Gorilla Trekking Tour Vital Information

Gorilla trekking information is vital before travel so as to enjoy your safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Mountain gorilla trekking is a memorable Uganda tour that gets you closer to the gentle eyed mountain gorillas. They are residents of great prehistoric Bwindi forest which is a thick natural forest placed in south western Uganda.  To have a successful tour, you need the below information.

A gorilla permit

A gorilla trekking permit is the first pass to confirming a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda. Gorilla trekking permits are sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority or ORTPN in Rwanda but we can arrange to buy them for you before arrival. Gorilla permits are sold on first come first serve basis and each day only 8 gorilla permits are issued for a particular gorilla trekking group. The price for each gorilla permit is $600 in Uganda and $ 750 in Rwanda

 Accommodation on gorilla safari

Gorilla trekking in Uganda goes hand in hand with accommodation booking because gorilla passes are sold according to the area not families as it was before. Accommodation in Buhoma side of Bwindi, is different from Rushaga area, Ruhija or Nkuringo gorilla trekking areas. Accommodation is normally overbooked during peak seasons therefore upon confirming the gorilla permit, accommodation must be booked. 

What to pack for gorilla trekking safari

Upon confirming your tour, you must think about what you need to pack for gorilla trekking. Being a jungle activity, you must be ready to carry some long clothes (shirt and trouser) in colours that match the jungle. A sound proof camera, rain coat or poncho, garden gloves, tracking boots, insect repellent to keep way stinging nettles. 

An Air ticket

It is very important to book you air ticket in time because seats on your preferred date of travel may be sold out. You must travel to either Uganda or Rwanda at least one day to the start of your gorilla tracking safari. This helps you relax and freshen up. You may also have a chance to do other activities that you might not have known about like the visit to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Ngamba Chimpanzee Island, Boat cruise on Lake Victoria.

Apply for a Visa

Before being allowed into Uganda, you must have a visa which you may obtain before travel or at immigration. It is better to get it before travel in order not to delay at the airport.

Carry Hard Cash

Although credit cards are used in Africa, they are not every where because of the delay in receiving the money. Most payments are done using cash. In Uganda, the Uganda shilling is locally used, in Rwanda, its the Rwandese Francs. Look for a Forex bureau and change some money to local currency. In case you have balance to pay for your gorilla trekking safari, its best to advise your booking agent the means of payment you wish to use. This is because some agents do not have credit card machines or the machine may break down or your card may be rejected.