Best place for gorilla trekking in Africa; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional and one of the most famous activity that attracts big number of tourists to travel to Africa. gorilla trekking activity involves travellers 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 environment. Gorilla trekking in Africa is done in three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Best place for gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is one of the best places for gorilla trekking in Africa due to the fact that it harbours the highest number of mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks that is 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 habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi and Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 21 habituated gorilla families which are found in 4 sectors namely buhoma sector in the north, nkuringo sector in the south, ruhija sector in the east and rushaga sector in the south.

Uganda also offers the adventurous gorilla trekking experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is only carried out in rushaga sector in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and visitors who engage in the habituation process will be allowed to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is another best place for gorilla trekking in Africa and trekking is done in Volcanoes national park which is located in the north western part of Rwanda in musanze village. Volcanoes national park is a home of over 10 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily hence making it one of best place for gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo  

Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo is done in two national parks namely Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park. Virunga national park is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families including Kabirizi family, Mapuwa family, Rugendo family, Bageni family, Lulengo family, Munyaga family, Humba family and Nyakamwe family which are available for trekking on a daily basis while Kahuzi biega national park is a home of 5 habituated gorilla families which are open for trekking daily including Mpungwe family, Bonnani family, Chimanuka family, Nganwa family and Mugahuka family.

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 and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is conversant with different gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Africa takes about 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviours, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo can be done all year round 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 period there is less or little rainfall in the park therefore access roads and 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 make gorilla trekking difficult.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Africa

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Africa defer depending on the destination that you wish to visit for example gorilla trekking permits in volcanoes national park in Rwanda cost 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park and Kahuzi biega national park in Congo cost 400 USD for foreign non residents and foreign residents while gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda 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.

What to pack for gorilla trekking safari in Africa

When going for gorilla trekking safari in Africa, there are a number of items that you should pack or carry including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket/ poncho, camera and extra batteries, warm sweater, face masks, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, energy snacks and drinking water, walking stick, back pack among others.

Gorilla trekking in Africa can either be done in Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo depending on your preference as all the destinations offer interesting and breath taking experiences. For more information about the best place for gorilla trekking in Africa, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various gorilla trekking packages.