A Day with Gorillas in the Forest – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari 2021/2022

There is no adventurous experience more memorable than a daily encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas deep in the forest. Many gorilla trackers ask where they can meet these few remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world. Mountain gorillas are endangered species which only live in Africa shared by three countries in Uganda these giants live in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park both parks are located in the south western part of Uganda. Many gorilla trackers in Uganda prefer tracking in the impenetrable forest national park, because gorillas are ever available and tracking activities are conducted on a daily basis with over 12 gorilla families and Mgahinga national park has only one gorilla family of which the leader of the group called Nyakagezi like adventure, he most of the time cross to Rwanda and Congo making tracking in this family a bit difficult, if you are to track in Mgahinga gorilla park, its advised to first consult from the tour agent about the group availability. From Kampala Uganda’s capital city to the gorilla parks it takes about 7-9 hours on the road, the drive is too adventurous with many stopovers to admire nature.

In Rwanda mountain gorillas are found in the volcanoes national park which is located in the northern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri Musanze district with a drive of about 2-3 hours from Kigali Rwanda’s capital to the gorilla park. The park houses 12 gorilla families which are ready to receive visitors daily,

In Congo mountain gorillas live in Virunga national park and the park houses 7 gorilla families although many gorilla trackers in Congo prefer tracking in only 5 gorilla families.
Gorilla tracking activities begin with a transfer to the park headquarters to receive short briefings from the park wardens about the dos and don’ts with the gorillas and also get you assigned to the ranger guide and the gorilla family. To be among the eight members allowed to track in each gorilla family in all the three countries, you must own a gorilla tracking permit that authorizes you to visit the gorillas in their natural habitat. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost usd600 in the high. In Rwanda, gorilla permits costs usd1500 and in DR. Congo gorilla permits costs us450 all the fees are based on per person per tracking including park entry fees and ranger guide fee. An armed ranger guide will escort you to the forest to begin the search of our closest relatives deep into the forest. The search of mountain gorillas may go from half an hour to full day since meeting them depends on where they last spent their last night from or on where they last have seen the previous day.

The gorilla trekking is sometimes tiresome as it involves passing through the thick and tough forest which is sometimes muddy with steep slopes, so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed as well as tracking gears like study pair of walking shoes/boots, walking stick, battled water and sometimes packed lunch. However, once the gorillas are met, you will forget all the troubles you have gone through and utilize the memorable one hour you are allowed to stay with the gorillas. Sit among the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the silver back, it’s an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas. You may find them doing their daily activities including feeding, making nest, mother feeding their younger ones playing among many others, learn their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as possible(flash cameras are not allowed). Only about 900 mountain gorillas remain in the world. Gorillas are humble and rarely attack humans unless threatened, and in an encounter, a person should stay still and refrain from staring or pointing at the gorilla. Be part of the experience and book a gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, all these countries offers the best gorilla tracking experience although Uganda and Rwanda are considered the best gorilla safari destination in the world and chance of seeing these animals are 98% and above.

Check on our gorilla safari packages and spend at least one day with these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat deep into the forest.