Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa | Deks Uganda Safaris

Gorilla Trekking tours are experiences where a group of people gets to trek through the thick rainforests to capture a glimpse of what mountain gorillas look like. And be able to view the environment in which mountain gorillas stay. Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa take place in only 4 safari destinations -National Parks in the whole world. These include Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga Gorilla), and Rwanda (Volcanoes). And the Eastern Part of Congo (Virunga National Park), of which all are named the Virunga Massif.

Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda is experienced in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in the southwestern region of the country. Travelers choose Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari experiences in a single itinerary. Such trips can begin either way depending on a client’s preference making it possible to do Gorilla Trekking Tours.

Trending Gorilla Tours to Uganda and Rwanda – Let’s Adventure in East Africa

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4 Days Gorilla Trekking Bwindi

In the 4 Days Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will enjoy the most thrilling but exciting experience.

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5 Days Gorilla Trekking Safaris Uganda

On the 5 Days Gorilla Trekking Tours Uganda Wildlife Adventure Trip. You will enjoy a wildlife safari in one of Uganda’s most spectacular protected areas, “The Whispers of the Wild”.

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7 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari

This 7 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari shall take you through The Pearl of Africa – Uganda and The Land of a Thousand Hills – Rwanda.

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Where To Go for Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa?

Mountain Gorillas inhabit three countries in Africa and these include Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. And few national parks inhabit mountain Gorillas including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park is an endemic forest of the Albertine Rift in Eastern Congo.

Uganda Best Adventure Trip

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Owing to its outstanding unique beauty and scientific value. Bwindi is Africa’s most ancient rainforest of tangled vegetation draped over a deeply fissured landscape of steep.

Gorilla Touring Gears

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nationale des Volcans–PNV) is found in a chain of volcanoes. It is home to the world’s few remaining mountain gorillas. While the main focus of interest for most visitors.

Gorilla Permit Booking Information

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

This 34sq km national park is the smallest in the country but the most scenic and very important. It is one of the two parks in Uganda that are a habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.

Most Popular Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours Combined with Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Tours in Rwanda are experienced in the Volcanoes National Park. It is located just 3 hours from Kigali city the capital of Rwanda at the border of Congo and Uganda. Volcanoes national park hosts about 150 habituated mountain Gorillas which are split into 12 Groups which are 96 permits.

Rwanda inhabits the oldest habituated gorilla group. Rwanda is bet for high-end low-impact tourism which doubles the cost of Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Congo. The Rwanda tourism strategy has always been to attract the most exclusive resorts. And promise higher income and the local communities at the edge of the Volcanoes national park where the mountain gorillas live.

Gorilla Trekking Tours Rules

2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari in this land of 1000 hills begins from Kigali to Parc National des Volcano/Volcanoes National Park and back to Kigali for a city tour.

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6 Days Primates Tour Uganda Savannah Safari – The Ultimate Gorilla tour & Chimpanzee Trekking Experience Trip takes you to different tourist destinations in the West.

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This 7 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari shall take you through The Pearl of Africa – Uganda and The Land of a Thousand Hills – Rwanda, to enjoy lots of wildlife

Ultimate Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Combined with Wildlife Safaris

Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda take place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Congo which is part of the Virungas National Park and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. It has only one habituated Mountain Gorilla family. The rest of the Gorilla groups are inhabited in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with a maximum of over 500 mountain Gorillas. That are split into 37 social groups, the 36 are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The 11 habituated Gorilla groups are visited each day and 1 group is kept for research and habituation process.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park has four Gorilla sectors including Ruhijah, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. A maximum of eight people are allowed to trek each Gorilla family, and permits are charged at $700 per person. It takes a maximum of 9 to 11 hours to reach the park from the Capital – Kampala City. Depending on the traffic jam on the road however up countries there is no traffic jam. So you will drive smoothly as you spot several things including the rolling hills, of Kigezi & cattle grazing. The area is normally referred to as the Switzerland of Africa.

Ultimate Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla Trek Tours to Bwindi

3 Days Gorilla Trek Tour to Bwindi

The 3 Days Gorilla Trek Tours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forests. Uganda takes you to the mountains and impenetrable forests of southwestern Uganda, inhabited by the very rare mountain gorillas.

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Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris

4 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour Bwindi Forest Park

In just 4 Days of Gorilla Trekking tours to Bwindi Forest, you will enjoy the most exciting experience: meet a giant monkey; gorilla. This is the most popular tourist activity in Uganda.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Tours to Africa – Deks Uganda Safaris

How to Acquire a Gorilla Trekking Permit?

To trek the Mountain Gorillas, you must contact first a tour operator – Deks Uganda Safaris in this case, who will be in charge of purchasing a gorilla trekking permit, arranging accommodation for you, and organizing the rest of your trip to trek the mountain Gorillas in the Virunga massif. A gorilla permit is an identity that is issued to travelers and allows them to trek the Mountain gorilla from the Authorities that are in charge of Wildlife in every country.

Each country has different charges for gorilla permits. Uganda charges 6700 USD, Rwanda charges 1500 USD, and Congo charges 400 USD. The gorilla permit allows you to trek the Mountain Gorillas. Gorilla Trekking takes approximately 30 minutes to 7 hours and this depends on the location of the Gorilla group assigned to you according to the gorilla permit. Early morning, travelers have a briefing session at the park headquarters. You will be divided into 8 people per gorilla family in the sector chosen. The permit fee is to help with the conservation of the environment and improve the health of the mountain Gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations

The rules and regulations to consider while on Gorilla trekking tours are put in place to protect the Mountain gorillas in their habitat environment from encroachment. You’re allowed only to stand 7 meters away from the Gorillas. Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking rules remain the same. Visitors are not allowed to consume drinks or food in front of the Mountain Gorillas.

You will have your packed lunch by the lodge and food is a must since the time for trekking the mountain Gorillas is unpredictable. Do not litter anything in the forest. Carry all your plastics back to the lodge or rubbish bins to the park headquarters. The forest is cherished since it’s home to the Mountain Gorillas in Africa.

Some Of the Rules and Regulations for Gorilla Trekking Tours:

  • One should be clean and always wash their hands before heading for Gorilla trekking.
  • Always keep your voices low during the trek and always observe or keep an eye on the park habitats such as birdlife, primates, mammals, geckos, reptiles, and many more in the forest.
  • You’re not supposed to live rubbish in the park and therefore keep rubbish in your bag & whatever you carry should be taken back with you.
  • Early morning you will be briefed about gorilla trekking rules and regulations and will after be put in groups of 8 people and set off to the forest with a ranger.
  • When you approach the mountain Gorillas, the rangers and guides will inform you about them or you will hear the noise in the forest. However, do not make noise out of excitement, remember their friendly primates but also wild animals and they can change anytime.

Work of Uganda Wildlife Authority

Uganda Wildlife Authority is an empowered force that regulates, protects, and gives security to the mountain Gorillas. Through the Vigilant monitoring of tourism to the Gorilla habitat, the Wildlife sectors can set a stress-free life for the Mountain Gorillas.

Mountain Gorillas were once endangered because of habitat loss, and poaching which was due to encroachment by farmers and local hunters. This led to the displacing of the Batwa people/pygmies from the parks. The forest – Virunga Massif is under 24 Hour watchful eye and visitors without gorilla permits are not allowed. Poachers are dealt with by the rules of the low.

There is a lot to spot during the mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa. This includes birds, trees, wildlife, butterflies, waterfalls, geckoes, reptiles, and many more. Enjoy gorilla trekking activity with Deks Uganda Safaris as you spot several things in the jungle. Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo range from tracking Gorillas and other wildlife.

Cheap Gorilla Trekking Tours In Africa

There are several budget trips including budget Gorilla Trekking Tours packages with very low comfortable facilities.

Gorilla trekking on budget tours does not mean one gets fewer facilities. One acquires almost the same facilities and the only difference might come in on the accommodations since some travelers prefer budget accommodation to luxury accommodation according to their budget.

Regarding transportation for gorilla trekking tours, Deks Uganda safaris use its cars and sometimes does car hire depending on the number of safaris we dispatch off and or the number of travelers in a group in a month.

There are many affordable Gorilla trekking tours, including visiting Uganda during low seasons, when the accommodations are lower in terms of charges/pricing.

The discount offered doesn’t affect the price of permits.

In Uganda, gorilla Permits cost 700 USD, Rwanda 1500 USD, and Congo 400USD. One has to book and pay for their permit before 3 months of travel since they are sold on a first come first serve basis by the Authorities in Charge of Wildlife in respective countries that inhabit the mountain Gorillas.

Rwanda’s gorilla permit is high however, Rwanda is the top luxury Gorilla trekking sector in all the three countries that inhabit the mountain Gorilla in the world.

The best option for budget safari Gorilla trekking tours in Congo and Uganda.

Travel during low season to get a discount on accommodation facilities, March to May and October to November though during this season there is much rainfall.

Deks Uganda Safaris for more information about the cheapest Gorilla trekking safaris in East Africa.

Why Go for a Gorilla Trekking Safari?

The clients are advised to book their gorilla trekking tours three months before the date of travel. One also needs to be physically fit for the trek. However, you will feel a little daunted at the same time, be well prepared for the trek.

On the day of the trek wake up early morning, have breakfast, and Deks Uganda Safaris guide will drive you to the park headquarters for a short briefing about gorilla trekking. You will then meet the local guides and rangers who will trek with you and give you the etiquette of the whole gorilla trekking safari experience. Hike through the rainforest trails where you will spot the mountain Gorillas in their wilderness.

What to Know Before Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa?

  • Trek from 1 to 6 hours of the day as you climb to high altitudes, the forest is slippery, rough, and at times muddy.
  • The hike needs physical fitness, as you trek you will view the surrounding sceneries that will make your trek worthy.
  • When one finally meets the gorillas, the fatigue is all gone and forgotten, the experience is unforgettable in your natural history of the world.
  • Thereafter you’re provided with picnic lunches, as a result, you might take a lot of water since you will use a lot of energy and power.
  • Speed film cameras are allowed however do not use flashlights when taking pictures. Since these are forest areas it tends to rain now and then hence carry waterproof clothes and zip lock bags for cameras and film.

Where is Gorilla Trekking Better, Comparing Uganda and Rwanda?

Mountain Gorillas are the same everywhere all habits are the same. And one can’t be sure that they will see mountain gorillas when they decide to trek. However, it’s rare for clients to be disappointed. The best chance for gorilla trekking is to trek during the dry seasons of April, May, and November.

The accommodation is available and superior in Uganda than in Rwanda. There is a better chance of finding the Gorillas. The authorities regulate the rules that in case the Gorillas haven’t been found by 2 pm, the trekkers are asked to return to the park headquarters to avoid trekking in the darkness.

There are no refunds unless the trekker falls sick before the trek after the senior of the headquarter finds out that you’re not eligible to trek.

The lowest age to trek the mountain Gorillas is the age of 15years this is due to their physical fitness and transmission of childhood diseases to the gorillas. The age limit is strictly observed since the passport details are always followed including the date of birth which is required at the time of booking. Requirements of the age are a must proof before you trek the mountain Gorillas.

What are the Right Clothes for Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa?

One should carry strong hiking boots with good ankle support and some garden gloves. Dress in long-sleeved shirts to protect your arms against scratches from thorns, and long pants to minimize the insect bites on the legs.

Dress in layers to put them off in case you sweat. You will be provided with a picnic lunch and carry a lot of water from the lodge together with high energetic snacks. Note that the parks are located in rainforest areas and it can rain anytime therefore it is advisable to carry waterproof clothes, zip bags for cameras and filming.

Taking Photos During Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Photographs using flashlights are not permitted. Fast-speed films are not recommended. Take along your day pack and carry your needed items for the trek, sweater, tops, basic items, and flashlights.

The porters are available to carry you however they are hired at the park headquarters. Guides are armed during the trek since it’s a must for all the trekkers to be accompanied by the guides, porters, and UPDF soldiers. National Park guides and soldiers are armed for safety purposes.