The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking

An Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

For every enthusiastic traveler, the climax of any safari holiday in Uganda and or Rwanda is having the opportunity to interface with the mighty giants, the mountain gorillas which moment offers incredible and lasting memorable experiences. It is quite important to visit Rwanda or Uganda when you are well versed with the ultimate guide to gorilla trekking. On record from the primatologists and researchers, the mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans relating to the way they live, play, their sensitivity, emotional being, and this absolutely make the whole gorilla trekking experience an ultimate experience for especially first-time travelers.

To ensure that you get the real incredible experience on a gorilla safari, we have packaged what we believe is an ultimate guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda for every discerning traveler choosing to visit either of the countries for gorilla trekking, where to stay, what to pack and what to expect on the whole mountain gorilla trekking experience.

According to the most recent statistics about the endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world, it is estimated that over 800 gorillas are in Africa with the largest 3/4 of the population residing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. The other remaining population is found in the Virunga massifs, Volcanoes National park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks. However, the recent efforts from the wildlife and tourism authorities in these countries have ensured some stability and conservation which guarantees that at least, the population of the gorillas is bound to rise in a few decades to come.

Where to see go for gorilla trekking in Africa?

As mentioned earlier, the mountain gorillas are located within the proximity of Bwindi, Virunga, Mgahinga and Volcanoes national parks shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, this means you can visit any of these countries for your next gorilla trekking safari. We recommend a 1 Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, 2 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking or 3 Days Uganda Rwanda gorilla trekking for starters.

The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

For the last 10 years and more, Rwanda has significantly grown to be one of the most preferred destinations for gorilla trekking in Africa, thanks to its Volcanoes National Park which harbors the mountain gorillas in the Virunga massifs of the 5 volcanoes of Virunga mountains. On a trip to trek the gorillas in Rwanda, you get a chance to visit one the 10 habituated groups of the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, ranging in size from 10 to 28 gorillas per group. Their territories span all across the park, with some requiring trekkers to be in excellent physical shape to reach the group. For one to trek the gorillas in Rwanda, you obtain a gorilla trekking permit for USD1500 each person for each day of the trekking allowing you to visit one gorilla family. For the best of the gorilla trekking experience, it is advisable that you arrange and book for the permits in advance (4-6 months ahead if you plan on traveling in the high season, December- February, and July-August) and Albertine Tours here comes in to help you organize and plan your trip early enough with the best accommodation and choice of the best gorilla family you will trek to quench your thirst for the gorillas.

The Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda prides itself as the most popular destination for Gorilla trekking in the world followed by Rwanda. This is largely attributed to the huge population of the remaining mountain which is resident in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park (i.e. over 500 gorillas are living here and are divided in over 35 gorilla families but only 12 groups have as per today been habituated for gorilla trekking in the four distinguished sections of the park. Five of the habituated gorilla families live in the Rushaga sector, three in Buhoma sector, three in Ruhija sector, and only one group can be found in Nkuringo section.

As far as accessibility is concerned, the mountain gorillas in the Buhoma sector very easy to access which makes it to be the most accessed section of the park especially those who are not much into the hiking physique. The Buhoma also offers hiking trails and nature walks to nearby waterfalls, and an opportunity to visit the Batwa cultural community.

Uganda gorilla permits are far less cheap as compared to Rwanda, You can obtain the permit in Uganda for gorilla trekking at just $600/person for both high and low season travelers. Like in Rwanda, Uganda gorilla permits require to be pre-arranged in advance since there has been a significant increase in the number of visitors to Bwindi due to the hiked price of gorilla permits in Rwanda.