GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA & RWANDA

ENCOUNTER AFRICA SAFARIS & GORILLA TOURS

A Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda with Encounter Africa Safaris will take you adventuring into the tropical rainforest jungles of Uganda in the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga National Park and Volcanoes National Park the Rwanda side to see the elusive mountain giants, the mountain gorilla. Our trips take care of all the hustle and bustle of a Uganda trip including processing the gorilla permit, entry fees & permits, putting together your itinerary, transfers and making sure you are booked in the best accommodation facilities.

Encounter Africa Safaris specializes in tailor-made gorilla tracking safari tours and holidays in Uganda, Rwanda and African safaris in selected East African destinations. A Ugandan Local tour operator; Experts in booking escorted tours, city breaks, hiking holidays, mountain gorilla experiences and more jungle experiences, we can find the perfect holiday experience for you. Wander the mesmerising East African savanna, hike through the rainforest jungles or experience the magic of the African culture - we offer the very best that African safaris have to offer. Speak to one of our experienced and dedicated safari advisors; if you need inspiration or friendly advice our team is on hand to provide personalised customer service and expertise.

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For those that want to avoid the long 9 hour drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable and Volcanoes National Park

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Take a budget gorilla trip into Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek mountain gorillas and stay in low cost camps and gorilla lodges.

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2020 GORILLA TRACKING OFFERS

On every East African Safari traveller's bucket list is gorilla trekking in the tropical jungles of East Africa. Encounter Africa has been in the forefront of creating unforgettable memories of seeing the mountain gorilla in the last decade (we have reviews to show off) and we celebrate this achievement by continuing to take our travelers through thick, misty, wet and impenetrable jungles to spend those memorable 60 minutes with the mighty giant cousin and his family.

We specialize in preparing gorilla tracking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Check our blog for first hand information on gorilla permits prices and availability, which gorilla family you should track, when is the best time to visit mountain gorillas, what to pack, how to get there and what should be the best choice of accommodation. Take a private or group gorilla safari depending on your budget, include something else on the trip like a classic wildlife safari or take a shorter route through Kigali in Rwanda—choosing the best destination route is quite important for a great gorilla tracking trip.

GORILLA HABITUATION EXPEREINCE

Gorilla Habituation Experience is a new and unique way of spending a great wildlife holiday in the African jungles that offers a fantastic opportunity to spend up to four hours amongst a family of the remarkable mountain gorilla. Rather than an all-to-brief 60 minutes in their company, observe and photograph them interact, play and groom one another at a gentler pace paying the same price you would pay in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. This is a one time chance to take part in the valuable task of habituating gorillas to the presence of humans.

There are just two gorilla families that are currently being habituated, in the dense foliage of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trek deep into the trees in search of these sociable creatures, led by highly trained trackers and guides. Pick up the trail of clues that they have left behind as they roam through the forest. After a challenging trek through the green wilderness, eventually reach the family’s location. Approach cautiously, getting close to these powerful yet intelligent creatures.

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Bwindi Forest

Protecting one of the world's richest eco-systems and half of the last remaining mountain gorillas

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Answered!

1What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an activity where tourists/people go searching for gorillas in the wild (not actual dictionary definition). Gorilla trekking is currently available in three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo. The process of seeing gorillas involves hiking or trekking in search for the rare mountain gorillas. One needs to acquire a gorilla permit for Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga, Volcanoes NP or Virunga to be able to see these mountain gorillas. The process of gorilla trekking normally starts with an early morning briefing at respective park head quarters, then a hike or walk into the forest following the trail used by mountain gorillas and once found, you spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas. You will then return back and be offered a certificate. The trek itself may take up to 30 minutes or three quarters of the day but once you find gorillas, you are allowed to spend only one hour with them.

2What is gorilla habituation experience?

Gorilla habituation experience is a new gorilla trekking experience only taking place in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla habituation is a four hour gorilla trek which was introduced in 2014 to cater for tourists that have less time but want to spend more hours with mountain gorillas. This four hour gorilla trek only utilizes gorilla families under habituation and tourists are able to see gorillas while participating in activities geared to making these wild mountain gorillas get used to human beings. A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 and gives you four hours with mountain gorillas. Only four people are allowed to see these gorillas in Bwindi National Park. We do organize gorilla habituation experience safaris at affordable prices.

3When is the best time to trek gorillas?

Every client wants to get the best out of the fee paid for gorilla tracking Uganda safaris in either Bwindi or Mgahinga and the first question that arises is-When is the best time for gorilla trekking? While mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda can be trekked throughout the whole year, drier months of June, July, August, and early September then December up to February are the most preferred. There is no guarantee that it won’t rain as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a tropical rain forest and its climate is influenced by micro conditions of the area. During high season gorilla permits to visit gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi National Park is at USD1500.00 and USD600.00 per person respectively. For those who are price sensitive, should take advantage of rwanda low season gorilla permits at USD1050.00 to book a Rwanda gorilla trek. Read More about best time for gorilla trekking.

4How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda?

A gorilla permit is a document/card that is obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority for the case of Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in the case of Rwanda to allow you spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park respectively. Currently Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD1500.00 for Non residents. Uganda gorilla permits to visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga cost USD600.00 (Non residents) USD500.00 for Foreign Residents. Read more about gorilla tracking and permit booking.

5Help me understand Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National park is located in south western Uganda and is divided into four regions. Buhoma region in the North, Ruhija region in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. Each region has given habituated gorillas families for gorilla tracking. If you are to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then you need to mind about a specific region where you are going as this will affect the Lodge to be booked, gorilla permit as well as your transport. Contact C Contact Encounter Africa safaris on details about Bwindi gorilla treks and holidays.

6When should I book a gorilla permit?

You are advised to book your gorilla permit at least three months in advance to shortage most especially during high season. Please contact us with the date when you intend to book gorilla tracking Uganda holidays and we will advise availability of permits on that day.

7What is included with the gorilla permit?

A gorilla permit allows you one hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga or Volcanoes National Park. Included in the cost are park entry fees for the respective parks, services of National Park guides/rangers who will escort you to the forest. Gorilla Tracking Uganda will ensure that you secure permits in advance

8How long is a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda

Mountain gorilla trekking exercise can take from twenty minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. This depends on several factors that include, mountain gorilla movements, where the gorillas stayed the previous night and the mood of the gorillas. It may also depend on the people in your group since the guides/rangers move following the slowest person in the group. Gorilla Tracking Uganda trading as Encounter Africa Safaris is happy to provide all relevant advice

9What are the chances of seeing a mountain gorilla?

The most asked question about gorilla trekking is the chances of seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. We can gladly confirm that chances of seeing gorillas either in Bwindi National Park or Volcanoes is 98%. Many tourists tend to book two or more gorilla treks in the fear that they may fail to see gorillas on the first trek and therefore may be lucky with the second trek. The truth of the matter is that gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes in Rwanda is so organized in a way that there is an advanced team of trackers who wake up every morning to find where these gorillas are. Once they find them, they will then communicate to the park head quarters and your ranger guide of the day of the where abouts of these gorillas. You will then start your trek from where the gorillas would have slept the previous night up to when you find them. The advanced team will keep communicating with you guide to make sure you don’t get lost. If the gorilla family in question keeps moving very fast, communication will be made and should they feel that you cannot cope with the speed, UWA may decide to take you to another family. Please contact us for more details

1What is the age limit for gorilla tracking?

The age limit for gorilla tracking (Uganda and Rwanda) and golden monkey trekking (Uganda) is 15 years. The authorities are very strict on this, so kindly make sure all clients and children are 15 or older in order to avoid any sad incidents like guest(s) kids being refused to track. We ensure that before you book our Gorilla tracking Uganda safari holidays, you have all details concerning age! The age limit for trekking chimpanzees in Uganda is 12 years old and children 10 years and older are allowed to trek golden monkeys in Rwanda as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Children under 15 years are allowed to Dian Fossey’s tomb – although the latter hike is a stiff one so we do not recommend that either to children under 12-13 years. For more information about Gorilla tracking Uganda age limit, contact Encounter Africa safaris.

2What to pack for gorilla trekking trip

You need to prepare very well for your gorilla trek, we advise trousers, long sleeved shirts or blouses, long socks to enable you tack in your trousers, garden gloves, a hat, sun glasses, hiking boots, insect repellents and some energy giving foods. More about packing list and gorilla trekking gear.

3What is gorilla habituation experience?

Gorilla habituation experience is an activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where tourists are allowed to stay four hours with mountain gorillas after paying USD1500.00 for a gorilla habituation permit. Gorilla habituation safaris are currently taking place only in Rushaga located in south.

4Does Rwanda have discounted gorilla tours?

It is true that Uganda abolished low season discounted gorilla permits in 2017 but Rwanda still offers discounted gorilla permits or Low season discounted gorilla permits in Low season months of May and November. The condition for benefiting from Rwanda discounted gorilla permits is that you have two book at least three more days in one of Rwanda’s National Park. These National Parks include Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. Rwanda discounted gorilla permits cost USD1050.00 per person per trek to trek Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The 1050.00 includes Volcanoes Park entry fees for Volcanoes National Park, watching mountain gorilla for one hour with habituated mountain gorillas and services of well-trained gorilla ranger or guide.

5Is it possible to track Uganda gorillas via Kigali Rwanda?

It is now possible to trek Uganda or Bwindi gorillas through Rwanda by flying through Kigali International airport. By flying through Kigali International Airport, one is able to reduce the drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to 5-6 hours compared to if one uses Entebbe International Airport where the drive time is 8-9 and sometimes 10 hours from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With the introduction of the East African tourist visa, one can now visit both Uganda and Rwanda without hassle. The good news also is that one can now apply for Rwanda Visa upon arrival something that is making the process of obtaining Rwanda visa easy. East African tourist visa costs USD100.00 and allows you to visit three east African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Uganda. Contact Encounter Africa safaris for details about Bwindi gorilla safaris through Kigali Airport.

6Does DR Congo have discounted gorilla permits?

Democratic Republic of Congo is yet another destination in the whole world that is home to the endangered and rare mountain gorillas. The other countries with mountain gorillas are Uganda and Rwanda. A normal gorilla permit to trek mountain gorillas in Congo’s Virunga National Park is USD400.00 and includes park entry fees, watching gorillas for one hour and services of a ranger guide during your trek. Congo offers discounted gorilla permits at USD200.00 only and can be booked for you if you book with us an all-inclusive tour. For more details about Congo discounted gorilla permits and affordable congo gorilla safaris, please contact Encounter Africa Safaris by phone or email.

7When should I book Rwanda discounted gorillas?

Rwanda low season gorilla permits at USD1050 are offered in May and November each year and because of this discount, there is a likely hood that these permits may attract more people. It should be better to book these low season at least two months in advance to avoid short notice disappointments. Feel free to contact Encounter Africa safaris about booking your low season Rwanda gorilla permits and safaris to visit Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

8How many people are allowed to trek a gorilla family?

Only a maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek or visit a given gorilla family in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park. Bwindi has about 14 habituated gorilla families and thus each family is allowed only 8 people per day per hour. Sometimes park management is forced to have more than 8 people depending on circumstances on ground. If such happens, the park authorities will explain. When it comes to gorilla habituation, its only 4 people that are around to spend four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation.

9When you should book a gorilla permit

Gorilla permits tend to sell out quickly so it is always advised to book your gorilla permit in advance. At Encounter Africa Safaris we advise that you book your gorilla permit 3-4 months in advance to avoid short notice disappointments. Gorilla permits tend to run out during high seasons of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February each year. Please contact Encounter Africa safaris for details about availability and cost of securing gorilla permits.

GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA & RWANDA

ENCOUNTER AFRICA SAFARIS & GORILLA TOURS

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