Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure: It is one of the most breathtaking experiences that offers visitors the chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats: gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The lush forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are home to these mountain gorillas. Under the direction of rangers and trackers, however, this gorilla trekking practice is carried out in two shifts: morning at 8:00 am and afternoon at 2:00 a.m.

What to know about Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure

In order to be assigned to a certain gorilla group or gorilla family, the guests will be split into groups of eight in the morning. At precisely 8:00 am, ranger guides will accompany the groups into the forest to look for the endangered mountain gorillas. Depending on the time of day and the location of the mountain gorillas, your stay in the jungle may last two to six hours. Clients will only get to engage with the gorillas for one (1) hour after they are located. You will become aware of how closely related gorillas are to humans after learning about their behaviour, feeding, playing, mating, and social interactions.

During Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure, everyone worldwide is eligible for gorilla trekking excursions, with the exception of children under the age of fifteen. If you find that you are unable to go into the jungle, porters can transport you there and back using stretchers. Our safari guide will assist you; but you will need to negotiate a price with the porters for being transported on a stretcher. The Silverback, a male gorilla weighing more than 200 kg, is the leader of the endangered Mountain gorilla family or group.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenatrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

There are approximately 23 gorilla families in Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, however, only 22 of these groups are available for clients to track. In the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are several gorilla families, including Mishaya, Kahungye, Nshongi Busingye, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, and Kutu. Rushegura group and Habinyanja in the Buhoma sector.  Ruhija sector: Oruzogo, Kyaguliro, Bitukura, and Mukiza groups. In the Nkuringo sector are the Christmas family, Bushaho, and Nkuringo. However, the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the sole gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is also located in Uganda. As a continuation of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, this park constitutes the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, is the only park in Rwanda which is famous for gorilla trekking. It is home to over 10 gorilla families that are designated for gorilla trekking. These families are Kwitonda Gorilla Group, Sabyinyo Gorilla Group, Susa Gorilla Group (Susa A Family), Karisimbi Gorilla Group (Susa-B), Amahoro Gorilla Group, Umubano Gorilla Group, Agashya Gorilla Group, Hirwa Gorilla Group, and Bwenge Family Group.

According to a report released on December 16, 2019, by Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration, Uganda is home to over 459 mountain gorillas, which is half of the total population of mountain gorillas worldwide. In 2011, there were an estimated 400 individuals. On the other hand, there are now more than ten times as many mountain gorillas as there were previously.

The number of mountain gorillas worldwide has surpassed 1,063, including those living in the parks of the Virunga Massif, which are home to 603 of the species’ members. These parks include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Not to be overlooked is the fabled and isolated Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to over 459 of the species.

Gorilla habituation experience

Conversely, the gorilla habituation experience differs slightly from gorilla trekking; that is to say, it is more flavourful. It costs US$1,500 per person and is limited to the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. To ensure sustainability, just one gorilla family has been selected for this ongoing activity. Unlike gorilla trekking, where you are supervised by ranger guides, you will be led by researchers and ranger guides very early in the morning following your briefing at the Uganda Wildlife Authority office.  It permits visitors to spend up to four hours at a time with gorillas.

The clients will be accompanied by researchers, ranger guides, and porters as needed, who will explain and lead them through the entire experience. Thus, depending on the time of day and the gorillas’ location, a gorilla habituation session could take four to ten hours.

Due to the Gorilla Habituation Experience’s daily cap of four guests, we advise our clients to obtain their permits a year in advance of the trekking date in order to beat out other clients.

The Cost of Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking adventure permits

The Uganda Wildlife Authority sets a regular charge of US$ 800 per person for a gorilla trekking permit, which allows you to spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas.

• Uganda Gorilla habituation Permit: It Costs US$ 1,500 per person and you will spend 4 hours with the rare Mountain Gorillas upon meeting them
• Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 1,500 per person and you will spend 1 hour with the rare Mountain Gorillas upon meeting them.
• DR Congo Gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 400 per person and you will spend 1 hour with the rare Mountain Gorillas upon meeting them.