GORILLA TREKKING IN 2023 – 2024: Which is the Safest Place to trek Gorillas now? What is the Price Of a Gorilla Safari?
For travelers that have been longing to experience a Safari to Uganda, you might want to strongly consider experiencing Gorilla Tracking. Uganda & Rwanda remain the safest places in Africa where to go on a gorilla trekking Safari We recommend booking your gorilla tour through a local gorilla tour company like Realm Africa Safaris™.
For Better Planning purposes, let’s understand Gorilla Trekking
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is a fully active adventure experience that involves hiking up uneven terrain, mountains, and through tangled vegetation cover hacked by rangers and porters using machetes to create a temporary passage to the gorillas. The type of gorillas you are trekking to see is the rare mountain gorillas.
Where to do gorilla trekking?
Mountain Gorilla tracking in Africa can only be done in three (03) countries; Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Uganda and Rwanda are considered the Safest Places to see Mountain Gorillas. DR Congo, unfortunately, suffers ongoing political unrest which makes it unsafe to visit at the moment. (see: Why DR. Congo is considered unsafe for Gorilla tracking)
In Uganda, Gorillas can be seen in two (02) National Parks; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National park and nowhere else.
Cost – Price Of Gorilla Permits.
- Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost USD700 per person to trek in either Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks
- In Rwanda, Gorilla permits cost USD1,500 per person to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
**Both permit fees mentioned include; park entry fees, 0ne (01) gorilla trekking permit and guide fees.
Best time to go gorilla tracking n 2023 – 2024
Although Gorilla tracking can happen anytime all year round come rain or sunshine, the best time to go gorilla tracking is in the dry season months of June to August and December to February. During this time, the trails and drier and less slippery. Trekkers are likely to enjoy a fairly drier gorilla trekking experience and good weather for photography.
What to expect during gorilla trekking.
Your morning on the day of the trek starts with you getting dressed up in the appropriate gorilla trekking gear and outfit (see: Gorilla trekking Clothing & Gear). You will then be transferred by your guide to the respective gorilla briefing point where you will be briefed about gorilla trekking, the dos & don’ts ( see: gorilla trekking rules). After the briefing, you will walk into the forest and start your gorilla tracking experience in the company of UWA/ RDB rangers who will interpret the plants, birds, insects, and anything of interest in the forest. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed a maximum viewing and photography time frame of one (01) hour. Return to your starting point for a certificate awarding ceremony. The certificates are souvenirs for you to take back at the end of your gorilla Safari.
What to pack, bring and wear on your gorilla Safari
What to wear on my gorilla trek.
- Bring & wear a mask the entire trip (See: Best Mask for gorilla tracking)
- Bring & Use Hand sanitizer the entire trip (See: Best hand sanitizer)
- Sturdy Lightweight walking shoes. the lighter the better. (See: Best shoes for gorilla tracking ).
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to provide extra body protection against thorny shrubs.
- Long socks that allow you to tuck your pants in to avoid bugs from climbing into your pants while on the trek.
- Rain jacket in case it rains. Remember you are trekking in a tropical rainforest.
- Gaiters (Optional). Don’t spend On new ones. These can well be substituted with long socks to serve the same purpose.
What to bring on your trek.
- A camera for your photographic needs. Don’t spend BIG on a camera. if you own an iPhone, they too take amazing pictures, especially under limited forest light.
- Binoculars (optional). They might come in handy when spotting some forest birds. Your ranger guide will have a pair that he is willing to share.
- A hat (optional). This is to keep branches and leaves let alone bugs from falling into your hair.
- Drinking water. Realm Africa Safaris™ will provide adequate bottled drinking water for the entire trip.
- Packed Lunch. Realm Africa Safaris™ will take care of this. All our trips include meals unless agreed otherwise
- A Day Pack to carry all your personal items while on the trek. ** We recommend using a porter to carry your day pack for you (see: why to use a porter for Gorilla trekking)
Uganda Safaris that include Gorilla Trekking
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours for 2022 – 2023
