Mountain gorilla in Rwanda
Gorilla tracking in Uganda
Mountain gorilla trekking or gorilla tracking is a primate adventure activity that is done in the national parks that make up the Virunga massif, Gorilla tracking is characterized by visitors trekking the lush jungles deep in the center of Africa to be rewarded with an up-close encounter with a family of Mountain gorillas.
Bwindi impenetrable forest, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in DRC form the volcanic range that is referred to as the Virunga ranges or Virunga Massif where visitors trek the lush African jungles in search of mountain gorillas.
The mountain gorilla tracking activity is at times characterized by short or long walks in the African wilderness because it involves ascending a mountainous terrain, the movement is in such a way that you avoid a steep climb but rather take a diagonal accent.
This kind of movement is what is regarded as trekking thus referring to the whole experience as gorilla trekking.
Hikes up to their various locations can last anything from 30 minutes to four or more hours, reaching an altitude of between 2000m and 4000m.
Porters are available to carry backpacks and cameras and offer a helping hand along the route, including carrying visitors who completely fail to trek the jungles for various reasons.
What is the Virunga Massif
The volcanic mountain range spans Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo which encompasses the national parks that the endangered mountain gorillas call home.
At the latest count, there are approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif. The population is slowly increasing, thanks to concerted efforts between the governments of Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, communities, and NGOs.
Why gorilla tracking?
Being part of the unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some tourists have even said it is life-changing.
Encounters with mountain gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides that lead small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes in Mgahinga and Volcanoes national parks to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures.
Gorilla Tracking Permits
A gorilla tracking permit is a document provided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, UWA or Rwanda Development Board, RDB after paying the designated fee for the mountain gorilla tracking activity that
allows a tourist or researcher to partake in the mountain gorilla tracking activity.
Cost of a gorilla Tracking Permit.
A gorilla tracking permit costs $700 in Uganda. It is facilitated by UWA through any reputable tour operator while it Costs US $1500 per person per day to track in Rwanda and is facilitated by RDB. The minimum age limit to track gorillas is 15 years old. Special offers are currently available for East African Community residents.
How to get a Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permit.
Uganda Wildlife Authority, UWA is a government agency in charge of protecting wildlife and is at the forefront of most conservation initiatives in Uganda. As such UWA generates documents that are sold at the headquarters in Kampala, The document that allows you to track mountain gorillas is what is known as a gorilla tracking permit.
Registered and government-licensed tour companies in Uganda such as Outback Adventure Safaris are the only entities allowed to purchase mountain gorilla tracking permits on behalf of tourists and researchers who want to experience mountain gorilla tracking in Uganda.
You can click here to start the process of acquiring your mountain gorilla tracking permit.
CONTACT US FOR YOUR GORILLA TRACKING PERMIT
