Gorilla trekking safaris offer exciting experiences for vacationers, especially in Uganda’s mountain gorilla habitats, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is also popular for tracking mountain gorillas. Uganda is known for having half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, and daily tours allow 8 tourists to visit each gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking involves hiking through dense forests to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are four national parks in three African countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo) where gorilla trekking occurs. In Uganda, treks are mainly found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the southwestern region. Tourists can experience gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda on the same trip, starting from either location, about 4-5 hours from Kigali to Bwindi.

Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla habituation is the process of training mountain gorillas, primarily in Bwindi National Park, to live closer to people in their daily lives. Spending more time with the gorillas makes this trip more unique than standard gorilla trekking. This technique is limited to one group, allowing four individuals to participate in the exercise. A great way to get to know these lovely, endangered animals is through gorilla habituation, where participants can get up close and personal with trackers, researchers, or rangers.

Where can I see mountain Gorillas in Africa

Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the three African nations where mountain gorillas can be found. Additionally, there are only a few national parks that are home to mountain gorillas, such as Virunga National Park, which is an endemic forest of the Albertine Rift in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mgahinga National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Virunga Mountains are in three national parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to over half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas, an endangered species. Since its inception, gorilla population counts have been done in this park, and the population of Mountain gorillas has risen from 242 in the 1980s to 1,004 in 2018, with Bwindi-Sarambwe housing 459 gorillas in 2018 and Virunga having 505 in 2015, according to Conservation Through Public Health. The estimated population is about 1,063 gorillas, with the other half found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking occurs in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Mgahinga has only one habituated Gorilla family, while Bwindi has around 459 Mountain Gorillas divided into several social groups. Of these, over 21 habituated groups are open for visits; one group is reserved for research and habituation. The park has four sectors: Ruhijah, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma, where up to 8 people can trek each Gorilla family for a permit fee of $800. Traveling to the park can take up to 9 or 11 hours by road, with beautiful views. Uganda offers a unique habituation experience in the Rushaga sector for a ticket price of $1,500. Private charters can also be arranged for quicker access.

How is gorilla trekking conducted

Visitors are advised to book gorilla trekking permits three months in advance to avoid disappointment, and maintain both physical and mental fitness. It’s to be prepared, as it may feel intimidating. On the trekking day, wake up early, have breakfast, and the guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing. You will meet local guides and rangers who will explain the etiquette for the trek. The hike through the forest can take 45 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the terrain, which may be slippery and muddy. The trek requires fitness, but the beautiful scenery is rewarding. Meeting the gorillas makes the effort worthwhile, creating an unforgettable experience.