Last Updated on August 10, 2022 by admin
Are you looking for authentic African wildlife & cultural tours at your own pace? A small group or tailor-made tour to Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi would be incomplete without a trekking gorilla experience.
Things to know about gorilla trekking
A Gorilla Trek is a highlight of all trips done in Uganda and Rwanda. Indeed mountain gorillas are the key reason why so many people visit these 2 countries. Find information on gorilla viewing in the wild. This post shows how to secure a permit, as well as plan such gorilla treks. Gorilla trekking is described as a journey to the tropical woods of Africa. You will witness mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Gorilla Viewing in Rwanda vs Uganda?
There is no poor or wrong time to come face-to-face with these wonderful creatures. Some months are better than others. The dry season remains the best time for gorilla trek tours. When you think of trekking gorillas, consider December through February and June through August. Heavy rains during the remainder of the year may make hiking paths a bit challenging.
u can just have steep slopes, muddy and hazardous. Those are hardly ideal circumstances for all-day outdoor activity. That being said, it’s simpler to secure permits during the low season. A trekking Gorilla tour is undertaken all year round in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
Low and High Season for Gorilla Trek?
The greatest time to trek gorillas is during the months of June, July, August, September, and December. This is because there are fewer showers of rain, and the parks are drier. It makes climbing easier and the whole gorilla viewing journey smooth. Morning temperatures throughout the year average 11°C/52°F and afternoon temperatures average 23°C/73°F in Bwindi.
January and February: Low season giving fewer big crowds. Very little or no rain. March, April, and May have relatively much precipitation. The most difficult aspect of the hike is the steep hills. June, July, and August are peak seasons; thus, permits must be purchased in advance since they are limited.
Why is a permit required for gorilla trekking, and how much does it cost?
permission fee contributes to the nations’ protection and conservation efforts, which is especially crucial given the mountain gorillas’ precarious plight. The cost of a gorilla permit to join a trekking tour is $1500 in Rwanda. In Uganda, the same gorilla admission to both parks costs $700. The cost of the permit is usually included in the total price of the tour package. If you plan to go trekking gorillas during the peak season (June–August), you should make reservations as early as possible.
How long do gorilla hikes last?
No two gorilla expeditions are identical. It might take anything from 30 minutes to eight hours to locate a gorilla family in the rainforest, and once there, tourists are only permitted one hour with the animals.
What is the cost of a gorilla trek safari in 2022-2023?
The price of a 12-multi-day Gorilla trekking tour in Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda starts at around $400 per person sharing per day. A trekking gorilla tour in Rwanda will cost approximately $750 per day. The cost includes a gorilla permit, private transportation and guide, meals, and accommodation in mid-range lodges. Accommodations range from mid-range to luxury. The level of accommodation is a determining factor in the tour cost.
Is trekking Gorilla worth the price?
You may ask yourself why gorilla trekking safaris are so costly and if they are worth the cost. Here is the summary.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda for instance costs $ 700, and seventy-five percent of the funds generated are used for conservation efforts. 15 percent is retained by the government, and 10 percent is allocated to the surrounding community. Note that the cost of the permit covers park admission fees, one hour of gorilla viewing, plus payments for advance trackers and rangers.
Where Can Gorillas Be Seen in Africa?
Viewing gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorillas may be seen in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. The gorillas are primarily split into the mountain and lowland subspecies, as well as a few others. We recommend Rwanda and Uganda for seeing mountain gorillas and DR Congo for lowland gorillas. It is also possible to visit the mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, gorilla visits are limited due to the country’s instability.
Can you see Gorillas in Tanzania or Kenya?
Some visitors believe that gorillas may be seen in many parts of Africa like Tanzania or Kenya. Those countries offer an exquisite wildlife safari experience too. But a different one. During the great wildebeest migration, when herds of animals cross the Mara River into the Serengeti plains. Tanzania and Kenya may be an excellent complement to any East African safari journey.
There are Google searches for “Kenya gorilla trekking” No gorillas are found in Tanzania, Kenya, or South Africa. These are multi-destination safaris usually associated with wildlife holidays in Africa.
Things to do on a tailor-made gorilla tour to Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda and why?
- The famous Gishora drummers in Burundi
- You Visit Rwanda” the country of thousand hills” and stay at Hotel des Mille Collines (cited in Hotel Rwanda Movie)
- Pay tribute to victims of the Genocide at the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Golden Monkey trekking in Rwanda & visit a community of ex-poachers who became the gorilla’s guardians
- Trekking Gorilla experience: Meet the Giants in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park
Final thoughts: Why does the tour matter?
The tour taking you to Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda is a blend of wildlife and cultural visits. Visas on arrival are available. The tour is designed and conducted by a local guide. This means, there is usually room for additional activities at no extra cost.
Spending time with mountain gorillas in the wild in Africa is on the bucket list of many and is one of the most poignant animal experiences possible. In contrast to, for example, lions or elephants, you feel a genuine connection with gorillas since they are among our closest cousins. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, and Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills, both provide amazing primate encounters. To assist you in planning your fantasy gorilla encounter, we have assembled all the pertinent information regarding these two locations.
