Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo
There are several frequently asked questions on gorilla trekking as a concept. In this article, we give you answers to all the queries on gorilla tracking in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. Gorilla trekking is a popular adventure activity and growing wider every day in the countries where mountain gorillas live. In case you are an academician, conservationist or a prospective tourist to any of the gorilla parks in the three countries, get to understand the concept well. Below are the answers to the commonly asked questions about gorilla tourism:-
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla Trekking is a tourist adventure activity where people walk in the forests in search for mountain gorillas in the wild. People visit gorillas to enjoy seeing them and appreciate their unique nature. Gorilla Trekking may also be used to refer to gorilla tour, gorilla trek, gorilla safari or gorilla adventure. These terms are widely used to mean the same. Gorilla tracking is prominent among the frequently asked querries regarding visits to see mountain gorillas.
What is a gorilla permit?
A gorilla permit is a document or card issued by the wildlife authorities in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo to allow people who want to do gorilla trekking access the park.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
A gorilla permit for trekking gorillas in Uganda costs USD 600 to all foreign non-residents. But starting from July 2020, each permit will be at USD 700.
How much does it cost to see the gorillas in Uganda?
A gorilla trip to see gorillas in Uganda costs approximately between USD 950 to USD 2500. The difference in prices depends on the number of days for the safaris, accommodation used, the type of safari vehicle and the number of people in a safari. This is a very common among frequently asked questions on gorilla trekking in Uganda. Since any trip is possible with the budget, an answer to this querry is very crucial.
Where can you see gorillas in Uganda?
You can only see gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These are the only 2 gorilla parks in Uganda where tourist visit to track gorillas in the wild.
How much does it cost to see gorillas in Rwanda?
A gorilla permit in Rwanda is at USD 1500, any additional costs would be to be cater for accommodation and transport. So to trek gorillas in Rwanda would range between USD 1900 to over USD 5000. This would equally depend on the number of people on a safari, accommodation used, type of tour vehicle plus the number of days for the trip.
Where can you see gorillas in Rwanda?
It is only at the Volcanoes National Park where you can see gorillas in Rwanda. This is the park where Rwanda mountain gorillas live.
What is there to do in Uganda?
Apart from gorilla trekking, one can do Uganda safaris and tours at the country’s different tourist attractions. Uganda has 10 national parks and dozens of wildlife reserves plus waters bodies, swamps, mountains, cultural and historical sites among others. Among the activities to do in Uganda include, chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey tracking, game drive safaris, mountain climbing and bird watching. Other things to do in Uganda also include nature, cultural, historic and community tours, recreation outdoor activities, agricultural and business tour among others.
Where can I see gorillas?
You can see mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. In Uganda, you can visit gorillas in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda, you find or trek gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo.
What does a gorilla eat?
Gorillas are mainly of vegetarian diet. They feed on stems, bamboo shoots as well as fruits. On the other hand, Western lowland gorillas, love termites and ants and they also break open termite nests in search for the larvae.
How many people are allowed per gorilla trekking group?
Eight people are allowed to track a particular gorilla family per day. The number may slightly increase in case there are unavoidable circumstance that warrant extra guests to be added on. In case this is done, it would be explained to the visitors. But normally, its 8 tourists per gorilla group.
How many Gorilla Trekking Parks are in Uganda?
Uganda has only two gorilla safari parks. These include Bwindi Impenetrable National and Mgahinga National Park in south western Uganda. Bwindi, a world heritage site in Uganda is the one with the biggest number of mountain gorillas in the world. It is said that the park has half of the mountain gorilla numbers in the whole world, estimated at over 1000.
What are the Gorilla Trekking Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi National Park in divided into four gorilla trekking sectors. These are Buhoma Gorilla sector in the north of the park and Ruhija Gorilla sector in the eastern side of the forest. Other two include Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla sector both found in the south of the park.
How Many Gorilla Families in Uganda?
There are 20 gorilla families in Uganda. Out of the 20 gorilla families, 19 gorilla families are in Bwindi impenetrable forest and one gorilla family, the Nyakagezi Group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
What to carry for gorilla trekking?
When going on a gorilla safari, ensure that you carry some of the following items for your own trekking convenience. Ensure that come along with a long safari style shirts or t-shirts and long safari-style trousers. In your gorilla trekking packing list, also include hair bandana or a hat, a rain jacket or waterproof jacket, waterproof, hiking shoes and insect repellent among others. Find more information about what to pack for a gorilla safari. Usually knowing what to carry for gorilla trekking is one of the options of how to enjoy a gorilla trip in the best possible way.
What is the gorilla trekking age limit?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above. Children from 14 years and below are ineligible to visit gorillas in the wild. In case you want to bring your family for a gorilla safari in Uganda, ensure that all your family members meet this age requirement. The 15 year age limit also applies in Rwanda on those to track gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. However, gorilla trekking has got no upper age limit. As long as you feel strong enough to hike, book a gorilla tour and enjoy.
What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Gorilla Habituation Experience is where tourist visit gorillas in the wild and stay with them for 4 hours. There are only two gorilla families in Nkuringo and Rushaga where the gorilla habituation experience takes. Gorilla Habituation may last about three years so as to qualify the group for the experience. During the three-year period, researchers and conservationists consistently visit and identify with the Wild gorilla families until they are considered ideal for human interaction under the habituation experience. The concept of Gorilla Habituation experience is only done in Uganda. Rwanda and Congo do not offer this kind of adventure.
What is the Cost of Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit in Uganda?
A permit for gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi forest costs USD 1500. And four guests are allowed per gorilla family. A gorilla habituation experience safari may start from kigali to Bwindi or Entebbe to Bwindi forest by road or flying. Either way, you will be able to enjoy gorillas in the jungle in a very memorable way.
Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?
Both Uganda and Rwanda offer great opportunities and experiences for gorilla trekking. But Rwanda may have a slight edge over Uganda in terms of the terrain. Trekking in the Volcanoes in search of gorillas is a little bit more open with wonderful scenic views. But the impenetrable nature of Bwindi makes it harder and steep in hiking. But all the same, whether Rwanda or Uganda gorilla safaris, the experience is marvellous. For all the gorilla safari adventures whether Rwanda, Uganda or Congo, you only have to ensure that you are physically fit and health.
Gorilla trekking may take around 30 minutes, 3 hours or 6 hours. The trekking duration is determined by the whereabouts of the endangered primates on that day. Gorillas move since they live in the forest. This means that they may not be where they left yestarday. However, the advance team of rangers always do efforts to trace the gorillas before guests find them and they communicate back to the rangers and guides that move with the tourists. Upon finding the gorillas, visitors are allowed to be with them for one full hours before leaving the forest. Some gorilla families are distant and others are nearer from the briefing point. So the time taken also vary on that background.
The above are some of the answers to the frequently asked questions on gorilla trekking adventure safaris. However, in case you need clarification on the frequently asked questions on gorilla trekking, refer to the home page of this website (www.trekgorillas.com) or visit Speedway Safaris for further details.
In case you need a quote for a Uganda gorilla safari or any longer tour in Uganda and Rwanda, you are advised to check through the gorilla tour packages below:-
1 Day Gorilla Trek Uganda From Kigali
2 Days Gorilla Trek Bwindi Via Rwanda
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda
3 Days Gorilla Safari To Bwindi By Air
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda From Kigali
3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking
3 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience
4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
Also Read About
Budget Options for Visiting Gorillas in Uganda
3 Day fly to Bwindi, return by road and vice versa
4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Bwindi Mountain Gorillas Increase in Numbers
Gorilla Trekking vs Gorilla Habituation Experience
How to Trek Gorillas in Uganda
