Before considering getting on the next plane to Uganda, Rwanda or Dr Congo for gorilla trekking, the first question to ask yourself is: How many hours can spend with mountain gorillas? Mountain gorillas are precocious creatures which almost became extinct due to diseases and human activities which were threatening their lives and habitats. With concerted efforts from different wildlife and conservation stakeholders, mountain gorillas have now been removed from the list of endangered species.

How many hours can one spend with mountain gorillas in the wild?

Countries that have areas or national parks where mountain gorilla live have tried their level best to harmonies policies related to mountain gorillas. There only three countries in the whole world where we have mountain gorillas. These include Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Uganda. Of the three, Uganda has the highest number of mountain gorillas followed by DRC and then Rwanda. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga while in Rwanda and DRC, you can find mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park respectively.

According to countries that are home to mountain gorillas, each individual or tourist is allowed to spend only one hour with a given habituated mountain gorilla family. This policy cuts across all the three countries except Uganda where one can have a chance of booking a gorilla habituation experience.

How to spend one hour with mountain gorillas

The only way to spend one hour with mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo is by purchasing a normal gorilla trekking permit from Rwanda Development board (RDB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Virunga for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The price of gorilla permits keep changing and varies from country to country much as the experience of seeing gorillas is the same. A gorilla permit in Rwanda to see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park cost $1500, Uganda permit is at $700(effective 1^st July 2020) and Dr Congo gorilla permits cost $400. For more details about booking gorilla permits, please contact us.

Bestselling gorilla safaris by Encounter Africa Safaris

2 Day Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali

3 Day Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali

3 Day Double gorilla trek Uganda from Kigali

3 Day gorilla trekking safari from Entebbe

5 Day gorilla and chimpanzee safari

For more information about gorilla tours, please contact us.

How can I spend more hours with mountain gorillas?

The only available avenue allowing you to spend more hours with mountain gorillas in by booking a gorilla habituation experience holidays in Uganda. The government of Uganda through Uganda Wildlife Authority realized that people out like spending more hours with mountain gorillas in the wild and that’s why they came up with a four-hour gorilla trekking program called gorilla habituation experience.

Gorilla habituation experience allows tourists or visitors to spend four hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park. These four hours are spent with mountain gorillas which are under habituation and not yet ready for normal gorilla treks. You will, therefore, move in the company of guides, rangers and people or gorilla habituation team who will show you or take you through the whole process of taming these wild mountain gorillas to get used to the presence of human beings.

To spend four hours with mountain gorillas, you need to book a gorilla habituation experience permit which costs $1500 and includes four hours with gorillas, park entry fees, services of ranger guides, gorilla habituation team, activities like taking samples, collecting the specimen, naming, making calls besides viewing and taking photographs. Encounter Africa safaris was one of the first tour operators to take tourists to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla habituation experience and below are some of the bestselling packages listed on our website.

Best selling gorilla Habituation safaris

3 day gorilla habituation experience safari from Entebbe Airport

3 Day gorilla habituation experience from Kigali International Aiport

5 Day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation from Entebbe

5 Day gorilla and chimpanzee habituation experience from Kigali

For more information about Uganda primate habituation safaris please contact us.

Where in the world can I spend four hours with mountain gorillas

The only country in the world where one can spend four hours is Uganda. With the highest number of mountain gorillas in the whole world, Uganda has created an option of a four-hour gorilla trek in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Rushaga and Nkuringo) where tourists can now book this great primate experience.

Spending for ours with mountain gorillas still under habituation is possible in Uganda and not Rwanda simply because countries like Rwanda have habituated all available gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. It is therefore impossible to habituate them again. When it comes to Uganda, the current census indicate that Bwindi impenetrable National Park has about 50 mountain gorilla families out which only 19 groups are habituated. It thus means that there is still room for gorilla habituation experience in Uganda than Rwanda. Contact us for more details about this.

How many people can spend four hours with mountain gorillas?

The fact that mountain gorilla groups still under habituation are not yet used to a human being, there is a limitation to how many can visit them on a daily basis. The fact that you are going to spend more hours with them, UWA sought it better to limit the number of visitors. Only four people are allowed to view or visit mountain gorillas for four hours. This excludes UWA rangers and habituation team. For more information about gorilla habituation experience, do not hesitate to contact us.

How many people are allowed to spend one hour with mountain gorillas?

A maximum of 8 people are allowed to spend one hour with a group of habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Dr Congo. You need a gorilla permit issued by either national parks to be guaranteed of a place to do so. Age limit for this activity is 15 years and above so before declaring your intention to Visit Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking, first check how old or your child is.

Why Encounter Africa safaris

Encounter Africa Safaris is proud to be the leading tour operator in providing accurate and updated gorilla trekking and safari information for Uganda and Rwanda. We have a proven reputation in organizing and executing successful gorilla safaris to Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park simply because of the experience, professionalism and passion. Encounter Africa is an indigenous tour company owned and run by local Ugandans. Encounter Africa safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip advisor as well as safari bookings. Contact us for life-changing safaris to all East African countries.