Gorilla tracking and trekking are in most cases used concurrently however there is a slight difference between the two words. The difference is that with gorilla trekking tourists hike through the trails alongside a ranger guide following a habituated gorilla family in order to see it.

In this sense, the guide is aware of where the gorillas are.

With gorilla tracking a team of gorilla trackers/ranger guides used different methods to find out where the gorillas spent the previous night and after finding out give a lead to the guides who take tourists for a gorilla trek. Though both involve hiking the difference is with who does what.

Gorilla safaris Uganda mountain gorilla habituation is a thrilling activity involving tourists heading out with game rangers to observe gorillas go about their day to day lives for an entire day. This activity is aimed at introducing the mountain gorillas to human presence and ensuring that they are comfortable around people before they are eligible for mountain gorilla trekking. Mountain gorilla habituation permits are often more expensive than trekking permits but the experience is quite rewarding as well.

One of the most common questions asked by tourists on their gorilla safaris in Uganda is what mountain gorillas actually look like. Mountain gorillas are believed to be descendants of ancient apes that lived in Africa and Arabia about 34 -24 million years ago. They are a subspecies of the eastern gorillas. Mountain gorillas have thicker and longer fur compared to that of other gorillas and the males can grow up to 150 cm while the females can grow up to 130 cm standing upright.

The mean weight of an average male mountain gorilla is 195 kilograms while a female can weigh up to 100kgs. These gentle giants can be identified by their nose prints which are unique to each gorilla. Mountain gorillas have deep brown eyes and a black ring around their irises. While on your Uganda gorilla safaris, you will be able to reach within 7 meters of the gorillas and observe these unique and memorable features.

The males grow a patch of grey hair on their backs with age and are called silverbacks. This hair often comes with dominance, leadership, and free mating rights. These gorillas mainly feed on roots, leaves, shoots, stems, and sometimes insects with an adult male eating up to 34kgs of vegetation and females only about 18kgs. Mountain gorillas also eat fruit and tree bark to supplement their demanding diet.

Although mountain gorillas are often on the move, making new nests to rest in each night, chances of finding them on a Uganda gorilla safaris are pretty high. Some authorities have perceived the chance to be as high as 99%. The gorilla trackers will head out early and find the gorillas then alert your guides of their whereabouts, who will, in turn, lead you straight to them.

For a memorable gorilla trekking tour, remember to always pack these items;

• Comfortable hiking shoes

Hiking shoes are one of the most important items to pack for your gorilla trekking safari. Bwindi Forest and the Virunga mountains where the gorillas live are mountainous with steep terrain. Seeing the mountain gorillas involves hiking through the dense forests and therefore a comfortable hiking shoe should be packed for this purpose. Remember to purchase and try out your hiking shoe to make sure it’s comfortable enough for a hike.

• Waterproof trousers & Long-sleeved shirts

Gorilla habitats be it in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo receive at least higher rain totals than the other parts of the country therefore, it could probably rain during the trek. The waterproof trousers help to keep you dry during the trek as well as protect you from bites. Long-sleeved shirts will also help to protect you from insect bites during the trek.

• Hand/gardening gloves

Hand gloves are very necessary for hand protection during the trek. During the hike, it could get slippery and you need to hold on to a tree branch, however, some branches may be itchy or have biting insects. Hand gloves help protect you from any kind of harm on your hands.

• A raincoat 

It’s wise to carry at least a light rain jacket for your gorilla safari. At any time of the year, consider traveling with a rain jacket since the gorilla habitats are tropical forests and could receive rainfall at any time of the year. Traveling during the dry season in the months of June-early September and December to February many travelers tend not to consider this however, it should be highly considered.

• Waterproof hat

For the rainy season, the waterproof hat is very comfortable since you protect your head from the falling water droplets. On the other hand, in the dry season the hat will still protect the head from any crawling insects and the sun.

• Small waterproof zip lock bag

In your luggage remember to put in a small backpack that you will carry along for the trek. As you head out to the jungle, you will have to carry bottled water, a camera and at times packed lunch. A small backpack will be comfortable to carry along but remember to pack light such that it doesn’t get you so tired during the trek.

• Insect repellent

To ensure your skin is protected from several insects and bites while in the jungle carry along with insect repellent. This will help protect your skin and make sure you return home with nonaffected skin.

• Non-flash photography camera

When you go for gorilla trekking, a maximum of 1 hour (60 seconds) is allowed to be spent with the gentle giants. During this time you can take all kinds of pictures as well as record videos but using non-flash photography gadgets.

A mountain gorilla trekking safari is very safe for you and your safaris partners. While on your gorilla safaris in Uganda, you will be accompanied by a ranger and guide. The rangers often carry guns to scare off any other wild animals that you might encounter. During the process of observing the mountain gorillas, you will stand within 7 meters from them so that your safety is enforced while on a Uganda gorilla safaris.

There are two populations of mountain gorillas; one population dwells within the vast Virunga Mountain ranges encompassing Volcanoes national park in north western Rwanda, Virunga national park in eastern Congo and the Mgahinga national park in south western Uganda. The other population lives within the Bwindi Impenetrable forest in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with numbers expected to be around 880 – 1000 individuals in the entire world.

Gorilla permit prices on your gorilla safaris in Uganda differ from country to country. In Uganda for a single foreign non-resident to trek the gentle giants in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park, they would currently have to pay up to 600 USD or 700 USD starting 1^st July 2020. Foreign residents can pay 500USD while East African residents can attain a gorilla trekking permit for as low as 250,000 UGX.

In Rwanda however, you could attain a permit at USD 1500 while in DRC, it goes for USD 400 to foreign non-residents and USD 150 to citizens willing to go on a gorilla safaris.

While on your Uganda gorilla safaris, you will realize that your permit may cover some costs like park entry fees, rangers and trackers fees, and park patrol police to curb poachers. You can enjoy your time with the gorillas freely. Your permit will however not include personal expenses and tips for gorilla safari staff. If you wish to offer tips as a sign of your gratitude, you can plan for that separately from your gorilla permit fee.

The best time of the year for a gorilla tracking safaris is during the dry season months of June –August and December –February which makes it easy to go through the trails.

When trails are drier, gorilla trekking is easy since trails are passable and the park is accessible. It is best advisable to track gorillas during the dry season since it’s easy to trek gorillas as well as view wildlife.

However, the dry season is actually the peak or high season therefore early booking is recommendable since permits can easily get fully booked as well as accommodation. The dry season almost cuts across the three countries.

Booking for a gorilla tour Uganda can be one of the complicated trips to plan, however just find the right tour operator to do this for you. Gorilla Trail Safaris and Wild Jungle Trails Safaris and have expertise in planning gorilla trips and can do all the best planning.

We prioritize in gorilla tours and therefore have all of the best packages and advise for your gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

• Do not visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness
• Human waste should be buried 30cm deep
• Maximum number of visitors is eight persons per gorilla group each day
• Maintain a 7m (21ft) distance from the gorilla
• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the trek
• If you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the gorillas, as they can catch coughs and colds from humans
• Visits are limited to one hour per gorilla group per day
• Do not use flash photography

Uganda gorilla safaris adventurers always wonder how long gorilla trekking lasts. Mountain gorilla trekking can last from a few hours to half a day depending on which gorilla family you are trekking with and where they are located. Trackers head out into the forest early morning to trace the gorillas so that you can easily find them. You can then spend an hour with the gentle giants before returning to the park headquarters to mark the end of your one in a lifetime experience.

While on your gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, there is a variety of accommodation options ranging from budget, midrange to luxury facilities. Some of the most popular ones include;

• Mikeno lodge:

Mikeno lodge is located in Virunga National Park overlooking Mount Nyiragogo and the rift valley just a 90 minutes’ drive away from the border town of Goma. The lodge has 12 rooms built by larva stones and Mahogany surrounding the forest. There is a fully furnished restaurant on the premises including a local gorilla orphanage that you can visit if you are staying at the lodge.

• Bisate Lodge:

Bisate lodge is located just outside volcanoes national park overlooking Bisoke and Karisimbi peaks and an eroded volcanic crater.  The lodge provides 6 en-suite rooms fitted with modern and comfortable furnishings. There is a well-stocked bar and restaurant, a massage parlor and wifi services on the premises.

• Mgahinga rest camp:

This camp has 9 grass thatched bandas, 3 tents and cottages facing Lake Mutanda with private balconies. All the rooms and tents are fitted with private bathrooms. Mt. Mgahinga rest camp is located near Mgahinga gorilla national park with amazing views of the Virunga volcanoes. The facility uses solar lighting as a source of energy.

• Buhoma community rest camp:

This accommodation facility is located in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park within the gorilla highlands of south western Uganda. It offers accommodation options ranging from budget to mid-range to suit your gorilla safari Uganda.

Children below 15 years of age are exempted from trekking mountain gorillas in the wild. This is mainly because these children might not be strong enough to hike, might have communicable diseases that they can easily pass onto the gorillas, or might act fearfully when they encounter a family of gorillas while on a Uganda gorilla safari. However, if a child is almost making 15 or displays maturity and is physically strong, they could be offered the chance to participate in the gorilla safaris.

Yes, you can track Uganda mountain gorillas from Kigali. The gorilla family in Ruhija of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park is just 4 – 5 hours from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. For your gorilla safaris, you could fly into Rwanda and there be met with your tour operator who will transfer you to the Ruhija region of Bwindi to start your gorilla trekking experience.

There are plenty of activities that you can undertake while on your gorilla safaris and they include; chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking, birding, sight-seeing, game viewing, hiking or mountain climbing and cultural tours. All these activities work together to give you a blissful Uganda gorilla safari.