Gorilla Trekking Families : Uganda, Rwanda and DRC all have habituated gorilla families located in the different national parks and these are open for habituation all year round. Below is a list of the gorilla families that are found in the different gorilla trekking destinations. Uganda boasts the most habituated gorilla families seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Uganda is home to 23Â families with one in Mgahinga.
The gorilla families in Bwindi are found in the different sectors of the National Park, and these are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Rushaga sector has gorilla families including Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Bweza, Busingye, Rwigi, Bikingi and Mucunguzi, Nkuringo sector has gorilla families including Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho gorilla families, Ruhija has gorilla families including Oruzongo, Kyaguliro, Bitukura and Mukiza, Buhoma has gorilla families including Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Muyambi, Katwe and Binyindo. The Nyakagezi (the only gorilla family in Mgahinga) is found in Mgahinga National Park.
Rwanda: Rwanda has about 12 habituated gorilla families and these include Susa, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Sabinyo, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Umubano, Agashya, Ugyenda and Bwenge gorilla families. There are more gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. However, these are still under habituation and will be opened to the public once the habituation is complete.
DRC: Though at the time DRC is not a secure place for gorilla trekking, the Virunga National Park boasts ten habituated gorilla groups. Rugendo gorilla family, Baraka gorilla family, Muyanga gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, Lulengo gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Nyekamwe gorilla family, Bageni gorilla family and Humba gorilla family comprise the several habituated gorilla families in DRC.
Cost of a gorilla safari
The cost of a gorilla safari depends on by several factors, and these include the cost of the permit, the number of days spent on a safari, the season of travel, additional activities combined with gorilla tracking, and the number of people traveling in a group for gorilla trekking. The cost of the gorilla trek permit in Uganda is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300, 000 for East African citizens. The cost of the trek permit in Rwanda includes $1500 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and citizens from other African countries and $200 for EAC citizens. The cost of the gorilla trekking permit in DRC is $400 for foreign non-residents, $20 for DRC nationals and $200 for EAC citizens.
How to book the gorilla trekking permit.
A gorilla trekking permit is the only assurance that one will trek Mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Contact a tour operator with the trekking dates you have so that the guides can check for the availability of the permits and once they have been confirmed, you will be requested to make the necessary payments for the permit. You will also have to provide personal details like a copy of your passport with the name and passport number visible. After the payments have been confirmed, the permits will be purchased, and a copy for record purposes sent will be to you. Gorilla permits have to be booked in advance (6 months prior) for better planning.
Following your booking and purchase of the permits, you must reserve lodging, particularly in the dry season; contact your guide to assist you in booking lodging and transportation, other activities you could mix with gorilla trekking and other facilities you could use during your Uganda gorilla safari.
Though all visitors are urged to employ registered local tour companies familiar with the territory, the permits can be purchased straight from the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda.
Is gorilla trekking safe in Africa?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a secure safari activity because of the safety measures that have been put in place to ensure that both the Mountain gorillas and the trekkers are safe. One of the safest nations in the world, Rwanda and Uganda both provide some 24/7 security in the national parks where trekking is conducted and the armed rangers are trained to guard in should of an emergency. Due of the continuous civil strife in the Democratic Republic, visitors are urged to avoid visiting DRC for gorilla trekking at the time until it is safe; so, the Democratic Republic is not a safe area to go for gorilla trekking.
