Gorilla Tours Africa

What’s Gorilla Trekking In Africa Like?

The day you go for the Gorilla Trekking experience in Uganda or Rwanda is a big day with an early start and potentially hours of hiking so make sure you sleep early the night before because you can be excited on the eve of your gorilla trek that you will barely sleep. Your tour operator will organize a transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing around 7:00am. It’s here that you will get an important reminder of the gorilla trekking regulations and safety guidelines and your group will be assigned to visit a specific gorilla family. Normally you will usually trek for at least an hour before you reach your gorilla family though in some cases it may take three or more hours before you find your group.

As you come within range of your gorilla family, you will leave your bags so you can approach the group more closely and once you make contact you will spend an hour with the gorillas watching them as they go around with their daily lives hanging from trees, grooming, suckling their babies, playing, sleeping, farting or mating. Your hour with the gorillas may be calm or it may be full of drama! One thing is for sure the hour will fly by. Our biggest tip is to just enjoy being in their presence and not spending the whole time watching them through your camera screen. If the gorillas are on the move, you will be able to move with them keeping the required minimum distance of ten meters at all times. They may ignore you or show some interest and approach you which is normal, exciting and – because of their size – a little scary too! It’s all part of the fun.

If the gorillas do approach, the rangers will reassure you and ask you to calmly step back. The rangers are highly knowledgeable; they will show you how to vocalize like a gorilla and help you notice their behavior and traits. We find talking to the guides an integral part of the experience. They know each gorilla family and their personalities intimately. Tap into their wealth of knowledge about the gorillas, the forest and conservation issues.

Depending on where you are, you will find the gorillas in very different settings: Our experts first saw them in dense dark forest, they have watched them in an open clearing with clear views and plenty of sunlight and they have seen them balance precariously in the bamboo/jungles above their head! Keep lighting conditions in mind when planning your photos as flash photography is strictly prohibited.

Hire a porter!
At the morning briefing you’ll have the option of hiring a porter for the day. The going rate for a porter is around USD $20 (plus optional tip) and  we can’t recommend it highly enough. Their help is absolutely invaluable it feels good having your hands free to take photos or grab hold of a branch as you are climbing a slope. Porters are more than happy to carry extra water (so there is no excuse for getting dehydrated). If it gets muddy, you have a strong pair of hands to help you scramble up the hillside.

It’s also a fun way to interact with the locals and it provides useful income in a community that has little access to cash jobs. Pottering makes a valuable contribution to local livelihoods and therefore directly supports gorilla conservation through tourism. In these areas, most people are subsistence farmers meaning that having an opportunity to earn some extra cash is extremely well received. If you’re unsure of your physical ability, it’s also possible to hire an unglamorous-sounding “stretcher” which is carried by a group of porters. The use of a stretcher costs around USD $100 plus tips.

Gorilla trekking FAQs-what you need to know for this once-in-a-lifetime encounter

How much does a trekking permit cost?

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost US $800 per person per day (this is non-refundable). Only 8 permits per Gorilla family are issued each day and for this reason it’s a good idea to acquire yours ahead of time at least a year in advance to make sure this part of your trip is secured. The cost of your permit goes towards sustainable conservation initiatives whose goal it is to preserve and protect mountain gorillas, conserve the precious natural landscapes and support the development of communities living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. A Gorilla Permit in Rwanda costs USD $1,500 Per Person.

On average an all inclusive 3 Days Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour starts from 2550USD Per person sharing for two travelers while an all inclusive 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour starts from 1800USD per person sharing for two travelers sleeping in a mid range accommodation. Recommended to Read: How to Book Bwindi Gorilla Permits

What will the day itself hold?

On the morning of your trek you will be woken at 6:20am of a light continental breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed Ugandan/Rwandan coffee. By 6:45am you will depart for the trekking headquarters. On arrival, you will have time to enjoy a cup of coffee while your Driver Guide secures your spots with specific gorilla families (selecting the most suitable family depending on the group’s requirements – there are however no guarantees). You will then join their group and the Park Guide for a detailed briefing. At 8am, you  will depart to the various trailheads depending on the gorilla family each group has been allocated. At the start of the trailhead, guests will be allocated a porter on request to assist with carrying bags and navigating challenging terrain (this is recommended). Cash is required to pay the porters (the minimum amount is US $20).

How long will we trek for?

The time that it takes to reach the gorilla family varies and can take anything from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours. Once you’ve located the gorilla family you’re seeking, you will have one hour to sit and observe these magnificent animals. Trackers will be on hand to assist and guide your interactions (these trackers also head up into the jungle ahead of guests to locate the respective families). Once the time has elapsed, you will meet your porter again, enjoy lunch and have some time to take in the experience and then make your way back down.

Your arrival time back at the lodge could be anywhere between 12pm and 5pm. On arrival, you will be welcomed with refreshments and will then be able to spend the remainder of the day at leisure whether that’s reflecting in your room with a view of the jungle in the distance. As the timing is unpredictable and the experience best enjoyed unhurried, we recommend you don’t book a trek on your day of departure.

Is gorilla trekking hard?

This is the first question most people ask us. It’s hard to answer because it depends on where you go, the weather and how long it takes to find the gorillas all of which can vary from one day to the next. In our experience, however moderately fit people under the age of 60 are unlikely to find it particularly tough, Older and less fit travelers may find it more challenging even so the odds of locating gorillas is better than 99% and your exhaustion is sure to dissipate when this happens.

Is gorilla trekking In Africa worth the money?

If you do a search for this question you will find hundreds of pages mostly from companies selling gorilla treks saying yes it’s definitely worth the money but to us the answer entirely depends on how passionate you are about wildlife encounters and hiking. To get maximum value from the experience, make sure you are prepared. Be as fit as possible, wear the right gear, rest well and don’t try to pack too many activities into your itinerary. These are both fascinating countries with much more than ‘just’ gorilla tracking; slow down and round out your experience by getting to know the rest of the country.

Is there an age limit?

The minimum age to visit gorillas in both countries is 15. You will need to provide your passport when you book your permits and park authorities will use your passport to verify your birthday matches the date given on your gorilla tracking permit.

Is gorilla trekking in Africa safe?

Despite their size and unfair reputation, gorillas are not remotely dangerous provided they’re treated with appropriate respect. All gorilla treks are accompanied by expert ranger guides who spend most of their time with the mountain gorillas. You are only allowed to visit gorilla groups who have been habituated to the presence of humans, meaning they are used to having people near them and understand that you’re not a threat.

Gorillas are normally shy and reserved, spending the majority of their time feeding and looking after their young. However, they—like any wild animal—can exhibit defensive behavior if they feel uneasy, particularly around their young. Your guide will recognize the signs; they may include ‘mock charging’, aggressive beating of their chests and grunting. Always follow your guide’s lead, but if faced with an aggressive gorilla, crouch down, look away and try to act relaxed. Your guide will advise you further during the pre-trek briefing.

How close can I get to the mountain gorillas?

Regulations state that you must stay 10 meters from the gorillas at all times and only spend one hour with them. In practice, inquisitive gorillas may come closer to you on your trek. If they do, stay calm and quiet, follow your guide’s advice and never touch the gorillas. Keep your voice low and avoid eye contact. The gorillas will normally be more relaxed the further back you are. Your guide may ask your group to move to a different location to calm the gorillas or to get a better view.

What should I pack for a gorilla a Gorilla trekking tour In Africa?

Your day of gorilla tracking will be long, active and may be fairly arduous. You will be hiking in thick forest in a changeable climate. Evenings can be cold with cool mornings and hot days especially when you’re clambering up a muddy mountainside. Having the right gear makes all the difference:

A small backpack to carry water, packed lunch and rain jacket.

Walking boots or hiking shoes. Boots are ideal for the extra ankle support on rocky and muddy terrain. Another option (that is particularly popular with locals) is plastic gumboots. Not only do they keep your feet dry, but they keep insects—particular ants—at bay.

Long socks will allow you to tuck in your hiking trousers and protect your ankles from scratches and biting insects. Higher-end lodges may loan gaiters to guests.

Lightweight waterproof jacket.

Hiking pants or waterproof trousers (handy when sliding down muddy slopes!) Do not wear jeans or shorts: hiking in wet jeans can be miserable and shorts will leave you exposed to hungry insects and scratches from thorns.

A long-sleeved shirt offers much needed protection from the sun and insects.

A fleece or light-wool sweater for cold mornings.

Cheap gardening gloves will protect your hands but aren’t essential.

Sunglasses, sunscreen and sunhat.

Camera (and associated paraphernalia). Although some people take binoculars, you aren’t very likely to use them. You will spend most of your time in the forest where trees will obscure most things.

Many visitors—regardless of age or fitness—find walking poles useful and many upmarket lodges provide wooden poles. In VNP your guide can cut you a custom-made pole from bamboo!

At least one liter of drinking water and your packed lunch.

A basic first aid kit may come in handy: antiseptic wipes, antihistamine cream, insect repellent, plasters, painkillers, and rehydration sachets.

What is the best Time to Visit Gorillas in Africa

While you can trek mountain gorillas in Africa throughout the whole year, drier months of June, July, August, early September and from December up to February are the most preferred. There is no guarantee that it won’t rain as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest especially is a tropical rain forest and its climate is influenced by micro conditions of the area.

What is Included in a Gorilla Permit?

A gorilla permit allows you one hour with mountain gorillas. Also Inclusive in the permit cost are park entry fees and ranger services.

Are there Discounted Gorilla Permits?

Most clients ask whether it’s true that Uganda abolished low season discounted gorilla permits in 2017. Yes it’s true Uganda abolished discounted gorilla permits. Please Note that Rwanda has Discounted Permits with certain conditions attached.

Can I trek Uganda Gorillas via Kigali ?

Yes, You can trek Uganda gorillas through Rwanda by flying into Kigali International airport. This will enable you to reduce the drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to 4-5 hours compared to if one is flying into Entebbe International Airport where the drive time is 8-9 and sometimes 10 hours from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The above coupled with the  introduction of the East African tourist visa, one can now visit both Uganda and Rwanda smoothly. East African tourist visa costs USD100 and allows you to visit two east African countries of Uganda and Rwanda. Remember also that you can now apply for Rwanda Visa upon arrival.

How many people per gorilla family?

Only a maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek or visit a given gorilla family. Bwindi has about 14 habituated gorilla families and thus each family is allowed only 8 people per day per hour. Sometimes park management is forced to have more than 8 people depending on circumstances on ground. If such happens, the park authorities will explain. When it comes to gorilla habituation, its only 4 people that are allowed to spend four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation.

Can The Disabled Or Elderly Trek Gorillas In Africa?

Gorilla trekking for the elderly can be very exhausting and demanding depending on which gorilla family one is assigned hence a need for better preparation and one to be in a better physical shape. Some gorilla families can be located and spotted in only 30 minutes while for others it can take up to 1 hour.

Trekking gorillas for seniors may involve passing through challenging terrain, steep slopes and slippery (mud-filled) trails which is a problem for old people and people with disabilities though it cannot limit the seniors and the disabled from encountering the rare gorillas since according to experience most travelers who trek gorillas are 40 years and above. Therefore if you wondering whether to bring you mum or granny for gorilla trekking, then you need to know that it is very possible as long as they can take a flight to Africa.

At Engabi Tours and Travel, we consider travelers above 60 years old to be seniors travelers and as a result we arrange special gorilla tours them. The packages specialty ranges from the guide assigned, the type vehicles used and the routing and flow of the itinerary which is normally relaxed to give more time to rest.

Book a Gorilla Trek/Safari

Ready to start planning your gorilla trekking experience? Let’s make it happen together! Contact us to start planning your next Gorilla Trekking journey in Uganda or Rwanda. Engabi Tours and Travel Ltd is a local Gorilla trekking company/Tour Operator that is Licensed by Uganda Tourism Board ( UTB) that will help you in booking a Gorilla Trekking permit to see Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Send us an email at info@gorillasafaridiscovery.com or text us on +256 757 341 593

We ensure a smooth booking of your Gorilla trekking Permits and Tour in Uganda and Rwanda by making sure that everything is secured starting from transportation, accommodation to your Gorilla Trekking Permit.

We recommend that you obtain or book your Gorilla trekking permits at least up to 2 years in advance to guarantee a memorable gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda.

Send us your preferred dates of gorilla tracking ,a scanned copy of your passport and we will have your Gorilla Trekking Permit reserved. If a traveler wants us to help them in booking a gorilla permit only, we charge an extra USD $50 as surcharge in addition to the standard fee of USD $800 Per Person and we accept credit cards for payment

CONTACT US to book your Next Gorilla Tour to Africa