Eco-friendly gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda

There are over 1064 mountain gorillas in the world found in three countries, Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, and the highest number is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Eco-friendly gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda will allow you to participate in eco-friendly exercises and help continue the conservation of mountain gorillas. Uganda and Rwanda are the perfect destinations for an eco-friendly gorilla safari in the world, and this is because you will be able to see and spot mountain gorillas all year round in both countries.

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Where to go for the eco-friendly gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda: Gorilla trekking is carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga National Park has one habituated family open for trekking, commonly called the Nyakagezi gorilla family. On the other hand, Bwindi has about 24 habituated gorilla families, which are found in the four different sections of the national park, including Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Bwindi is home to the highest population of the remaining gorillas in the world and the best place for an eco-friendly gorilla safari. For tourists who wish to go for gorilla habituation, this is only available in the Rushaga sector. Bwindi introduced the sedan chairs to include older people in the trekking exercise. The sedan chairs are to be booked in advance, and these can cost $400 to $600 per person per trek, and porters carry these around during the trek.

Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park is home to over 400 Mountain gorillas and 12 habituated gorilla families. This is the only place in Rwanda where gorilla trekking is carried out. When you come for gorilla trekking in volcanoes, you will contribute to their conservation while going for an eco-friendly safari in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is best carried out in the dry season, although you can still trek during the wet season. Rwanda is a luxury gorilla safari destination and the best destination for tourists who wish to go all out for the eco-friendly gorilla safari.

Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda

To protect Mountain gorillas, gorilla permits were introduced in the entire gorilla trekking destination, which includes Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The gorilla permit helps in conservation because part of the cost is used to protect and treat Mountain gorillas when they are sick, and few permits are printed per day to reduce the number of people around the gorillas per day. That is why tourists are encouraged to purchase permits in advance.

Uganda: Gorilla trekking permits are essential to all tourists because, without them, no one will be allowed to trek gorillas in both Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda prints 194. Gorilla permits per day 8 are for Mgahinga National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of printing the gorilla permits, which can be bought through a trusted tour operator or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost of the gorilla permit for Bwindi and Mgahinga is the same. As of July 2024, the permit price is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for African citizens (residents), and UGX 300 000 for East African citizens. Gorilla habituation in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The cost of the habituation permit is a bit higher at $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and African citizens, and UGX 750 000 for East African citizens.

Rwanda: Rwanda is a high-end gorilla trekking destination with about 12 habituated gorilla families. The permits in Rwanda are printed and issued by the Rwanda Development Board. There are 96 gorilla permits printed per day in the Volcanoes National Park, and the permit cost is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for African citizens, and $200 for East African citizens. Rwanda has gorilla permit discounts (30%). Still, you are only eligible for the discount if you have pre-booked two nights at Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

How to purchase gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda

Purchasing gorilla permits in both countries is easy, and the best way to do this is by purchasing through a trusted local tour operator with an experience like Encounter Africa Safaris. Contact us with the trek dates, and we will check the availability of the permits on the data provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. After confirming the permits' availability, we will send you an invoice for the payments to be made. When we receive payments, we continue purchasing the permits and send you a copy of the permit.

If you are planning a private and solo safari, we can still help you purchase the gorilla permit, or you can purchase it directly from the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Encounter has years of experience organizing eco-friendly gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda, and you will not regret contacting us.

Gorilla safari trek rules in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking involves several rules and regulations that were put in place to protect both the Mountain gorillas and the trekkers. The rules and regulations in Uganda are the same except for the gorilla trekking age, which was changed in 2023. Below are the rules and regulations all tourists need to follow when trekking gorillas in both countries.

• The minimum trekking age in Uganda is 12 years, and 15 years in Rwanda. There is no maximum age limit, but you must still be physically fit to participate in the trek.
• No sick people will be allowed to trek gorillas because they easily fall ill, which can affect the entire gorilla family. Once the warden confirms you are sick, you will be exempt from trekking gorillas.
• A maximum of 8 people is allowed to trek a gorilla family daily.
• All tourists have an hour with the Mountain gorillas after locating them. When the gorillas start acting agitated, the one hour will be cut short under the guidance of the lead guide.
• Keep a distance of 7 to 10 meters when approaching the gorillas. This reduces disease infections.
• National parks must be kept clean at all times, and this means that you are not to litter the gorilla home.
• Eating when with the gorillas has been banned.
• Flash photography has been banned, and tourists must turn off their flash before taking photos of the gorillas.
• You are not allowed to touch and approach the gorillas. In cases where the gorillas approach you, follow all the instructions given to you by the lead guide.
• Do not feed the gorillas. Although habituated, these are wild animals that need to fend for themselves. Feeding was prohibited because some tourists laced poison in the food, killing the wildlife.
• Avoid making noise with the gorillas because this might force them to retreat further into the forest. You will usually see more when you are quiet, as the gorillas and other wildlife retreat when they are disturbed.
• Smoking is not allowed in either national park.

What to bring for an eco-friendly Uganda and Rwanda safari

Packing right for the Eco-friendly gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda will ensure that you have the best safari in both countries, and that is why we came up with a list of things that you need, including the following:

• Strong hike boots that are comfortable, well-fitting, waterproof, and ankle-length. The hike boots should not be heavy to ease trekking through the thick forests.
• Neutral-colored long-sleeved shirts are for warmth when it gets cold and protection from bug bites, insects, and scratches on your body during the trek.
• Neutral-colored trousers are a necessity. Avoid wearing jeans, as they tend to get heavy when wet and slow you down during the hike.
• Garden gloves protect your hands during the trek when holding onto the trees.
• Socks provide warmth and protection from insects. The trekking trousers are tucked into the socks, preventing insects from crawling up your leg.
• Adjustable gaiters are best used during the wet and dry season.
• A camera is essential to keeping all your memories alive. A camera without a flash is preferred since flash photography has been banned. Other camera essentials that you need to bring include extra camera storage, batteries, a waterproof camera bag, and extra lenses.
• Binoculars help spot other wildlife in the National parks, including primates and bird species.
• A waterproof backpack will help you carry the essentials you need during the trek since you will not need your entire luggage for easier trekking.
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and a sunhat
• A waterproof rain jacket for protection from the rain during the trek
• Warm clothing like sweaters, scarves, and shawls for when it gets too cold; gorilla trekking is done in tropical rainforests, and rains are received throughout the year. So you must always be ready for the rain and cold weather.
• A flashlight and extra batteries

What are the chances of spotting gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda?

You have a 99% chance of spotting mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda during your eco-friendly safari because of the measures that both countries have put in place to ensure that all tourists have a chance to track and spot endangered primates. Both countries have put up a system where trackers are sent out early in the morning to search for the last seen area of the gorillas. These are always in contact with the guides, and this helps the trackers communicate with the guides to ensure that trekkers get a chance to spot the gorillas.

Is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda safe?

Yes, eco-friendly gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda are safe, and this is because both respective countries have made sure that the safari is highly secure for all tourists who are legally allowed to trek. The national parks have 24/7 security provided by the different security forces, armed rangers are available to protect you during the trek, and there are security checks carried out before you gain access to the park to make sure that you have not carried anything that might cause harm to other trekkers and the endangered Mountain gorillas. Tourists also need to stay safe by following all the rules and regulations given to them before the trek and the guidelines from experienced guides.

When to go for an eco-friendly gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Eco-friendly gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda can be carried out all year round, but the best time is always during the dry season. Both countries experience the wet season from March to May and October to November, the dry season from June to September, and December to February. The dry season is the right time for gorilla trekking because mountain gorillas are more accessible to spot and trek than the wet season when the terrain is muddy and slippery. The downside of trekking gorillas in the dry season is that there are large crowds and an expensive time to travel in Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla trekking in the rainy season is hard with the rain and mud. Still, the good side of trekking through this season is that there are no crowds, the gorillas do not wander off further into the forest since there is plenty of food, and it is a much more affordable time to go for an eco-friendly gorilla safari in both countries.

Contact us for more information about organizing an eco-friendly gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.