Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa

4×4 Self Drive Africa Ltd can also help you in organizing a trip to visit the rare and endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). these primates can only be found in three countries and to visit them one needs to get a gorilla trekking permit which is sold at $750 permit in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $450 in DRC.

In Uganda mountain gorillas are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks both located in the southwestern part of the country and Uganda is home to almost half of the remaining population of these primates in the world, in Rwanda, they are found in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country and DR. Congo mountain gorillas are in Virunga National Park.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

For sure everybody should spare some time and visit Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Gorilla Trekking. This is not only because the park has turned into one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa, but the park also provides a home to 120 species of mammals, 27 species of frogs, geckos, chameleons, and many endangered species, and in an addition to that the park is also home to over 348 species of birds making it a perfect destination for bird lovers.

The park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda along the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine Rift. A visit to Uganda for gorilla trekking will give you a lot of things to do and you will be overwhelmed. Uganda may be a small country by size however it’s extremely rich as far as nature is concerned! With 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves, all loaded with a variety of wildlife.

The country is colossally blessed with wildlife and an extraordinary landscape. These parks and game reserves are all loaded with different wildlife from wild animals, plants, birds to flora to magnificent waterfalls, fantastic mountains, and different things. Uganda is additionally the place where the source of the Nile River is found, therefore a lot of tourist activities connected with open waters are offered in the country. Some of these include white water rafting on the Bujali Falls, jet boating, bungee jumping, kayaking, boat cruises and rides, and sport finishing around numerous others. So traveling to Uganda for a safari you will love it.

Gorilla Trekking is the highlight of a safari in Uganda and the country is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Going for a gorilla safari every person needs to acquire a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) you will present at the national park headquarters to be allowed trek the gorillas in both parks.

Only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to around 19 groups of habituated groups including; Habinyanja Gorilla Group, Mubare Gorilla Group, Katwe Gorilla Group, Rushegura Gorilla Group, Nkuringo Gorilla Group, Bitukura Gorilla Group, Bushaho Gorilla Group, Mishaya Gorilla Group, Nshongi Gorilla Group, Christmas Gorilla Group, Oruzogo Gorilla Group, Kahungye Gorilla Group, Busingye Gorilla Group, Bweza Gorilla Group, Bikyingi Gorilla Group, Kyaguriro Gorilla Group, Mukiza Gorilla Group, Kutu Gorilla Family And Mucunguzi Gorilla Group.

The national park has many more mountain gorillas and the number keeps increasing there are many more other non-habituated gorilla groups in that huge impenetrable jungle.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park the second gorilla park in Uganda found in the southwestern part of the country is also home to several different gorilla families the notable and most tracked gorilla group are this park is the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group which has so far 9 members with 4 Silverback gorillas, 2 infants, 2 Adult females 1 juvenile.

After getting the gorilla permit from the UWA for any park, you will need to be at the national park headquarters before 8 am local time on the date indicated on the permit. At the headquarters, you will be briefed on the rules and regulations to follow when you are with the gorillas in the jungle then you will be assembled in groups of 8 people and each group will be given a gorilla family to track and later your driver will transfer you to the starting point for gorilla trekking. From there you will be accompanied by the ranger guide and an armed guard and enter the jungle for gorilla trekking. The time you will take while tracking mountain gorillas is predictable but always depend on 2 to 8 hours and after meeting the gorillas you will be given a maximum of one hour to spend with them and take photos and videos even learn more about their day to day life.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda is believed to be the best destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa with around10 habituated gorilla families. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes National Park which is found in the northern province of the country, about 2-hour drive from Kigali International Airport.

The trek in search of these gentle giants starts in the morning with the briefing at the park headquarters and allocation to gorilla families. Hiking up into the forest is quite strenuous and you should be physically fit, can take 1 – 6 hours depending on your speed and where the gorillas spent their previous night. A maximum of 1 hour allowed with gorillas, take photos and videos.

Other Tour activities around Volcanoes National Park
Once you visit this home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, do not limit yourself to only gorilla trekking. There are other tour activities to spice up your safari to this amazing national park such as Golden Monkey Tracking, a hike to Dian Fossey Tombs, Mountain climbing (Bisoke and Karisimbi), Musanze caves exploration, Community tours (Schools, Fields, Hospitals), and Iby’Iwacu cultural Village tour among others.

Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Virunga National Park