Tourists board flights from their home countries to Africa for many reasons. One of them is the incredible gorilla trekking experience in the eastern part of the continent.
Gorilla trekking is an activity that awards tourists a grand chance to meet the rarely seen species of Gorillas in the jungles.
It is awe-inspiring for most wildlife lovers to see these animals as they carry out different activities like feeding, playing, construction of temporary shelter, and more.
The apes live deep in the jungle and you must walk until you locate a family. Therefore it is easy to understand why trekkers are required to be physically fit. The expedition usually includes treks via rugged trails that wind through valleys and hills.
To be part of this breathtaking excursion you must buy a Gorilla permit. This card permits you to join the group of eight tourists. It is valid for use by one person on the respective booked date.
The price of a Gorilla permit depends on the destination. Right now you can only visit three countries if you fancy a remarkable gorilla trekking tour. These are Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Uganda, the Gorilla permit cost is 700 USD per person, $1500 for Rwanda, and 400 USD in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Make sure to reserve through a local tour operator and book in advance.
Destinations for Gorilla Tours
Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo are the main destinations for Gorilla tours in Africa. DR Congo is found in the central part and the other two hide in East Africa.
Renowned as the pearl of Africa, Uganda has two protected areas that provide lush habitats to the Gorillas.
These are Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Both parks occupy parts of land in the western part of Uganda. Bwindi has the biggest percentage of the country’s Gorilla population.
If not Uganda, tourists visit Rwanda to see the Gorillas. In this land of a thousand hills, Volcanoes National Park is the only place that is available for Gorilla safaris.
This protected area is situated in the northwestern part of the country. It is one of the main highlights of most trips to Rwanda.
Apart from the two destinations listed above, DR Congo is another interesting spot for Gorilla trekking in Africa. This thrilling nation in the central region has two parks you can visit for these apes.
These are Kahuzi Biega and Virunga National Park. If you prefer Lowland gorillas to Mountain gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park is the best answer for you.
Don’ts
Highlighted here are some of the things you should avoid while in the Jungle for Gorillas.
Don’t eat in the presence of the apes, never touch on them without permission, keep a distance of seven meters from these animals, keep your voice at a low tone, don’t liter rubbish, and never run after the Gorillas to avoid troubles.
Lastly, anyone with signs of infectious diseases like flu and cough is not permitted to visit the Gorillas.
