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There are many amazing wildlife encounters – but few can match coming face to face with a 200-kg silverback gorilla! Hearing the bamboo crack as these peaceful giants emerge from the thickets and stand mere meters from you is both thrilling and humbling.
Likewise the true meaning of “cute” becomes clear when you witness a baby gorilla playfully somersaulting through the jungle, or the idea of kinship as you observes the dynamics of a family of 20-plus gorillas who live in the dense rainforest jungles of central Africa. While the experience is priced at US$1500 in some countries, it’s worth every penny. With just over 1000 of these endangered primates left on Earth, your visit directly contributes to their conservation and helps protect them from the very real threat of poachers.
The best places to go for gorilla trekking are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. These two destinations offer the best gorilla trekking tours that can be combined with other exciting wildlife activities, such as Big 5 safaris, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey tracking, and bird watching. At Greenway Nature Tours, we offer the best gorilla tours in Africa. We work with expert guides, lodges, and hotels to ensure unforgettable gorilla safaris experiences.
There are only two populations of mountain gorillas left in the entire world – and you can visit either of them with Greenway Nature Tours. The first population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the other is in the Virunga Volcanoes where Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is located. Which country is best for gorilla trekking?
In Uganda, gorilla tours can be organized at US$800, a fraction of what it costs in Rwanda.
Besides, your Uganda gorilla tour is half the price of what it would cost in Rwanda. And nearly 50% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. That equates to around 500 individuals, according to the last official census in 2019, with 25 gorilla families currently habituated for tourism — more than in any other area of Africa.
There are twelve habituated gorilla families in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. The permit to see gorillas here costs US$1500.
The terrain you will be trekking through in Rwanda may be slightly less dense and more open than in Uganda, which means some people find it to be an easier gorilla trek. The Volcanoes National Park also a variety of luxurious lodges, hotels, and camps near it, and is only a three-hour drive from the international airport.
If you’re passionate about nature and wildlife, going on a gorilla trekking adventure is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Encountering these majestic creatures, particularly a silverback, is truly remarkable. Gorilla trekking has become more accessible in recent years. Mountain gorillas are found in just three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo (DRC).
Among these, Uganda and Rwanda have developed into popular destinations for the best gorilla trekking tours. Both nations offer much more than just gorilla safaris, making a trip even more rewarding. Since gorillas are highly endangered, the money spent on these gorilla trekking safaris contributes to the conservation and protection of these incredible primates.
Both Rwanda and Uganda offer amazing gorilla trekking experiences, but there are differences. Uganda is more developed for tourism and has the most to offer in addition to gorilla trekking. You can do a safari in Uganda that covers several savannah wildlife reserves, chimpanzee trekking, white water rafting, climbing snow-capped mountains, and gorilla trekking.
Rwanda offers some other safari experiences but the cost of gorilla trekking is much higher and tourism is less developed away from Volcanoes National Park, which is the base for gorilla trekking.
The difficulty of a gorilla trek varies depending on the weather and how far the gorillas are from the starting point. While the hike can sometimes last up to six hours, this is uncommon.
A moderate level of fitness (walking) is sufficient to take part in a gorilla trek. People various ages, including those in their late seventies, often go trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Porters are available to help, and using a local walking stick can be very beneficial. Wearing the right clothing and sturdy boots with good traction will also make the experience more comfortable. Enjoy!
For your gorilla trekking tour, you’ll need to carry your own personal belongings, such as water, a rain jacket, and cameras. However, you have the option to hire a local porter for assistance. Hiring a porter is a common choice among travelers of all ages and fitness levels.
The porters will carry your bag and help you navigate the more challenging or steep parts of the trek. Not only does this make the journey easier for you, but it also provides much-needed income for the local community. The cost of hiring a porter is reasonable, so be sure to ask your driver guide about this option before the trek.
Gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year. The dry season runs from June to September and December to February, while the rainy season occurs from March to May and October to November.
Trekking can be more difficult during the rainy season, so many choose to visit during the dry months. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re trekking in tropical rainforests, so rain is common year-round, no matter the season.
Gorilla trekking can be quite expensive. The permit fee for foreign nonresidents is currently US$800 in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda (lower rates are available for Ugandan and Rwandan citizens, as well as foreign residents and citizens of other African countries). This fee covers just the trekking activity itself and does not include many other expenses associated with a safari package.
Once you find your gorilla family, you will have one hour with them. This is to minimize any disruption or risk of disease transmission to the animals. Only eight people are allowed to visit each habituated group per day.
An additional experience offered in Bwindi is the gorilla habituation experience, where you’ll track a semi-habituated troop in a small group of just four travelers. Unlike the standard gorilla trekking, where you have only one hour with the gorillas, this experience allows you to stay for up to four hours. However, viewing can be more challenging as these gorillas are not fully habituated and tend to avoid close contact with humans. The cost for this exclusive activity is US$1,500.
You are required to maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters (23 feet) from the gorillas to prevent exposing them to human diseases and to ensure your own safety. As part of the gorilla viewing experience, you will receive a full briefing on how to behave, including dos and don’ts when in the presence of the gorillas. Your guide will direct you on where to stand during the sighting.
While gorillas don’t follow rules and may approach you closely, your guide will usually instruct you to step back. If this isn’t possible due to thick vegetation, you will be advised to crouch down and avoid making eye contact until the gorilla has passed.
While there’s no absolute guarantee that you will see gorillas, it is very rare not to. Every day, gorilla trackers set out at dawn to locate the gorilla families and communicate their coordinates back to the headquarters. This means that by the time you start your trek, the trackers already have a good sense of where your assigned gorilla family is or is likely to be.
Here are some tips for gorilla trekking on a budget:
Gorilla watching is generally very safe, with incidents involving these gentle creatures being extremely rare. Although the gorillas are habituated to human visitors, it’s crucial to pay attention during the safety briefing at the beginning of your trek. It’s equally important to follow the instructions given by your guide, particularly if a gorilla approaches you. The main risk during a gorilla trek is possibly twisting an ankle on the slippery terrain, so be sure to wear well-broken-in hiking boots for the best support.
It is possible to see gorillas on a 2-day safari in Uganda, depending on your starting point. However, trying to fit a gorilla trekking experience into a 2-day driving safari that starts and ends in Kampala or Entebbe is unrealistic. The drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi takes about 9 hours each way. Therefore, the minimum duration for a gorilla tour from Entebbe or Kampala is 3 days, as you’ll need to spend the night before and after your trek at a lodge or camp near the park.
A more practical starting point for a 2-day gorilla trekking tour in Uganda is Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, which is about a 5-hour drive away. From there, you can easily drive to Uganda on day one, trek the gorillas the following morning, and return to Kigali afterward.
Of course, it’s also possible to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda, so you might wonder why someone would travel to Uganda for the same experience. The simple answer is that it is cheaper: gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost US$800 per person as opposed to US$1,500 for a gorilla permit in Rwanda.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo is 15 years, due to several important reasons:
Younger children may struggle to stay calm if a gorilla mock charges during the trek. While gorillas rarely charge, it can happen if they feel threatened. However, an experienced tracker can usually prevent a charge. Children, on the other hand, might become frightened, scream, or attempt to run when confronted by a 200-kilogram silverback. In such situations, a charging gorilla will typically give chase to a running visitor.
Children may struggle with the physical demands of the trek. Gorilla trekking in places like Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest involves steep, challenging terrain that requires a certain level of fitness and stamina, which is more likely to be found in adults. Adults are also better equipped to handle the difficulties of muddy paths, insects, dense forests, and steep inclines.
There are strict regulations in place for gorilla trekking to protect the gorillas, guides, trackers, and tourists. These rules include maintaining a minimum distance of 7m, following park guides’ instructions, speaking in low tones, avoiding direct eye contact with gorillas, and never attempting to touch them. It is vital to follow these rules to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the well-being of the gorillas.
If you’re traveling with children, we suggest booking a lodge that offers child-minding services, kid-friendly programs, or even safe, child-appropriate forest walks.
Permits are included in the price of Greenway Nature Tour’s gorilla trekking packages, and we will arrange the permit for you once you pay your trip deposit. At that point, we only need your passport details. On certain trips, travelers may also have the chance to trek to see the gorillas a second time. These additional permits should be arranged in advance when booking your trip.
Before your trek, your ranger will provide a briefing on essential gorilla trekking guidelines and rules. If you’re feeling unwell or have a contagious illness, we advise you to remain behind, and an alternative visit will be arranged. Gorillas are vulnerable to the transmission of germs and diseases, and your health could put them at risk. At present, wearing masks is mandatory on all gorilla trekking excursions.
You can request to trek with a specific gorilla family during the briefing, but this request may not always be fulfilled.
Gorilla tracking in the dense forest can often be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, so it’s essential to wear a comfortable pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes. Some plants in the forest have sharp spikes, so wearing gardening gloves with a tough palm surface will help you grip trees and bushes as you climb the hillside.
It’s also wise to bring long socks to tuck your pants into, preventing ants or insects from reaching your ankles. Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts will protect your arms without causing you to overheat. You can easily obtain a trekking pole at your lodge or the trek headquarters. A small backpack for your camera, personal items, and water bottle is also recommended.
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Since 2016 our tour company offers 4×4 car hire, safari itineraries with accommodation and guided tours for group and the independent traveler in East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
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info@greenwaynaturetours.com
