Best place for gorilla trekking

Best place for gorilla trekking; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional and the most popular activity that attracts big numbers of tourists in Africa. Gorilla trekking is done in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and it involves 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.

Where to go for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is the most visited gorilla destination in Africa due to the fact that it harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern region. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family and Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of more than 22 habituated gorilla families which are open for trekking on a daily basis. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done in four sectors including Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector and Rushaga sector.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is another country that offers gorilla trekking activity which is done in Volcanoes national park. Volcanoes national park is located in northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze village and it’s a home of about 15 habituated gorilla families which are open for trekking daily.

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 endangered mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Biega national park which harbors the Eastern lowland gorillas. Virunga national park is a home of about 8 habituated mountain gorilla families and Kahuzi Biega national park is a home of about 5 habituated eastern lowland gorillas which are available for trekking on a daily basis.

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 very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Gorilla trekking 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 primate species, view different bird species, mammals, plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch gorillas carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments thus Best place for gorilla trekking .

Cost of gorilla trekking permits

Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents/ cards that are issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit habituated gorilla families in either Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda 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.

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities and a gorilla trekking permit in Democratic Republic of Congo costs 400USD per person for both foreign non residents and foreign residents.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park can be done anytime throughout the year 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. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the gorilla destination therefore access roads to the national parks and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.

Gorilla trekking can either be done in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda or Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.