Gorilla Trekking

How many Gorilla species trekked in the wild?

There are two Gorilla species trekked. Lowland Gorillas and Mountain Gorillas, however, Mountain Gorillas are rare and mostly trekked.

Where can I find mountain Gorillas?

Mountain Gorillas are found in Uganda and Virunga region. Mountain Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park- both in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Where can we trek Lowland Gorillas from?

You can trek lowland gorillas from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.

How much is a mountain Gorilla trekking permit?

In Rwanda, a gorilla permit cost US$1500, in the Democratic Republic of Congo it costs US$400 and in Uganda, the gorilla permit cost US$700

How many Habituated Gorilla families are in Uganda?

Based on Uganda Wildlife Authority information, Uganda has 20 habituated gorilla groups that are ready for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

How many habituated gorilla groups are in Rwanda?

Rwanda is known for protecting 10 habituated gorilla families found in Volcanoes National Park.

How can we access Gorilla parks in Uganda?

Uganda’s Gorilla parks include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park: You can reach BINP from Kigali Airport in Rwanda or Entebbe Airport in Uganda.  It’s an 8-9hrs drive from Entebbe/ Kampala and a 3-4hrs drive from Rwanda.

The Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters by road via the Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro.

From Kampala, you can access the park:

Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma, Kampala- Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma, Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo.

Mgahinga National Park is easily reached from Kigali Airport / Kigali city.  You can drive for 3-4hrs through Katuna or Kyanika border. From Entebbe Airport, you drive for 8-9hrs via Masaka- Mbarara – Kabale -Kisoro.

How is gorilla trekking conducted?

Gorilla trekking takes place in the morning. It begins with a briefing and then guests are grouped into 8 people to meet each Gorilla family. The time spent in the forests while searching for gorillas depends on their movement but takes approximately 2-6hrs but sometimes takes a full day.

What are the chances of meeting Gorillas?

The chances are high as long as you are ready to face all the challenges involved in gorilla trekking. However, In Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the chances are 99%.

How can I get a gorilla trekking permit?

You can book your gorilla permit through tour operators or direct booking from head offices of Gorilla parks via email or physically. In Uganda, you can get your Gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, In Rwanda from the Rwanda Development Board, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo from the Virunga Park offices in Goma town.

How can I book a simple Gorilla trek in Uganda?

Rushaga sector and Buhoma sector offer a simple trek because of the simple terrain and require less energy. The most strenuous Gorilla safari is in the Ruhija and Buhoma sectors where you need a high level of fitness.

What are the SOPs governing Gorilla trekking?

All guests must undergo a COVID-19 test before being allowed to meet Gorillas. Alternatively, guests can get vaccinated. Wash hands with clean water and soap, sanitize, and put on a mask.

What is the age limit for Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC?

Persons of 15 years and above are the only ones allowed to trek Gorillas. Anyone below 15 years can only trek gorillas in Uganda under special permission.

Gorilla trekking packing list for a gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC

Hiking shoes, Long sleeved trousers, shirts, a cap, cameras with extra batteries, Rain Jackets, Garden gloves, energy-giving snacks, and so on.

Gorilla trekking gears are equipment that one needs when going gorilla trekking.

Long trousers and long t-shirts/blouses

These help in the protection against the harsh and strong branches while hiking through the forests which can scratch the bodies.

Hiking boots

The hiking trails can be slippery especially when it rains so the boots are more comfortable compared to sandals and normal shoes during hiking.

Gardening gloves

They help travelers during hiking in the thick forests with small and no trails at all to support themselves on the branches and vines to prevent them from scratching their hands and also protect them from insect bites.

Rain jacket

On your gorilla trekking tour, you cannot miss having a rain jacket due to the weather changes and protect yourself from the rain in case it does.

Wear a hat

A hat helps to protect you from the rain and direct sunlight on your head and arouse the neck. You can also buy it from craft shops around as you go for your trek to support the local community.

Wear enough insect repellent

Wear enough insect repellent as you go for your gorilla trekking experience since you pass through the forests with mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and many insects that you meet.

Warm sweater/cardigan

In the gorilla trekking, national parks temperatures tend to be cooler especially in the morning when you set out for your gorilla trek and evening, so you carry a warm sweater with you to cover up.

Cameras and extra lenses

Carry cameras and extra lenses for photography and videos and take every moment with the primates as memories when you go back to your country and share them with other family members.

Extra batteries

Take extra batteries with you for your cameras so as not to miss pictures and videos of the mountain gorillas when your camera runs out of battery.

Binoculars

These will help while hiking to meet the mountain gorillas, and through the forests to view different species of birds, especially for birders and birds that are far from you and other wild animals.