Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Conmgo are the only countries sheltering mountain gorillas in the whole of Africa. Gorilla safaris are done in the jungle forest of Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes, and Virunga Gorilla National park. Any traveler visiting trek gorillas must visit any of the three countries or both for comparisons. Bwindi Forest in Uganda houses over 500 mountain gorillas which is half of teh worls's total population while Rwanda shekters over 350 mountain gorillas. Each gorilla destination offers a unique experience! Read More

The costs of gorilla trekking vary in each gorilla tour destination. Each gorilla country has a different gorilla permit price. Currently, Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits at $1500 each while in the Democratic Republic of Congo each [permit costs $400.  Uganda gorilla permit prices depend on the traveler's nationality. Foreign nonresidents pay $700, foreign residents pay $600 while East African citizens pay UGX 250,000. pay Uganda gorilla permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents, and shs 250,000 for East African residents. For those interested in gorilla habituation experience, each permit costs $1500 allowing you four hours with the gorillas. Read More

The dry season between the months of June, July, August, December, January, and Feb is usually the best time to trek gorillas. However, trekking gorillas in the low season (March, April, May, August, September, and November) is less crowded and attracts discounts from service providers, especially lodges and hotels. The fewer or no rains in the dry season make it easy to trek through the dense forests where endangered gorillas live. Read More

Yes, gorilla trekking is worth the money, energy, and time. The magical feeling of looking directly into the eyes of silverback gorillas is surely worth it. Whereas gorilla trekking is ranked one of the most expensive experiences in the world, those who have done it all confirm that it's worth the penny! An encounter with gorillas is the best wildlife experience in the world The highest number of travelers received every day to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is proof that gorilla trekking is surely worth the money. Read More

Yes, pregnant women below 7 months can trek gorillas with no difficulty. However, pregnant women are reminded to opt for short gorilla treks, do exercises, carry enough drinking water, or else hire sedan chairs to avoid any problems in the jungle. Also, pregnant women are advised to check with their doctors to confirm they are in good shape to trek gorillas. Read More

Gorilla trekking is without a doubt an expensive activity. The high cost of gorilla safaris in Africa is attributed to the endangered nature of these primates. Apparently, the whole world has roughy 2006 mountain gorillas whose population is still low.  Conservation bodies have therefore hiked the prices of gorilla trekking to limit the number of people accessing these endangered apes. Read More

Yes, it’s possible to trek Uganda gorillas starting from Rwanda. Travelers can fly into Kigali international airport and thereafter cross to Uganda for gorilla safaris. The drive time from Kigali to Uganda is roughly 5 hours crossing through Cyanika Border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale District. Travelers doing a 1 Days Uganda gorilla trek from Kigali set off at 9:30 am, to reach Bwindi/Mgahinga at 7:00 am for the gorilla trekking briefing. Read More

Pre-gorilla trekking briefing is about introducing travelers to the rules and regulations of gorilla encounters.   It’s where travelers are told the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking.to ensure the safety of both gorillas and travelers. Also in the briefing, travelers are put together in groups of eight and allocated different gorilla families to visit. Anyone who misses the briefing is not allowed to trek gorillas. Read More

The dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking apply in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These include:

Keep seven meters away

1. Keep a distance of seven meters away from gorillas
2. Do not trek when sick
3. Turn off your face when coughing or sneezing
4. Do not use the flashlight cameras
5. Do not touch the gorillas
6. Do not run when the gorilla’s charged, Play it calm
7. Speak in a low tone
8. Keep within your group (Do not move alone in the jungle)
9. Do not litter in the park

Read More about the rules of gorilla trekking

How long a trek to see gorillas is not certain. The length of gorilla trekking is determined by several factors which include the location of the gorillas, the hiking speed of the travelers, and the weather. Trekking time can vary from 30- minutes to over 7 hours! However, the allowed time to spend with gorillas is strictly an hour counted from the moment travelers meet the gorillas. Read More

Who is eligible to trek gorillas? The legal age limit to see mountain gorillas is 15 years and above, any visitor below 15 years is therefore not allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. However, if the child is about to make 15 years, the parents write a letter to the respective government body (UWA OR RDB) seeking permission on behalf of the child. Read More

Gorilla permit booking is advised as early as 6 months in advance. This is due to the high demand for gorilla permits, especially in peak season. Early permit booking also helps in timely planning and gorilla family allocation. All gorilla permits are issued by conservation bodies which are Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. Read More