrable National park permits. Four parts of this park include Buhoma in Northern Bwindi, Rushaga in Southern Bwindi, Nkuringo in Southern Park of Bwindi.

After briefing, travelers are assigned to different families in each of these places. Each of them has special qualities that make viewing fascinating. You experience a ting of belonging with the mountain gorillas you are seeing.

No particular family or region of mountain gorillas has been identified as ideal viewing in Uganda. This is so because, like people, they go through emotional swings. They become solemn when they lose a family member. A new family member brings delight into the household. Should another family assault the Gorilla family and some members are lost, they hide and so much more.

Gorilla Trekking Rules in Uganda: What Are They

Mountain gorillas are wild creatures who have to hunt for their own food, so no feeding them. You cannot also smoke or eat three hundred meters from the mountain gorilla point of view. They might be tempted to seize what you are holding. For these gentle giants, depending on human sustenance is not ideal.

Should you discover any communicative infections, such as flu, coughing, coronavirus, and others, offer to remain behind to prevent you from infecting the mountain gorillas.

piling trash—especially non-decomposable debris like plastic wraps—into the forest. This changes the kind of forest where mountain gorilla food flourishes.

In case you want to make a lengthy call, ask for a hole of 30 centimeter depth. Cover all the trash beyond human comprehension so that forest people cannot be resurrected.

Flash photography is not allowed as strange events disturb mountain gorillas living in their natural habitat.

When searching the forest for the mountain gorillas, there is no noise creating in there. In case it is unavoidable, you might choose to speak softly. This is to prevent upsetting other fascinating to see woodland inhabitants such butterflies, birds, and monkeys.

Since this is nourishment for the mountain gorillas, spitting on flora is against rules. You may pollute their food and infect them communically.

Should you cough or sneeze, do it away from the gorillas or in your elbow to avoid contaminating the mountain gorillas.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, keep about eight meters away from them. This is yet another way of conserving.

The geography of this region dictates that the age restriction for gorilla treking is fifteen years. This is a volcanic location with mountains you have to climb to reach the mountain gorillas. A youngster under this age finds it difficult to resist these diseases. Not known even is the time required to find the mountain gorillas, which calls for patience. A youngster less than this age may not be able to survive such circumstances.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted for their presence. They have been used to be with others for just that hour.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: How Long

Depending on the conditions in the jungle, the time needed to find the mountain gorillas is uncertain.

Should the food for the mountain gorillas be far-off, they are difficult to find if near; thus, they may be fast to find.

Mountain gorillas eat from the slopes during the rainy season; so, it is difficult to trek and find them; in the dry season, they eat closer to the slopes.

Should they lose a fight or a family member, they enter a depressed state and hide away, making it difficult to find them.

Purchasing Uganda gorilla permits via AUTO.

Purchasing Uganda gorilla permits via AUTO is not possible as only Uganda wildlife Authority buys these permits from any other source or group. This is to control the possibly overbooked permit count; the mountain gorilla families are restricted to now only 19 Uganda gorilla trekking families. The public is given a maximum of eight gorilla permits per household.

This is for conservation purposes as the minimal human traffic in the forest is under control, therefore preventing trampling on the flora the gorillas graze on.

Not the gorilla permit selling organization, but rather the umbrella association for Uganda travel companies is the Association of Uganda travel companies ( AUTO). Sometimes they utilize it as a platform in case members choose to resale or purchase gorilla permits or other safari needs from individuals who have in excess or reselling.

Being a member of Association of Uganda Tour Operators gives you access to notifications about the state of the gorilla permits you are looking for as well as other location information.

How to get Gorilla Permits for Uganda Wildlife Association?

Tell the date you want to go gorilla trekking in Uganda and the number of persons you want to go with so that availability may be verified in line with your desired purchase permit count.

Using the Uganda Wildlife Authority criteria, our safari adviser looks for availability. She or he returns to you immediately with the current situation.

Should its favorable response, we kindly ask that you get your gorilla permits ahead of time as demand is global and they go somewhat quickly. Gorilla permits have first come first served basis as their status.

When availability is negative, it is advisable to change the dates to cover those with availability in case you do not have a specific purpose for scheduling it like birthday surprise, anniversary celebration and much more.

Once you get your gorilla permit, we kindly ask you to provide some personal information like your complete names as shown on the passport, passport expiration date, country, and other personal facts. These are put to your profile on the black strip located below the gorilla permission card.

After gorilla treking, some of these specifics are included to your certificate of success.

Where in Uganda may one find gorilla trekking sites? With around eighteen gorilla families available for visitors, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the biggest gorilla trekking destination. These live in four gorilla trekking areas: Buhoma, Ruhijah, Rushaga, Nkuringo region.

Among the gorilla trekking groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are Rushegura family, Oruzogo family, Bweza family, Nkuringo family, Muhozi family, Mubale family, and others.

Separated for gorilla habituation in southern Bwindi impenetrable National Park are two gorilla families. There are only four gorilla permits daily for visitors to reserve. Following semi-habitated mountain gorillas in the wild to get them adjusted to human presence without changing their environment is known as gorilla habituation. Expect the gorilla to hide and re-appear later; they still exhibit wild behavior. This explains why mountain gorilla habituation in Uganda is limited to four hours.

Birding in Uganda is felt complete with a visit to Bwindi forest particularly the Mubwindi Swamp in Ruhijah region. You could be lucky to see birds such African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, Mountain Masked and Chestnut throated Apalises, Red-faced Woodland Warbler and more.

Another of the famous Uganda mountain gorilla locations is Mgahinga National Park. The park is rarely frequented, yet its real vegetation is kept in natural setting as it is less visited. Nyakagezi family is the only gorilla family so far available for visitors.

I knew this gorilla family went into Rwanda, hence their permits were sold while the mountain gorillas were readily available. The Nyakagezi gorilla family just moved to Mgahinga National Park, and Uganda wildlife Authority has prebuy permits available.

Among the more than 115 bird species found in this biosphere reserve are Albertine like Rwenzori Turaco, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird and others.

When should one get Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits?

The ideal option in case you want to go for gorilla trekking safari is to get your gorilla permit ahead of time. The entrance ticket allowing one to join this primate African safari is the gorilla trekking permit.

Making sure your gorilla trekking permit is reserved at least six months in advance helps you avoid a last-minute rush to find one among available lodging in the region where the permit is reserved.

The most recent period to get Uganda gorilla permits is ninety days before trip dates. This gives you opportunity to arrange additional Uganda gorilla trekking safari elements like driver guide hiring, car rental, and others. Prices per day are exorbitant and they are much sought after during peak season.

Note that Uganda gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are allocated according to places that fall either Buhoma region, Ruhijah area, Rushaga area and Nkuringo area and others.

Early morning travel from one region to another might be somewhat difficult given distance separating these areas. Logs may obstruct the roads linking them, the environment is hazy at times and much more; the routes are sometimes isolated and slick. Should such circumstances force you to miss the briefing, you can be denied access to gorilla treking.

The cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda

For international nonresidents each person, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800; for foreign residents each person, it costs $700,300 000 shs.

The cost of this gorilla permit comprises

Fee paid for park entrance for Uganda National Park. One pays this charge to the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Fund. The animal sanctuaries need different kinds of upkeep.

Medical treatment for mountain gorillas over snares, hunters and other threats, and others is provided by Gorilla Medical Care. Mountain gorillas are wild creatures who must find their own medicine form; sometimes, they are excessively injured and need human assistance. Medical therapy is what the gorilla physicians must provide to the mountain gorillas.

Particularly in the deep wooded park, park maintenance covers the paths and other tracks. Improvements are done on the park over time to accommodate visitors.

Since they conduct all the gorilla trekking experiences in the jungle, ranger guide fees are paid. They include comprehensive details on the gorilla family being traveled, names of every member of the family, family way of life, other traits, etc. They should be compensated for their job; they should be encouraged to carry on doing it without endangering the mountain gorillas and other forest residents.

Mountain Gorilla Research Fund: As mountain gorillas are dynamic like people, more knowledge about their way of life is being gathered over time. About 96% of mountain gorillas contain human DNA. They lead lives comparable to those of humans at times displaying varying traits throughout time.

Local support for their initiatives include hospital treatment, road repairs, water supply enhancement and others. Every year, around 20% of the sales of gorilla trekking permits go to the local community to inspire them to help to preserve the mountain gorillas.

The ideal moment for Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Though gorilla trekking in Uganda is available all year long, the dry season—which runs from June to September and December to January—is most fascinating. This season has less rain even if this location gets occasional showers under regular weather. Less erratic showers fall and the paths are passable. In a forest, even sunray penetration to the earth is received lower down.

Other park services are more in demand than usual, hence you might anticipate gorilla trekking package rates to be very expensive as well.

For those visiting to have a unique gorilla trekking experience, the low seasons of March to May and November are suitable. With just those you go with or alone, you have great odds of sealing off the gorilla families for you.

The low seasons provide an opportunity for individuals interested in professional picture or movie of mountain gorillas. Nobody is stopping you or creating noise to provide negative comments on your filming material. You record original material at your own speed and no one to tread on your devices.

Low seasons might provide cheaper rates on gorilla trekking services like lodging, driver guide hiring, and others. During the low season, you could have opportunity to use luxury amenities with a minimal expenditure.

The difficulty of gorilla trekking in Uganda

Highlands include hills, plateaus and others where mountain gorillas spend their days abound in Uganda’s gorilla trekking region. The travels of mountain gorillas are not limited; rather, they rely on elements like food proximity, in case of a conflict with another gorilla family, death of a family member and others.

Gorilla trekking may be tough depending on the aforesaid elements; so, you need wear appropriate gear such tracking boots, trekking gear, bug repellants and others.

You never know where the mountain gorillas are living right now, hence some degree of fitness is absolutely necessary. You have to follow them there as they climb to the hills; sometimes the path may be muddy and treacherous.

Very ancient twisted plants that dangle over the massive tree branches abound in the gorilla trekking area. Sometimes the ranger guide may have to make room with a machete. You might have to walk undercut creepers and others.

Safety: Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Monitoring security of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda are Rangers and Uganda security agencies.

These are for both residents and visitors and help to maintain law and order here. Since so many people in this park celebrate holidays, personal security is particularly crucial.

Keep little cash with you and count it away from the public to prevent drawing the wrong kind of individuals.

Eat from areas not meant for avoiding food poisoning from nowhere.

Bringing priceless objects like gems with you might cause you anxiety during gorilla trekking safari. Tell the lodge management if you have them and offer them for storage at the lodge under security. Remember to pick them up as you go.

a hole drawing the wild mountain gorillas so as not to set them off in wrath. Though they would fight you, they experience mood swings too. Noise might generate a panic in the wild even among different gorilla families.

Keep close to the group you are walking gorillas from to avoid becoming lost in the bush. Thick jungle with no internet connection or other communication signals is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Finding you might seem difficult at times.

You never visit the gorilla trekking sites without an accompanying ranger guide as you never know which forest residents you may come into. There are unique traits of the mountain gorillas that you would not find on your own.

Apply bug repellants, wear the correct gorilla trekking gear—tracking boots that can cross muddy terrain, long sleeved shirts—and so much more. You come out victorious and shield your body from dangerous surfaces in the outdoors.

Which lodging facility should one choose for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Uganda’s gorilla trekking lodging is arranged according to luxury, middle range, and budget.

The location where the gorilla permit is purchased determines the Bwindi gorilla trekking accommodation booking.

Gorilla safari Lodge, Gorilla forest Camp, Engage lodge, Silverback lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Trekker’s Tarven and others constitute some of the lodging for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gahinga Lodge and others in Kisoro town comprise Mgahinga National Park lodging.

Get in touch to learn more about scheduling your gorilla permit.

Where to see giraffes and gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.

Where in Uganda and Rwanda can one view giraffes and gorillas? Among the many sought-after to view wild creatures are mountain gorillas from Uganda and Rwanda. Only in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can one find them. Mountain gorillas only find home in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas’ eating behavior makes them exclusively fit for the Virunga region.

The wildlife parks of Uganda or Rwanda have Rothschild giraffes. As long as food exists, they may also be moved to other parks. They fit the new surroundings where they are recovering really well.

Giraffes found at Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, restored to Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda enjoy there Just a few meters from Entebbe International Airport, one may find them at the Uganda Wildlife Education center.

One may find Rwanda giraffes at Akagera National Park. The Rwanda genocide of 1994 and poaching had an impact on this national park. After the genocide, its territory was invaded, and most of the wild animals there killed for wild meat until all gone. Rwanda aims to restore the splendor of Akagera National park animals.

How To Plan Giraffe Safaris and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda

Uganda safaris Murchison Falls National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park first day

Your ranger guide will fetch you from your night accommodation early in the morning and travel to Murchison Falls National Park. About five or six hours make up the trip. From Kampala, around 300km; from Entebbe Airport Murchison Falls National park, about 340km.

You go north on Gulu road, via Bwaise, then over the well-known Luwero triangle.

Great landforms, enjoy the breathtaking view of River Kafu right beside the road, and do much more. After black Rhinos were eradicated in 1980s Uganda political upheavals, you might make an optional detour at the Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary where they are being restored. About 150 miles along this path, the refuge offers a haven where Rhino observation is certain.

Enter the park and take advantage of a wildlife drive to see giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, water bucks bush bucks and more.

Check in and unwind in your accommodation.

Second Day Game Drive and Launch Trip in Murchison Falls National Park

Get ready early for the Northern banks of River Nile wildlife drive. Game drives at Murchison Falls National Park find their best place in the Buligi region. Driving via the picturesque Buligi region west of Paraa to the delta point may take three hours.

While nocturnal return to there day hideouts, you may notice early risers emerge from there night hideouts when you do morning game drives. You could find high up Rothschild giraffes, herds of cape buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, lions, leopards and more.

If you are an ornithologist, you might see birds such Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis, Ringed plover Charadrius Hiaticula, Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius Minor, Gull-billed Tern Sterna, Ringed plower Charadrius Hiaticula, Shikra Accipiter Badius and more.

The highlight of all the wildlife presentations in Murchison Falls National Park is a Launch Trip to Murchison Falls. You may be able to see riverine species like giraffes that migrate to the banks in order to satisfy thirst along the journey. Look for serried crocodiles at the crocodile restaurant; schools of hippos and so much more. Many birds grace the coast, so be alert for their presence.

The water turbulence changes as Murchison falls come into view; a foaming appearance floats on top of the water and you hear thunderous roars from the tumbling River Nile water. At last the falls show themselves, fierce Victoria Nile waters rushing around a little curve to explode and create a deafening boom.

Photographs are great; either choose a hike to the top of the falls or return to your accommodation. This exhilarating experience lets you see River Nile over a bed of rocks before it descends the valley.

Retrace your steps to your accommodation for relaxation.

Third Day Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park

From Murchison Falls National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this is a quite lengthy trip. You might choose to fly in to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or break with stops at Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale national Park.

Take in the scenery you pass as well as Uganda Oil City along the road.

Check into your lodge at late evening period of the day.

Day 4 Gorilla Trekking in National Park Bwindi Impenetrable

Bring your gorilla treking equipment to the briefing place after breakfast. One of the prerequisites for gorilla trekking is a mask or hand sanitizer, hence never forget either. To see a certain gorilla family, you will be split into groups maximum of eight members.

Should you need a porter, hire one and follow the ranger guide’s directions during the briefing. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed among the trekkers. This helps to guarantee that nobody disappears into the woods.

Look for additional forest creatures include black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, pottos monkeys, L’hoest, olive baboons and more.

Sharp birders might find over 100 species of Albertine endemics, including those on the IUCN red list, here. Among the birds you could come across are African Hill Babbler, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, Mountain Masked and chestnut-throated Apalises, Rwenzori Batis and unusual Weaver.

Day five the departure day

Return to the road to meet up with your home bound aircraft after savoring the giraffes and mountain gorillas in the forest.

Note

Having an open mind during the game drive helps one to find the wild creatures known as Rothschild giraffes, which cannot be controlled or orchestrated for human presence.

The mountain gorillas are accustomed to be in the company of human for only one hour so fully use this time to see and capture as many pictures as you like to retain memories of gorilla trekking. You have to savor every minute with the gorillas as this is once-in- a lifetime journey.

To see the mountain gorillas, you must pay park admission fees to Murchison Falls National Park and get a Uganda gorilla treking permit. Park entry is per individual and only lasts twenty-four hours.

Day one drive to Volcanues National Park Rwanda the Mountain Gorilla and Giraffe Safari

Your driving guide will travel to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda from the Kigali Airport or Hotel. Enjoy the journey over undulating hills of the nation with a thousand hills.\

Along the trip, appreciate the fresh wind and the alp like highlands; keep an eye on the rich green cover on the hills.

Among the lodging you could choose for a gorilla trip in Rwanda are Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel La Palme, and others.

Day 2 Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Taking your gorilla trekking equipment, travel to ORTPN for a briefing. Remember to bring your facemask, proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or negative results obtained 72 hours before the trip.

Groups of maximum eight visitors will be formed from you following the ranger guide on a specific gorilla family hike. He or she moves at the slowest trekkers’ speed. Keep in mind that you should arrange for a porter should you want assistance throughout the journey.

Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole around thirty-centimeter depth in case you want to make a lengthy call. Cover everything thoroughly beyond recognition so the primates cannot exhume it.

Look out for others including olive baboons, L’hoest, Black and White Colobus, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and more.

Among the species that keen birders may spot are Shelley’s crimson wings, Dusky crimson wings, and Rwenzori turacos.

When you at last discovered the mountain gorillas, avoid surrounding them; instead, step approximately eight meters away. Usually startled by unfamiliar noises in their presence, take pictures using flash less sound proof cameras.

They have been accustomed to be in human company for just that one priceless hour, so you have one hour with them.

Retreat slowly away from them then go back to your lodge to unwind.

Day three drive to Akagera National Park in Rwanda

Rising for breakfast, your driver guide gets you from your lodging to go to Akagera National park. Take in Rwanda’s breathtaking sights along the road.

Arriving at the park open-minded, the Giraffes are being rehabilitated to live in the park, thus population is still low.

Look for more species like zebras, waterbucks, buck bucks, cape buffaloes, rhinos, Uganda Kobs, elephants and others.

Look around your lodge and unwind.

Day four game drive in Akagera National Park

Get ready for breakfast then go game driving into Akagera National Park. Look for other species too like warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, Uganda kobs, herds of Cape Buffaloes, elephants to name but a few while you hunt for the giraffes.

Many birds also enjoy the freebies of Akagera National Park so keen birders you may have opportunity to see species like Barred long tailed cuckoo, Dohert’s and Lagden’s Bush-shrikes, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, African fish eagles.

Boat trips on Lake Ihema provide you time to unwind and take advantage of the pleasant lake air. Look for the many creatures that like eating from the lake banks as well as the variety of lakefront birds.

After appreciating the park’s animals and attractions, go back home.

Day five departure for Kigali Airport

Having loved your Africa safari tour to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park Rwanda and Giraffes in Lake Akagera, pack your stuff to catch up with your aircraft back home. If you have some time, you might arrange an optional Kigali city trip including the visit to the genocide monument for Rwanda.

Guidelines for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

If you have a communicative illness like flu, coughing, coronal virus Ebola, or another, avoid visiting the mountain gorillas. Human infections may afflict these primates.

Never undertake gorilla treking in the Park without a ranger guide.

The foliage provides food for the mountain gorillas, hence avoid spitting on it.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, keep about eight meters away from them. This is meant to stop you from transferring any infection to the gorillas and from acquiring it from them.

Littering the forest is against policy as it changes the feeding ground’s character for mountain gorillas.

Surrounding the mountain gorillas is forbidden as it causes ambushing of them.

Flash photography is not allowed; the camera has to be sound proof.

Eat and smoke nowhere near the mountain gorillas; they could be compelled to seize it from you. These wild creatures have to get their own food and rely not on human support.

Never spit on plants as you can spread an infectious germ to the gorillas. It’s also unclean as other hikers might find repulsion.

When with the mountain go-rillas, they avoid noise as it terrifies them. The silverback is constantly on alert, hence he could notify the family to hide in case he and they get irritated.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, just one hour is permitted; hence, make very good use of it and get as many pictures as you like for memories of your magnificent primate trip.

After that one hour of gorilla trekking, retreat gently.

During gorilla trekking and briefing, make sure you do as advised by the ranger guide.

Get in touch to get more information.

Gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga region of Bwindi.

In the Rushaga area of Bwindi, Gorilla Habituation Experience is a chance to accompany semi-habited gorillas in the forest without changing their environment. Human presence helps the semi wild mountain gorillas to become famirialized as they gently accompany them from de-nesting period to nest building.

Along with other habituators and researchers who study every gorilla’s activity, the visitors name the gorillas and so much more. These mountain gorillas are not yet fully used to the presence of people, hence expect some crazy actions.

Four visitors are permitted to spend around four hours with the gorillas in the forest accompanying the habituators. To have time for gorilla de-nesting, you have to get up early. Here the whole gorilla habituation process begins.

Currently in southern Bwindi Impenetrable national park, two gorilla families practice habituation in Uganda.

To participate, each one must buy a gorilla habituation permit, which is $1500 per person per trip. Beginning in January 2014, gorilla habituation aims to increase the likelihood of visitors interacting more with the mountain gorillas and create unique recollections of coming across semi-habitated mountain gorillas.

Finding these mountain gorillas is like searching the forest for hidden objects; they are not yet used to human presence in their surroundings. Depending on how the mountain gorillas manage the whole procedure, gorilla habituation takes years or decades.

Book Gorilla Habituation Permits For Rushaga Area

Plan a day when you want to perform gorilla habituation and count the persons you want to go with for this wilderness adventure.

When you ask us about your want to partake in gorilla habituation, we verify the status of the gorilla habituation licenses using the Uganda Wildlife Authority permission chart and our tour coordinator gets back to you.

To prevent last-minute worry, we suggest all of our customers to get their gorilla trekking permits ahead of time. Although only a few number of these gorilla permits are available for public booking, demand drives them out quickly. Since the gorilla habituation permits are the sole means of proof one has to express interest in embarking on this trip, they are sold first come first.

Following your purchase of your gorilla habituation permit, we kindly ask you to provide certain personal information as specified: complete names on your passport, nationality, date of birth, etc.

 How Much Is the Habituation Safari for Gorillas in Rushaga

Uganda gorilla habituation first begins with purchasing the permit, which is $1500 per person. The total cost of gorilla trekking programs is determined by many different elements including as

The count of individuals on their way for gorilla habituation.

Gorilla habituation is less expensive the more the paying members of your party spend.  Apart from the gorilla habituation permit, you may divide the expenses of other safari elements such transportation, lodging, gasoline, driver guide, and others. This lowers the gorilla habituation tour per person cost.

The Safari Package You Select For Habituation of Gorilla

How much you want to spend on the whole trip will determine the safari package you pick for gorilla habituation. Gorilla habituation costs fall on a premium, mid-range, and economical spectrum.

Even the services provided for every package defer as shown in the inclusion and exclusion of every gorilla habituation quote we send for our customers.

Timing for safaris on gorilla habituation

The price for gorilla habituation in Rushaga low season many times varies from those paid in the high season. Sometimes this arises in case service suppliers provide us cheaper rates; we then convey these benefits to our customers to supply them reasonably priced prices.

Combining other Uganda activities with Gorilla Habituation

The expense of this expedition increases with every activity you include into gorilla habituation. You could choose wildlife drives, white water rafting, climbing and other Uganda safari activities, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking. These call for more expenses related to the whole gorilla habituation package.

The Days You Spend Habituating On Gorilla Safari

Depending on what you may be doing, your safari cost daily increases when you extend additional days on gorilla habituation safari in Rushaga.

Included in the Gorilla Habituation Permit Cost: Habituator fees and Ranger Guide

Among the mountain gorilla defense squad are the ranger guides and habituators. They spend their time carefully reading the material they provide during gorilla habituation. They provide facts not known elsewhere about the gorilla family under this program to make the gorilla habituation trip more fascinating.

They are compensated for their work to inspire them to keep helping the gorilla conservation campaign. Without them, particularly human activity puts the mountain gorillas at great risk.

Fund for Medication for Mountain Gorillas

From the permission fee, this part is gathered; financial assistance and from the permit cost help with mountain gorilla conservation and habituation.  Although the mountain gorillas are wild and must hunt for their own medicine, sometimes disease is beyond their control. Often visiting to promote this effort are the gorilla physicians.

After some time, the mountain gorillas’ samples of blood are transported to the laboratory for analysis on their health state. All of this helps money to be gathered from the selling of gorilla events.

Park admission costs

You must pay park fees to access all Uganda National parks; these funds help to maintain both others and maintane the parks. Gorilla habituation results in included expenses for the permit cost.

 Park Security Charge

Government security organs provide enhanced security assistance for these purposes. The gorilla permit payment covers the expenses of keeping security agencies here for the protection of visitors on gorilla habituation adventure.

Local Community Support

Every year a portion of the overall cost gathered from all gorilla destination activities is presented to the local community to assist their initiatives such road repair, clean water supply, medical treatment facilities, schools and others.

This is one approach to include the mountain gorilla conservation effort within the community.

When should one do gorilla habituation in the Rushaga area?

Though most visitors find the dry seasons more pleasant, gorilla habituation is an all year long endeavor. Though rain falls any time without notice, the rainy months—usually March through May and November—have all components kept consistent, so the park paths are so muddy.

Gorilla habituation means you spend more time in the woods and need less humid circumstances; so, you may utilize the June to September, December to January period but this does not ensure that seasons do not vary.

The duration of Gorilla Habituation Experience Rushaga

The time you spend on gorilla habituation walks relies on elements like

mountain gorilla proximity

Mountain gorillas search for fresh eating ground when their current one runs out over time. You have to follow them there in case they go into the further reaches of the forest.

Regarding attacks from another Gorilla family

Should another family assault the gorilla family under habituation and cause them to flee, they go elsewhere. You have to follow them there and should the researchers ask for a leave to let the family to settle first, you have to follow them in case they are still in the bad mood.

When a member of a Gorilla Family goes missing

The mountain gorillas have emotions and mood swings, same as people do. Death of a family member puts the gorilla family in a melancholy atmosphere that may not be ready for visitors. This might change the mountain gorilla’s position throughout habituation’s timing.

Birth of the Gorilla Mountain babies

Should the gorilla family have a newborn, the atmosphere is vibrant and every member looks out for the mother and child. Usually, there is reduced likelihood of migration from the area where the mountain gorillas were last seen before both have strength to do so.

Season of Gorilla Habituation Your Choice

The rainy seasons for gorilla habituation cause the terrain to be marshy with consistent rainfall often lacking sun ray penetration. From the rich network of rivers running over the forest, the paths might be slick and across flooded. All things might make gorilla habituation difficult. Usually occurring in March to may and November, the severe rainy seasons remain consistent while all other elements remain same.

You must bring appropriate gorilla trekking gear, including warm clothing to shield your body from potentially humid weather during the day. Rain coats also help.

Normally June to September and December to January, the dry season does not ensure that the seasons will not vary.

How difficult is gorilla habituation in Rushaga?

Gorilla habituation takes place in a volcanic environment dotted with plateaus and peaks. Success calls for some degree of fitness.  Following semi-habited mountain gorillas is habituated. They still exhibit wild behavior that might cause them sometimes to hide.

Things To Bring For Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

Although the land contains volcanic soils that become swampy, Safari hiking boots that will resist the wet ground particularly in areas with heavy rains.

Savage Long sleeved shirts and pants in wilderness suitable hues. For security concerns, Uganda forbids the disguised clothing. You have to carry towels meant to shield your body from biting nettles and pricking surfaces.

a camera used in photography that does provide flash lights. Bring one with a fantastic lens to get a decent picture among surfaces of leaves and dripping tree water.

Two garden gloves to grab firmly on the creepers you go by.

To replace a running low additional fully charged battery.

Since this location is usually chilly both day- and night-wise, a poncha or sweater will help you stay warm.

Energy bites to eat when you find yourself hungry in the bush. Sometimes the hiking is difficult and draining; you thus need some energizers.

a torch for additional illumination when nightlights go out.

In case you fall while hiking in the bush, a waterproof backpack carries your items and helps to prevent them from scattering in the forest.

Some cash to convert into local money should you want to make any purchases on ground, such as souvenirs. Credit cards are little utilized as a kind of transaction tool in Africa because the process of getting money from them is drawn out.

Toiletries simply in case your lodging runs out of

Travel adaptor and charger in case your electronic devices need to be charged

Warm flip-flops to use in the hotel; most rooms have chilly flooring, hence the slippers that are offered might also be frigid.

Pajamas to remain warm and wear in the evening as this region becomes chilly at night.

Cover your hair from drizzling water from the tree branches and leaves with a cap or big brim hat. Your hair may also catch even stinging flying insects from the forest.

Two stockings to tack in your pants provide protection throughout the stroll and help to fasten your pants.

To replace in case any run low in power are yet another set of batteries.

Insect repellant friendly to your skin so as to guard it from stinging insects in the woods.

Sunscreen as Africa is a tropical region you should protect your skin from any sun damage.

A water container to hold drinking water to satisfy thirst while you search for the mountain gorillas.

Sun glasses protect your eyes from forest buzzing insects.

Binoculars to see the far reaching characteristics

A note book or diary to record your experiences with the mountain gorillas

Traveling for gorilla habituation, pack a Duffel bag with your stuff.

Bug spray should your room have these pests.

Get in touch to get more information.

Where to do primate habituation experience in Uganda.

Among the most often visited primate habitat in Africa is Uganda. Of late, it’s difficult to locate sites worldwide with environments that support the survival of significant populations of primates; Uganda is one of those rare sites.

Living in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park, the nation has roughly half the entire population of the only mountain gorillas found worldwide.

Because fewer people visit Mgahinga National Park, golden monkeys there also constitute a unique primate attraction in Africa with their still pristine environment.

Most of the popular primates in Uganda, including the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and Golden monkeys, call for a habituation permit. Except for some regions under particular organizations like Chimpanzee Sanctuary And Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), Uganda’s wildlife Authority is in charge of selling all wildlife licenses.

The method of making the semi wild chimpanzees comfortable to human presence without changing their environment is known as primative habituation. While primate habituation in Uganda is now available for public participation, formerly this activity was done by researchers and ranger guides.

Depending on how they manage, they would follow a possible family of mountain gorillas or chimpanzee community or golden monkey troupe for a period of three years to many years. Every time the rangers of Uganda Wildlife Authority and the researchers would record, identify the species, track patterns of life and so much more. This all takes a lot of time before showing the visitors the primates.

Among the primates habituated in Uganda are Kibale National Park for chimpanzee encounter.
Every day a group of visitors is allowed to follow researchers and habituators into tropical rainforest Kibale National Park. They monitor chimpanzees as they engage in daily activities that help them to get used to the presence of people without changing the environment.

The researcher’s daily schedule calls for you to walk early to see the chimpanzees de-nesting from around 0530 to approximately 0630 hours. Spend the day following the chimpanzee colony until late evening nests are built.

Previous plans are needed in case you are involved in chimpanzee habituation in Uganda. To accomplish the whole day, one must follow all the guidelines of chimpanzee habituation. Like food, tracking boots, bug repellent, and others, you must take the appropriate chimpanzee habituation tools.

Gorilla habituation Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda

So far two gorilla trekking families have been isolated in southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla habituation.

You have to get a gorilla habituation permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Since you have more time in the jungle among the primates, strict guidelines for stopping the spread of Corona virus are followed. You have to use a fresh mask on and hand sanitize as advised, free of communicative infections.

While gorilla habitation takes 4 hours after you find the mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking only lasts one hour after that. Sales of four gorilla habituating permits for each family daily.

Remember they are semi-habituated gorillas; so, anticipate some wild behavior not shown by whole habituated gorilla groups. Stay near the habituators and researcher to learn more about these families; be ready to go and find the far-off mountain gorillas. Meeting the mountain gorilla family under surveillance to prove you intend no damage to them causes some quite some suspense. Though the experience is pleasant, much more is involved.

How One Gets to the Primate Habituation Sites in Uganda’s Kibale National Park

Two paths lead you in a circular to Kibale National Park. From Kampala past Kubende and Fort Portal, the northern Route leads to the Kanyanyanchu River camp from Kibale National Park. On asphalt, the journey by this path is around 300 km from Fort Portal + 36km on murram to Kanyanchu tourist Centre.

Via the Southern path From Kampala via Mbarara, then Kamwenge, Kanyanchu center.

About sixteen kilometers before Fort Portal town, along the route connecting Kampala, the secondary tourist hub of the park is Sebitori hub.

Southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
While several paths go to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park, overnighting in places near to where your gorilla permit is scheduled is crucial. Getting from one part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to another to keep up with early morning briefings might be somewhat difficult. Sometimes the road is slick; trees might fall and cross the road; you could have a flat tire and so much more.

From Kampala to Kabale, the path to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Nkuringo starts. On a hilly marram road, Kampala to Kabale is 414km; Kabale to Nkuringo is 105km. We do not advise staying in Kisoro since gorilla habituation calls for getting up earlier than usual.

About 80 kilometers from Kabale, Kisoro takes one hour and fifteen minutes.

Fly In Gorilla Behaviour
Kibale National Park may be reached via Kajjansi Air Strip or Entebbe Airport by daily flights. You arrive at Kasese Air Strip or Mweya peninsular then go to Kibale National Park. Though this has to be done ahead of time, charter planes may be booked also.

Every day two planned flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe Airport reach Kihihi Airstrip. One may find a transfer vehicle in the Nkuringo neighborhood.

How To Plan Primate Habituation Permits for Uganda

Tell us the day you want to go for gorilla habituation and the quantity of persons you want to travel with. Note that gorilla habituation only releases a maximum of four public bookable permits daily.

One benefit is not having a communicative illness like corona virus, flu, cholera, or others as none of someone with a communicative infection is let contact the primates. These gentle apes may get human illnesses.

When you ask us, our safari adviser looks at the permit availability based on current situation.

We ask our customers to reserve gorilla habituation permits as soon as they become available, should they still be so at that time. This is so because, although small, demand is rather great. Though first come first served basis is applied, they are sold out quickly.

The only certain way you could make sure you visit gorilla habituation in Uganda is to get the gorilla trekking permit. This informs even other aspects of the gorilla trekking package, such choosing lodging, hiring a vehicle or driving guide. Last-minute scheduling for gorilla trekking causes anxiety and restrictions on the available service providers.

What Should One Think About Regarding Primate Habituation Safaris in Uganda?

The first basis of the primate habituation safaris in Uganda determines their cost: either the gorilla or the chimpanzee habituation licenses.

Each of the persons you go with for the monkey habituation safaris need a permit, hence the number of them counts. Four individuals is the maximum authorized to undertake gorilla habituation.

Should you combine primate habituation with other Uganda safari activities like game drives, white water rafting, launch expeditions, birdwatching, and others, the cost should rise.

The safari package you pick for primate habituation also helps to determine the overall cost of either a luxury, midrange, or budget package for gorilla habituation.

Furthermore contributing to the overall expense is the frequency of your primate habituation in Uganda. Though primate habituation in Uganda takes four hours, you may want to undertake double habituation.

The time of the monkey habituation safari also counts as peak seasons usually result in expensive lodging, driving guides, and others. The low seasons at times have decreased prices on such services including the whole bundle.

What Does the Cost of Primate Habituation Permit Cover? Park Fees

You must pay park fees supporting activities in any wildlife National park located in Uganda.

Parks Security

Security is absolutely necessary in all national parks to protect visitors’ life from outside harm. You have to consider security as gorilla habituation and chimpanzee habituation live in the bush.

Primate meds

Some human therapy is given in case the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees become sick beyond their own means from the plants they consume. Some of these monkeys are gathered and examined in labs even for yearly primate checkups and record keeping.

Maintenance of Parks

The paths in the park must be maintained so that visitors may pass them securely. To clear certain creepers so that visitors may follow the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees, the ranger guides use machetes.

Ranger Guide Cost

The rangers share with the visitors expertise about the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees gained from overtime. Although a lot of material is posted on line, in periodicals and other publications, the rangers have first hand knowledge. Unique qualities of several gorilla families and chimpanzees may not be known about.

They are compensated for such labor to motivate them to keep bringing gorillas or chimpanzees accustomed to human presence.

The local community receives 20% of the revenue from gorilla or chimpanzee activities to inspire them to keep up their conservation effort. Sometimes the gorillas and chimpanzees wander into the village, but they join the conservationists when something good for the community is built up using this money.

How Complicated Primate Habituation Is in Uganda
Whether living with gorillas or chimpanzees, you have to understand that this is a trip through the forest. The geography of places like the mountain gorilla homes is volcanic. You should climb to reach their possible residence.

To complete the trip, one needs some degree of fitness. Think about working on some before the day of habituation. This is so because the timing of finding these primates is uncertain. Mobile primates, they must search for their own food to sustain them both during the day and at night.

Stow the appropriate gear— safari boots, bug repellant, a camera, raincoat, and others—that will get you over the bush.

Given these semi-wild primates whose behavior is unknown to the ranger guides, some degree of patience is required. They only follow hints left behind by Gorilla residents in a certain area.

During the stroll, some degree of patience is required as you can be habituating with someone you do not know. This is so because some of the habituators might be either very sluggish or rather rapid. To go smoothly and without any irritation. Even people that stand in your way might be part of the group you simply have to properly interact with to provide everyone opportunity for the finest pictures.

Rules of Primate Habituation in Uganda
When you see the chimpanzees or mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted. This enables them to continue about their daily duties.
When you encounter a mountain gorilla or chimpanzee, never set off their behavior.
Before visiting Uganda Primates, immunize or have negative results of Covid-19. Must don a mask when searching for the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
Feed or chew nothing when among the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
While photographing for recollections of your experience during primate habituation, never use sound camera or flash.
When you come across the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the forest, keep about eight meters apart.
It is against policy to surround the gorillas and chimpanzees in habituation.
Walking to track the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees during habituation, do not trash the forest.
During gorilla habituation, follow the advice of the researcher and ranger guide.
Get in touch us for further details.

Gorilla guides and trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

There is additional information about the life of the mountain gorilla, history, and other activities to mix with gorilla trekking; tourist ambassadors to the sites include Gorilla Trekking guides and rangers in Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking guides in Uganda fall under the Association (USAGA) of Uganda Safari Guide. Often leading them through seasonal training and retreats, this organization helps them to equip themselves with knowledge about how to greet visitors. Often in low seasons when the guides are less busy, this preparation is done.

To provide them opportunity to learn more about the mountain gorillas, even the ranger guides are sometimes sent through retreats and seminars. Many ranger guides are local residents who go through training and attend period lectures to improve themselves and provide excellent and consistent knowledge about the mountain gorillas and other inhabitants.

Why Employ a Gorilla Trekking Guide and Ranger in Rwanda and Uganda

Part of the money you spend for a gorilla treking permit covers security, park admission fees, ranger guide service, and other expenses.

Usually, the rangers guiding have personal knowledge of the mountain gorillas. Before visitors are allowed to see the mountain gorillas in the bush, a crew of rangers follows them every day.

Later on, they provide information to the park headquarters handed on to the gorilla hikers. Mountain gorillas have mood fluctuations, even if broad knowledge about their behavior is provided exactly like in people.

Only the ranger guides who often see the mountain gorillas can interpret and clarify what is occurring when you find them.

Visitors recommended to postpone snapping pictures while gorilla trekking until the ranger determines the current state of affairs the gorillas are in at that same time.  Should they be in a festive state, the ranger leader led the hikers in to view; still, you should obey the instructions given. Regarding the dismal moods, he or she needs to inform you on how to approach them and run out the one hour allotted with the mountain gorillas.

Other forest inhabitants of a rainforest include forest elephants, duikers, wild forest pigs, and others. Nobody is permitted enter the forest without the presence of the professional ranger guide meant to handle such circumstances.

The ranger guide is in continuous radio touch with headquarters in case any circumstance spirals out of hand. Sometimes this location lacks a network, hence while in the woods anticipate to be off grid. With the ranger guide, who may ask for backup right away upon seeing anything unusual in the forest, is the sole method of contact.

Though the ranger guide moves at the slowest speed among the slowest hikers, this does not imply delay the rest of the gorilla trekking group. Though it is uncertain exactly when to search for the mountain gorillas—two hours to three quarters of the day is the anticipated range.

Regular visitors to the forest, the rangers have more awareness of the beauties concealed in the old forest. They are aware of excellent landscapes, unusual wildlife, where dazzling water falls are found, and so much more. This additional information helps visitors to appreciate the gorilla trekking locations outside of the gorillas.

How To Plan Trekking Tours in Rwanda and Uganda for Gorillas

First you have to reserve the gorilla trekking permits as this is the ticket allowing access to these African adventure safari locations. The gorilla trekking card including personal information about the journeyer is issued in Uganda.  Some information like the names on the passport, nationality, date of birth, passport expiration date is needed to gather the gorilla trekking card in Uganda.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are still granted on paper; if you buy the permit, you get a receipt later on which the permission is shown at briefing.

usage those near where your gorilla permit is booked in Uganda and Rwanda; arrange lodging for usage during the gorilla trekking trip.

Before reserving lodging in Uganda, you have to know where your permit is booked as the gorilla trekking permits are booked based on region specifically in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Four sections make up the park: Buhoma, Ruhijah, Rushaga and Nkuringo regions. You must find lodging either near or inside the location of your booked permit.

Book a seat in advance if you are booked on a fly-in gorilla trekking safari as they sell out quickly particularly during high seasons for the daily flights. Even the charter flight schedule should be decided upon ahead of time to enable prior plans.

The Price of Gorilla Trekking Permits

For international nonresidents, the gorilla trekking licenses in Uganda cost $800; for foreign residents, they cost $700; for east African citizens, they cost 300,000 shs.

Trekking permits for Rwanda gorillas are $1500 each.

This covers park admission, security, ranger guide fees, medicine for the mountain gorillas, park funding assistance, and so many more.

How much is the safari Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?

From luxury, middle-class to budget packages, the gross price is composed of many components from the mountain gorilla permit fee that crosses all budgets.

The total cost of the gorilla trekking package includes the number of days you want to spend on safari.

Gorilla trekking package per person costs cheaper the more persons involved. This is so because you share many aspects of gorilla trekking, including vehicle, driver guide lodging, and so much more.

Different services are provided and Gorilla Trekking safaris are ranked based on Luxury, Mid-range or Budget. Your chosen grade will affect their inclusion and exclusion.

Other activities to mix with gorilla walking tours help to offset the safari expenses. You may incorporate birdwatching, wildlife drives, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkeys trekking, and so much more.

When should one book the Gorilla Trekking Permit?

Booking the gorilla trekking expedition as least six months in advance helps to minimize last-minute rush to get one. With 90 days before the anticipated trekking date, the least time you may schedule the gorilla permits particularly during high season.

Since just 8 gorilla permits are issued daily for visitors to book, most trekkers reserve their gorilla permits a year in advance. Although there are few gorilla trekking families now, demand for visitors to appreciate them in the bush is great.

You must buy the gorilla treking permits as soon as availability becomes known. Any time there is a change in status; first come first policy is used.

This does not imply, however, that you cannot book the gorilla permits at last-minute even if the process of getting them is demanding. Being waitlisted for a gorilla permit is dangerous as you never know if there will be a no show on the day of treking.

The Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is limited by 15 years of age. This is so related to the nature of the gorilla trekking trip, where the search for mountain gorillas is not known for timing. The mountain gorillas wander throughout the jungle.

The Virunga’s terrain is volcanic with hills and ridges. A youngster under this age may not be in position to have some degree of fitness required.

Some patience is required, which is usually not achievable with youngsters younger than this age.

Trekking to visit the mountain gorillas is not permitted with noise; it is difficult for little children to remain silent all through the journey.

Mountain gorillas provoke you; you pretend not to care so as to avoid seeming suspicious. For a youngster below this age, this is difficult to grasp.

The first look of the mountain gorillas makes one terrified, which might lead to screaming. One may be terrified by only stature and deep dark eyes. You appear suspicious, hence you do not need to display the mountain gorillas such emotions.

Depending on the distance from the mountain gorillas, one might get exhausted from long-term walk. Making a youngster who is rather fatigued to stay on might be quite difficult. This might postpone the whole gorilla trekking party; yet, once you enter the jungle, you cannot turn back until the trip is over.

Items To Bring For Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Light packing for the gorilla walk Although no one helps you out, safari provides comfort both in the outdoors and should you need to hoist part of your luggage.

Two binoculars to get a better glimpse of fur roaming primordial animals like chimpanzees climbing trees during heavy wet seasons.

Comfortable enough safari tracking boots will enable you to climb tough hills. Though minimal sunray penetration passes through the thick canopy, the environment has muddy paths that are socked by consistent rain.

Apple Safari Since you have to go in a muddy forest that might get you filthy, long sleeved shirts and trousers in colors like Khaki are ideal.

Since solar is the major source of energy here, a torch will be used in the night when the lights go out.

Sun glasses to protect your eyes from jungle flying insects.

Two pajamas to wear throughout the evening as the temperature drops

Travel adapter and charger should you find your devices low on battery.

Energy goodies particularly when you feel hungry before finding the mountain gorillas.

Insect repellent as stinging insects from the forest might feast on you.

Since the forest is usually chilly both day and night at times, a poncha or warmers will help.

In case the bugs in your room are rampant, insect spray is advisable.

Foldable water bottle for maintaining drinking water

To keep from getting wet when it rains, wear a rain coat or ponchant. This area gets rain both suddenly and all day.

Use a light back pack to guard your items from being dispersed in the jungle and soaked.

Another fully charged battery to swap out when one goes low

A camera to help you remember your gorilla trekking trip in Africa

Guidelines of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Taking pictures for the gorilla trekking expedition is forbidden with flash. This terrifies the mountain gorillas.

Eat and smoke nothing before the mountain gorillas; this might endanger your health.

Littering the forest is illegal as it changes the natural environment from which mountain gorillas get food. The mountain gorillas are vegetarians, hence their dietary intake may gradually change.

Do not surround the mountain gorillas once you find them. This drives them to feel ambushed.

If you want to perform a lengthy call, ask the ranger guide to dig a whole around 30 cm depth. You must always be beyond recognition.

Anyone under 15 years of age is not permitted to engage in gorilla trekking as the exact timing of finding the mountain gorillas is unknown and considerable patience is required to finish this journey.

Offer to remain behind should you come across any communicative disease like flu, coughing, cholera. This is so because mountain gorillas are very prone to get human illnesses. Their DNA is almost 96% to human level.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, remain around eight meters away from them. can lower their risks of contracting a communicative disease.

Never spit on the plants as mountain gorillas eat from them. Besides, it is nasty and repulsive.

As a post- Corona virus precaution, use a mask and hand cleanse. Approaching the mountain gorillas, you have to change into a fresh mask.

When around the mountain gorillas, avoid making loud noises and abrupt motions as they might alarm them. Often afraid of strange sounds in their surroundings are the gorillas.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted. This is so because they are used to be in the company of others for exactly that hour.

Please visit our travel adviser and get additional information from us.

Gorilla trekking myth and realities in Uganda and Rwanda.

Although many ideas and legends about the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have been spread over the globe, the real reality is found in embarking on a gorilla trekking trip. Now you may now participate in the gorilla habituation experience, where semi wild gorillas get used to human presence.

Only one hour is permitted to be in the presence of the gorilla when you encounter him throughout the trip across Uganda and Rwanda.  Given their typical vegetarianism, this gives them time to eat.

Mountain gorillas eat more than three hundred pounds of vegetation every day to sustain their pure bodies both during night and during day. The mountain gorillas find it difficult to conceive even with people around.

The mountain gorillas reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park D.R. Congo worldwide. Right now, only around 1000 mountain gorillas are still alive.

About Trekking on Gorillas Uganda and Rwanda

To take part, you must save a gorilla trekking permit. Only maximum of eight gorilla trekking permits are permitted daily to satisfy a particular gorilla family. This aims to lower the number of potential tramped-on vegetation-loving hikers.  Many visitors to the park tread on the foliage, therefore limiting the food supply that would enable mountain gorilla survival.

Usually vegetarian, the mountain gorillas live on bamboo there delicacy, delicate stems, leaves, fruits, and sometimes add ants to their diet.

Though physically striking, mountain gorillas are reclusive creatures in nature. Their black coat of fur covers their body and their dark brown eyes have sunken.  Mountain gorillas get about via knuckle movements. With age, the grayish saddle of hair on the rear of the silver backs changes.

Living in families under the direction of the dominant male with autocratic control are mountain gorillas. He demands respect from all family members, even the men, and has all the authority over the ladies in the house. Only one man thinks he has a right to procreate with the women. He battles to the last dot to protect his family from assaulting wild tribes and therefore preserve his liberty.

The mountain gorillas feed their young mammary gland for a duration comparable to people and have a gestation period similar to that of humans.

Most successful silverbacks who formerly dominated and former dominant male murder their newborns so they may begin their own line of descent.

The mountain gorillas spend their evenings in nests they build, then de-nest around daylight to go about their daily business.

Sometimes the gorilla family runs a black back spy network to maintain security within the mountain gorilla family.

Mountain Gorillas: How aggressive are they?

As was already established, mountain gorillas are calm animals even if they have frightening appearances. None have ever been recorded becoming victims of the mountain gorillas’ hostility.

This does not imply, however, that you harass them on the gorilla trail. Every visitor pays for their gorilla trekking permit and seeks value for money. Agitating the mountain gorillas might cause them to hide, therefore lowering the projected one hour view of the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas often pound their chests, pull grass around them, walk on one leg and hoot when enraged. Usually, they hide a means of escape from anything questionable in there.

Try not to stare into the black eyes of the mountain gorillas while gorilla treking as this disturbs them. If one surrounds the mountain gorillas, they might feel attacked.

It is strange because the forest is usually calm and only sounds of birds or monkeys the gorillas are acquainted with alien noise.  In case you cannot remain silent when you come among the mountain gorillas, every hiker is urged to speak softly or silently. Using a soundproof camera is encouraged when photographing; Flash photography is not advised. This helps one avoid producing strange sounds among the mountain gorillas.

After seeing the mountain gorillas, carefully withdraw away without upsetting the gorilla trekking family members.

Where in Uganda and Rwanda should one go for gorilla treking?

In Uganda

On the southern Western edge of Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. About eighteen gorilla trekking families exposed to visitors call this home.  Locally Bwindi means Impenetrable, and in fact this tropical rain forest is suitable for this twofold meaning.

Living among others like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, L’Hoest’s, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and others are the mountain gorillas.

Without visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, birding experiences in Uganda cannot be complete. Here among more than 350 species are 23 species of around 24 Uganda Albertine endemics. Particularly the Mubwindi marsh, Ruhijah region is the principal birding site of Bwindi impenetrable National park.

Gorilla trekking Booking lodging in Bwindi impenetrable National Park or in the location where your permit is booked will pay well.

Currently home to one gorilla trekking family, Nyakagezi, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda The mountain gorillas are free ranging creatures without understanding of political borders, hence this gorilla family used to wander into Rwanda. This explains why its gorilla permits were booked on ground depending on mountain gorilla availability.

With three of the five Virunga hills as its background, Mgahinga National park boats of its magnificent views. Rising on the northern slopes of Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga, the park forms a regional background.

Among other species, Golden monkeys, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys call this park home.

With around 115 species of birds so far identified and continuing under development, Mgahinga National Park has an outstanding bird list. Among the species you could find to see are Dusky Tutle Dove, Alpine Chat, Malachites Sunbird, Montane Double-Collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, and more.

With around 13 gorilla families reported so far, Volcanoes National Park is the gorilla trekking destination for Rwanda. Five of the Virunga volcanoes in the park are Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura, and Mountain Sabyinyo.

Purchased from Rwanda Development Boards ( RDB), a gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda allows one to wake up for a briefing on ORTPN in Volcanoes National Park.

From gorilla treking, the golden monkeys call Volcanoes National Park home. These are a rare species of primates whose body size exceeds that of typical monkeys. Their hair around the stomach, bottom, middle and lower back is golden brown. In the forest, they keep you on alert and are really swift and thrilling to observe.

Blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons and others all call Volcanoes National Park home.

How much is safaris for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?

The cost of the gorilla trekking safari varies on many elements, including the cost of gorilla trekking permits, which in Rwanda is $1500 per person, in Uganda $800 per person.

The minimal number of days anticipated on safari—that is, in Uganda—three days gorilla trekking is the number you want to spend. At least two days gorilla trekking is believed to be the minimum amount of time spent on safari in Rwanda.

The cost varies also depending on if you combine gorilla trekking with other pursuits as game drives, chimpanzee trekking, white water rafting, birdwatching and others.

Additionally adding to the expense of gorilla trekking are the amount of individuals with you. Gorilla hiking safari has less cost per person the smaller the group; hence, the cost increases.

Sometimes the season you schedule your gorilla trekking expedition determines its cost. Usually, the peak seasons draw expensive expenses on safari elements like lodging, transportation, ranger guides, and other elements. Gorilla trekking is highly sought after in both peak and low seasons; low seasons can draw decreased prices on the components of the trip.

The kind of premium, middle-class, or budget package you choose for gorilla trekking also affects your overall trip cost.  These packages have many inclusions and exclusions that define them.

When Should One Plan a Gorilla Trekking Safari?

Though all year long gorilla trekking trips are accessible, the dry months draw more visitors. More visitors visit the mountain gorillas from June to September and from December to January.

Many have opportunity to utilize these vacations, so the festival season is a gorilla trekking high season. Book as least six months in advance if you want to conduct gorilla trekking during this time. Some even set aside a year ahead.

Less rain in the Virunga region around this time might also let visitors enjoy a seamless journey. This area is well-known for getting early showers that could continue whole day.

Trekkers are recommended to pack a poncha or raincoat to guard against conditions like these.  You have to bring them even during the dry season because, in this location it rains without notice. It is rather crucial to pack some warm attires for the bitterly chilly mornings and nights.

The low seasons, which fall between March and May and November, result in fewer visitors, therefore less opportunity to impede your ability to get the greatest pictures of mountain gorillas. Services in the lodges are less completed; so, there may be cheaper rates on other activities like gorilla treking packages.

How challenging is gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda?

The gorilla trekking experience takes place in a demanding surroundings, hence you should be somewhat physically fit. Given this is a volcanic region, the soils are soft yet rain falls there often. The area’s rich river network floods sometimes to provide a marshy terrain. Walking calls for the proper gorilla trekking boots to protect your feet from pricking surfaces.

You must be somewhat fit if you want to really appreciate the experience. You should engage in some basic workouts to prevent muscle pools before gorilla trekking. You should be patient before you locate the mountain gorillas as the date of their discovery is uncertain.

What should one bring for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda?

For your African safari, packing light will be very beneficial and you won’t have to worry about who is going to assist you with luggage handling.

The gorilla trekking safari packing list calls for some of the following items:

Safari boots have sharp surfaces that might puncture you to wear in the woods.

A bigger brim folding safari hat to hide your hair from dripping water from the leaves.

Insect repellent so smear your body and keep away stinging insects in the outdoors.

Toiletries to have on hand should the lodge not provide.

Two binoculars will let one observe far-off animals more clearly.

The flash-less camera lets you remember encounter with the mountain gorillas.

A water-proof rucksack to load your stuff so that it stays dry or lost upon a fall.

Two pajamas to wear in the evening should it turn really chilly.

Garden gloves will shield your hands from pikes and slippery creepers you land your palms on to get a firmer hold.

Since solar is the primary energy used, a torch should be used when the lights go off at night.

An additional battery to swap in case of first run low

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