Best place for gorilla trekking.
Best place for gorilla trekking: Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most remarkable and well-liked activities, drawing large numbers of visitors. Three countries—Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—offer gorilla trekking, which entails walking through tropical rainforests in pursuit of habituated mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural environment.
Where to go trekking with gorillas
Trekking with gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is the most popular gorilla destination in Africa since it is home to the greatest number of mountain gorillas, who are found in two national parks in the southwestern region: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
One habituated gorilla family may be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, whereas around 22 habituated gorilla families can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is accessible for daily trekking. There are four areas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla trekking is conducted: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
Rwandan gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is also available in Rwanda, where it is conducted in the Volcanoes National Park. About 15 habituated gorilla families call Volcanoes National Park, which is accessible by trekking every day, in Musanze village in northwest Rwanda, home.
Trekking with gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, gorilla trekking is conducted in two national parks: Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is home to Eastern lowland gorillas, and Virunga National Park, which is home to endangered mountain gorillas. About eight habituated mountain gorilla families can be found in Virunga National Park, and approximately five habituated eastern lowland gorillas can be found in Kahuzi Biega National Park. These gorillas are accessible for daily hiking.
Experience trekking with gorillas
A training regarding the rules and regulations is given at the park headquarters very early in the morning before gorilla trekking begins at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park. Following the briefing, you will be paired with an experienced park guide who is familiar with the gorilla trekking trails and assigned a habituated gorilla family to trek.
Because gorillas prefer to roam around in search of food, gorilla trekking can take anything from thirty minutes to seven hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Among other things, you will be able to see several bird species, mammals, plants, trees, and other primate species while hiking.
Following their discovery, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with the gorillas in their natural environment, where you can observe their daily activities, such as feeding, nursing, and grooming their young, take pictures, and document the amazing moments. The greatest location for gorilla trekking.
The price of permits for gorilla trekking
Visitors over the age of 15 are granted gorilla trekking permits, which are official credentials or cards that allows them to visit habituated gorilla families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, or Uganda. The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is 300,000 UGX per person for East African nationals, 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, and 700 USD per person for foreign residents.
All nationalities must pay 1,500 USD per person for a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda, whereas international residents and non-residents must pay 450 USD per person for a permit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The ideal time of year to go gorilla trekking
Although gorilla trekking is possible at any time of year in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park, the best time to go is during the dry season, also referred to as the peak season, which lasts from June to February.
Access roads to the national parks and gorilla trekking routes will be dry and passable during the dry season because there is less rainfall in the gorilla location. This makes hiking easier than during the rainy season, when the trails are muddy and slippery.
Gorilla trekking is possible in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Virunga National Park, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or the Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.