Where to Go For Gorilla Trekking

Are you planning gorilla trekking safari? A closer look with mountain gorillas in the jungle is an experience that all travelers should be part of to learn the their adorable characters while enjoying the beauty of nature to its fullness. Those who have seen gorillas before review it as the most amazing experience that is beyond anyone’s imaginations while to some people, the experience is such unexplainable experience that no words can express the feeling one has upon sighting the gorillas in their natural habitats. A full hour in their presence allows you to fully appreciate their characteristics and behaviors whereas Photography is easy when the animals are this close and so obliging. Mountain gorillas are such an amazing breed of living beings whose company rewards you with a distinct experience that happens once in a lifetime. Mountain gorillas live in families each of which comprise of 8-30m members including the dominant silverback, adult females, juveniles and babies. For the first time travelers, you may be wondering where to go for gorilla trekking. World spread, its only in three countries where travelers can see and interact with mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas reside in only two destinations, which are Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and the Virunga conservation area.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
This is a home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the whole world. Situated in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is a shelter to 12 gorilla families available for trekking daily since 1993 when gorilla safaris were started in the national park park. Unlike in in other national parks, gorillas in Bwindi are distributed in four sectors of Buhoma in the north, Rushaga in the south, Ruhija and Nkuringo in the eastern part of the park. It’s therefore a traveler’s choice to choose which sector/region he/she is interested in depending on his booked accommodation and the desired gorilla family. Being an impenetrable forest on high altitude areas, gorilla trekking is quite strenuous but the most unforgettable experience. The habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza and Busingye. Additionally, Bwindi is the only place to do mountain gorilla habituation where Bikyingi and Bushaho gorilla groups are undergoing training in Rushaga sector, which will soon be opened for trekking. Besides Gorilla trekking, travellers to Bwindi can do bird watching, forest walks, gorilla habituation and community visits to Batwa and Bakiga people who live in the boundaries of the national park.

Moving away from Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, the Virunga conservation area is yet another option for gorilla trekking. Shared by Rwanda, Uganda and democratic republic of Congo, the Virunga conservation area is a home to 19 gorilla families all available for you to trek but from different direction. The Virunga Massif is made of three gorilla national parks which are Volcanoes national park, Virunga national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park and each of these parks is explained in details as follow:

Volcanoes national park
Covering Rwanda’s segment of the Virunga massif, Volcanoes national park is situated in northern western part of Rwanda just 2-3 hours drive from Kigali international airport. The ease of access has made volcanoes a most visited gorilla park compared to other parks in Uganda and Congo. 10 gorilla families namely, Agashya, Susa A, Susa B, Bwengye, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Ugendo, Sabyinyo and Ubano gorilla family have been habituated for trekking in Volcanoes national park. The vegetation cover in the park mainly comprises of bamboo vegetation, which make it easy ton hike through compared tom Mgahinga and photography is also easy.

Virunga national park
Situated in eastern DRCongo, Virunga national park is the less visited but very interesting gorilla destination. The less visits are attributed to the past civil wars and rebel groups that had put gorilla tourism on halt. However, peace has been restored in Congo and gorilla tourism is done smoothly. Virunga covers DRC’s share of the Virunga conservation area. The available families for trekking in Congo include Mapuwa, Lulengo, Humba, Rugendo, and Kabirizi. Virunga is also popular for the famous Nyiragongo an active volcano whose summit shelters the world’s largest lava lake.

Mgahinga gorilla national park
The park covers Uganda’s share on the Virunga conservation area and a home to 1 gorilla family named Nyakagyezi. Presently, Nyakagyezi has fully settled in Mgahinga ready for visitors unlike in the past years when the family would wonder in the nearby forests of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is also a home to three extinct volcanoes of Mt Sabyinyo, Mt Muhabura and Mt Gahinga, which are hiked as a complement to gorilla trekking. Also, the park is famous for batwa cultural trail in which travelers visit the former dwellers for the forest o learn more about their initial forest life. Also, a gorilla tour to Mgahinga reward you’re an golden chance to trek golden monkeys which are lively playful animals you should not miss out.

The best time to trek mountain gorillas

Though gorilla trekking can be done all year round in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, the dry season is the best time to visit these endangered species. Some people call it the peak season is in the months of June, July, August, September, October, December, January and February. During this time, mountain gorillas move to lower altitude areas hence easy to find by the trekkers. Also, the forest grounds are less slippery /muddy in this season which ease movements. On the other hand, low season is associated with no crowds in lodges and hotels. Low season is also breeding period for migratory birds in these forests hence a blessing to travelers.

Gorilla permits
All travelers must carry valid gorilla permit without which no one is allowed to take part in gorilla trekking experience . Gorilla passes/permits are issued out by Uganda wildlife authority in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and ICCN in Democratic Republic of Congo. Each country has different charges for the permits but the experience is far less the same. A single gorilla pass in Rwanda costs 1500usd for all travelers, while Uganda charges 600usd for foreign non-residents, 500 for foreign residents and 250000ush for East Africa residents. Part of the revenue earned from gorilla tourism is given to local communities, which help to improve their standards of living hence attracting their support for gorilla conservation. Permits can also be booked through any tour operators who offer gorilla tour packages to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
Therefore, gorilla trekking is a worth doing experience that bring you close to the critically endangered gorillas. Book a gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda or Congo and enjoy this one of its own kind experience.

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