Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda: A Comprehensive Guide

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that allows you to witness the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Both of these East African nations offer unique and unforgettable experiences. Here is a detailed guide to help you plan your gorilla trekking adventure:

Permits:

Gorilla trekking permits are your ticket to this remarkable experience. In Rwanda, you can obtain permits through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or a registered tour operator. In Uganda, permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and can also be acquired through tour operators. These permits are in high demand, so it's advisable to secure them well in advance of your intended trekking date.

When to Go:

Choosing the right time to go gorilla trekking is essential. The dry seasons, typically from December to February and from June to September, offer the best trekking conditions with clear skies and manageable temperatures.

Physical Fitness:

Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding. Trekking involves hiking through dense forests and steep terrain, so it's crucial to be in reasonably good shape. The level of physical exertion can vary depending on the gorilla group's location.

What to Wear:

Your clothing choices matter. Wear comfortable, moisture-wicking attire in earthy tones to blend in with the natural environment. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are essential for navigating the uneven and sometimes muddy terrain. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts provide protection against stinging nettles and insects.

Packing Essentials:

Pack light for your trek, as you will be carrying your daypack. Essentials include water, snacks, a rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a first aid kit.

Rules and Regulations:

Follow the guidelines provided by your experienced guide. Maintain a safe distance from the gorillas, avoid direct eye contact, and keep your voice down to avoid disturbing them. Groups are typically limited to a maximum of eight visitors to minimize stress on the gorillas.

Photography:

Photography is allowed, but flash photography is prohibited, as it can disturb the gorillas. Consider bringing a good zoom lens for capturing clear photos from a respectful distance.

Health Precautions:

To protect the gorillas from potential disease transmission, visitors are required to wear surgical masks while in the presence of the gorillas. If you're feeling unwell on the day of your trek, it's essential to skip it to safeguard the gorillas.

Accommodation:

Both Rwanda and Uganda offer a range of accommodation options near the gorilla trekking sites. There are lodges and hotels to suit different budgets, providing a comfortable and convenient base for your adventure.

"Our gorilla trekking experience in Uganda was beyond words. Being in the presence of these incredible animals was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. We highly recommend it to any nature and wildlife enthusiast!" - Sarah and John

"Planning your gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda and Uganda is made easy with Silverback Safaris. Our experienced team is dedicated to crafting the perfect itinerary that matches your interests and ensures a seamless journey from start to finish. Let us be your trusted partner in making your dream gorilla trekking expedition a reality. Contact us today to begin your adventure of a lifetime."

Advice for those wishing to go mountain gorilla trekking in the Park of the Volcanoes

Virunga mountain, which crosses Congo, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has emerged as a major draw for gorilla tourists. (DRC). Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda are all home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Every  traveller dreams of trekking among these remarkable creatures.

Ask us about a reputable travel company that offers mountain gorilla treks throughout the year. However, bear in mind that these parks with resident gorillas experience seasonal shifts.

The most popular times for gorilla safaris are from December to February and June to September. Some travellers choose to visit at off-peak times to take advantage of cheaper permit prices

Having a certain budget in mind is essential before picking a nice hotel close to these gorilla parks.

During peak seasons, gorilla trekking licences cost $1500 in Rwanda and $600 in Uganda.

Keep in mind that the daily limit for visitors to see a gorilla family is 8. To minimise disappointment, we recommend planning ahead and making reservations for both permits and lodging.

Many adventurers who set out with great zeal have found that the journey itself is exhausting. Instead, many choose to book their trips via local safari operators and organizations, who help them get gorilla permits and secure lodgings at much less notice, depending on the time of year of their excursion.

Clothing for the outdoors

It might be difficult to decide what to pack for a gorilla trekking trip. However, if you keep these tips in mind, you'll have a wonderful time on your vacation.

Your first step should be to equip oneself with suitable gorilla-trekking gear. High-quality walking or hiking boots, as well as many layers of warm clothing and long sleeves for rainy weather and cool nights, are essential.

Gorilla Trekking Gear Checklist

ü  Permit and Passport for Gorillas:

ü  Outdoor Shoes

ü  A jumper and an umbrella.

ü  Repellents for Pests:

ü  Water, snacks, and a lunch bag

ü  Camera with sharp optics, long battery life, and plenty of storage

ü  . Those long safari trousers

Plants, shrubs, and tree branches will be dense, lush, and high no matter where you go gorilla trekking. Especially noxious flora in Rwanda include nettles, thus it is imperative that you wear long pants when exploring the country.

For maximum concealment and least influence on animals, you should always dress in colours found naturally in the environment. It's suggested that you dress in earth tones like green and brown. Wearing white pants would be a bad idea since the dirt would make them black.

Pants for gorilla hiking should also take the following into account:

If you're going on a gorilla trek, choose loose-fitting pants that can be easily tucked into your socks and allow you to move freely while you climb and descend the slopes.

Although pockets come in handy, you should probably bring a rucksack and hire a porter to assist you lug it about.

.How to choose the right clothing for a gorilla walk, and why

You should also carry a rain jacket with you on your gorilla hike, but if you do, you can get away with wearing a shirt that isn't the standard safari hues of khaki, green, or brown. Wear long sleeves so that you are protected from the thorns and shrubs

Ideally, the backs of your hands would be protected by a t-shirt with a thumb hole.

Complete gorilla gear, with raincoat and gardening gloves

If you're going gorilla trekking, this is the single most important thing you can carry with you. Why? Because even in the dry season, showers may occur in the tropical locations that mountain gorillas call home, making for a lush and verdant environment. Being caught without an umbrella in the midst of the forest is a recipe for disaster.

What to look for in a gorilla-friendly waterproof jacket:

If you plan on seeing the gorillas during the warmer, drier summer months, bring a lightweight waterproof jacket.

It's important that it allows air to circulate and doesn't make you sweat excessively when you travel over the mountains.

Use bold, exotic hues instead. Khaki, green, brown, and avoiding fluorescent hues that are rare in nature are all good choices.

Scarf or cap over the hair

Wearing a cap or bandana may help prevent your hair from being tangled in tree branches or full of debris that has fallen from above. Bandanas are great, in my opinion, since they are lightweight and easy to remove when it becomes hot outside of the park

Organizing a Rwandan gorilla safari

About 480 mountain gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains, which are located on the borders of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. This accounts for more than half of the total primate population. (the rest are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda).

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park has habituated gorilla populations that may be seen on gorilla safaris in the country's portion of the Virunga Mountains. More than any other country in the world, in fact!

Time of Year for Gorilla Trekking

Safaris to see mountain gorillas may be done any time of the year. However, hiking conditions may be more challenging during the months of April through May and November.

The best times to undertake gorilla trekking are in the dry months, from around June to the middle of September, and from December to February

Getting your gorilla trekking permits in order

Permits for gorilla treks at these peak times may be difficult to come by on short notice. So, it's best to prepare ahead of time. Learn more about the tour operators who can handle organising the acquisition of your permits by contacting us.

Acquiring Gorilla Tracking Permits

There are only 96 gorilla treks offered every day. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) raised the price of gorilla licences from $750 to $1,500 on May 6, 2017. RDB claims that the increased cost is necessary to bolster preservation initiatives and encourage community growth.

What to expect on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda as opposed to Uganda.

You will begin your search for the primates from the forest's edge extremely early on the day of your gorilla expedition. From your hotel, your guide or driver will take you to the park headquarters in Kinigi village. The guides are very competent, knowledgeable, and fluent in English. They will take you to see a specific family of mountain gorillas that have become used to human visitors (thus the term "habituated").

You will be split into groups of eight and taken to the trailhead, where you will meet your mountain gorilla trekking party, following a training on safety and gorilla etiquette. After entering the forest on conventional pathways, your guide will keep in radio contact with the group's stay-behind trackers so that everyone can be found if needed. The elevation is around 2,500 meters, so even at a leisurely pace, the walk might take anything from 30 minutes to several hours. It's normal to feel a little out of breath at this altitude. This is really typical!

A huge silverback gorilla may weigh up to 200 kg, so most hikers are understandably nervous. That's equivalent to carrying around three normal-sized men. However, once you meet the gorilla troop, your fears will quickly go. There will be periods when the gorillas are dispersed throughout a very limited area of thick foliage. They are uninterested in the guests, who they observe with little curiosity, and will carry on with their daily eating and interacting as usual. Sometimes one may approach you with curiosity, usually a little child, and get so near that you'll have to back away.

Try to keep your voice down and avoid making any unexpected movements while you are in your group.

Gorilla photography on a safari in Rwanda

If you're a skilled photographer, photographing mountain gorillas is one of the most unforgettable opportunities you'll ever have. Keep in mind that the lighting in the jungle is likely to be dim, and that you are not allowed to use a flash.