What Is Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is the act of moving in the forest to find the mountain gorillas without using a gadget to trace them ( not a dictionary definition) Mountain gorillas in the entire world are residents of Uganda, Rwanda And DR Congo. They are estimated to be about 800 mountain gorillas that are still surviving. CONTACT US

Gorilla trekking Safari

What Makes Mountain Gorillas Unique

Mountain gorillas have existed since the ice age period but Bwindi Forest, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga forest are the only forests where they can call home as of today.

Mountain gorillas are very large and tall primates which make them fierce at first sight but guess what, despite there sheer size, they are serene and calm animals.

It is quite un believable that they feed there huge bodies on foliage only.

Mountain gorillas live in families under the leadership of a silver back which is the dominant male

When an infant is born, it is raised by the entire family. They guard it jealously especially the Silverback

When mountain gorillas loose a family member, they mourn like human being. The family becomes dull, may disappear from sight for some moments to mourn, they dissert the area close to where there member has passed.

The Silver back is the overall and autonomous leader of the family. Any Gorilla  wishing to undertake his authority calls for trouble because he is met to defend the entire family. He will fight to death to defend his power

How to Book for Gorilla tracking

We have a team of experienced staff that have worked on Uganda and Rwanda safaris for some time. They are ready to get back to you about any questions concerning, your gorilla tracking safari. State the date and all will be done with your help to form a tailored Uganda gorilla trekking tour or Rwanda gorilla tracking vacation.

Rules Of Gorilla Trekking

Do not Feed the mountain gorillas

When trekking to see the gorillas, lower your voice so that you do not scare them.

No dumping in the forest to keep the environment clean

Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human disease in case you have any communicable disease, you are requested to volunteer not to go so that the mountain gorillas are kept safe from disease.

If you need to ease yourself while in the forest, request your guide to make a hole for you and burry everything beyond recognition.

On one hour is permitted to be with the mountain gorillas. They were habituated to be in the presence of humans for just that one hour.

Below is an itinerary of a gorilla trekking safari you can book

3 Day Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

During a 3 day gorilla tracking safari, you entirely enjoy Gorilla trekking. Driving to Bwindi forest National Park is an incredible ride as you have the opportunity of seeing enroute highlights like the meandering rivers, highlands covered with varying vegetation.

Day 1 Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park

Following your breakfast, embark on the journey to Bwind Forest national park. This national park is located in south Western part of Uganda. Enroute, have a stopover at the Equator to stand at both sides of the earth at the same time. Perform the water experiment which is mesmerizing. Enjoy lunch enroute and carry on to Bwindi Forest. This park is the only one in the world where chimpanzees and Mountain gorillas share a home. Although the chimpanzees are not habituated for tourist viewing. As you drive through the lush vegetation cover of Kigezi, enjoy the incredible view and lovely bird species that roam around. The valleys are awesome as majority have meandering rivers at the base. You may not realize the time you take on the road. Arrive and check in to your reserved Lodge.

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

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Rise up for early morning breakfast and head to the ranger station to join other trekkers. The ranger guides will brief you on what is to be done during the trek and later divided into groups of 8 to trek each gorilla family. Walk through the trail where the gorillas were seen the previous day. The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker. There are several other primates like the vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey tailed mangabey to mention but a few. Bwindi forest is the haven for a variety of rare birds. 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.

Optional After Gorilla Trekking Activities

In case you are not so tired, take a walk to the Batwa pygmies where you will learn about the ancient cultures of these people. They will show you how they dance, sing, hunt, harvest honey and so much more.

You may also opt to go bird watching in Ruhijah which is the birder’s haven. A variety of albertine endemics are residents here. Take a walk to see the colorful butterflies that decorate the jungle.

Visit the Bwindi hospital too in case you are interested.

Day 3 Return to Entebbe

After having great time with the mountain gorillas, it’s time to return home carrying only the memories of the jungle. What refreshment.

What You Have to Know about Gorilla Trekking Safari

 You must have a gorilla trekking Permit

Gorilla tracking gears must be part of what you have to pack for this great holiday.

You may opt to do a road trip or a fly-in gorilla tracking safari.

Book accommodation in the area of your gorilla trekking permit because you are reserved in a particular family. This means, you must book where to stay which is close to this family.

Mountain gorillas are serene animals despite there sheer size.

Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases so be kind and declare your sickness in case it’s a chronic able disease. Participate in there conservation for generations.

Why Gorilla trekking Is An Authentic African Safari

Gorilla trekking is a life changing African safari done in only Uganda, Rwanda and DR. Congo. Mountain gorillas have been kept in confinement in some countries but that is not there normal home. When you book a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda, count yourself lucky to be part of this life changing holiday in the Authentic home of the mountain gorillas. Just these a few are still left in the world and highly conserved by UNESCO.

 Gorilla Trekking Safari In Africa

How To Book The Authentic Gorilla Tracking Tour

Once you have secured your holiday period, select some days and send us an inquiry about your preferred gorilla trekking safari ranging from a 3 day gorilla tracking tour, 4 day gorilla trekking safari, 7 day gorilla trek tour mentions it.

Our safari consultant will get back to you with availability of the gorilla tracking permits for the days you have prepared. In case gorilla permits are available, you need to secure one as soon as you can because only 8 gorilla permits are released for tourist each day per gorilla trekking family.

Book the gorilla trekking permit by paying for it as soon as possible because these are on first come first serve basis. No booking without full payments.

When to book accommodation for Gorilla trekking holiday

Accommodation is key in gorilla trekking safari booking because gorilla permits are sold according to area .you need to be safe by booking accommodation in the area where the gorilla permit has been secured. Bwindi is a very large forest with the northern sector and the southern sector.

In case you are trekking in one sector but secure accommodation in another the following may happen to you

You may miss out on gorilla trekking if you are not briefed because you may arrive late at the briefing point.

Your car may break down as you drive to the other sector

You may find a log across the road which may block your way making you delay and chances of arriving late for briefing are high so missing out on your gorilla tracking experience.

As you rush to the briefing point, you may have a car turn over as this is a hilly area that requires your attentive driving.

What To Book After Gorilla Tracking

Uganda is endowed with many National Parks that are close to each other especially those in the southern sector. Anyone interested in game viewing, has the opportunity to enjoy this in Queen Elizabeth National park. This park is 4 to 5 hours away from Bwindi National park. 

It is home to the tree climbing lions, herds of buffaloes, elephants, kobs, warthogs and has a rich avian life including foreign birds that fly all the way from Europe to Africa during the winter seasons.

This park is also home to the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge which requires one to hike to get to the chimpanzee home.

Kibale National Park is another place to book after gorilla trekking. This is the biggest home of habituated chimpanzees in the entire Africa. These have about 98% human genes which makes them the closest cousins of humans in the animal kingdom.

Kibale National park is home to a variety of other primates like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, retailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey to mention but a few.

Lake Mburo national Park is the closest National park to Kampala. As you drive back from Bwindi forest, you may opt to drive through Lake Mburo national Park for a game drive. This park is home to the Zebras, statungas, rare bush bucks and so much more.

Uganda wildlife education Center (UWEC) is the last point you can visit to see more animals but these are in exhibits since it was initially a zoo. It is like the summary of Uganda wildlife.

What to pack for gorilla trekking and Wildlife tour in Uganda

Tracking boots are a good idea to pack so that you can protect your feet from pricking sharp sticks that you may come across while in the wilderness.

Long trousers are safe for your legs to protect you from stinging nettles.

Travel shorts are also comfortable for a game drive.

A safari hat will shield your head from droppings and dew on the surfaces of the leaves,

Garden gloves are safe for your palms to get hold of a grip when you slide while in the jungle

A camera is the only way you can keep memories of your African tour alive.

Extra fully charged butteries for your camera will protect you from not capturing the big moments during this holiday.

A poncho is good   to protect you from the rain that fall without warning.

Insect repellant is protection for your skin against the stinging nettles.

Carry some cash which may be used to buy some souvenirs and pay some extra bills that may not be included in the total cost of your tour package.