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Gorilla trekking guide line, helps the clients to have an information about on Mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas can only be seen in three of the east African countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, gorillas are endangered species and they are being reserved in national parks in these countries. For any traveler taking part in gorilla trekking, can visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga national park both located in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in the DR. Congo.
During the 2018 gorilla census, the total population of gorillas show that the number of gorillas is greatly improving day by day from 880- 1004 gorillas in all the three countries in Africa. With Bwindi national park having over half of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. Thus, making Uganda one of the leading tourism destination for gorilla trekking. In Uganda, gorillas are also found in Mgahinga national park also located in the southwestern region, this park offers both gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking. the park lies in the boarder with the volcanoes national park and Virunga national park in Congo. Travelers to Mgahinga national park, can access the park through Kisoro district in Uganda along the south western part of Kampala the capital of Uganda
Are mountain gorillas related to humans-gorilla trekking guide?
The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% and its known to be and the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and baboons. Gorillas’ natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forests in Sub-Saharan Africa.
When and where to go for mountain gorilla tracking?
Travelers visiting Uganda, can go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park both located in southwestern region of Uganda, Rwanda gorillas are trekked at the volcanoes national park south of Rwanda and in DR.Congo, you can trek the gorillas in the Virunga national park located in the north Kivu. Therefore, it’s up to the travelers to choose which country among the tree countries to go for gorilla trekking.
Are mountain gorillas independent or they live in family or groups like humans?
Just like humans, many primates also live in groups/ families with each other, the family is always led by dominate silverback (male gorilla) to see the gorillas, visitors only visit the habituated gorilla families from their natural habitat. Travelers taking park in this experience are recommended to show a gorilla permit, document that allows them to visit the gorillas in the forest.
How to get to Africa for mountain gorilla trekking
Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park are found in Uganda, both parks can be accessed by either road or air transport, by road, the journey can start from Entebbe which is the popular entry point in Uganda or Kampala the capital city of Uganda and the drive time takes about 8-9hours on a good road.
The other alternative is the domesticated chattered flights offering chattered flights to Bwindi or Mgahinga national park. For the travelers who are not used to travelling for long distance, this alternative would be best for you the flight can be arranged from Entebbe or Kajjansi air strip and landing at Kisoro or kihihi airstrip then you transfer to the park.
Habituated gorilla families in Uganda
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, currently has the highest number of gorilla habituated families in Africa. 17 gorilla families are opened for gorilla trekking and 16 of which are tracked in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and one group at Mgahinga national park.
Bwindi has got 4 sectors from which gorilla trekking can take place that is; Buhoma sector is the parks headquarters and it’s the first place where gorilla trekking started from, Rushaga sector and Ruhija are located in the southern part of Bwindi and Nkuringo in the northern sector of the park. In Mgahinga, you will find Nyakagezi gorilla family also one of the habituated gorilla group.
Gorilla trekking permit Uganda
Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $600 but will increase infect from July 2020 to $700 per permit per person trekking for one hour with the gorillas. The other newly opened activity in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is gorilla habituation experience which costs $1500 per permit, spending four hours with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Fly in to Rwanda, Kigali and trek gorillas in Uganda
This is one of the easiest ways to track the gorillas in Uganda, you can fly in Kigali airport in Rwanda and cross in to Uganda through cyanika boarder to Kisoro area or cross via katuna boarder in Kibale to Bwindi national park or Mgahinga national park. The drive time is 3- 4 hours on the road compared to driving from Kampala or Entebbe for about 9 hours on road this is a bit tiresome but interested and much rewarding if you have some stop overs to view some of the attractions along the country side.
How to get to Virunga national park
There are 2 easiest ways to access Virunga national park for your gorilla trekking safari in DR-Congo, one of the best way to visit the Virunga national park Congo, is via Kigali in Rwanda which means that you fly to Kigali and cross via Gisenyi border into Goma town in Congo and you will transfer to the park for the start of your gorilla trekking activities. From Kigali airport to Gisenyi border where you cross into Congo, the drive time is about 4-5 hours by road.
The second is fly in to Entebbe airport and transfer to Kisoro town via kabale or fly in Entebbe airport to Kisoro airstrip incase you may not be interested in the long drive to Kisoro Bunagana border. You can always reach to us at adventure in the wild safaris on information concerning the border crossing to Congo.
Price for the gorilla tracking permit in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
In Uganda, the permits are issued directly from Uganda wildlife Authority or through any of the registered tour operator company offers gorilla trekking tours at accost of $600 per permit, for Rwanda permits, are issued by Rwanda National Board at accost of $1500 per permit which makes gorilla trekking on Rwanda much expensive and in the democratic republic of condo, the permits are issued by Virunga tourism office located at Goma border, at a fee of $400 per permit which is much cheaper compared to Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking. Travelers are always advised to book their permits earlier or prior to the tracking date due to the stiff competition of the permits before they are fully sold out.
The best time of the year for gorilla trekking, In Uganda, Rwanda and the DR. Congo.
Gorilla trekking can be best done through out the year. But the most preferred time to travelers is the dry season starting from May, June, July, August, September, October, December and also in January. These are the seasons also known as the peak seasons in Uganda, where there is always little or no rainfall.in most cases the land is dry and its easy to trek in the forest. Then from February, March, April, May and November are considered as wet season in Uganda when there is too much rainfall but the activities in the park, do not stop. The wet season is recommended for budget travelers since there will be a discount offered on lodges and there fore you can book the lodge of your choice. Also, the park is lass populated by the tourists so there is limited congestion.
Procedure of gorilla trekking safari booking
Gorilla trekking safari can be booked as a private tour or through tour operators like us at adventure in the wild safaris, we will be able to provide you with all the necessary information and even arrange this life changing adventure for you.
We specialize in gorilla tours and wildlife safaris to any of the destinations that carry out gorilla trekking experience that is Rwanda, Congo and in Uganda. We have a number of professional staff designed to arrange your safari right from the start, to the end of the safari, we have working staff at office to respond to all your concerns, English speaking guides to enable you have the best of your gorilla safari in East Africa.
Adventure is highly recommended tour company evidenced by our excellent reviews on trip advisor and safari booking, kindly reach to us and you will not regret taking your safari with adventure in the wild safari.
