Gorilla Safaris : Best place for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary activity that involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is one of the popular activities that attracts big numbers of travelers and it’s done in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Best place for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda is one of the best places for gorilla trekking due to the fact that it’s famously known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern part of Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and its known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas and is a home of about 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors including Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park is only carried out in Rushaga sector and visitors who engage in the habituation experience will be allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze village. Volcanoes national park is a home of about 10 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily.
Gorilla trekking in Congo
Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in two national parks namely Virunga national park which harbors the mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Biega national park which harbors the lowland gorillas. Virunga national park is located in eastern part of democratic republic of Congo and it’s a home of about 8 habituated mountain gorillas while Kahuzi Biega national park is located in eastern part of Congo near Bukavu town and it’s a home of about 5 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less or little rainfall in the gorilla destinations therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to view the mountain gorillas clearly and also the gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes gorilla trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit
A gorilla trekking permit is a document or card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family in either Uganda, Rwanda or Congo and spend one hour with the gorillas. Cost of a gorilla trekking permit vary according to the destination you wish to visit for example a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park Rwanda costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, a gorilla trekking permit in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park costs 400 USD per person for foreign non residents while a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 800 USD per person, 700 USD per person for foreign residents and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or Virunga offices by contacting the head offices through email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking trails can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Discover Africa where you will contact us with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. Once the payment has been made, we will be able to purchase the gorilla trekking permits on your behalf.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo should however be accessed 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and usually get sold out quickly especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February therefore in order to avoid last minute disappointments, you are advised to book in advance.
Gorilla trekking can either be done in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahing gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park or Kahuzi Biega national park depending on your preference as each gorilla destination offers different experiences. For more information about the best place for gorilla trekking, you can contact us or visit our website for various gorilla trekking packages.
Gorilla trekking Uganda verses Rwanda
Only found in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, gorillas are some of the endangered species one has to see before departing earth. With only about 880 gorillas left, trekking them is one of the most sought-after activities around the world and a great source of revenue for the governments and communities of Uganda and Rwanda. Mountain gorilla trekking sites are found around the famous Virunga mountains in the dense forests surrounding them.
Located in East Africa, Uganda is arguably one of the most beautiful countries on the African continent. For her benevolence, she was named the Pearl of Africa by Sir Winston Churchill in 1908. From one of the world’s biggest lakes and source of the longest river, mountains on both the east and western borders, the green scenery and the diverse wildlife, Uganda is surely worth a visit. In the southwestern part of the country is where the homes of the mountain gorillas lie; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park and the Mgahinga National Park.
Both parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga are open for gorilla trekking throughout the year. These two parks host half of the remaining population of mountain gorrillas with 12 habituated families (45% of the whole population) in Bwindi and one family in Mgahinga. Each family comprises of 10 to 40 members headed by the oldest male (silverback) in the group.
Rwanda, arguably the fastest growing country in East Africa and a very beautiful country is a force to reckon with. It is home to Lake Kivu, a lake surrounded by the country’s gentle slopes hence Rwanda being called the country of a thousand hills. The country’s capital Kigali is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, the home to Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. Unlike trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga, trekking in Rwanda is relatively easy and accessible due to the gentle slopes and not so thick forests; It is also a few hours from the capital Kigali.
While looking forward to go Gorilla trekking, it is important to decide which of the two countries will provide an experience you’re looking for. For example, for the physically abled and fit people, gorilla trekking in Uganda would work so well given the rough terrain compared to the gentle terrain of Rwanda. It is a question of budget, comfort and an ultimate experience. At the end of this, you would have made your decision hopefully; Uganda or Rwanda?
The trek.
Taking a trek is physically demanding and as mentioned earlier, it is important to access whether you are physically fit are able. That said, trekking in Rwanda is easily accessible though it’s worth knowing that you’re at a higher altitude which definitely comes with its own effects. Rwanda is definitely a top pick if you’re physically unfit. Trekking in Uganda on the other hand is trickier and involves some level of hiking due to the rough terrain and the mountains. The gorillas in Uganda are hard to track due to their constant movement making the trek longer from half an hour to up to nine hours.
Accessibility
From Kigali, it is a three-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park on the well-maintained roads and it is also possible to fly in by helicopter. Bwindi on the other hand is fairly inaccessible requiring a charter flight from Entebbe followed by 90 to 120 minutes on the road. If you’re big on accessibility, Rwanda will win on this one.
Diversity
Many people prefer combining gorilla trekking with another activity for example bird watching and tracking the big five. Rwanda has limited options being a small country but the development of Akagera National Park with the big five is interesting. Uganda on the other hand has a diversity of wildlife and other activities. Cultural tours of the Batwa in Bwindi, spotting elephants at Murchison falls, tracking tree climbing lions and mountain climbing are some of the activities Uganda has to offer.
Price and accommodation.
Both countries have amazing options when it comes to accommodation. It is really up to you to choose where to stay while trekking and it all comes down to your pockets. The Sabinyo lodge in Rwanda is an excellent option when it comes to affordability and luxury. Uganda’s accommodation is fairly cheaper and luxurious. The Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is an amazing option with spectacular views and affordability.
For the gorilla trekking permit prices, Uganda takes the win. In 2017, the Rwandan government decided to increase the cost of the permit from $800 per trek to $1500 and although Uganda no longer offers discounted permits during low seasons, it has maintained the permit price at $600. If you’re budget conscious, Uganda is definitely the country for gorilla trekking.
