Home » Gorilla Trekking (Gorilla Watching) What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla Trekking (Gorilla Watching) What is Gorilla Trekking?
Are you wondering What is the Meaning of Gorilla Trekking? Well, Gorilla trekking is a safari activity in Africa done in the African rainforests on foot in which tourists go to visit one of the habituated Gorilla families in their natural habitat.
This safari activity occurs in three major countries and these are Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With both the wild gorillas/wild mountain gorillas and habituated groups, each country provides unique gorilla treks experiences in a way that Uganda has the highest number of Mountain Gorillas in Africa in two national parks which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
On the other hand, the Democratic Republic of Congo has two gorilla species and these are the Mountain Gorillas to trek in Virunga Park and the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega Park.
Rwanda is considered the most famous Gorilla trek destination where the first Gorilla Rwanda tour research was done by the primatologist Dian Fossey. Gorilla tracking Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park.
Below, we look at the Gorilla trek experiences while gorilla watching in these countries.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda
A Uganda Gorilla trekking tour occurs in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi gorillas are the highest in number compared to other Gorilla destinations in Africa. Thus making Uganda Gorilla safaris, especially Bwindi Gorilla tracking more famous.
On the other hand, you can also enjoy a Gorilla trek Uganda safari in Mgahinga Gorilla NP in western Uganda.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 23 gorilla groups and you can track one of them during your Uganda Gorilla safaris.
All the Gorilla groups in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest in the four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga include the following,
In the Buhoma Sector of Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest
1. Mubare Gorilla Group 2. Rushegura Group 3. Habinyanja Group | 4. Katwe Group 5. Muyambi Group 6. Buyindo Group |
In the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest
7. Oruzogo Group 8. Bitukura Group | 9. Kyaguliro Group 10. Mukiza Group |
In the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest
11. Nkuringo Group 12. Bushaho Group | 13. Posho Group |
In the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest
14. Nshongi Group 15. Mishaya Group 16. Kahungye Group 17. Bweza Group 18. Busingye Group | 19. Kutu Group 20. Bikyingi Group 21. Mucunguzi Group 22. Rwigi Group 23. Tindatine Group |
Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park
The Gorilla habituation experience is the process by which the Mountain Gorillas are introduced to human presence for them to get used to it.
After the Gorilla habituation experience, wild gorillas are less dangerous to humans as they become more used to the presence of the gentle giants.
Please note that the chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda occurs in Kibale Forest National Park.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
On the other hand, Mgahinga National Park protects one known group which is the Nyakagezi Gorilla family but sometimes, the Hirwa Gorilla group from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park usually crosses over.
Gorilla trek Uganda costs $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 ugx for citizens of East Africa for each mountain gorilla trekking permit.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda gorilla trekking tours are one of the most famous experiences done in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park has about 300 Mountain Gorillas including habituated Gorilla groups that you can track during your gorilla safaris in Rwanda.
Get to find Mountain Gorillas during your beautiful Mountain Gorilla tours in Rwanda forests, which is their natural habitat.
Below are some of the Mountain gorilla groups to track while gorilla watching in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
1. Susa Gorilla Family (Susa A Family) 2. Karisimbi Gorilla Family (Susa B Family) 3. Ugyenda Group 4. Sabyinyo Group 5. Amahoro Group 6. Isimbi Group 7. Kwisanga Group 8. Urwego Group 9. Noheli Group | 10. Agashya Group 11. Umubano Group 12. Bwenge Group 13. Kwitonda Group 14. Hirwa Group 15. Igisha Group 16. Umuhoza Group 17. Kwisinga Group 18. Isimbi Group 19. Kigoma Group |
Gorilla Trek Rwanda costs $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents, and $200 for citizens of East Africa including Rwandan nationals.
Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo
Discover the rare Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park and the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Virunga National Park has 8 habituated Mountain Gorilla groups to trek while Kahuzi Biega National Park has 3 habituated Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
Congo is a rare and magnificent destination to experience fascinating unique creatures that are endemic to the Congo Basin and the Albertine Rift Valley.
Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families in Virunga National Park
1. Kabirizi Family 2. Bageni Family 3. Mapuwa Family 4. Rugendo Family | 5. Lulengo Family 6. Munyaga Family 7. Humba Family 8. Nyakamwe Family |
Habituated Gorilla Groups in Kahuzi Biega National Park
1. Mpugwe Group 2. Mugahuka Group 3. Nganwe Group | 4. Chimanuke Group 5. Bonnani Group |
The Gorilla Trekking Experience – Tracking the Endangered Mountain Gorillas
A gorilla trek involves walking with a limited number of people to track these Mountain Gorillas in the wild.
You will join a group of trackers at the gorilla trekking points, early in the morning for a short briefing about the gorilla trekking ethical rules and regulations.
In groups of 8, you will head to track gorillas in the wild/one of the gorilla groups on your gorilla tours.
When you meet a Gorilla family, you will be allowed to spend one hour with the Mountain Gorillas as you experience one of the most profound experiences with them. Watch the mountain gorillas as they go about their day as they are feeding, grooming, and playing, among others.
After the one-hour experience, you will head back to the park headquarters from the forest accompanied by a guide and park rangers where you will have a certificate for completing your Gorilla trekking Africa tour as a way of gorilla conservation.
Is Gorilla Trekking Expensive? | Why is Gorilla Trekking so Expensive?
The cost of a Gorilla trek to see the mountain gorillas depends on various reasons as seen below.
- The country in which one is to go Gorilla trekking:
Tracking Gorillas in DRC ($400) is quite cheaper than Uganda ($800) and Rwanda ($1500) due to the differences in the gorilla permits. Thus, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit makes it a great place for budget travelers.
Other than the trekking permits of the different countries, each of these countries has different living costs that are favorable for luxury, midrange, and budget travelers.
- The type of travel:
Travelers usually choose luxury, midrange, or budget safaris. Depending on the type, it will affect the cost of travel for the gorilla tours/gentle giants.
- Transportation means used:
The transportation means of the travelers can be public or hired transport. Public transportation is usually the cheapest.
However, by booking a travel agent, transportation to your gorilla treks destinations will also be catered for.
- The number of days spent on the safari:
The number of days on gorilla tours will also greatly affect the cost of an African gorilla trekking tours as more days will mean more expenses than fewer days.
- The number of safari activities done on the safari:
Other than the Gorilla trek, there are various other safari activities to do and some of them include game drives to see wild animals, tracking tree climbing lions, nature walks, birding, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, cultural visits, and golden monkey tracking, among others.
- Whether a tourist has used tour operators or not:
Much as using a tour operator or safari agent is more comfortable, it is more costly to use one than to have a self-planned travel.
However, a typical Rwanda travel will range between $3000 to $5000 depending on the above factors to watch the great apes.
How Difficult is Gorilla Trekking? | How Hard is Gorilla Trekking?
The Gorilla trek is not very strenuous, especially with a normal level of physical fitness to see one of the rarest primates.
Some of the tourists will find the experience more straining because of the hilly terrain, steep landscapes, or the dense forest of the gorilla parks.
The Gorilla safari in Uganda is quite different from the ones in Rwanda and DR Congo because the Uganda terrain is thicker with vegetation than Rwanda and DRC which are steeper due to the Virunga Mountains.
However, it is also possible to make your gorilla safari less straining for example by getting a walking stick, hiring a porter, or doing some physical exercises while you plan for your Gorilla trek in Africa.
What is the Difference Between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Tracking?
Gorilla trekking and Gorilla tracking are often used together to mean the same thing even though they involve you coming to see gorillas in Africa. However, they are both quite different as you go for gorilla watching.
Gorilla tracking is when a trekking group of professionals uses different techniques to find where a group is. On the other hand, the Gorilla trek is when tourists move in the forest, following trackers as they look for Mountain Gorillas in the forest.
Is it Safe to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
Yes, it is safe to go Gorilla trekking in Uganda. The country is an amazing place to have a free gorilla experience without worrying about not being safe.
The Gorilla treks parks that are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are all safe destinations with armed park rangers and guides who will lead you through safe paths.
How to Prepare for Gorilla Trekking?
Planning a Gorilla safari takes a lot of preparations for example making an itinerary, making bookings, and buying gorilla permits, among others.
However, you can also prepare for your Gorilla trekking tour by doing some exercises so you are fit enough for the Gorilla trek.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit the Gorilla Trekking Destinations?
Yes, depending on your nationality, you will need a visa to go for a Gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.
Please consult with your tour operators about the visa requirements of your nationality while you prepare to embark on an African Gorilla tour.
However, it is best to have an East African tourist visa at $100 that you can use to enter Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, especially if you have a wildlife safari to add to your Gorilla tour.
Visas can be applied for online or upon arrival as you go visiting Mountain Gorillas.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money?
Going for a Gorilla trek to meet the Mountain Gorillas is worth the money.
The experience will allow you to have an up close and personal experience with the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.
Additionally, the experience will allow you to contribute to the gorilla conservation.
The Best Season to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
To go gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Congo gorilla trekking adventure can be done all year round. However, the dry season is the best season to go and enjoy these African gorilla tours.
This is because of the dry grounds that are easy to pass through compared to the wet season when the tracks are wet.
What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking
Below are some of the most important things to carry as you go Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Travel documents like the Yellow Fever Card and passport.
- Sunscreen lotion to keep your skin from being burnt by the sun during your adventures to watch the great apes.
- Insect repellent to keep yourself from being bitten by insects.
- A pair of binoculars will help you to see the distant wildlife as you go to track the Mountain Gorillas.
- The camera will allow you to capture all the beautiful moments of your Gorilla safari.
- Waterproof backpack to keep your belongings safe on your gorilla safari.
- Notebook to help you write all the important points during your trek to see the mountain gorillas.
- Sunglasses in case there is too much sunshine, sunglasses will help cover your eyes safely.
- Snacks to give you energy as you do your gorilla trek.
- Bottled water to keep you hydrated as you walk to meet the mountain gorillas, etc.
Gorilla Trekking What to Wear
To have a comfortable Gorilla safari, it is best to have the right clothes to wear for example
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to keep your body covered from insect bites and coldness.
- A hat or cap to cover your head from the strong sunshine while on your gorilla safari.
- Socks will help to keep your feet warm, especially during the cold season.
- Strong hiking boots for walking comfortably in the hilly areas of the parks as you hike.
Other Safari Activities in Africa Apart From Gorilla Tracking
Other than gorilla tracking of these critically endangered primates, other safari activities will allow you to watch animals and other primates including,
- Wildlife safaris including tracking tree climbing lions (Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Akagera National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park)
- Birding safaris (Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Murchison Falls Park, Virunga Park, Kahuzi Biega Park), etc.
- Other than coming to see gorillas in Africa, other activities to do include boat cruises, nature walks, game drives, and Chimpanzee tracking that will allow you to watch both habituated and wild animals, among others.
- Visiting local communities.
- Tracking golden monkeys and other endangered species.
In conclusion, the Gorilla tracking adventure is an activity that will bring you close and personal with the Ugandan Mountain Gorillas when you walk through the forested areas to meet them. You can enjoy this experience in the top Gorilla parks like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla trekking in Uganda, Volcanoes Park in Rwanda, and Virunga or Kahuzi Biega Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, it is not just Gorillas that you need to watch as there are other wildlife, especially the wildlife parks.