Gorilla trekking offers a life-altering wildlife experience like no other. Deep in the foggy rainforests of East Africa, tourists face the mountain gorillas, one of the most unique and most incredible species on the planet.
Gorilla trekking is not an ordinary safari, it is a strong and close communication with nature. At Activentures Africa everything will be well planned, so that what you will have is a real, safe and memorable African safari adventure!
The mountain gorillas can be found in a limited number of protected forests in East Africa. The most desired destinations are:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a world heritage site and a UNESCO and it is where most of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world are found. It has many acclimatised families of gorillas and is widely covered with dense rainforest to give it one of the most fulfilling and favoured sites to visit.
Mgahinga in the Virunga mountains is volcanic, dramatic in its scenery and a more enjoyable and peaceful trekking experience. It's perfect when it comes to tourists who are not keen on so many crowds and who want to do gorilla hiking and golden monkey tracking at the same time.
The Volcanoes National Park is organised with its walking safaris and luxurious lodges. It's ideal among travellers who wish to have adventure, comfort and less road transfer time between Kigali and their destination!
Each destination has its own trekking adventure and Activentures Africa will guide you when it comes to choosing the best destination (depending on your budget, fitness rate and interests during travelling).
Trekking gorillas is highly controlled to preserve these primates and their delicate habitat. It is crucial that it is planned properly.
All trekkers have to acquire a valid gorilla trek permit. Few permits are given out daily in order to ensure that human activities on the gorilla families are kept low. In Uganda and Rwanda each permit is USD 800 and USD 1500 respectively.
Trekkers should be 15 years + for conservation and safety reasons.
During the dry seasons: June to September and December to February. However, it's also done during the rainy seasons for those that prefer fewer tourists and more intimate and engaging experiences.
Gorilla trekking can last from one to six hours, depending on where the gorilla family is. Trails may also have sharp slopes, bushes and muddy trails. Comfortable and well worn hiking shoes are recommended, as well as long sleeves, gloves and to be at least average fitness wise.
Top Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Africa
The mountain gorillas can be found in a limited number of protected forests in East Africa. The most desired destinations are:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a world heritage site and a UNESCO and it is where most of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world are found. It has many acclimatised families of gorillas and is widely covered with dense rainforest to give it one of the most fulfilling and favoured sites to visit.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Mgahinga in the Virunga mountains is volcanic, dramatic in its scenery and a more enjoyable and peaceful trekking experience. It's perfect when it comes to tourists who are not keen on so many crowds and who want to do gorilla hiking and golden monkey tracking at the same time.
Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park
The Volcanoes National Park is organised with its walking safaris and luxurious lodges. It's ideal among travellers who wish to have adventure, comfort and less road transfer time between Kigali and their destination!
Each destination has its own trekking adventure and Activentures Africa will guide you when it comes to choosing the best destination (depending on your budget, fitness rate and interests during travelling).
Permits & Planning Guide
Trekking gorillas is highly controlled to preserve these primates and their delicate habitat. It is crucial that it is planned properly.
Permit Requirements
All trekkers have to acquire a valid gorilla trek permit. Few permits are given out daily in order to ensure that human activities on the gorilla families are kept low. In Uganda and Rwanda each permit is USD 800 and USD 1500 respectively.
Minimum Age
Trekkers should be 15 years + for conservation and safety reasons.
Best Time to Visit
During the dry seasons: June to September and December to February. However, it's also done during the rainy seasons for those that prefer fewer tourists and more intimate and engaging experiences.
Fitness and Preparation
Gorilla trekking can last from one to six hours, depending on where the gorilla family is. Trails may also have sharp slopes, bushes and muddy trails. Comfortable and well worn hiking shoes are recommended, as well as long sleeves, gloves and to be at least average fitness wise.
Activentures Africa will take care of all the permit arrangements, logistics and travel arrangements so that you can focus all your attention on the upcoming adventure.
Your gorilla trek safari will be early in the morning and after the brief from the park warden you will be grouped into small units, with no more than eight trekkers.
The trek itself is an adventure. As you stroll into dense rainforest, the guides follow the gorillas' clues: including their nests, foot-tracks and feeding trails. The duration of the gorilla search varies but when they are found, you will have one invaluable hour to spend with them. During this hour you may see:
It is an experience that is humbling and very emotional. Careful regulations, including observing safe distance and not taking flash photographs, will keep the visitors and gorillas safe.
Activentures Africa has properly designed gorilla trek safari tours, which suit different travel preferences. The 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek and Lake Bunyonyi Safari (Uganda) is an excellent adventure to embark on since it will cost an average of USD 1,385 per person, and it is not too long.
The 4-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari in the Volcanoes National Park available at USD 2,359 per person offers the high-end travellers a chance to experience the gorillas easily and in comfort.
The gorilla permits, accommodation, guided trekking, car transfers, and park fees are included in both packages.
What to Expect on a Gorilla Trek
Your gorilla trek safari will be early in the morning and after the brief from the park warden you will be grouped into small units, with no more than eight trekkers.
The trek itself is an adventure. As you stroll into dense rainforest, the guides follow the gorillas' clues: including their nests, foot-tracks and feeding trails. The duration of the gorilla search varies but when they are found, you will have one invaluable hour to spend with them. During this hour you may see:
- a silverback sitting back and managing his family;
- children with their mothers;
- playing and climbing by juveniles;
- non-verbal communication within a group.
It is an experience that is humbling and very emotional. Careful regulations, including observing safe distance and not taking flash photographs, will keep the visitors and gorillas safe.
Safari Packages & Costs
Activentures Africa has properly designed gorilla trek safari tours, which suit different travel preferences. The 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek and Lake Bunyonyi Safari (Uganda) is an excellent adventure to embark on since it will cost an average of USD 1,385 per person, and it is not too long.
The 4-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari in the Volcanoes National Park available at USD 2,359 per person offers the high-end travellers a chance to experience the gorillas easily and in comfort.
The gorilla permits, accommodation, guided trekking, car transfers, and park fees are included in both packages.
Budgeting Tips for Your Gorilla Trek
- Reserve early: Reserve permits and the best deals before the high seasons of the year (June-August and December-February).
- Choose the right schedule: Shorter tours are comparatively cheaper but longer gorilla and other wild animals safaris are more costly.
- The degree of accommodation is also significant: simple lodges are less expensive compared to luxury safari lodges and boutique accommodations.
Safety Rules
- Walk slowly, and tell your guide when you need to have short rests;
- Always maintain the required 7 meters distance from gorillas;
- Do not scream or make any sudden movements, or stare at the gorillas;
- Do not eat, drink or smoke around the gorillas and never ever touch them.
With these rules, you're guaranteed a safe, respectful and rewarding gorilla trek experience.
Selecting an appropriate safari operator makes a big difference in your gorilla trekking experience. Activentures Africa is a company that focuses on tailored, high quality and well-planned safari tours in East Africa.
Everything is professionally handled when it comes to securing permits, as well as accommodations and transfers.
Guides and trackers provide more insight into gorilla behaviour and forest ecology and conservation work.
Itineraries will also be designed in accordance to your needs, whether it is a low-end trip or a high-end safari adventure.
Activentures Africa donates to conservation programs and locals so that your safari will help to save gorillas and their homes. When your safari partner is a reputable company like Activentures Africa, then the trekking trip you are taking will be seamless, secure and highly fulfilling.
Gorilla trekking is not a mere safari stop but a life-changing experience as it links you to one of the closest relatives to the human race in their natural habitat. Travelling with Activentures Africa will mean not just that you have one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa, but also that you will go with a mission, discovery, and intimacy.
Ready to walk out in the fog and witness the forest giants? Book your gorilla trek safari today with Activentures Africa and have memories that last a lifetime.
Greatly uneven terrain and steep forest trails can render a gorilla trek a moderate one. However, there are porters and guides who are able to slow down the pace of the group. (Majority of travellers need a moderate degree of fitness.)
They require the tourists to maintain a distance of about 7 meters (almost 23 feet).
Visitors are allocated one hour to observe and take photographs of the gorillas. This time limit would take care of the protection of the animals against stress and spread of diseases.
Yes, it is reputed to be rather safe. Every group has armed park rangers and skilled guides. Gorillas have been habituated to get used to human presence and there are stringent regulations that are followed to guarantee the safety of the visitors as well as the animals.
Why Choose Activentures Africa
Selecting an appropriate safari operator makes a big difference in your gorilla trekking experience. Activentures Africa is a company that focuses on tailored, high quality and well-planned safari tours in East Africa.
Seamless Planning
Everything is professionally handled when it comes to securing permits, as well as accommodations and transfers.
Expert Local Guides
Guides and trackers provide more insight into gorilla behaviour and forest ecology and conservation work.
Tailor-Made Safaris
Itineraries will also be designed in accordance to your needs, whether it is a low-end trip or a high-end safari adventure.
Responsible Tourism
Activentures Africa donates to conservation programs and locals so that your safari will help to save gorillas and their homes. When your safari partner is a reputable company like Activentures Africa, then the trekking trip you are taking will be seamless, secure and highly fulfilling.
Final Thought
Gorilla trekking is not a mere safari stop but a life-changing experience as it links you to one of the closest relatives to the human race in their natural habitat. Travelling with Activentures Africa will mean not just that you have one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa, but also that you will go with a mission, discovery, and intimacy.
Ready to walk out in the fog and witness the forest giants? Book your gorilla trek safari today with Activentures Africa and have memories that last a lifetime.
FAQS
Is a gorilla trek a difficult task?
Greatly uneven terrain and steep forest trails can render a gorilla trek a moderate one. However, there are porters and guides who are able to slow down the pace of the group. (Majority of travellers need a moderate degree of fitness.)
What is the nearest you get to the gorillas?
They require the tourists to maintain a distance of about 7 meters (almost 23 feet).
How many hours are you allowed with gorillas during the trek?
Visitors are allocated one hour to observe and take photographs of the gorillas. This time limit would take care of the protection of the animals against stress and spread of diseases.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Yes, it is reputed to be rather safe. Every group has armed park rangers and skilled guides. Gorillas have been habituated to get used to human presence and there are stringent regulations that are followed to guarantee the safety of the visitors as well as the animals.
(Photo credits: William Pietermans and Jeremy Stewardson)
