Most Frequently asked questions about how does Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda work?
Most Frequently asked questions about how does Gorilla trekking work?, Gorilla trekking is one of the most thought after adventure activity done in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Few travelers jet in to these three African countries minus putting gorilla trekking on the must do activity. The jungle is thick, but the search to meet our closest relatives deep into the forest is so exciting. Although the activity gorilla trekking seems the same, but you should know that trekking in each park gives different experience. Over 90% of visitors to Uganda go gorilla trekking. Let us try to look at the frequently asked questions about how does gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda works, it will help to give us an insight of what is need before choosing to go gorilla trekking
What is the age limit for Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
For both gorilla trekking countries, the age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years old according to Uganda Wildlife Authorities regulations (UWA). No person bellow that age is allowed to trek the gorillas. The reasons behind this is that kids can easily get scared. When they come face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorillas are wild animals, so they can charge at any time. And also the kid can get excited and run to the gorillas which are not allowed to come very close to these gentle giants
How much does Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda cost?
A Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 and this fee is per person per trekking. The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s current tariffs are valid until June 2024. So the gorilla trekking price in Uganda is set until then. This applies to Rwanda Development Board (RDB) The Gorilla permits of Rwanda costs $1500 per person per trekking and a gorilla permit gives you permission to stay with a gorilla for a period of only 1 hour. All gorillas trekking activity begins very early in the morning after a short briefing from the park wardens/ rangers
Am I sure to see the Mountain Gorillas during the Gorilla trek?
We have never received a case of any tourist missed a chance of seeing the gorilla in their natural habitat. So we usually say chances of seeing the gorillas is 98%. We would say 100% but since gorillas are wild animals anything can happen. They are ever on the move, during your trek can affect the experience of the sighting. Gorillas are habituated to human standards and their movements are monitored 24/4 thanks to the ranger guides. So chances of sighting them is very high. Ounce you paid your gorilla trekking fee be sure that you will trek and see the gorillas.
How do I get to the Gorilla trekking?
Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Forest national park can be accessed by both road or by air (domestic flight) it’s a nine hours’ drive from the Entebbe international airport to bwindi Impenetrable National Park and to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is around a 10-11 hour drive from Entebbe airport. However by domestic flight you fly from Entebbe to arrive in towns near to the mountains (Kihihi or Kisoro depending on where you are trekking) from here you meet our professional guide who will then drive you to your pre-booked accommodation. Trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park takes about 2-3 hours’ drive from the Kigali international park. So in Rwanda, even a 1 day gorilla trekking is very possible.
How many days do I need for Gorilla trekking?
It’s always advisable to plan for at least 3 days and this includes travel time, even if you choose to fly in a domestic flight it is needed to count three days for the Gorilla trekking safari since its difficult to fly in or out the same day as you do the Gorilla trekking. However, the gorilla trekking its self, it takes between half to full day and this depends on the gorilla group you choose to trek or assigned to.
When is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year depends on the travelers choice of travel. Uganda has two seasons the dry season and the wet season. When I talk of wet season don’t get scared, in Uganda it normally rains for half to one hour. And after it can get shine again and enjoy the wet season normally starts (Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr & May) so when coming for gorilla trekking in this season , you are advised to have good shoes and grab a walking stick by the starting point of the trek since it can be more slippery in the jungle, the wet season is normally regarded as the low season and permits and accommodations can be get at any time.
Many travelers prefer coming in the dry season is the forest is not sleepily. However if you are travelling in the dry season, you are advised to book your gorilla permit and accommodation in time. Since they tend to be sold-out in time. In Uganda it can rain at any time so it’s not a guarantee it can still rain during the dry season. One thing, you need to travel when prepared.
How difficult is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking activity seems to be tough but an easy activity especially if you are reasonably fit. You can’t find any problem to manage a gorilla trek. The dedicated guide/rangers sets a familiarize pace of the trek to the group’s fitness. During the trek you are most likely walking up and down sometimes passing. Through thick and muddy forest. The trekking time is unpredictable so a reasonable degree of fitness is highly recommended.
Can I go Gorilla trekking if I am disabled?/Most Frequently asked questions about how does Gorilla trekking work?
Yes, as long as you have a gorilla trekking permit, you are allowed to visit the gorilla in their natural habitat. If you are disabled, there is a possibility to be carried in a special chair during the Gorilla trek. However to be carried in a special hair an extra fee of 300 $ is incurred.
How close to the Mountain Gorillas do I get during a trek?
You are supposed to keep a distance of about 7 meters to the mountain gorilla and this according to Uganda Wildlife Authorities regulations. Getting closer to the endangered mountain is not recommended since gorillas are wild animals, they can easily charge on you, gorillas come closer to you are advised not to run away our specialized guide will give instructions. And the videos you might have seen on You Tube channel of visitors getting closer than that are in situations when the Mountain Gorillas them self-have approached the visitors
Can I spend more than one hour with the Mountain Gorillas?
Yes, you can spend more time with then endangered mountain gorillas, in bwindi national park. There is a possibility to go gorilla habituation and have more time with the apes. Gorilla habituation is the process of monitoring the gorillas so that they become used to human presence. You spend four hours with the Gorilla group that is being habituated to humans. There are few available permits for this activity and gorilla habituation permits cost per 1500 us dollar per permit. Uganda Wildlife Authority’s current tariffs are valid until June 2024.
Is Gorilla trekking worth the money?
100% gorilla trekking is worth the dollars paid, the one hour allowed to stay with the gorillas is an amazing experience one should not love to miss. We have never received any visitor regretting the money spent on trekking the gorillas every one leaves saying again and again.