Why Choose Africa Safari Vacation As Gorilla Tracking Tour

Gorilla tracking safari experience in Africa Uganda is a once in a life time opportunity to be up close with some of the survivors of the prehistoric period. It is a chance that most people yarn to get as few gorilla permits (only 8 gorilla permit per gorilla family) are released each day for gorilla trekking. Yet mountain gorillas live in only Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.  Congo yet only two countries Uganda and Rwanda are very secure for tourists to visit.

 Are you tired of the usual beach expeditions and want to try a natural wildlife safari experience with mountain gorillas

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Africa Gorilla Tracking Tour In Uganda

Why Is Unique about Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla tracking in Uganda makes you feel an achiever as you are one of the lucky achievers for the day to get a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits are on very high demand all day long since few (only 8 gorilla permits) are released for the entire world to book. When you get one, you have actually won a safari lottery.

No matter which gorilla family you have been booked at, the experience of so phenomenal and nothing can prepare you to meet the mountain gorillas. It is a mixture of excitements and adrenaline stimulating.

What Is Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves following the mountain gorillas in there wilderness and staying with them for just one hour(not dictionary meaning).This may sound just an hour but it is a lifetime encounter not easily forgotten. Taking pictures and selfies closer to the mountain gorillas keep this experience and feeling fresh

Are mountain gorillas Dangerous?

Mountain gorillas have a huge dark hairy body that is adrenaline stimulating at first sight however they are serene animals that are shy and feed on foliage despite there sheer size. The do not bite there life fully depends on vegetation

When trekking to see the mountain gorillas, you are instructed not to make noise while you trek to see the gorillas because they are easily intimidated by foreign voices. While in front of the mountain gorillas, you are requested not to show freight because they will tease you which may not ne comfortable for you.

 Sometimes a gorilla may want to touch your camera but show that you are not scared of there presence. Do not touch them because they are susceptible to human infections.

A sample itinerary

 3 day Gorilla Tracking Tour in Uganda

3 day  in Uganda is composed of two nights and three days to Bwindi Forest National Park.  It includes gorilla trekking but you must have booked a gorilla trekking permit prior. Prepare to enjoy 3 day in Uganda with the mountain gorillas which are wonderful giant among the apes. As free as nature provides, you may have an opportunity to encounter other primates such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys the list is endless.

Day 1: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This gorilla trekking safari starts with an early morning drive to Bwindi forest national Park.  Although the journey is quite long, it’s absolutely memorable as you spot wonderful scenery such as incredible highlands, green forest cover, meandering rivers on the valley of highlands and so much more enroute. The renowned Bwindi Forest National park is a thick ancient forest situated in southwestern part of Uganda. This breathtaking Forest is a habitat to the Mountain gorillas that are considered by UNESCO as one of few survivors of the ice age period. The forest is very thick with talk trees that form a very dense canopy at the top. Enjoy your lunch enroute and carry on passing the rolling hills of Kisoro. Arrive late in the evening and enjoy your dinner and overnight at:
Gorilla forest camp/ Gorilla Resort/lake Kitandara camp/Buhoma community Bandas

Day 2: Gorilla Tracking day

After your early morning breakfast, move to the ranger station for briefing. Carry a light backpack with the relevant gorilla tracking gear including packed lunch. For the safety of your skin, dress up in long trousers because there are stinging nettles in the forest. Join others for briefing at the station by the Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guide who will later lead you into the forest to start searching for the gigantic brown eyed mountain gorillas. Although the time you take to find these apes is not definite, the walk is rewarding as you may have an opportunity to meet other primates  like baboons, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey tailed mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys the list is endless. After this remarkable encounter crown it up with a visit to the Batwa land probably if you are not so worked up. These are pygmies whose life full depended on Bwindi forest for survival till the early 90s when conservation of the mountain gorilla habitat by the government became reason to relocate them. To keep there ancient cultural candle burning they demonstrate there past way of life to there visitors through amazing stories and unique traditional performances. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Return Home After Gorilla Tracking

Finally after the 3 day gorilla trekking drive to Entebbe Airport to catch up with your flight back. In Uganda, this is the shortest gorilla trekking safari you can book. BOOK NOW

What To Carry As Wear For Gorilla Trekking

Garden gloves
Flashless Camera
Long trousers

Long sleeved shirt

Tracking boots

Second battery fully charged.

Energy bites.

Large brim hat

Insect repellant

Hard cash and on arrival you can change it to local currency.

Hire a porter who will give you a push when tired and carry your package while in the forest

Best Africa Safari To Choose On A luxury Vacation

A Uganda safari is a moment to enjoy the cool wilderness. Most of the wild animals in Uganda survive in the gazette national Parks. They live freely and you can see them when you take a game drive, guided walk or launch cruise in these parks. CONTACT US

Launch cruise On Uganda Safari

Seven Day Uganda Wildlife Tours And Gorilla Trekking

Day 1: Drive to Murchison falls National Park

After breakfast, your driver guide will pick you from your lodge and head to Murchison falls National Park. On the way, you may have the chance of seeing the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. This unique park is bisected by River Nile which forms an amazing cloudy appearance when it squeezes through the narrow gorge and burst out to produce a thundering sound. Hike to the top of the falls to get a closer view of the Nile. Check into your lodge and relax

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Get up early in the morning for a launch cruise in the northern sector of the park. In case you spent your night in the southern sector you will require ferry crossing. In this area, you may have the opportunity of seeing animals like lions, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, giraffes, buffaloes and so many birds that roam around the park. After lunch get to the pier to enjoy a launch cruise. You may have the chance of seeing other animals you might have missed. Enjoy the energetic River Nile as it plunges down the 7 meters ridge to join the rest of the course.  Take pictures and return to the lodge to relax.

Day 3: Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following your breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth national Park. This is about 7 to 8 hours but very scenic. Arrive late in the evening ready for dinner and overnight.

Game Viewing on Uganda Safari

Day four Game drive and launch cruise

This park is endowed with varying vegetation so you are to enjoy a game drive in its mazing scenery. You may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, leopards, warthogs, buffaloes, elephants and so much more. Return for lunch and head to the pier for a launch cruise. The shores of this Kazinga channel are always flocked by rich bird life, animals and great vegetation cover gives you a chance to take magnificent pictures. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 5: Drive to Bwindi forest national Park

Rise up early for a game drive as you proceed to Bwindi forest national Park. Drive through the southern sector the home of the great tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, Kobs to mention but a few. Arrive and relax at your lodge

Day 6: Gorilla trekking

Ready to go gorilla trekking, carry your lunch box and move to the ranger station for briefing. Hire a porter to support you in case you are tired. The time of finding the gorillas is not easily predictable because of there regular movement. They have a black dark hairy coat that covers there body. When you are finally in there presence, stay with them for just an hour and return to the lodge to relax.

Day 7: Drive back home

7 day Gorilla tracking and Wildlife Safari

Following your gorilla trekking tour and wildlife safari, drive back to Entebbe to catch up with your flight back home.

• Book accommodation in the area where you have booked the gorilla trekking permit to a void waking up early in the dark to drive to the briefing point.
• Hire a pick up safari vehicle from the airstrip because there is quite a distance to the lodges
• Book a seat on the daily domestic flights because of the high demand.
• Send us your flight details for reconfirmation in case of any changes especially the departure flights.
• Gorilla trekking requires you to have some fitness, at least 2 weeks to your trek, do some exercises.
• Before starting a gorilla trek, you may hire a porter to carry your gears
•  Carry some hard cash to exchange into local Uganda shillings in case you wish to buy anything. This is because credit cards are not commonly used in Africa.

How To Evoke a Deep Connection With Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla Trekking starts as early as about 8 am In Uganda Or Rwanda. You begin the day with briefing from a professional ranger guide who will tell you about the rules of the jungle. Missing out on this briefing may cost you this memorable adventure with the mountain gorillas therefore punctuality is very paramount.
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How To Book Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking per gorilla tracking family is for only 8 tourists as these gentle eyed apes are habituated to be in the presence of just that number. So together with other comrades, you start the journey into the thick montane rain forest. The ranger guide will follow the pace of the slowest trekker so that no one is lost in the jungle.

What To See In The Jungle While Trekking To find the mountain Gorillas

As you keep following the crisscrossed animal trails created by the usual trekkers, you may soon be bumped at by the enchanting olive baboons. As if giving you a welcome into the jungle, they may perform some mesmerizing acrobatics.

Other monkey types like black and white colobus, blue monkeys, ververt monkeys, grey cheecked mangabey cannot leave you bored as they will keep juggling and squealing to attract your attention.

Bwindi Forest is haven to the unique albertine endemics of which 23 of the 24 albertine endemics are residents in this forest. It is a birders’ top destination in Africa with more than 250 bird species that linger round the forest singing jungle hymns, whistle construct there nests.

Big butterflies make the forest colorful as they fly from one flower to another as if searching for the beauty queen of jungle flowers.  

What To Do When You Find the Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorillas are jungle experts in that you need to follow the trail where they were last seen the previous day. Your patience grants you a grand opportunity to stay at least 7 meters in the vicinity of these gentle eyed primates. You might have passed muddy terrain, slippery trails, hiked some rough volcanic surfaces but all this may not amount to the excitement you get when you finally meet the mountain gorillas.

Nothing prepares for this great first sight encounter of the mountain gorillas. On several occasions, some trekkers break into tears as getting this opportunity is a life time experience. It is like hitting a jackpot

While with the mountain gorillas, enjoy watching the day’s activity like mothers cuddling and feeding the infants, juveniles laugh and squal , as the mighty silver back command his autonomy and watches the entire family activity. Do not mess up with any member even if some times the mountain gorillas may come closer to you checking out on your camera. Try not to show that you area frightened as this is one of the ways these mountain gorillas become suspicious.

Normally habituated mountain gorillas ignore the presence of onlookers and do the day’s activities. They are accustomed to there presence so you may have all the photos you wish to take while on your gorilla trekking safari. Because of this great excitement, you may not realize how fast time may run while you watch the mountain gorillas. One precious hour will finally come to the end and you have to walk away quietly leaving nothing and carrying nothing from the jungle except memories.

Below Is An Itinerary For Gorilla Tracking Safari

 6 Day Gorilla Tracking And Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda

During this primate safari in Uganda, you will have the chance of meeting the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees who are the closest human cousins in the animal kingdom in there natural environment. Visit the rescued chimpanzees at Ngamba Chimpanzee Island.

 Day 1: Visit Chimpanzee Island at Ngamba

Early in the morning you will be driven to the Entebbe pier for briefing about your visit to Ngamba Island. This is home to rescued chimpanzees which cannot be returned to there communities. Some of these chimpanzees loose  track of the mothers, others are rescued from snares. They are taken care of at this island and you also take part in feeding them from the feeding platform.  Spend some moments with the chimpanzee.

 Return to the land for lunch and head to Uganda Wildlife Education center ( UWEC). This was the former Entebbe Zoo but at the moment, animals are kept in exhibits which are different from the cages. Enjoy a walk through the center learning more about the animals that Uganda harbors in its national parks. You may also take part in feeding them under the keeper for the day program in case you wish to be part of this. This is however prearranged and optional. Return to the hotel to relax.

Lake Victoria Serenah/ Protea hotel/ Lake Victoria Hotel/Boma Guest House

Day 2 Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park

Carry your safari baggage to  the car and drive to Bwind Forest national park. This national park is located in south Western part of Uganda. It is a thick natural forest with great canopy that you can ably see as you hike. As you drive to Bwindi forest through the Kigezi area, get shots of the green vegetation that covers the slopes of the highlands. Arrive in the evening and check-in to your lodge.  

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Engage Lodge/ Wag tail Lodge

Day 3: Gorilla trekking

Take early morning breakfast and carry your gorilla trekking gears and packed lunch, to the ranger station to join other trekkers. After briefing, you will be divided into groups of 8 trekkers and a ranger guide will lead you into the jungle. Enjoy the whistling birds, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey tailed mangabey to mention but a few. When you finally get to meet them you are allowed to take there photos, but stand at a distance of 7 meters from there presence. Enjoy them playing and interacting with others. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 4 Drive to Kibale National Park

Following your Gorilla Tracking Experience, drive to Kibale National Park. This forested park is home to Africa’s largest habituated chimpanzees. Scientifically, chimpanzees have about 98% human genes. Most apes are herbivores but due to circumstances, chimpanzees may eat meat at times. Numerous bird species are also residents in this park and other primates like the black and white colobus, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys to mention but a few. Check in to your lodge

Accommodation: Ndali lodge/ Primates lodge/ Chimps Nest Lodge

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking

Get up early for breakfast and head to Kanyanchu ranger station for briefing. Later on in the company of a ranger guide, walk into the forest to search for the chimpanzee. Monkeys are the forest entertainers so shortly you will be welcomed by there enchanting moves, birds sing sweetly in the trees, butterflies also make the forest colorful.

Finally when you get closer to the chimps, you may hear them beating the tree trunks to alert there friend of your presence. Watch there unique life like feeding style, care taking for the infants if any, the restless juveniles and the power of the alpha male. Take pictures for memories and return to the lodge.

In case you are not so tired request for a trek to Bigodi sanctuary with a rich bird life. More monkeys species and butterflies are residents here. Enjoy the fresh swampy environments and take pictures. You may also visit the Bigodi Womens’ craft village which supports the work of the locals. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 6: Drive To Entebbe

Having had fun with the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys of various types drive back to catch up with your flight back home.

What To Note On Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla Trekking requires packing gorilla trekking gears.

Some exercise prior to gorilla trekking will make the trek comfortable for you.

Booking a porter is one of the most direct ways of giving back to the community as they use this money to pay school fees for there children.

Mountain gorillas are about 96% human genes so any communicable disease may lead to there death so volunteer to stay behind in case you are infected so as to conserve for generations.

3 Day Gorilla trekking Safari In Rwanda

Gorilla trekking In Rwanda is one of the incredible African holidays but you need to book a gorilla trekking permit, accommodation. All Rwanda gorilla tracking safaris are done in Volcanoes National Park. CONTACT US

3 Day Gorilla tracking Safari In Rwanda

Day1: Drive to Volcanoes National park.
Our ranger guide will pick you from the airport early in the morning and enjoy a city tour in Kigali. You will be transferred later to Volcanoes National park. This is home to several primates like the gorillas and monkeys. Birds find refuge in this park including the albertine indemics. Arrive ready to Check into your lodge.

Volcanoes bwindi Lodge/ Gorilla nest Lodge/ Kinigi Guest House

Day 2 Gorilla trekking

Rise up for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. You will meet other trekkers and after briefing, you will put into groups of 8 and then move into the forest. You will take the walk through the Virunga foothills till you get to the entrance into the forest. Start the search but the time of meeting the gorillas varies based on the movement of the gorillas and food availability. Finally meet the gorillas and take there pictures then after an hour return to the lodge and relax.

Day 3 Drive to Kigali Airport
After this gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, drive to the Airport to catch up with your flight back home.

What To pack and Wear As Clothes for Gorilla Trekking tour

What gorilla trekking gear and gorilla tracking wear to pack for a tour in Rwanda is vital information to read before boarding a flight to start your safari to Rwanda. Gorilla trekking safaris take place in the cold South Western Conner of the Rwanda in the North eastern part of Rwanda. This is a volcanic dominated area with mountain ranges like Muhabura Mountain, Karisimbi Mountain, Bisoke Mountain, Gahinga Mountain and Sabyinyo Mountain that form a dense mountain network. This area is extremely cold and misty almost through out the day so you need to be advised on what to carry s your wear to prevent getting cold. At times the temperatures drop as low as 9 degrees centigrade and rain is received unexpectedly so all this calls for prior notice of what to pack for your gorilla trekking safari. Below is a list of what to pack on a gorilla trip

Long sleeved shirt and trouser
This area is known for experiencing cold temperatures almost through out the year therefore a few long sleeved shirts and trousers would be a better option. While in the forest, there are piercing objects and biting nestles that may get onto your skin so you need to wear long trousers and sleeved shirts to protect your skin from any damage in the wilderness. Even the way is quite boggy so you need to pack dull coloured clothes that can be easily washed.

Water proof simple and soft bag, rain coat or poncho
During gorilla trekking, it may rain suddenly and remember in the wilderness there is no shelter or you need to catch up with time since you do not know when you are to find the gorillas and where they are. You need to park any of the above to protect your self and other items like the cameras from getting so wet and cold. The soft bag can be used to carry all your items

Hiking water resistant boots
Mountain gorillas live in a volcanic dominated area and majority live on the slopes of the mountain t making the way quite steep. This forested area is a catchment for a net work of rivers that support the community and besides the geology is impermeable causing a wet ground always. You are required to wear boots that can try helping you not to slip off the ground. You also need to be slightly physically fit to complete the trek.

Insect repellent
This being a wild forest, there are sever biting nettles that may injure your skin so to feel confirmable, you need to carry an insect repellent.

Gorilla trekking Safari For 3 Days In Rwanda

Camera
Gorilla trekking is a memorable adventure but you only carry memories of it and leaves the gorillas in the wilderness therefore as a souvenir, you need to carry a camera to take photographs. The best souvenir that will remind you of this great encounter with the huge jungle apes. The camera must be sound proof and flash less because these animals easily get agitated and freighted by light and unusual sounds.

Garden Gloves
On the way to see the mountain gorillas, there are over bent tree branches and other plants that may be thorny or slipper so you need garden gloves to assist you in getting hold of these branches.

Sun glasses.
These protect your eyes from the penetrating sun rays, drops of water from the tree leaves and flying insects that may fall into them.

Energy bites
These help you to carry on since you are not sure at what time you expect to see the gorillas. They also keep you busy and not hungry.
A wide brimmed hat would also be of importance to protect your head and hair
A walking stick can be hired before the start of the trek.

Rwanda Gorilla trekking recommendation

• Book your gorilla trekking permit at least 6 months to the start of your gorilla trekking safari
• When packing your gorilla trekking gears, have a check list to ensure that you do not forget any important details.
• Book accommodation in the area where you have booked the gorilla trekking permit to a void waking up early in the dark to drive to the briefing point.
• Hire a pick up safari vehicle from the airstrip because there is quite a distance to the lodges
• Book a seat on the daily domestic flights because of the high demand.
• Send us your flight details for reconfirmation in case of any changes especially the departure flights.
• Gorilla trekking requires you to have some fitness, at least 2 weeks to your trek, do some exercises.
• Before starting a gorilla trek, you may hire a porter to carry your gears
•  Carry some hard cash to exchange into local Rwandese Francs in case you wish to buy anything. This is because credit cards are not commonly used in Africa.

Gorilla Trekking On Summer Holiday 2019-2020

Summer holiday is a time to relax and have fun but if you are tired of the usual congestion at the holiday site, here is a new adventure. Gorilla trekking has a limited number of trekkers and just a few gorilla families are available for tourism therefore this avoids congestion. CONTACT US

Gorilla Trekking Safari

How to reserve your gorilla trekking safari

If you are sure of the days you wish to take your vacation, you send your inquiry with details of the safari days and number of people you are interested to travel with. We will call Uganda wildlife authority to inquire about gorilla permit availability. We will get back to you with the possible availability.

Upon confirming your gorilla trekking safari, we request you to send details of all the people you are travelling with like nationality, names on the passport, age, date of birth, expiry date of passport. We will book the permit for you upon payments for commitment. Scan a copy of your payment slip and we shall get back to you when the money reflects on our account. This takes about 4 to 5 days in case of a wire transfer.

Gorilla Trekking To Book

Payment by credit card is not so common in Uganda because of the number of days it may take to approve the payment yet booking a gorilla permit is very urgent.

What is the best time to book a gorilla trekking tour

Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year. During your summer holiday, you are free to choose any day for your trek even the renowned world public days are not excluded.

These best time to book a gorilla trekking tour is based on your availability but you must note that gorilla permits are on high demand so the time to you wish to reserve your safari must not be taken for granted. 

During the peak seasons especially late June, July, August, September and October, gorilla permits are on very high demand so chances of missing out are high. April, May and November normally have discounted gorilla permits in Uganda.

 Summer holiday can also be fantastic when you take a gorilla trekking tour.

Some of the packages to book include