Gorilla Tours in Uganda & Rwanda
Gorilla Tours
Gorilla trekking is a world famous quintessential wildlife experience in Africa and a once in a lifetime event for any wildlife enthusiast. A profound encounter brings you face to face with one of our closest relatives, the trek through Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DR.Congo. An encounter with mountain gorillas in the wild in nothing short of life-changing. The impact of each gorilla trek in Africa is indisputable, with Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tours contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas, primarily reforestation initiatives. The result is the slow but steady increase of the species’ population across the Virungas, and the creation of countless jobs in the process. So, know that your gorilla visit contributes not just to the wildlife, and habitat restoration, but the local communications too.
Securing your Gorilla Trekking Permit
The first thing to do as you plan gorilla trekking safaris, is securing your gorilla trekking permit. In Rwanda and Uganda, each person must hold an individual permit to do a gorilla trek. The current cost for a gorilla permit is USD 1,500 per person in Rwanda and USD 800 in Uganda.
Besides being able to trek through the rainforest with expert guide and spend an hour with a family of mountain gorillas, the cost of your permit goes directly towards protecting this endangered species and their habitat.
Gorilla Viewing Protocols
- Maximum viewing duration for any group is one hour per day
- Maximum number of guests per gorilla trek is eight people
- No food or drink is to be consumed while in the presence of gorillas
- While gorilla sightings and encounters are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and trekking conditions
- While you are with the gorillas, please keep your voice low. Do not make rapid movements that may alarm them
- Should you need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas
- If a gorilla should charge or vocalise at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow the instructions of your guide
- The minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years, this is for safety reasons and to prevent possible diseases transmission as children under this age are more prone to infection
- To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 meters (22 feet) from the gorillas.
- Guests who display cold, flu or other respiratory tract symptoms will not be allowed to join a gorilla trek
- No flash photography is allowed when taking photos of the gorillas. Please keep your flash turned off.
- Smoking is not allowed
- Leave nothing behind but your footprints
By respecting the gorilla trekking protocols, we can limit any stresses on the gorillas, impact on their behaviors, and the potential for the transmission of diseases from human to gorillas. Gorilla trekking safaris are critical to ensure the sustainability of the endangered species, so let’s do everything we can do to protect these iconic creatures and their habitats.