Gorilla Safaris/ Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Habituation Experience

This is a very special experience only offered in Uganda offering one of the ultimate encounters for any primate enthusiast. This experience offers travelers a chance to habituate the Gorillas alongside the researchers as they get these animals to get accustomed to being in the presence of human beings without being afraid. This activity takes place in the Rushaga sector and normally lasts 4 hours in the company of the gorillas with only 4 tourists allowed to habituate a gorilla family at a cost of USD 1500. These will truly be the wildest gorillas that you’ll ever witness in the jungle environment. Gorillas families move to new places everyday and never stay in one place twice, there is nothing like closest or furthest gorilla family, trek terrain may be different but the time taken is unpredictable with the location and movements of the gorillas in the jungle.

Gorilla Families in Uganda

Gorillas can be found in the Virunga Volcanoes in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park  in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in D.R.Congo. Uganda is home to 13 Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families with 12 gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Below is a list of the 12 mountain gorilla families for trackers along with their respective Bwindi Impenetrable National Park locations in Uganda.

Gorilla Group/ Families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Mubare gorilla group
• Habinyanja family
• Rushegura gorilla family
• Oruzogo troop
• Bitukura family
• Kyaguriro troop
• Mishaya gorilla family
• Nshongi gorilla group
• Kahungye gorilla group
• Busingye gorilla group
• Bweza group
• Nkuringo gorilla group

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can take up to 8 hours with an one hour once you encounter the gorillas. The most exhilarating part of a gorilla safari is the time spent in the rainforest as you search for a gorilla family, follow ancient trails and discover the history of a people within the forest.

The gorillas move to a new location in the forest every day, so as you trek along the forest trails your guide’s job is to pick up from where they were the day before and try to find them again. Gorilla Trekking can be done the whole year through and is evenly as good though in the rainy season the tracks in the rain forest might be a bit muddier and your tracking might be a bit longer/ tougher rendering the dry season the best time to track gorillas .

Uganda is the best place where to conduct a Gorilla Trekking Safari since it offers more adventure opportunities with a lot wildlife compared to Rwanda with other attractions besides mountain gorillas including Murchison Falls, other primates in Kibale Forest National Park and may more options according to your travel time and budget for your intended travel.

Mgahinga Gorilla Family In Mgahinga Park, you can track the Nyakagezi group which is surrounded by the Slopes of Virunga Volcanoes, Mt. Muhavura(4,127m) Mt Gahinga (3474m) Mt. Sabinyo(3645m).

Where to go for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

In Rwanda, you may only track gorilla within Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans), a section of the bigger Virunga mountains. Approximately 480 mountain gorillas live in the Virunga complex and reside on the altitude range of 2,300 to 4,500 meters in the southern area of Virunga National Park (in the DRC), as well as the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and some in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.

Rwanda gorillas are divided into 2; those for study or research purposes which are strictly accessed by scientists plus researchers only. Among these are Beetsme and Pablo’s Shida’s which have the highest number of gorillas.
There are also ten habituated gorilla families that are for tourism purposes, so these are available for trekkers to visit. At most 8 people may visit each of the gorilla groups every day and you may spend at most one hour. Among these gorilla groups are the:

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Groups

• Ugenda
• Umubano
• Susa group
• Karinsimbi
• Sabinyo
• Hirwa
• Amahoro
• Bwengye
• Group 13 (the Agasha group)
• The Kwitonda.

All these are mountain gorillas, ” Eckhart, G.; Lanjouw, A. (2008). Mountain Gorillas: Biology, Conservation and Coexistence.” The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Getting a Gorilla Permit in Uganda

Over 88 people travel into Bwindi to see gorillas on a daily with only 8 people allowed per gorilla family. We strongly encourage you to book your gorilla permit with a safari agent, the most prominent mistake being booking a gorilla family which is far away from your choice of accommodation.

Gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 offering an individual an one hour with the mountain gorillas in a group of 8 people while the Gorilla Habituation Experience costing $1500 offering an individual 4 hours during the habituation process of a gorilla a group .

Other Gorilla Safaris Permit Prices

• Rwanda gorilla permit Costs $1500
• Congo Gorilla Trekking Permit Costs $400
• East African Citizen pay 300,000 shillings for the permit

Rules and Regulations of Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking comes along with some mandatory rules to follow while in the company of the gorillas and before encountering the gorillas to ensure the conservation of these endangered species as well achieve a memorable experience with these gentle giants. The rules and regulations include:

• A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a family of habituated gorillas in a day and 4 visitors for the Gorilla Habituation experience.
• Always wash your hands before you head out to see the gorillas.
• Do not leave rubbish in the park.
• Always keep your voices low.
• While with the gorillas keep a minimum distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.
• Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas.
• Sometimes the gorillas charge, follow the guide’s example by crouching down slowly, and do not look at the gorillas in the eyes. Wait for the gorilla to pass you by and do not attempt to run away
• Flash photography is not permitted
• Do not touch the gorillas, they are still wild animals.
• The maximum time visitors are allowed to spend with the gorillas is one hour.
• Each group of participants is accompanied by a ranger guide and a military guide for protection.

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What to pack for a Gorilla Trek

Spending time with a family of mountain or lowland gorillas can be a life-changing experience. Tourism in the remote rainforest areas of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa contribute directly to protecting these critically endangered species and the conservation of their habitat.

The experience requires a fair fitness level as you will be hiking in humid conditions through thick vegetation and along steep, at times rather muddy, mountain tracks. Clothes and shoes should be appropriate for these conditions. This handy infographic will give you an idea on the best types of clothing to bring for your gorilla trekking experience.

Here now is our definitive list of gorilla trekking clothing to help with your packing and trip preparation

• Long trousers
• A long-sleeved shirt
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
• Thick socks
• Hardy gloves
• A lightweight rain jacket or poncho
• A wide-brim hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water bottle
• Camera
• Malaria prevention medication

We also recommend bringing a few sachets of re-hydration salts. Water is of course provided for the treks, but you can often find yourself dehydrated after a full day of trekking and the salts can provide quick relief.

Where To Stay

Choosing the best safari lodge or accommodation will depend on how much you can afford. Some lodges charge as high as, $2500 while the budget ones can pocket as low as $50 for a double room. Its all about the facilities, location, food, services and so much more.