Gorilla Trekking
In Rwanda and Uganda From Australia

COMPARING GORILLA SAFARIS OF UGANDA AND RWANDA, HOW TO CHOOSE TREK ?

There are two main things to be mindful of when booking a safari to trek gorillas: the cost of the permit as well as the overall cost of this tour. All governments necessitate that everyone acquires a gorilla trekking permit. The standard price for the Uganda gorilla tour permit costs $700 USD. Rwanda increased its gorilla permit cost to $1500 USD.

GORILLA TOURS IN UGANDA OR RWANDA? FIND WHICH COUNTRY OFFERS THE BEST GORILLA SAFARI IN AFRICA

There are about 720 mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world Africa and half of these live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda. For that reason, its important to choose Uganda. Compare Uganda and Rwanda in detail.

THE GORILLA SAFARI EXPERIENCE, WHAT TO EXPECT.

It takes the whole day to drive from the capital Kampala to the distant Bwindi National Park, having a stopover at the equator. Basing on the group that your permit is allocated to, you will go to one of 4 areas on the outskirts of the national park that include: Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, or Ruhija. We reached in Nkuringo on the southwestern border of the park.
There you will spend the night, and then the following morning you will set out for gorilla watching! by dawn you are awake and then start on the journey to the park, reaching at the outpost by 7:45am. A quick briefing and then set out drove deep into this Ugandan gorilla tours sanctuary, where we will be orientated and provided with a number of rules include on that says that gorillas may approach you however you can’t approach the mountain gorillas. (Do not touch wild animals!) Following the orientation, along with the park rangers you will begin gorilla trek in the jungle.
Gorilla Tours may take anything between an hour to five hours and this will depend on the movement of these gorillas. They are pretty mobile animals which continuously move about. As soon as the rangers find the gorillas, you will be them for one hour as you observe them, interacting with each other before you return to your hotel. (in case you opt for a longer tour, you can decide to trek another gorilla group the following day)

I cannot explain in words how fascinating it is to stand only inches from these amazing creatures. The Uganda gorillas, particularly the silverbacks, are unbelievably strong and can easily injure a person in just seconds. However, they didn’t fear us; they would walk right up to us in case you were in their way. (Tip: always move out of their way!)

WHAT FITNESS LEVEL IS REQUIRED?

Different families require different times, some gorilla families are easier to take, if you are not very fit, or facing old age, the Rushegura Gorilla family is the one you must insist on with your tour operator or safari company. For most of the families, you may need to workout before you can take a more challenging family trek. But this should not worry you, its not mountaineering ! At the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point you shall receive free, walking poles or sticks. Our safari guide will give you enough water to help you during your Gorilla tours.

WHAT TO EAT DURING THE GORILLA TREK?

As you have an early heavy breakfast before your trek, the lodge or accommodation will provide you with packed lunch, usually light snacks. They should be enough for your trip up the Bwindi forest.

CHARITY AFTER GORILLA SEEING?

Its always good to give charity to orphans, there are various NGOs and CBOs in Bwindi area that are more than happy to receive aid in any form, from clothes to money, sponsorship, voluntary health treatment, building and construction and so much more. Please contact us for more information about volunteering after your gorilla watching experience. In Rwanda you can include Dian Fossey Trek after visiting the mountain gorillas.

GORILLA TOURS WITH KIDS?

Children below 15 years are not allowed on a gorilla safaris. Some tour operators will convince you that they can forge a way of letting your child in as long as he looks huge and physical enough. Do not be deceived into this since UWA will consider the passport which indicates the birth date of the Child.

CLOTHING AND WHAT TO WEAR?

This is one of the most frequent asked questions. Your list of Gorilla hiking gear should have trekking boots or shoes that can handle slippery mud, because it rains every now and then in the forest. You need a rain jacket, long sleeved shirt and gloves.

 More on FAQs on gorillas

Combine Your Gorilla Trek With Other African Safari Destinations

Uganda Safari

Uganda is one of the most visited safari destination in Africa. Its the only country with the big six animals. The lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant and gorilla. It has the spectacular Murchison Falls, the River Nile, white water rafting and so much more.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

See the tree climbing lions of Uganda, a launch cruise on Kazinga channel as you view elephants, hippos, crocodiles and more.

Murchison Falls National Park

Visit the magnificent Murchison Falls, see the giraffe, lions, elephants, take a cruise to the top of the falls, visit the chimpanzee of Budongo forest.

Kibale Forest National Park

chimpanzee tracking ; highest concentration of chimps in the world. View other primates such as colubus monkey, baboons and more.

Rwanda Safari

A land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is famous for gorilla tracking but has other parks that even help to reduce the cost of gorilla permits.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chimpanzee tracking, birdwatching, canopy walk and more.

Akagera National Park

Wildlife viewing of lions, elephants, zebras and more.

Gishwati Mukura National Park

chimpanzee safaris and birding in Rwanda.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Cost

Gorilla trekking permit Uganda

A gorilla safari permit costs $ US 700 per person per trek and it can be purchased at Uganda Wildlife Authority. There are different gorilla families so make sure that the permit reserved is close to you safari lodge or accommodation.

Gorilla Trekking Permit Rwanda

At Insight Safari Holidays, we help you purchase your gorilla permit hustle free. In addition, we offer safari packages ranging from 3 day gorilla treks to several days. Its important to book your permit in advance so as to avoid missing out especially during the peak season.

Gorilla Conservation

The Endangered Mountain Gorillas have attracted a lot of attention during the past years with quite a number of international and local organisations to help protect and conserve these apes. By visiting these gorillas, you directly contribute to the conservation efforts.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

About half of the world’s mountain gorillas live in Uganda, making gorilla trekking there one of the most amazing wildlife experiences in Africa.

It is possible to spend up to an hour with gorillas on a standard gorilla hike in their native habitat.
Gently introducing gorillas to humans, a procedure that takes between two and five years, has made this possible.
Achieving this goal is critical to the ongoing study, treatment, and protection of gorillas.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s rangers and conservationists are looking for volunteers who want to get more involved in the protection and understanding of these gentle giants.
Habituation treks allow you to spend up to four amazing hours with these incredibly intelligent and emotional animals.

It’s a profoundly moving experience, and it’s essential to the gorillas’ survival that visitors become accustomed to it.

Other African Safari Activities Alongside Gorilla Tours

Golden Monkey Tracking

The Virunga Volcanoes, which are shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are home to the Golden Monkey, a beautiful and rare monkey.
In Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in the southwest of the country, visitors can go on a hike with a golden monkey.

Due to its location in the mountains and the fact that the monkeys are always moving, Golden monkey trekking is a more energetic excursion than Chimpanzee or gorilla trekking in some circumstances.
This preference is because they enjoy eating bamboo shoots that are still green and tender.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Over 120 habituated chimps and 1400 in the jungle live in Kibale National Park, the world’s primate capital.
About 95 percent of the time, you’ll find chimpanzees when trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking is available twice a day, with the morning session beginning at 7 a.m. and the afternoon session beginning at 12 p.m., with as many as six groups of six individuals each day.
Primates in the forest include the black & white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, and baboons, among other species.

More than 300 chimpanzees live in the Kalinzu forest, which is home to roughly 40 of them.
In addition to chimpanzee trekking, roughly 60% of trekkers see chimpanzees while out in the wild.
While on this chimpanzee trekking safari, take in the stunning surroundings and gurgling streams.
This is a strenuous hike that necessitates a high degree of physical fitness.

Chimp hiking in the Budongo forest in the Kaniyo Pabidi region of Murchison Falls National Park is a pleasant adventure. ‘
Chimpanzees are the most populous in the jungle, but just a handful are used to tourists.
In contrast to Kibale, where permits must be reserved in advance, you can notify park authorities in Kaniyo Pabidi the day before your monkey hike.

Wildlife Safaris

There is a lot to see and do in Uganda when it comes to wildlife.
On a Uganda wildlife tour, you’ll be able to see more than just the big five.
In Uganda’s ten national parks and game reserves, you may see all of this spectacular species up close.
There are lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, hyenas, rhinos, and many more animals to see on these safaris.

Wild animal populations have grown and extinct ones like the white rhino have been brought back to life by the efforts of wildlife authorities.
Wildlife safaris to these top destinations are available through Steadfast safaris.
There are safaris for lone travelers, couples, families, and large groups.
Safaris to the most popular safari locations are available at a range of price points.