Where to go for gorilla trekking in Africa; Gorilla trekking is an exciting and one of the most popular activities in Africa that attracts big numbers of tourists. Gorilla trekking involves travelers 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

Gorilla trekking destinations in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is one of the most visited gorilla destination in Africa due to the fact that it harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which are found in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district and it’s a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east, Nkuringo sector in the south and Buhoma sector in the north.

Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla destination in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kisoro district and it’s a home of one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi that is available for trekking on a daily basis.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector and tourists who engage in the experience are allowed to spend four hours with the mountain 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 over 11 habituated gorilla families which are open for trekking on a daily basis.

Gorilla trekking in democratic republic of Congo

Gorilla trekking in democratic republic of Congo is done in two national parks that is Virunga national park which harbors the mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Biega national park which harbors the eastern gorillas. Virunga national park is a home of about 8 habituated gorilla families and Kahuzi Biega national park is a home of about 5 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park starts very 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 gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of the mountain gorillas in Africa takes about 30 minutes 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 primates, mammals, different bird species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to watch them fee, play, breastfeed, groom young ones, learn more about their behaviors, habits, take photos and record videos.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo can be done anytime of the year though the best period is during the dry season which is 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 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 which makes trekking difficult.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Africa

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 the gorillas in their habitat. A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes national park 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 while a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 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 Democratic Republic of 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 on your preferred dates and if here are permits available you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will purchase the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf.

What to pack for gorilla trekking safari in Africa

When going for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, there are a number of essential items that you should pack or carry including insect repellent to protect you from biting insects, long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm, hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, garden gloves, warm sweater, energy snacks and drinking water to keep you hydrated, a face mask, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall, camera and extra batteries to take photos during the one hour with the gorillas, a pair of binoculars, walking stick to give you support during trekking, waterproof back pack to carry your trekking items among others.

Gorilla trekking is an extra ordinary activity in Africa that shouldn’t be missed during your safari and for more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book an affordable gorilla trekking safari.