This is a premier safari activity in the world, only offered in the African continent. Gorillas are a man’s closest relative, sharing approximately 98% similar DNA. They are giant and gentle creatures and quite social. They live as a group, feeding mainly on vegetation including bamboo shoots, leaves, stems and so much more. It is a lifetime encounter with the largest primate in the world, at the natural habitat where they call home and spend the entire day moving in the wild before retiring at sunset.
Gorillas spend time in the wild and to find them, you will have to walk on foot, through the lush forest, guided by an expert ranger guide with a wide range of knowledge about the apes, their unique characteristics and more. The same jungle is shared by other primates such as monkeys, baboons, forest mammals and birds. The gorilla trekking experience is magical when done by a group of up to 8 people.
Gorilla trekking rules and relations
The trekking exercise begins with a pre-trekking briefing at the park headquarters, where the ranger guides lay down the rules to follow during this adventure. After briefing which lasts for about 30 minutes, you will start the search, from the place the family was last seen to where they are anticipated to be. The exercise lasts for roughly 2-8 hours, plus an additional hour of watching, taking photos and asking the ranger guide more about the primates, their unique behaviors and their habitat.
Each rhythm of the jungle is unique and very exciting because you can’t tell where the next sound and ape emerges. A maximum of 8 people is allowed to track one gorilla group at a given day and spend a maximum of 1 hour with them. A gorilla group is made of 5 or more gorillas, led by a dominant silverback, with the authority of bringing order and security to all the family members.
When you are in the wild with gorillas, you’ll be required to observe the following rules; speak in a low voice, don’t litter the park, observe a seven-meter distance from the gorillas, wash hands before meeting the gorillas, don’t smoke, don’t create a path in the forest and follow instructions as given by the ranger guides. These rules are made to protect the apes from human illness and conserve their environment.
Where to do gorilla trekking from?
Gorilla safaris take place in the Republic of Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. These destinations share the high-altitude Virunga chain of mountains, which harbor not only the mountain Gorillas but also chimpanzees and golden monkeys. Uganda hosts half of the total mountain gorilla population, followed by Rwanda and then Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking permits
To get access to a given family of gorillas, one must have a valid gorilla trekking permit; a compulsory trekking document presented at the start of every gorilla trekking tour. A gorilla permit in Uganda currently costs 700 USD for foreign non-residents, 1500 USD in Rwanda and 400 USD in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is valid for only one day of tracking for persons aged 15 years and above.
A percentage of the money got from the trekking permit is used to contribute to the welfare of the communities living around the national parks, payment for ranger guides who will be with you in the wild for the whole time, park entrance fees and contribution to conservation activities.
Gorilla Trekking Destinations
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upgraded to national park status in 1991, Bwindi impenetrable National park is a famous gorilla hub in the world. This park shelters the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in the wild; residing inside of it. The park has four sectors in which gorilla trekking adventure is done.
These include; Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector and the Rushaga sector. The trekking exercise starts very early in the morning with an experienced ranger guide and lasts for roughly two days. The park is gifted with wide range of flora and fauna, insects, amphibians and birds to mention but a few. Bwindi impenetrable national park is situated in the far corners of the southwestern part of Uganda. It is a large place, covered by a misty tropical forest.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern province of Rwanda in Musanze district. It was established as a national park back in 1925 by colonialists, making it a premier safari destination on the African continent. The park features over ten gorilla groups, each tracked by maximum of eight individuals per day. The activity begins with pre-trekking briefing led by a professional ranger guide who discusses trekking regulations as well as what is required during the exercise. Volcanoes National Park is a magnificent gorilla trekking destination on the African continent, with variety of attractions, including Gorillas, mountains, ancient caves, golden monkeys etc.
Mount Karisimbi, Gahinga, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Muhabura are just a few of the volcanic mountains that surround the park’s 160-square-kilometer rainforest. It also protects the rare mountain gorillas and the lovely Golden monkeys. Dian Fossey, the famous primatologist found a home with the gorillas in this forest, while conserving and studying their unique behaviors. Her research has greatly contributed to their survival and protection.
The park opens for tourists at about 6:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm. It is secure and there are well-established lodges suited for every traveler’s taste and budget.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park, formerly known as Albert National Park, is one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diversified national park. Despite the fact that its operations were temporarily halted owing to the eruption of Nyiragongo Mountain, now is the perfect time to visit. The Virunga National Park is located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in the heart of Virunga massif and east of Congo Basin. It was founded in 1925 and now houses a fifth of world’s mountain gorilla population. Gorilla trekking is the park’s most popular safari activity and it’s available all year round.
Virunga national park’s gorilla permits are the cheapest in the world, but the experience is thrilling, taking place deep in the world’s second-largest tropical jungle. The park is always accessible through a 5-hour drive from Kigali – Rwanda or through Uganda. Mountain Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active volcanic mountains is also located adjacent to the park. This peak is sixth highest of the mountains that make up the huge Virunga chain. The over 32-time eruption has created a spectacular burning lava lake at the summit, which takes about 5-6 hours to reach from the bottom. Gorillas frequently occupy the mountain base, moving and grazing on the flora and insects.
It is advisable to book a Gorilla permit at least six months in advance because of the high demand. You can get this through the conservation authorities or a tour operator.
