What is a gorilla trekking certificate; A gorilla trekking certificate is a document that is issued by either Uganda wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board or Virunga Authority to tourists after trekking the mountain gorillas indicating the gorilla destination or national park you trekked from, the date when you trekked and the gorilla family you visited. Gorilla trekking is an adventurous 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 carried out in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park, in Rwanda gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes national park while in Congo gorilla trekking is done in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park.

Gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, tourists 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 well conversant with the gorilla trekking trails in the jungle. Trekking of mountain gorillas takes about 2 hours 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 able to view other primate species, birds, plants, colorful butterflies among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home.

Gorilla trekking permits

Gorilla trekking permits are legal cards/documents that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated mountain gorillas and spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking permits in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Congo cost 400 USD per person for all nationalities, gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda cost 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities 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.

How to book gorilla trekking permits

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo 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 permit available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation. When booking gorilla trekking permits through Achieve Global Safaris, we will not purchase permits on your behalf but also organize your entire gorilla trekking safari which involves transportation to the national park, accommodation, full time driver guide, other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking and other destinations to combine with gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking permits should however be booked 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 to avoid last minute disappointments you are advised to book in advance.

What to pack/carry for your gorilla trekking safari

There are a wide range of items to carry when going for gorilla trekking including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, back pack among others.

Best time to go gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery.

In order to receive a gorilla trekking certificate you can book an all-inclusive gorilla trekking safari package in either Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park or Kahuzi Biega national park depending on your preference.