A chance to have a moment with the gorillas is a lifetime experience that can’t just be had elsewhere. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is a shining example of all other African safari adventures.
Taking a gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda parks can be quite intimidating when you’re not prepared for this great moment. So, one needs to follow certain guidelines before you bump into the forest to initiate a look for the giants.
Uganda and Rwanda host the largest populations of mountain gorillas. The two countries are represented by three gorilla parks, which are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts the largest number of mountain gorillas in the jungle.
Below are things to always consider when planning for a gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda.
Choose the country to trek from
What kind of gorilla experience would you need? The trekking experience of gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is different; in Uganda, the gorilla’s dwell in the thick forests, while in Rwanda, they stay in the lowlands. Trekking from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about going into the highlands to search for the gorillas.
Book your gorilla trek in advance
Gorilla trekking can only proceed after securing a permit, which guides how to arrange the trip. It should be at least 3 months before your trekking date, and it will help you locate your accommodation after knowing the trekking trail and sector.
Reserving a gorilla permit
Permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board, and in Uganda, permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. To book your permit, you need to use a licensed tour operator. So, you can contact a reliable tour operator to get you a gorilla permit. Operators will check and advise you on the availability of the permits, giving you the opportunity to make a decision on your own.
After buying the gorilla permits, permits are booked through the registered tour operators on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to organize for the permit in advance to avoid a shortage of gorilla permits. There is a probability of you booking a Uganda gorilla permit; however, it’s always better to use a tour operator since the Uganda Wildlife Authority is so slow at returning phone calls and responding to emails.
Accommodation and transport
When you decide which side of Bwindi to trek, it’s better to ask for advice from the operators since they know better which side will suit your interests. Now it’s time to book your accommodations and transportation. You can let your tour operator know the level of accommodation options in all regions of the park, so it’s up to you to choose budget, moderate, or high-end.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations
These are endangered species, and according to the 2013 census, only 880 individuals remain in the world. Your visit to these primates should not reduce their numbers but instead increase them. Your tour operator should send you gorilla trekking rules and regulations and explain how you must conduct yourself while with the mountain gorillas.
What to pack for your gorilla trek
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi live in thick forests and in an area that is dominated by steep hills, and because of the breadth and terrain of the forest, you need to prepare what to wear. You will need hiking boots, long-sleeved trousers and shirts, gloves, long stocks, insect repellent, a camera, a hut, sun glasses, and energy-giving foods.
The best time to trek the mountain gorillas
Get to know the best time to go gorilla trek in Uganda and Rwanda. These apes can be trekked throughout the whole year; in the drier months of June, July, August, and September, there is little rain, so they tend not to be hard since the trails will not be so slippery. The months of April, May, and November are the wettest months, and clients avoid them.
Gorilla on-trekking support
Before enrolling in the forest, ensure to have a trekking walking stick that will help you trek through steep slopes. The walking sticks are offered by most lodges, and in case the lodge doesn’t provide them, the porters can offer them at a cost of $10 to $15. In case you have a less fit client, we advise that you take a porter with you who will give you a push or a pull when the going gets tough. These can carry your pack and stay with you throughout the trek. Porters can be very helpful, which is why we have included them in our 11 Practical Tips for Planning a Gorilla Trekking Safari.
If one can’t afford to walk through the gorillas and come back, there is a provision of porters who can carry you through the rough forests to watch the gorillas and bring you back. In this case, elderly people over 80 have trekked through the forest and watched the gorillas. Porters to carry you cost $300 for the full trek.
What is all about gorilla trekking?
The gorilla trekking process starts with you waking up, getting dressed, and hurrying to the trekking point for the briefing. This stage is for trekkers who have already secured their permits. Always make sure you have everything you will need for your gorilla trek. After breakfast, and mostly depending on the facility where you spent a night, you might drive or walk to the pack headquarters for registration and allocation of gorilla families, depending on your well being and your bodily fitness. Some of the lodges are closer to the park headquarters than others, so always take care of this before making a decision.
Get divided into groups of eight to trek a single habituate gorilla family; each group is assigned to an armed ranger guide who leads the gorillas. Take a walk to the starting point, as each gorilla family has several starting points depending on its movements within its territory.
From the starting point, the trek can last for 30 minutes to 6 hours, and once you see these gorillas, you will be given one hour to spend with them as you take photos before returning to the park headquarters. At the headquarters, each one of you will be given a certificate of recognition for your contribution to the conservation of the gorillas.