No tour of East Africa is complete without the famous mountain gorilla trekking. Mountain gorilla population is one of East Africa’s greatest tourist attractions and can only be found in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. No other wildlife encounter in Africa matches the astounding experience of spending time face-to-face with mountain gorillas. The fact that mountain gorillas as a species are on the brink of extinction and treks are a highly restricted activity, encountering those amazing creatures is considered an once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. A new census reveals the surviving mountain gorilla population has now risen above 1,000 (25% of increase since 2010), wildlife authorities said. Thanks to Conservation Efforts supported in large part by Gorilla Tourism and Permit Revenue.
When to go gorilla trekking
Gorilla can be visited throughout the year. The hiking itself can be more strenuous in the rainy seasons from late March – May and in November, With a tropical climate at an altitude of 2500m-4500m, it can rain at any time of the year. The most popular times for gorilla tracking are during the drier months, between December and February, and from about June to mid-September. Gorillas Tracking in Rwanda and in Uganda are safe and secure; there have no issues with insecurity in either country.
How to Book Your Gorilla Trekking Permit
When planning to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo, a gorilla permits is a must. It is very required for you to first book your gorilla permit ahead of your actual tracking date. With increased numbers of visitors going gorilla trekking in Africa, there is high competition to acquire gorilla permits. Visitors planning to go trekking are advised to book and secure their gorilla permits at least 3 months prior to travel dates to guarantee date of interest. The way to avoid hearing that Permits are sold out is simple, gorilla Permits for Uganda and Rwanda are best booked through only registered tour operators.
Price of a Gorilla Permit
In order to limit the number of visitors and create sustainability of the activity, Gorilla permits are more expensive than any other wildlife. These gorilla permits help in limiting the number of people trekking the gorillas in order to limit stress on these apes and on their habitat that may result in their change of behavior.
Rwanda
- $1500 – Non Residents, East African Residents, East African Citizens, Rwandan Residents, Rwandan Citizens
- 30% Discount (US$ 1,050) on gorilla permits if visiting other Rwanda national parks (Akagera national park, Nyungwe national park) for 3 days and more during the low season of November May
- 15% discount (US$ 1,275) on conference guests who stay pre & post MICE events to see gorillas.
- $15,000 for Private gorilla trekking of an entire group with an exclusive personalized tour guide service.
- S$ 30,000 for a minimum of 3 visitors for 3 consecutive days (Behind the scenes)
Uganda
- $ 600 Non Residents 500, East African Residents, 250,000 Ugx East African Citizens
- Gorilla Habituation experience $1,500 Non Residents, $1000 East African Residents, 750,000 Ugx East Africa Citizens
DRC
- $400 Non Resident(Not open until 2019)
Gorilla Trekking Regulation
Before you visit
Do not visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness.
Maximum number of visitors is 8 people per gorilla family
While with Gorilla
Maintain a 7m (21ft) distance from the gorilla
Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the trek
If you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the gorilla, as they can catch coughs and colds from humans
Visitors are limited to one hour per group per day
Do not use flash photography
Please note: You must be over 15 years of age to obtain a gorilla permit.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
12 families of mountain gorilla in Rwanda and 15 in Uganda has been habituated and only 8 tourist booked permit per group per day are allowed. Eасh group visits a different hаbituаtеd gorilla family. Hikes in the mountains can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours + depending on the family allocated to your group and their location. Accompanied by a highly trained guide and the national park rangers, уоu’ll trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcano notational park in search of mountain gorilla, once you find them You’re most likely to enjoy the closer view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in delightfully playful display, It’s truly is a lifetime experience that should be on the top of many people’s bucket lists. The ascendant can take just as long.
Trekking Gear
Long sleeved blouse/trousers: Some vegetation may be prickly, and covering up your arms and legs will save you from scratches and bugs. Please ensure that you tack in your trousers in your hiking boots to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers. Khaki, green or brown colors are preferable. Just dress comfortably and blend as much as possible.
- Hiking boots: Because of the nature of the forest plus the altitude and terrain, you need light weight hiking boots.
- Rain jacket: rain is received throughout the whole year. You will never tell when it is going to rain so you need a rain jacket in order to be protected from rain.
- Garden gloves: You will be required gloves to protect your hands during your gorilla trek. As you move in the forest, it can get slippery and you might need to hold on something just in case such happens or just you’ll like to grab onto plants and branches for support without worrying about hurting their hands.
- Camera: Photography is an important component of your safari. Make sure to have your camera ready and if necessary, carry extra batteries and a waterproof bag to keep it in, just in case it rains.
- A First Aid Kit: include items such as rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops, Insect repellent with DEET for best protection and personal medication.
- Energy giving snacks: Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. To add on that, we advise that you carry some energy giving snacks as supplements.
- Backpack bag: Have a small backpack as it is useful to carry your water and snacks, packed lunch, camera and binoculars, all your essentials and goodies in
Avoid the ‘”I wish I had hired a porter to free me up for the trek and a Walking Stick to steady myself along the steep paths while gorilla trekking” Porters are available to help carry backpacks and cameras on your hike which can be hard work and Walking. Also Stick to steady yourself along the steep paths while gorilla trekking can be hired at the national park’s gate, We always advice our client to take one.
Gorilla Conservation
Gorilla tourism has created jobs for the community staying around the national parks such as guides, rangers, cultural entertainers, crafts and the porters among whom were ex poachers.
Mountain gorilla tourism is undeniably successful conservation story both for the critical endangered species and local community living around Volcanoes National Park. Revenue from purchase of gorilla permits is used to run conservation projects in Volcanoes National Park buy gorilla medications and pay gorilla doctors. The 10% of it goes to the local communities surrounding the park and the rest to the maintenance of the infrastructure in and around the national park.
With a purchase of a gorilla trekking permit, you are helping save the critically endangered gorilla species.
For more information and booking email us: [email protected]