Gorilla Africa Tour

Key items to consider when traveling for gorilla tours in Africa include a good camera, insect repellents, gardening gloves, waterproof hiking boots, sunglasses, long trousers, a rain jacket, and additional camera batteries/memory cards. Visitors should also pack long trousers, a sweater, toiletries, a first aid kit, and valid gorilla permits.

Gorilla trekking is best done during the peak dry season. On a travel calendar, the dry months in most of the gorilla safari destinations occur from June to September and December to February.

Gorilla trekking permits are open for booking through Monteero Safaris, a recognized tour company and member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) as well as the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Talk to our expert at info@monteerosafaris.com or Monteerosafaris@gmail.com.

The cost of gorilla permits varies depending on the country that you plan to visit to see gorillas. Uganda gorilla permits cost USD 800 per visitor under the category of foreign non-residents, then foreign residents are charged USD 700 per person. Ugandans including East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 to book a gorilla permit and the Rest of Africa (RoA) book permits at USD 500 per visitor.

Book your gorilla tour or permit at least 2-6 months before the actual visit to see gorillas. This applies to all destinations – Uganda, Rwanda, or even Congo. Contact your local expert in advance and avoid running around on the actual gorilla trek to secure a gorilla. A valid gorilla permit is needed by all gorilla trekkers with plans to explore gorillas.

Gorillas in Africa live in different parts including Central and Eastern regions. Mountain gorillas are found only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in Eastern DRC.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features 4 regions including Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Each of these consists of fully habituated gorilla families including Mucunguzi, Nkuringo, Kutu, Rwigi, Rushegura, Katwe, Nshongi, Kyaguriro, Mishaya, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Habinyanja, Mubare, Kahungye, and others.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is found in Kisoro and is where tourists can track the Nyakagezi group. Mgahinga is also the smallest park in Uganda and not only is it popular for gorilla trekking but also golden monkey tracking.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is where Dian Fossey started her research journey to explore more about mountain gorillas in the Virunga region. The 160 sq. km Volcanoes National Park shelters habituated gorilla families such as Agashya group, Karisimbi group, Susa A, Amahoro, Hirwa family, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Umubano, Bwenge, Ugenda, and more.

Virunga National Park in Congo is the least visited destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa. The Virunga National Park has habituated gorilla groups such as Nyakamwe group, Rugendo, Bageni, Kabirizi, Lulengo, Mapuwa, and Humba.

Kahuzi-Biega in Congo is where you can track the habituated Eastern lowland gorillas. The 6000 sq. km Kahuzi-Biega National Park inhabits habituated gorilla families such as Mugahuka, Chimanuka, Mpungwe, Bonnani, and Nganwa.

The cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda is influenced by many factors including the travel style, accommodation type, gorilla permit, length of stay, and other activities, etc. By estimate, a 3-day Uganda gorilla tour can cost USD 1300 and 2900 per visitor.

Yes, gorilla trekking is a safe primate adventure on an African holiday. The destinations are well-protected by trained and experienced park ranger guides. In addition, all visitors get briefed on the safety measures (gorilla trekking rules) to be observed before setting foot into the forest to search for gorillas.

Gorillas are generally peaceful creatures. It is a rare occasion when gorillas can attack humans. The attacks can occur when these apes are provoked and they do so as a way to defend themselves, especially when they feel threatened.

Mountain gorillas live only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Lowland gorillas reside in most of the Central African countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC, Angola, and Central African Republic of Congo.

The only parks to visit to track mountain gorillas include Virunga National Park, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Park. The Eastern lowland gorillas are open for tracking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Yes, gorilla trekking can be done even by pregnant women although it comes with some risks. Entirely, before you come across gorillas, you should have walked some distance. The nature of habitat and adventure requires some fitness levels. It can favor pregnant women in the early months of pregnancy.

Chimpanzees are smaller than gorillas. Gorillas are 2-3 times bigger than chimpanzees. Chimps live in communities while gorillas stay in families/groups. Chimpanzees exist in most parts of Africa, unlike mountain gorillas which exist only in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

Gorilla trekking in Africa generally requires some level of fitness. The treks are conducted in places with steep terrains, thick forests, and at times muddy areas. Besides the high elevations, higher chances are you can also spend longer hours navigating via the rainforest before you come across a family of gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is a unique wildlife experience and involves trekking through the rainforest to see gorillas. The gorilla trekking session is done in the presence of the park ranger guide. The treks are only done in already habituated groups of mountain gorillas or Eastern lowland gorillas.