How to book a gorilla trekking safari on Christmas day in Uganda and Rwanda.
Though you have to arrange your permission ahead of time, Christmas among the mountain gorillas is amazing. At least six months to a year before, you should book your gorilla permit for safety. Panic results from last-minute quest for a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are sold out early, at least by the fourth part of the year; only a hand full might be remaining during the Christmas season.
Uganda’s gorilla trekking takes place at Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Either a travel company or straight from the Uganda wildlife administration should book the Uganda gorilla trekking permit.
Volcanoes National Park is the place for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; so, you must get a Rwanda gorilla permit. The gorilla permit-selling and controlling body is the Rwanda Development Board. Safaris releases the weight of lengthy phone calls to verify availability from Rwanda Development Board using a tour operator like Katland .
When should one book a gorilla trekking permit?
Booking a gorilla trekking permit at least six months to a year ahead guarantees your schedule for your Christmas day safari.
Festive holiday gorilla permits are much in demand; many visitors like to create memories.
Should you be planning last-minute gorilla trekking permit booking on Christmas Day, you may not be able to secure one since demand usually rises, particularly in the final quarter of the year.
Either directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board or via a tour operator such as Katland Safaris, you may arrange your gorilla permit.
A gorilla permit is:
A gorilla permit is a card or license allowing visitors to spend only one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family. Sadly, only visitors fifteen years of age and above are eligible for gorilla treking. This is so because of the nature of the adventure—you go over the large forest wondering precisely where the mountain gorillas could be. This makes it difficult to forecast the moment for wilderness mountain gorilla discovery.
A Gorilla Trekking Permit: How Much Can I Get?
For international nonresidents, a gorilla trekking permit for Uganda is $800 per person; for foreign residents, it runs $700; and for East African citizens, it runs 300000shs.
Per person, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are $1500.
Included and excluded in the Gorilla Permit?
One hour with the mountain gorillas, community support, ranger guide fees, park fees, security, and a certificate after gorilla trekking define the cost of the permit.
Exclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking permit travel, beverages, snacks, tips, lodging, and personal things.
Can I pay for the Gorilla Permit in installment?
It is allowed to pay for the gorilla permit in installments, particularly if you buy it at least ninety days before the day of choice. The gorilla permits might be purchased in half 30% and half 70% of the entire amount. Remember always to top up 90 days before the gorilla trekking date. Ignoring this results in a fine.
Your gorilla permit should be bought in whole as getting it is the only way to demonstrate dedication to visiting the gorilla trekking safari.
Can I change the Gorilla Permit for Uganda or Rwanda?
You have to write to reschedule your gorilla permit to the Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority. Support your request with some backup proof.
Your gorilla permit is rescheduled for the day of your choice if your request is accepted. Attached to the Rwanda gorilla permit rescheduling is fee.
Two free opportunities exist for rescheduling Uganda gorilla permits; however, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority must authorize the third time and with a 25% fee.
How can one get ready for a Christmas Gorilla Trekking Safari?
Choices are few as the day grows near, therefore being ready for a gorilla trekking safari on Christmas day means scheduling for required services.
You have no gorilla safari without a gorilla permission, hence the first step is the gorilla permit for Uganda or Rwanda. As was already said, six months to a year in advance is the ideal period to get a gorilla permit.
One must reserve lodging for usage on a gorilla trekking trip. Spend at least one night in or near the gorilla trekking park for which your permit is planned.
You have to know where your gorilla permit for Uganda lodging is scheduled to be used for gorilla trekking. Mostly for Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, this is Four regions comprise it: Buhoma in the North, Ruhija in the East, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the South.
Choosing the transportation for the gorilla trekking safari is crucial, particularly if you fly. For internal scheduled flights in Uganda, you must advance purchase a seat. When booking, clearing, and chartering call for.
Does Gorilla Trekking Safari call for fitness?
Indeed, some degree of fitness will help you to be comfortable and resilient enough to fulfill your lifelong dream safari. Given the volcanic geography of the Virunga region, anticipate to climb sometimes to get where the mountain gorillas could be spending their day.
Although you should start with some basic exercises to gently stretch your joints a bit more so as not to acquire muscle pulls or a twisted ankle during gorilla trekking, you should not spend all your time in the gym.
How long is the Gorilla Trekking?
A gorilla trekking safari’s time taken is still under debate as it relies on the state of the forest.
Depending on what is going on in the jungle, you might spend two hours to three-quarters of the day commencing the gorilla journey. The ranger guide guiding you follows the paths leading to the last known location of mountain gorillas from previous night.
If their food runs out, mountain gorillas may move to fresh territory. Locating the gorilla family might therefore take some time.
When there is a conflict among the mountain gorillas, particularly with another family or familial quarrel, the losers might be driven into hiding. Should the gorilla family you are assigned to hike prove elusive, you could spend some time tracking it.
Should the speed of the visitors you are assigned to search for mountain gorillas be quicker, you might have some time. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed of the slowest trekkers to ensure none gets lost in the woods.
Out of Uganda and Rwanda, which is the best country for gorilla trekking over Christmas?
Gorilla trekking is amazing whatever you go; the moment you stand before the family of these gentle giants is unforgettable. Some visitors claim the moment causes one to forget everything they may have gone through in order to be ready for gorilla treking.
One may deduce from elements like these which nation would be ideal for gorilla trekking on Christmas: Uganda or Rwanda.
The price of a gorilla permits
While the Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 per person per trip, the Uganda gorilla permit runs $800 per person.
Gorilla families count here.
Whereas Rwanda now has 15 gorilla trekking families, Uganda now boasts 19 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation families.
One takes time to reach the locations for gorilla treks.
You travel around three hours from Kigali airport to the national park including volcanoes in Rwanda. Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park drives take eight to nine hours.
Optional Activities To Combine With Trekking Among Gorillas
While Rwanda offers less options, Uganda has a range of different safari activities to mix with gorilla trekking.
Is safe Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?
Trekking with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is safe. Every day a team of rangers walks the forest on foot to find out where the gorillas could have slept overnight before the tourist arrival. They report to the ranger guide escorting visitors on a trail and the park warden.
Apart from the protection of the gorilla trekking sites, other security units of Uganda and Rwanda support law and order.
Even just walking into the forest with an accompanying ranger guide calls for you to pay attention to personal protection. To avoid becoming lost in the bush, keep nearer the group you are walking gorillas from. During briefing, pay close attention to the dos and avoid policies of the gorilla trekking safari to avoid disturbing the mountain gorillas.
Do Mountain Gorillas pose a threat?
Though they are typically quiet and calm monkeys, the appearance of the mountain gorillas may induce considerable excitement. To supplement this quality, the mountain gorillas are acclimated sometimes for human presence before your visit. The mountain gorillas are not aggressive even if they do not lose their inherent traits.
Though you have one hour with the mountain gorillas, avoid aggravating them as they also get restless.
There has never been an assault by mountain gorillas on safari in the history of gorilla trekking. Guidelines and policies controlling gorilla trekking exist to bring peace.
Mounting their wrath, mountain gorillas hoot, bang their chests, drag the grass about them, and go into the distant reaches of the woods.
Which accommodations should I reserve for Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda or Uganda?
Gorilla hiking overnight in Uganda or Rwanda uses accommodations rated either in luxury, mid-range, or cheap.
Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Trekker’s Tarvern, Mahogany Springs, Silverback Lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Gorilla Resort, and others comprise Bwindi lodging for gorilla treks.
Mgahinga lodging for gorilla treking: Gahinga Lodge and many more in Kisoro town
Volcanoes accommodations: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Mille Collines, Le Bambou, And Others.
What are Gorilla Trekking Safari’s policies?
Reduce your voice when looking for the mountain gorillas or silence yourself to prevent disturbing the other forest residents.
Before beginning your gorilla trekking journey, wash your shoes and don a fresh mask.
When coughing or sneezing, do it away from the mountain gorillas in a handkerchief or elbow to prevent transferring contagious germs to the very sensitive mountain gorillas.
Once you see mountain gorillas, keep around eight meters away from them. This helps to avoid these primates spreading a communicative infection. Retreat gradually to keep the distance between you and them even as you progress.
If you develop an illness, volunteer to remain behind; spreading it on the mountain gorillas might lead to their great mortality. Mountain gorilla conservation has advanced a great distance.
Try not to spit on ground or on plants mountain gorillas eat. You could spread bacteria to these vulnerable to human infection primitives.
Steer clear of throwing trash on the ground that can change the surroundings where mountain gorilla food thrives.
When you track the mountain gorillas, one hour is allotted. This is so because they are used to remain in human company solely for that period. They then have to go about their lives, apart from human intervention, feeding and grooming included.
During gorilla trekking, keep a small group as they could feel attacked if you surround the mountain gorillas and hide. Primates sensitive like mountain gorillas are themselves.
It is banned to feed mountain gorillas as wild animals have to hunt their food. Hence, it is not recognized dependent on human supply.
Steer clear of inciting the mountain gorillas as, under agitation, your activities can drive them to migrate into the more far-off areas of the jungle.
