Get the best set of gorilla trekking tips to guide you plan a successful and memorable gorilla safari to Uganda or Rwanda. Planning to go trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda for the first time? We have put together different tips for gorilla trekking for you that we feel will help have the most enjoyable gorilla safari experience.

Gorilla trekking is considerably one of the most sought after wildlife tour experience and it is offered only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda; Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking tips

Is gorilla tracing really worth a trip

Gorilla trekking is a priceless safari experience and undoubtedly a dream primate adventure for every enthusiastic primate traveler. To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, a gorilla permit is a must-have and you can reserve one at US Dollars 700 for visitors under category of foreign non-residents, US Dollars 600 for foreign residents and Uganda shillings 250000 for East African Community member state citizens.

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are obtainable at US Dollars 1500 and in the DR Congo you require to have US Dollars 450. You can book a gorilla permit through our reservation team or reservation team from a respective authority of gorilla safari destination you plan to visit for gorilla trekking. In Uganda, you can get in touch with reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority and in Rwanda directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Is it safe to trek mountain gorillas?

Gorilla trekking is very safe and secure in Rwanda and Uganda. No issues related to insecurities have been recorded like their counterpart the DR Congo. On actual gorilla trek, a group of 8 visitors will be accompanied by an experienced park ranger guide.

Know the best time to go for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is possible at any time of the year. Despite this fact, there are 2 significant seasons every trekker should consider before considering visiting anyone of these gorilla safari destinations for gorilla trekking and that is the dry and wet seasons. The dry season is considerably the best season to go for gorilla trekking and this occurs in 2 phases; starting in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. However, it is also very possible visiting Rwanda and Uganda for gorilla trekking in the wet season which starts in March, April, May and October, November although during this period the gorilla parks experience plenty of rainfall.

Pack wisely but light

It is essential to pack wisely if you plan to visit Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla trekking. In your packing list, the main items to consider include waterproof hiking boots, camera without flashlight, long sleeved shirt, insect repellents, sweater, rain jacket, gardening gloves, sun glasses, trousers, socks and many others.

Your fitness matters a lot for gorilla trekking

To complete gorilla trek, you need to be physically well. Considerably persons above 15 years are said to be strong and fit to hike for longer hours. Trekking to view mountain gorillas may take you between 2 and 6 hours. This usually depends on your hiking speed and nature of the habitat. We therefore advise all our clients to ensure they do some physical exercise to keep them fit prior traveling to trek mountain gorillas. On actual trek please make sure you have plenty of bottled drinking water and snacks to keep you energized throughout the trek.

Keep a distance of 7 meters away from mountain gorillas

Every trekker on gorilla safari is advised to always maintain a distance of 7 meters from a gorilla family. It is essential respecting the space between humans and these endangered species to protect them from infectious human diseases.

A maximum of 8 visitors trek 1 gorilla family

On actual gorilla trek, the park official assigns a group of 8 visitors 1 gorilla family. This rule should be respected to suit the carrying capacity of the gorilla habitat.

Observe gorilla trekking rules and regulations

Prior hitting the forest to look out for a family of mountain gorillas assigned to you, briefing is conducted at 7:00am for you to have insight into the set rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. They include; 1 hour of magical encounter, no body contact with gorillas, maximum of 8 visitors are allowed to trek gorillas, a distance of 7 meters should be kept at all times, no use of flashlight camera, a valid gorilla permit is a must-have, don’t go to trek gorillas when sick, you can trek gorillas if you are above 15 years, leave the gorilla habitat in a better state than you found it and many others.

Know the best places to trek mountain gorillas

There are only 3 mountain gorilla destinations; Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. In Uganda, drive to southwestern side to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are the 2 gorilla trekking safari destinations. In Rwanda, it is only in Volcanoes National Park where a section of mountain gorillas live and this gorilla park lies in Northwestern side of the country and in the DR Congo, visit Virunga National Park.