Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the two gorilla safari destinations in Uganda. There are a total of 18 gorilla groups or families, and you are only permitted to track one group every day. The best location or park to watch gorillas in the wild is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which includes 17 gorilla groups. 90 mammal species, including 11 primates and the black-and-white colobus monkey, can be found in the old forest of Bwindi.

Groups for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

With gorilla families, Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kyaguliro, on the Ruhija Trek

Buhoma Trek: Rushegura, Katwe, Mubare, and Habinyanja

Nkuringo Trek: Bushaho Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Christmas Trek: Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Bushigye, Kahungye, Kutu, Bikingi, and Mucunguzi

In Mahinga gorilla national park, you will be position to track the Nyakagezi gorilla family found in  slopes of the Virunga mountains.

Safari with Luxury Gorilla Trekking

The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda offers the most opulent gorilla treks. A 9-day luxury Rwanda safari costs over $ 15,000 when staying in opulent hotels like Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda, yet a gorilla permit is $ 1500 per person. Clouds Lodge, Mahogany Springs, and Gorilla Forest Camp are the best accommodations in Uganda.

African Gorilla Tours on a Budget

Congo and Uganda both have gorilla permits with the lowest prices, each at $450. For Uganda gorilla trips, inexpensive lodging in Bwindi National Park starts at $100 a night. Choose between the Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Bwindi Backpackers Lodge. The most cheap hotel in Rwanda is Hotel Muhabura.

Which nation offers the best chance to see mountain gorillas? Uganda and Rwanda Comparison

Given that they are all forest-dwelling mountain gorillas, this is a very challenging question. Almost the same surroundings. Since Uganda has more wildlife than Rwanda does, comparing the two countries is not a good idea. Along with viewing mountain gorillas, other primate species can be seen in Kibale Forest National Park or at Murchison Falls. Please take aware that the price of gorilla permits in Rwanda has just raised to $1500 per person, while those in Uganda cost USD 700 per person. The permit allows you to spend an hour in a group of eight with mountain gorillas. If the fee seems intimidating, consider the fact that you are helping to protect mountain gorillas and will be rewarded with an hour of close observation and enjoyment of their company as a way of saying “thank you.” Remember that only 80 individuals are permitted to view the gorillas each day in their natural habitat. Every step you take in this forest leaves a trace since their ecosystem is so delicate. In conclusion, the best place to watch gorillas is in Uganda.

How difficult is gorilla trekking?

The number scale for Gorilla Trekking ranges from 50 to 100. Moderate Hike, Moderate Difficulty The most frequent factor affecting the difficulty of gorilla trekking is your level of physical fitness. Others include the outside temperature and the weight of your gear. You may request a troop of gorillas that will march to the beat of your level of fitness. Although gorilla trekking is not very difficult, some people in their 60s and 70s have completed it. A porter is essential. How challenging is the hike then? To start, 60% of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is above 6,600 feet in elevation. The elevation range for the whole park is 3,904 to 8,553 feet. Some of the hills are really steep. The duration varies from two to six hours depending on the gorilla family.

African Gorilla Tours Packing List

hiking boots with waterproofing.

day bag.

pest deterrents.

a lightweight raincoat

Poncho

Camera.

Binoculars,

Bottled water

Boots: hiking boots,

Gloves, old pair of gardening gloves

Long pants or trousers

Energy snacks.

Visitor Guidelines For Gorilla Tracking post covid

Since these apes share 98% of our genes, gorillas could contract the corona virus. Gorillas are susceptible to the flu and other airborne infections, making Covid 19 a serious threat to their life.

Keep your distance from the gorillas at 7 meters.

There is a 15-year minimum age requirement.

You only have one hour to view the gorillas.

The wearing of masks is crucial.

Do not sneeze.

Sanitize while adhering to other SOP rules.

What to expect on a gorilla safari.

Expect to get out of your cozy bed on the morning of your trip and arrive at the briefing location by 7:30am. Following a briefing, eight visitors will be assigned to each of several tracking routes. Set off towards the forest in search of gorillas with the assistance of guides and rangers. You might witness different species of monkeys, butterflies, animals, and much more in the forest. Sometimes the wilderness presents difficulties, therefore being physically fit will be necessary. Be prepared to be sweaty and muddy at the end of the day. It’s alright to take pictures with your camera or iPhone after you see the gorillas, but don’t use flash because the animals might charge.

You will be with these gentle giants for anywhere from forty minutes to an hour. It will be a truly transformative experience. After the hike, return to your lodging or choose to visit a Batwa pygmy community for a cultural experience.

What About The Habituation Experience With Gorillas?

Gorilla habituation is the process of acclimating wild gorillas to people. For three years, gorillas are trained by scientists and park rangers. You can join the group of researchers and park rangers after completing the training. Only four guests are permitted. It is unique due of this. The price of habituating a gorilla is $1500 per person per day. The most thrilling aspect of this encounter is that you directly participate in the habituation of the gorilla!

Getting a gorilla trekking  permit .

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. But the majority of the sold licenses are for Bwindi NP because of the unpredictable behavior of gorillas in Mgahinga. Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs US $ 700. April, May, and November used to cost US $ 450 in previous years. Please be aware that these deals are no longer available. Only 8 individuals are permitted to view a gorilla family on any given day, despite the fact that roughly 72 people visit Bwindi to observe gorillas. The most common error is choosing a gorilla family that is far from your preferred lodging, so we strongly advise you to schedule your gorilla permit with a safari agent! This is an isolated place, thus getting to Bwindi and its many districts might be challenging. To cut costs, you can wind up spending more if you decide to travel on your own on the gorilla trip. This is something that qualified safari guides can assist you with.

Other primates to see on an African safari

In addition to tracking mountain gorillas, you can also see chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park, golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and a variety of other monkey species in Uganda. The best wildlife safaris in Uganda may be had after your gorilla safari by visiting the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and PianUpe Reserve.

National Park in Kibale Forest Chimpanzee chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park 13 different species of primates can be found in Kibale Forest. The usual track for trekking is the Kanyanchu, and it lasts from 8 am to 2 pm. This place also offers chimpanzee habituation experiences. Obtaining a $150 permission is necessary for the tracking of the chimpanzees. The best safari plan is a 3-day trip to Kibale. We advise booking a room at Primates Lodge Kibale.

Gorilla safari in Volcanoes National park

In the Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains, gorilla tracking is done in Rwanda. A permit for gorillas costs $1500. 17 gorilla families live in Rwanda. The Susa group being the best option for our gorilla tours in Rwanda. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the months of late June, July and August. Volcanoes National Park is one of the 8 Virunga Mountains. There are primates found in Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Mgahinga. Other gorillas in Africa are found in Virunga National Park Congo and Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo.

Golden Monkey trekking in Africa

Tracking the Golden Monkey Golden monkeys in Rwanda, Africa The second-best primate trekking activity, right behind chimpanzee tracking, is finding golden monkeys. In the Virunga mountains, in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you can find golden monkeys.

How Do I Dress? Selecting the Correct Clothing

Gear for Gorilla Trekking, If you plan to hike or even climb, wear good walking boots, bundle up for the chilly evenings, and dress for the rain because it gets cold and wet at this height. A thin jacket is a need. It’s vital to have gloves, long sleeves, pants, and knee-high hiking gaiters. For gorilla trekking, you need to pick the best hiking boots. Learn more about the appropriate safari attire to wear while on an African safari, as well as the finest camera and binoculars to bring along.

How Do Gorillas Look? Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Usually Males can reach heights of 6 feet and weights of 350 to 500 pounds, making them twice as big as females. These have long, powerful arms and are sturdy. The reason why the males are known as silverbacks is because as they get older, the hair on their backs begins to resemble silver. Even with the use of steroids, males have ten times the strength of the strongest boxer. Silverbacks have seven-foot-long arms. Because they live in colder climes and higher altitudes than their lowland counterparts, mountain gorillas have longer and darker hair. They have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years.

Although they will occasionally climb a tree if it can support them, mountain gorillas prefer to stay on the ground for the most part. However, just like kids, their young often play in trees. The 98% genetic similarity between gorillas and humans is an amazing number.

The lowlands gorillas of western Africa make up the majority of the gorillas you may have seen in zoos, while the mountain gorillas are actually a subspecies known as Gorilla beringei beringei. These are unique to the wilds of Rwanda’s Virunga mountains within Volcano Park. Visit Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The distance between these parks is only 48 kilometers. While these parks are easily accessible in Uganda and Rwanda, there was a potential hazard to tourists’ lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to rebel activity.