With the guidance from the World-class, most highly experienced Ranger guides for the job, your breath will be taken away when you get the chance to meet face to face with a beautiful creature that is incomprehensibly human. Arising early and trekking through the thick jungles for several hours is worthwhile, for visitors are offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of spending up to one hour with these extraordinary creatures in their natural habitat. Silverbacks will be seen patrolling around their territory, youngsters showing off and female gorillas breastfeeding or carrying their infants but nothing mesmerizes visitors like seeing the gorilla group go about their daily routines while suspiciously watching you.
It is the emotionally rewarding moments enjoyed by visitors that make gorilla safaris one of the most fulfilling moments of a lifetime. The Mountain gorillas are beautiful primates that only live in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park in Congo as well as Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks in Uganda. With a population of only 1063 individuals living in the wild, they were declared endangered under the IUCN Red List. While Uganda has two places to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, higher population is found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Gorilla safaris in Uganda
Gorilla Safaris in Uganda are indescribable and a once in a lifetime experience where visitors can encounter the Giant Apes in two beautiful Gorilla Parks that include Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. For the latter, there are over 450 of the World's remaining 1063 mountain gorillas, making it the most populous place in as afar as gorilla habitats is concerned. This Park was established in 1991, received its first gorilla trekkers in 1994, the same year it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A typical gorilla safari in Uganda starts from preparation back home but once in Uganda, you will have to choose which of the places to go to.
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are trekked from one of the four sectors that include Buhoma (home to Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja), Rushaga (known for Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kutu, Bweza, Rwigi, Bikingi, Kahungye and Mucunguzi), Ruhija (popular for Oruzogo, Kyaguliro, Mukiza and Bitukura) and Nkuringo (home to Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho) while for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the only available gorilla group for trekking in Nyakagezi. On the day of trekking, visitors gather at the Park Headquarters for briefing on the protocols and rules for gorilla trekking and this is done early in the morning, about 7:00am. Allocation into groups is done after the briefing process and about 2-6 hours will be spent in the forest searching for the mountain gorillas.
Permits for gorilla safaris in Uganda go for only $700 per person for foreign non-resident visitors, $600 for foreign resident tourists and Shs. 250,000 for East African community resident visitors. Interestingly, gorilla safaris in Uganda offer another remarkable experience where visitors pay $1500 to watch gorilla groups still undergoing habituation and even spend more time (4 hours) in their presence. As far as places of lodging are concerned, visitors have to clearly understand the trekking regions in Bwindi Impenetrable Park but the common places to stay are Mahogany Springs Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Ruhija Safari Lodge and many others for luxury travellers while the likes of Engagi Lodge, Lake Kitandara Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge Bwindi, Cuckoo land Tented Lodge and Bwindi Jungle Lodge cater for the classic travellers while Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp and Nshongi Gorilla Resort are for budget travellers.
Gorilla safaris in Congo
Gorilla safaris in Democratic Republic of Congo are possible with the existence of Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, both in Eastern side of the country. The former offers a chance to see the mountain gorillas while the latter shelters the Eastern lowland gorillas.
Gazetted in 1925, Virunga National Park covers an area of 7800 square kilometers and is home to 8 habituated gorilla groups of Mapuwa, Lulengo, Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Nyakamwe, Bageni and Munyanga. Treks in this Park begin with gathering at Bukima Ranger Post for briefing, followed by allocation into gorilla groups and finally treks start by 8:00am. Visitors can stay at Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi Tented Camp and Nyiragongo Summit Shelters during gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park.
Lowland gorilla trekking in the 6000-square kilometer Kahuzi-Biega National Park is done for five gorilla groups of Moungwe, Bonnani, Mugaruka, Chimanuka and Nganwa. Permits for those Parks coat $450 per person. Places to stay during Gorilla safaris in Kahuzi-Biega National Park exist in Bukavu Town.
Gorilla safaris in Rwanda
Gorilla safaris in the beautiful Rwanda are conducted within Volcanoes National Park and are the main reason why most travellers visit the country. The Park is easily accessible from Kigali City, about 2-3 hours' drive away compared to Uganda's gorilla Parks that are 8-9 hours' drive away. The 160-square kilometer Park is haven to 12 habituated gorilla groups that are Susa A, Hirwa, Muhoza, Karisimbi (Susa B), Agashya, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Umubano, Amahoro, Ugenda and Titus.
A typical gorilla trip begins with orientation done at Kinigi Park Headquarters where visitors are taken through the rules and regulations of the adventure. The actual trek will begin at about 8:30am after 20-30 minutes' drive to the trailhead, at the border of the forest. The adventure is greatly unpredictable and can last 1-5 hours depending on the pace of movement as well as location of the allocated gorilla group. You have one hour to take pictures and observe them.
A gorilla safari in Rwanda isn't possible without a gorilla permit and it costs only $1500 per person per trek, to be booked at least 3-6 months in advance. Choose from the wide range of accommodation facilities that include Virunga Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One & Only Gorilla's Nest, Bisate Lodge, Muhabura Guesthouse, Villa Gorilla, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel and Amakoro Songa Lodge for your gorilla safari in Rwanda.
Best time for Gorilla Safaris
There is no particular best time for gorilla safaris because the Gorilla Parks in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo are open all year round. However, the dry season (December to February and June to September) offer less challenging treks because trails are drier, less muddy and slippery.
Ultimate packing list for Gorilla Safaris
Comfort is one of the elements that you need to put in mind when packing for your Gorilla Safari and therefore make sure that you have a waterproof rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, safari pants, insect repellant, hat, gardening gloves, first aid kit, re-usable water bottle, camera, hiking boots, sunglasses, toiletries and backpack.
