Can I Choose A Gorilla Family Of My Choice In Uganda And Rwanda? – Gorilla trekking Safaris in East Africa

Can I choose a Gorilla Family of my liking in Uganda and Rwanda?

You may choose your own gorilla trekking family in Uganda and Rwanda, provided you tell your operator in advance what you want to see. Like humans, all mountain gorillas lack the same features. This is not a clear bargain, however, as all permissions to visit any gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board or the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

In Rwanda, Mountain gorillas live at Volcanoes National Park, and at the moment, only 13 gorilla families are allowed for visitors. You must carry a Rwanda Development Board gorilla trekking permit to be allowed access to any of the gorilla families.

In Uganda, the gorilla trekking experience is done from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in Mgahinga National Park.

Among the three nations hosting mountain gorillas, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits on an area of 327 square kilometers, the biggest habitat for mountain gorillas in the whole world. There are now four gorilla trekking sites in the park, including Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhijah, and Nkuringo.

With around 33 square kilometers of territory, Mgahinga National Park is among the smaller gorilla trekking destinations in Africa. The park remains virgin because of being Less frequented by visitors. Free from political constraints, the Nyakagezi gorilla family wanders into D.R. Congo or Rwanda. It has lately been living stably in Uganda for several years.

Usually, having case studies to guide their analysis, clients visiting for gorilla research have a goal. They could indicate the kind of gorilla trekking family they want to utilize in their research. Thanks to study, the world now knows more about the massive mountain gorillas once described as monsters.

From the days of Dian Fossey, who established the Karisoke Research Institute in Rwanda, researchers have been able to rescue mountain gorilla lives. Based on a census taken at the time, the globe had around three hundred mountain gorillas by 1980. Included on the red list of the most severely threatened primates worldwide were the mountain gorillas.

Based on studies conducted by groups such as Gorilla Fund, Gorilla Doctors and others, the estimated current global mountain gorilla count is somewhat near to 1000 individuals. None of this could be accomplished without research.

Mountain gorillas were among the primates at risk of contracting the virus when the Covid 19 epidemic struck the planet after researchers found the virus among those housed in a zoo. Every visitor is expected to wear a mask and wash their hands before seeing the mountain gorillas in order to help to conserve them. Either bring a coronavirus vaccination certificate or show negative results of covid 19 obtained within the preceding 72 hours.

A limited number of researchers are permitted to visit a certain gorilla family at a time in order to help the mountain gorillas survive going forward.

Uganda Wildlife Authority has to handle this arrangement as the entity in charge of wildlife management.

Choose Gorilla Trekking for a Unique Experience

Sometimes, customers want to restrict gorilla trekking activities in a certain location for just their group to visit. They are meant to pay off the gorilla permits for that region so that no one else follows them. Under this agreement, the customer is able to choose which gorilla family in that region they want to see.

Gorilla Trekking Safaris in the Low Season 

Sometimes, gorilla trekking excursions have poor customer attendance during the low season, which runs from March to May and November. This opportunity allows you to choose which gorilla family to see should you so like.

Sometimes you get the whole briefing time to yourself, which allows you to indicate which gorilla family you would choose. Clients are randomly split into groups of a maximum of eight to visit a certain household during the busy season. Not even those who have traveled together are granted one family unless previous plans are approved by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is done to prevent disputes among the visitors or travel agencies arranging the gorilla trekking safaris.

Sometimes booking gorilla trekking safaris in the low season also results in lower rates of additional facilities such as lodging, driving guides, and others. Even a combination of safaris in other locations, like wildlife parks, and chimpanzee trekking may be somewhat less expensive during the low season.

Physical Impairment of a Gorilla Trekking Client.

Although gorilla trekking is a wilderness walking experience, even physically challenged guests may enjoy it. Should your tour operator alert Uganda Wildlife Authority of your physical capacity, chances of producing a less demanding are great.

Arranged reasonably priced, Sedan chairs or stretchers will let you reach the gorilla trekking family. Porters you need to hire will carry your gorilla trekking equipment and you over the trail.

Though some degree of fitness is required to really appreciate the gorilla trekking safari, you should be physically competent to accomplish it. You need not spend all day at the gym. Your muscles must be stretched in a rhythm that will get you over the whole journey. Sometimes, climbing the hills to find the mountain gorillas is rather taxing.

The gorillas may relax on the hills either during the rainy season or when they find a fresh eating area. Finding them calls for some fortitude.

Experience with Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla habituation safaris in Uganda take place in the southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla habituation safari is the process of partially habituating mountain gorillas to human presence.

So far, just two gorilla families have been opened for this experience in Uganda. Only four customers per family area are permitted to join this trip, so you have the opportunity to choose which one to join.

While gorilla trekking is only permitted for one hour with the mountain gorillas, gorilla habituation is allowed for four hours following the family. Unlike most hikers, you get up early and accompany a researcher into the forest.

Nevertheless, these gorillas may not be as quiet as the completely acclimated ones, as they still exhibit wild actions. Following the directions from your ranger guide and searchers with every detail in the forest is quite vital. Remember, mountain gorillas are rulers of the forest, so have all the laws of gorilla trekking and habituation at your fingertips to avoid spoiling your African safari.

When Should You See The Mountain Gorillas?

The migratory nature of the mountain gorillas makes their whereabouts uncertain. These free-roaming animals have to hunt for their own sustenance. Depending on the state of the jungle, you can find the mountain gorillas in two hours or three-quarters of the day.

When looking for the mountain gorillas, you must have an open mind and patience.

Apart from gorilla trekking, you may encounter other primates such as olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, golden monkeys, red colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and more.

There are even many birds in the parks, so you might maintain your attention on such species rather than finding the mountain gorillas.

How Dangerous Is African Gorilla Trekking? 

As long as you follow the guidelines of this adventure, gorilla trekking is not harmful. Attending briefings will help you to be taken through all the required dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking.

Nobody is allowed into the forest without a briefing to prevent you from inciting a stampede in the area should you do so.

Though their thick coats, large physiques, and dark brown eyes might make the mountain gorillas seem frightening in nature, they are calm animals. Not one person has been documented as having been assaulted by the mountain gorillas so far. You just have to be a devoted visitor in that zone.

Usually thumping their chests, they pull the grass around them, walk on one foot, and go toward the deeper portions of the park. They are angry. Never encourage the mountain gorillas toward peace with humans.

How To Get A Gorilla Trekking Permission From Rwanda and Uganda

Before one begins to consider the gorilla trekking adventure, a date is required.  You have to know when you want to go for your gorilla trekking expedition, and then send us an inquiry about the gorilla trekking safari for us to be able to confirm the date availability.

You must know the exact number of individuals you want to go gorilla trekking with.

Having checked the gorilla permit status on the Uganda Wildlife Authority link or the Rwanda Development Board’s, our safari specialist is ready to get back to you with availability.

Should the gorilla permits become available, we urge you to reserve early to prevent a last-minute frenzy to get one. Gorilla permits are restricted to only 8 permits per day, per family. Since it is the sole proof of your intention to go gorilla trekking, no gorilla permit is spared for anybody without fees.

Getting a gorilla permit is the main reason you should arrange lodging, particularly in Uganda if you have to spend overnight near your gorilla trekking site.

Overnighting in another region might lead you to miss gorilla trekking, as getting up in another place to drive is difficult at times. The rural area’s roadways are often inaccessible due to their slick surface; logs at times impede mobility, and so much more.

When booking a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda or Uganda

Booking your gorilla trekking permit ahead of time—at least ninety days before the date of the trip—is ideal. This helps one prevent last-minute worry as gorilla permits sell quickly.

The mountain gorillas cannot be seen without permission from the wildlife controlling Bodies.

Right now, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign citizens, and East African nationals 300,000shs.

Each individual on the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking pays $1500.

Should you schedule your gorilla permit at least one year in advance, you will be able to pay in installments based on the policies of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Development Board.

You must complete certain information to get the gorilla permission card for Uganda. Among these specifics are your complete name as shown on your passport, nationality, date of birth, expiration date of your passport, and others.

Which Nation Is Ideal For Gorilla Trekking Between Uganda and Rwanda?

Generally speaking, gorilla trekking is an intriguing hobby wherever you visit. Every nation offers something breathtaking and visually appealing that lives upto the gorilla trekking trip.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda may be paired with other wildlife safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and others. While a wildlife safari may also be paired with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

While Uganda’s gorilla trekking parks are around 8 hours to 9 hours away from Entebbe Airport, a distance of about 530km, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking destination is near Kigali airport which takes about 3 hours.