Gorilla Trekking Tours

Overview:

Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Uganda.

Mountain Gorilla trekking is the pivotal tourism product in the Countries of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. There are two remaining mountain Gorilla populations in the World and are both found in the Great lakes region. They both amount to about 1063 individuals in total (according to the last Gorilla population census of December/2019). About half of  these Gorillas are protected by Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, (Uganda Gorilla Trekking tours). The other half is in the Virunga massive volcanoes, shared by three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo.

Virunga massive volcanoes lies on the ream of Albertine, the western arm of the great African Rift Valley. This doesn’t only protect the other half of the World’s endangered mountain Gorillas, but also other wildlife. For example Golden monkeys, through Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Virunga forest in Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Plus Chimpanzees, Blue Monkeys, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Buffaloes, Bush-Bucks and Duikers, plus a variety of bird species.

At Terrain Safaris we arrange for you gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Book with us today for Uganda Gorilla trekking tours, Rwanda Gorilla trekking tours & Congo Gorilla trekking tours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GORILLA TREKKING

• Why should I go Gorilla trekking?

Locals entertaining tourists before going for Gorilla trekking

When you buy a Gorilla trekking permit, you directly support the conservation work and the local communities around these wildlife reserves. Also the lodge where you spend nights during you tour, contribute to the well being of these communities. Over the years, local communities around the conservation areas have been sensitized about the importance of protecting these gentle giants plus other wildlife.

And this is done by the Uganda Government through it’s wildlife protection body, the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is perfectly enticed by giving back about 20% of the total park revenue collected, to the local communities. It’s not very easy to give money to all individually, but this is done through the construction of public facilities. These funds help in the construction of healthy centers, schools and also supporting charity projects in those areas.

Therefore when you book a gorilla trekking tour, you are directly supporting the local communities. You support the local communities by personally trekking Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga forest, Volcanoes forest and Virunga national park.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.

For Gorilla trekking tours, Bwindi Impenetrable forest is one of the most popular conservation areas in Uganda. It is located in the South West of Uganda close to the border of Rwanda and prominently known as the thick forested vegetation habitat of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda. It is also home to more than 50% of the World’s remaining population of the endangered mountain Gorillas. The park harbors other wildlife that includes; chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants and various small antelopes.

So mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular activities here and a lifetime experience for most travelers. Bwindi Forest National Park is home to 17 habituated Gorilla Groups plus 11 other primate species like the Black and White Colobus Monkeys, 90 mammal species. The park protects four different sectors in which you can trek the Mountain Gorillas and these include; Buhoma Sector, Rushaga Sector, Ruhija Sector and the Nkuringo Sector.

How to Get to Bwindi Forest National Park?

Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed by use of both Road and Air Transport.

By Road

To access Bwindi Forest National Park, you can go from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the North for a period of 3 to 4 hours, depending on which sector of the park you are going to. From Kampala through Mbarara about 6 to 8 hours then later you reach Buhoma Entrance Gate. We recommend you use a 4×4 vehicle depending on the nature of the roads and the constant rains that are fond of falling around Uganda.

By Air

Access Bwindi Forest National Park using Air as you fly from the Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to the Kisoro Airfield or the Savannah Grass Kayonza Airstrip, Kihihi Airstrip. When you reach these Airstrips, you are picked up and transferred by a driver/guide to Bwindi Forest National park.

Best Time to Visit Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Trek.

Bwindi Forest National Park can be visited anytime around the year however, the BEST Time to visit the Park is during the dry and short rain season in the months of June, July and August, and then again in December through to February. This is because during these months photography is clear and the Mountain Gorillas keep on moving from one place to another in the forest searching for food like fruits, ants, leaves etc.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is found in the South Western Part of Uganda after Kisoro Town and encompasses Uganda’s share of the Virunga massive volcanoes, which sit squarely on the tri-nation border. It popularly offers remarkable Gorilla Trekking Tours to all travelers and only has two (2) habituated Gorilla group which are usually booked earlier in advance by tourists. The Park also offers amazing Golden Monkey Tracking Tours where you watch the Golden Monkeys jump from one tree to another as they communicate with volcano hiking along the Mount Gahinga Volcano, Mount Muhavura Volcano, Mount Sabinyo Volcano.

Activities to do Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking is the most popular safari activity carried out in Mgahinga National Park. The Park inhabits the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group that is trekked by travelers from all over the world looking for unique Gorilla Trekking Adventures in Uganda. The Gorilla Family In Mgahinga forest park that is open to tourists is the Nyakagezi group and is surrounded by the Slopes of Virunga Volcanoes, Mt. Muhavura(4,127m) Mt Gahinga (3474m) Mt. Sabinyo(3645m).

Gorilla trekking requires you to transfer to the park headquarters for briefing on code of conduct around the Mountain Gorillas then later in groups of 8 with a park ranger guide enter the forest to trek the Gorillas for 3-5 hours in their natural forest vegetation habitat then later when you meet them an hour is allowed in their presence taking photos to keep.

Volcano Hiking

Mgahinga National Park is perfect for all travelers interested in climbing the stunning Mountain Volcanoes in the Park. The Mountain Volcanoes you hike in the park include; Mount Muhavura Volcano, Mount Gahinga Volcano, Mount Sabinyo Volcano.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey Tracking is also among the prominent safari adventures carried out in the park and this includes going to the park headquarters for briefing on conduct around the Golden Monkeys then later in groups transfer along different trails watching the Golden Monkeys jump from tree to tree branch for a period of 2-4 hours taking many photos to keep for memories.

Batwa Trail

Hiking along the Batwa Trail is very exceptional as you follow from the bottom of the Muhavura Cave with a Batwa guide who provides you with insight into their traditional forest life and culture.

Bird Watching

Mgahinga Forest National Park is perfect for birders as the park inhabits numerous specialties including a good number of Albertine Rift Endemics. Here you can expect to encounter specialties like the Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Bar-tailed Trogon, Mountain Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Apalis, Mountain Black Boubou, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird and the rare Shelley’s Crimsonwing among others.

When to Visit Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga National Park can be visited anytime around the year however the Best Time to Visit the Park is during the dry months of June-October and December to March. This is due to the fact that during these months, photography is clear, and the Gorillas can easily be seen.

Where do I Enter Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?

Mgahinga National Park comprises of two entrance points where visitors can access the park to trek the Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. It has Ntebeko to the Western side, which is the main gate and Muhabura gate to the Eastern side of the park.

How to get to Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by use of Road and Air Transport. By Road you transfer from Kampala via Mbarara, Kabale to Kisoro then Mgahinga Forest National Park.

By Air you board a flight from the Entebbe International airport or the Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip where you are picked up by a driver to Mgahinga forest national park.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is a prominent safari destination in Rwanda offering amazing Gorilla Trekking Adventures to all travelers from all over the world. The Park is one of the Virunga Volcanoes with many Gorilla Groups that can be trekked in company of a park ranger guide who leads, informs and guides on what to do.  Other than Gorillas travelers can watch the Golden Monkeys in their habitat, various bird species i.e 178, reptiles, amphibians.

The park ranks as one of the best places to see mountain gorilla in East Africa. Tracking gorillas here is usually easier than in other parks because the mountains offer a more gradual climb. Also the visibility is often better too, because the forest here is not as dense as compared to other parks. One other thing to remember is that visitors here are assigned gorilla groups on tracking day, not when the reservations are made. And at times they give easier groups to those who aren’t in such good shape to walk longer distances.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park can be accessed by use of Road which takes you about 2 hours from the Kigali International Airport. You can also get here using Air Transport by boarding a domestic flight from the Kigali International Airport to Ruhengeri Airport where you leave from to thee stunning Volcanoes National Park to trek the Gorillas.

Activities in the Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park and this requires you to get to the park headquarters for briefing on code of conduct around the Mountain Gorillas then later continue to enter the forest in groups of 8 with a park ranger to trek the Gorillas for 3-5 hours and when you meet them an hour is allowed in their presence taking various photos to keep for memories.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden Monkey tracking is the other prominent safari activity carried out in the park. You transfer to the park headquarters where you are briefed on conduct around the Golden Monkeys then after in groups with a park ranger enter the forest to track the Golden Monkeys for 2-4 hours as you follow them along various trails as they jump from one tree branch to another. Take numerous photos to keep.

Dian Fossey tomb Hike

This park was the base for the popular American zoologist Dian Fossey, who was killed here in 1985 by poachers. It’s also where the amazing film about her great work (gorilla in the mist) was made. Also access to volcanoes  national park is a lot easier, give the road infrastructure between the Airport and the park. Dian Fossey Tomb is exceptional to hike while at Volcanoes National Park. The Dian Fossey Tomb is situated along Mount Bisoke Volcano close to the Karisoke Research Center where you learn about the good doings of the beautiful hearted Dian Fossey who surrendered her life to save that of the Gorillas.

Volcano hiking

Volcano Hiking is also exceptional in the Park and this is done along different Mountain Volcanoes i.e Mount Karisimbi Volcano, Mount Bisoke Volcano, Mount Muhabura Volcano. Hiking along these Volcanoes varies in hours, challenges as well as difficulty.

Visit Musanze Cave

Musanze Cave is located a few kilometers off Volcanoes National Park so travelers can visit to the Musanze Cave to explore this stunning cave. You visit with a park guide who informs you about the Caves as well as their existence from the ancient Days.

Bird Watching

Volcanoes National Park is a birder’s paradise as the park inhabits numerous specialties and is home to more than 200 recorded bird species that are fond of flying around their natural forest habitat. The Birds to expect include; the Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Strange Weaver, Collared  and Rwenzori Apalis.

Best time to visit Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park can be visited any time around the year although the Best Time to Visit Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season due to the fact that photography is clear, the gorillas are on frequent move in the forest searching for food hence can easily be shot at using a camera with no flash.

How to Process Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes national and for each eight tracking permits (US$1,500 per person) are available.
You can book a permit with the Rwanda Development Board Tourist office in Kigali or through a reliable tour operator like Terrain Safaris.

Gorilla Trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo:

In the Democratic Republic of Congo Gorillas can also be watched at two different National parks i.e the Virunga National Park, for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Biega National Park, for Lowland Gorillas. The Gorilla trekking Permit Costs US $400 per person interested in watching the Gorillas in the DR Congo.

Virunga National Park.

Virunga National Park is located in the DR Congo after Goma Town offering amazing Mountain Gorilla trekking Adventures to all travelers. Virunga National Park is situated along the Eastern side of DR Congo bordering Uganda and Rwanda covering an area of 7800 km² on which Gorillas enjoy their natural habitat. Before the disappearance of the Lava, the park comprised of the Mountain Nyiragongo Volcano with hot spewing lava that would spew into thin air.

Activities to do in Virunga National Park.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park and this includes transferring to the park headquarters for short briefing on the conduct around the Mountain Gorillas then later in groups of 8 with a park ranger guide, you enter the forest to trek the Mountain Gorillas for 3-5 hours in the thick forest. After meeting the Gorillas, an hour is allowed in their presence taking many photos to keep.

Best Time to go Gorilla trekking at Virunga National Park DR Congo.

Virunga National Park can be visited anytime around the year however the Best Time to visit the park is during the dry and short rain season from the months of June to September and October to November. So travel around these months to enjoy the Best Gorilla trekking Safaris in Virunga National Park.

Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is another Gorilla Trekking Destination in the DR Congo and this is located in the Southern province of DR Congo. At Kahuzi Biega National Park you can trek the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. Just like the Mountain Gorilla Trekking Adventure the process is the same as you transfer to the park headquarters where you are briefed on conduct around the Gorillas then later in groups with a park ranger guide you enter the forest to trek the Eastern Lowland Gorillas for 3- 5 hours and when you meet them an hour is allowed in their presence taking various photos to keep.

When is the best time to do gorilla trekking tours?

Tourists ready for Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Forest

It should kindly be noted that Uganda/East Africa basically has 2 seasons, the rainy and sunny seasons. Whereby March, April and May is normally the first rainy season of the year. Then June, July and August, being a dry season. Again September, October and November, also being a rainy season (This is known to be the main rainy season). And also December, January and February being a dry season again.

So the best time to go Gorilla trekking would be during the dry season which is December, January, February. Apparently the main dry season which is also the main/peak tourism season is June, July, August. But you also need to take note of  seasons/climatic changes, which may be as a result of Global warming.

You will need to inquire from your tour operator about the best time to visit the park. This is because during a dry season the park is dry and easily accessible on foot. The best time to visit the park for gorilla tracking is mid-December to February and June to September.

Rules and Regulations to observe during Gorilla trekking.

For better conservation of theses gentle giants, there are some rules and regulations to observe while visiting them. (Please follow the ranger/guide’ advise during Gorilla trekking).

• Only a group of 8 travelers can trek a Gorilla Groups in Virunga National Park’s Forest vegetation habitat.
• Children of 15 years and above are allowed to trek the Gorillas
• Gorilla trekking starts as early as 8:00 am to 7:00 pm latest
• An hour is strictly accepted to stay in the presence of the Gorillas
• Turn your face around as you are sneezing for the Gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases
• When you meet the Gorillas, keep a distance of 7 meters off the Gorillas
• Use a camera with no flash so as not to provoke the Gorillas as the light that comes out of the cameras can drive the Gorillas into being very wild hence dangerous
• Do not smoke as well as carry snacks to eat while in the presence of the Gorillas
• Wash your hands before getting in presence of the Gorillas and avoid direct contact at all times with the Gorillas
• Don’t litter the forest with garbage /trash
• Keep quiet and calm while in the presence of the Gorillas
• While in forest, dig a hole aside if you want to help yourself then later cover it up.

5 Simple Tips to do as you prepare for a gorilla trek.

Follow through the 5 Simple Tips to prepare for A Gorilla Trek in Uganda, Rwanda or the DR Congo.

• Do some Reading so as to get knowledge about Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.
• Get your body fit through exercising on a daily for the trekking is quite challenging due to the location of the Gorillas in very remote regions in the forest.
• Pay attention to things you can control/ are in your power.
• Relax and don’t have un achievable expectations about your Gorilla Trekking Adventure
• Pack and prepare your trekking Gear earlier before your date of trekking the Gorillas
• Ensure you carry your personal water bottle so as not to get thirsty as you trek the unique Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.

How did the COVID19 pandemic affected Gorilla trekking?

In the beginning of 2020, the World was hit by the corona-virus pandemic that affected economies Globally. These included the African Great Lakes region where the World’s two remaining Mountain Gorilla populations are found. These are “Bwindi Impenetrable” and “Virunga Massive Volcanoes”, whereby the latter is shared by three Countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

All the three Countries were quarantined/locked down during the COVID19 pandemic. But by September/2020 all the Countries had lifted up the lock-down. At that time Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo opened their borders and airport.  Their tourism products and facilities were also opened to the public, including the Gorilla trekking activities.

Now one can do Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, as the Countries’ economies are fully open to the rest of the World. The Governments have continued lifting up most of the COVID19 safety restrictions. (Following the COVID19 safety measures/guidelines from the Healthy Ministry). The Great Lakes region (East Africa) tourism sector is fully open to tourists, so you can book your tour today.

Book your Gorilla Trekking Tour Today:
Here are some of our tours; Uganda Trekking Gorilla Tours, Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Trips & Congo Gorilla Trekking Tours.

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