Things to consider when booking a solo gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Solo gorilla trekking allows you time to savor that moment with the mountain gorillas as an individual free from concern about where your travel buddy may have been assigned. You go for a briefing at the ranger station before gorilla trekking; then, according on age, fitness, and other factors, you are allocated the various gorilla families. Therefore, even if you go with someone, you might be assigned different families.
Why Go Gorilla Trekking Alone?
Though you should trust the locations where you are going to go gorilla trekking as they are secure, going gorilla trekking as a solitary visitor brings conflicting emotions, particularly if you are a first-time visitor. Though the complexity of getting the gorilla permits deters many, some save their hard-earned money for some time to enjoy the gorilla trekking experience.
Use your gorilla permit if you have the time and money to support your trip plans after you have bought it. A once-in-a-lifetime event, gorilla trekking calls for full utilization of whatever opportunity presented. Gorilla licenses for conservation purposes only allow eight visitors per gorilla family.
Given the vagrancy of the rangers and other security agencies in every nation to maintain peace and order in this region, the gorilla trekking destinations—especially Uganda and Rwanda—are secure.
You also have to pay attention to personal safety by not entering the forest without an accompanying ranger guide, avoiding counting big quantities of money in public, keep up with the rest of the party while gorilla trekking so that you are not lost in the jungle and other personal safety precautions.
When may I schedule a gorilla permit as a solo visitor?
To avoid the last-minute trouble of getting your gorilla permit, you have to arrange it in advance. The great demand globally drives the gorilla permits out quickly. Furthermore, since first come, first served principle is followed, hence no permit is reserved without payment.
Though gorilla trekking is an all-year-round activity, particularly for high season permits, it is advisable to reserve your permit at least six months to one year ahead. Though their availability is limited, gorilla permits are highly sought after in June through September and December through January.
Though this is not certain, last-minute gorilla trekking permits might be found in the low season, that is, March through May or November. It also restricts your choices of prospective services from which to draw.
Can I Change My Gorilla Permit Date?
Based on policies of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board, chances of postponing your gorilla permit exist.
About your want to reschedule your gorilla permit, the date you wish to reschedule too, and the cause for rescheduling, you must write to these authorities in advance. Attach any standing proof you have too as supporting documentation.
Should Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority contact you with a good response, our safari consultant must verify availability per your preferred dates.
Your gorilla permission will be changed later as asked.
For those buying your gorilla permit in installments, make sure your permit is fully paid for. Rwanda and Uganda provide chances for buying the gorilla permit payment; that is, 30% and 70%. This does, however, apply before the day of trekking and you have to top up completely ninety days before the date of the trip.
What lodging should one book for Gorilla Trekking?
Rwanda has a selection of reasonably priced, mid-range or luxury lodging around the park.
Among the Rwanda Gorilla safari lodging are Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Lebambo, and others. You may also spend overnight in Kigali city, but you have to there somewhat early to meet up with the ORTPN briefing time.
The park is large, hence lodging in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda is scheduled based on the region. It was split thus into four sections: the Ruhija region in the east, the Rushaga area in the south, the Buhoma area in the south, and the Nkuringo area.
Although the gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are bought based on the region, the driving time from one place to another is somewhat considerable. Should you get a gorilla permit for another location, you may have to get up early to travel in the dark in order to meet a briefing. You can find yourself caught on the road, so this is a dangerous endeavor.
Among the many lodging facilities in Bwindi Impenetrable national park are Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Resort, Lake Kitandara Campsite, Gorilla safari camp, Silverback Lodge, and others.
Mgahinga National area in Uganda’s lodging still has to be developed as the area is little frequented. While some hotels are located in Kisoro town, others are Gahinga Lodge.
Which Nation Would be Ideal for Solo Tourists Doing Gorilla Trekking
Whether you are gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, that moment when you are directly facing the mountain gorillas helps you forget everything you could have gone through in getting ready for this safari.
Through gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda, you may choose which nation individually appeals to you. The two nations have a about six to seven hour time difference. You may therefore go gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Furthermore helping one to distinguish Uganda from Rwanda gorilla trekking is:
Whereas the Uganda gorilla permit is $800 per person per trip, the gorilla permit fee for Rwanda is $1500 per person. One hour with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide costs, gorilla fund support, security, etc. counts here. The gorilla permit fees exclude beverages, tipping, transportation, and any other personal item.
Though the longest path is tarmacked, the drive from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park is around three hours on serpentine roads. Especially in the rural areas, the travel from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park takes eight to nine hours on sandy roads.
Game drives, chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, and other activities abound in Uganda gorilla trekking that may be combined to cut the journey. Conversely, Rwanda gorilla trekking is rare; other safari choices to mix with it include wildlife drives in Akagera National Park and chimpanzee treking in Nyungwe National Park.
While Rwanda has 15 gorilla families accessible for public booking, Uganda has 19 gorilla families fit for gorilla treking.
How many days could I spend on Gorilla Trekking Safari alone?
You have to list the days you want to be on your gorilla trekking expedition. While in Rwanda the lowest number of days you may go on safari is two days gorilla trekking, in Uganda three gorilla trekking is the minimum number of days.
If you would like to spend more time with the mountain gorillas or choose gorilla habituation in Uganda, which takes four hours with the gorillas, double gorilla journey in case of either. These are semi-habituated mountain gorillas, nevertheless, whose attitude swings at any moment; so, you should be more compliant to gorilla trekking guidelines.
Ten days of gorilla, chimpanzee, trekking and wildlife safari; five days of gorilla, chimpanzee, trekking; ten days of gorilla, chimpanzee, trekking; so much more.
Which Safari Package Should I Select for a Solo Travel?
Budget, mid-range, or luxury packages define the gorilla trekking safaris. Every plan includes and excludes depending on the client’s demands. Knowing your budget will help you to choose a gorilla trekking program by means of appropriate expenditure.
You also have to decide whatever kind of transportation you want to use to reach the road or air transportation hubs. Since the planes do not land in the National Parks, make sure you get a transfer car from the airport where they arrive to the lodges. These all have to be booked ahead of time.
How To Get Ready For Solo Tourist Gorilla Trekking
To remain fit, make sure you do some easy workouts. Trekking in gorillas is an exciting hobby wherein one walks over the forest. Because of volcanic activity, this region has highlands covering its terrain. You have to be healthy enough to follow the mountain gorillas wherever they may be since even the time you may spend tracking them is still under dispute.
Plan your overseas flights so that, when you have to go into Africa, you won’t have to rush at last-minute. Though each gorilla permit is only useful up to the day it is booked, the date of gorilla trekking has yet to be changed at last-minute.
Your odds of not engaging in this experience are great if you miss your flight and have no additional days for the gorilla trip. We so advise our customers to buy their foreign tickets early on. Before beginning the gorilla trip safari, one should spend at least a day in either Uganda or Rwanda.
What should I bring for Gorilla Trekking? Safari Alone Travel
a camera for pictures of your visit with the mountain gorillas. This is a once-in- a lifetime event with memories worth treasured and revisited later.
Garden gloves shield your palms from hard wilderness conditions.
Insect repellent to ward off possibly harmful stinging insects.
Raincoat as this place gets rain any time of the day and should it rain without notice.
Warm clothes can help you stay warm whatever time it rains, early morning or late afternoon.
Organize your stuff in a backpack so it won’t be strewn in the woods or damp from the weather.
Torch to illuminate should solar lights turn out at night.
If your wilderness wandering makes you thirsty, pack a water bottle with drinking water.
bring with your stuff a Duffel bag. It has to be light enough to carry should you find no help.
Safari boots must be comfortable enough to walk over the occasionally muddy and damp jungle; they are meant for use in the wilderness.
Safari cap to guard your hair from leaf drops of water.
Snacks to chew on while searching for the mountain gorillas on trail. The path is lengthy, so breakfast should be consumed first to last the whole trip.
Extra fully charged batteries to replace those running low in case one
Bug spray should your room have any.
Products your skin finds pleasant for toiletries. Some lodges provide them, but what is given might irritate someone with sensitive skin. Bring your own to prevent anything that will rob you of your enjoyment of gorilla treking.
First aid kit including Items fit for emergency care should you get injuries in the woods.
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