Best place for gorilla trekking in 2024 : gorilla trekking is an exceptional 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 in Africa is done in three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Below are the best place for gorilla trekking in 2024.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Amongst the best place for gorilla trekking in 2024 is Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in south western part of Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituates gorilla family Nyakagezi and Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families that are found in four sectors that is buhoma sector in the north, rushaga sector in the south, nkuringo sector in the south and ruhija sector in the east and all the families are available for trekking daily.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituated experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in the north western part of Rwanda. Volcanoes national park is a home of about 10 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.

Gorilla trekking in Congo

Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in two national park that is Virunga national park which harbours the endangered mountain gorillas and Kahuzi biega national park which harbours the eastern lowland gorillas.

Gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle which takes about 2 to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. Once the gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviours, habits, watch gorillas feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families and spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park cost 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park cost 400 USD per person for foreign non residents and foreign residents while gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park cost 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.

How to book gorilla trekking permits?

Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris 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 and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make payments. 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 booked 2 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.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in 2024

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo 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 because during this time there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery which makes gorilla trekking difficult.

What to pack for gorilla trekking safari?

There are a number of items that you should pack or carry when going on a gorilla trekking safari including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, warm sweater, long cotton socks, energy snacks and drinking water, face masks, camera and extra batteries, a hat and sunglasses, walking stick, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others.

Gorilla trekking is an interesting activity that can be done in any destination that is Uganda, Rwanda or Congo depending on your preference as each destination offers a different experience. For more information, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safari.