Choosing the Best Country for Gorilla Trekking

When choosing the best country for a gorilla trekking tour, you’ll need to consider three main destinations: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Each offers unique experiences, but there are some important differences to be aware of.

Uganda is well-developed for tourism and offers a variety of activities beyond gorilla trekking. In Uganda, you can combine gorilla trekking with safari experiences in savannah wildlife reserves, chimpanzee trekking, and more. This makes Uganda a great choice if you’re looking for a diverse adventure.

Rwanda also provides an excellent gorilla trekking experience. However, the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda is higher than in Uganda. Tourism in Rwanda is less developed outside of Volcanoes National Park, which is the primary base for gorilla trekking. If you choose Rwanda, expect to focus more on the trekking experience itself.

The DRC had great mountain gorilla trekking opportunities in Virunga National Park, but the park has been closed since 2020 due to safety concerns. It’s uncertain when it will reopen, so this may not be the best option at the moment.

Fitness Level Required

Gorilla trekking requires a reasonable level of fitness. As a guideline, if you can walk comfortably for about two hours, you should be fine. If you’re not quite there, consider training to reach that level. Determined travelers who are less fit often still manage successful treks.

Good hiking shoes, a walking stick (provided before the trek), and hiring a porter to help with your daypack and assist on steep parts are important. If you’re concerned about your fitness, it’s helpful to understand the trekking conditions.

In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you’ll choose a tracking center when booking your permit. Buhoma and Ruhija generally offer easier hikes compared to Rushaga and Nkuringo. The local gorilla groups have defined territories, and some are easier to visit than others. You can ask your guide to help you be assigned to a group with easier hiking conditions if needed.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has only one trekking center. On the day of your trek, you’ll be allocated to a gorilla group. The rangers try to accommodate elderly or less fit trekkers by assigning them to nearby groups. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda has only one group to visit, so all trekkers go to the same family.

In general, trekking conditions in Rwanda and Mgahinga are somewhat easier than in Bwindi, though altitude can affect this, especially if you’re coming from sea level.

How Close Can You Get to the Gorillas?

During a gorilla trek, you must maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters (23 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect both the gorillas from human diseases and to ensure your safety. Before your trek, you’ll receive a briefing on how to behave around the gorillas. Your guide will direct you on where to stand during the sighting.

Gorillas may approach you and come closer than the recommended distance. If this happens, your guide will instruct you to back away. In dense vegetation, if backing away is not possible, you’ll be asked to crouch down and avert your gaze until the gorilla moves past.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking can be expensive. Here’s a breakdown of the costs for permits:

• Uganda: For foreign nonresidents, the permit fee is US$800; for foreign residents, it’s US$700.
• Rwanda: The permit fee for foreign nonresidents is US$1,500.
• DRC: Currently, trekking is not available due to the park’s closure.

In addition to the permit fee, there are other costs involved in a safari package. You’ll spend one hour with a gorilla troop after reaching their location. Trekking groups are limited to eight people.

Uganda offers a special gorilla habituation experience at Bwindi, where you track a semi-habituated troop with a limited group of four travelers. You can stay with the gorillas for four hours, but the experience is less predictable since these gorillas aren’t fully accustomed to people. This special activity costs US$1,500.

Adding Gorilla Trekking to a Broader Wildlife Trip

Gorilla trekking can be a fantastic addition to a broader wildlife tour. Operators can book local flights and road transfers for you, and you can also include extra activities such as volcano hikes, nature walks, golden monkey trekking, and cultural experiences.

A common option is to combine a safari in Kenya or Tanzania with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. Rwanda is easier to include in a multicountry trip as Volcanoes National Park is just a three-hour drive from Kigali, the capital city.

Uganda’s gorilla trekking parks are more remote. Traveling from Entebbe International Airport to these parks involves a long drive or a domestic flight followed by additional driving. This can take up to 10 hours, or more with the extra domestic flights.

Another option is to dedicate your entire trip to either Uganda or Rwanda. This approach is eco-friendly and allows for a more relaxed travel experience. Uganda, in particular, is a fantastic wildlife destination with diverse safari opportunities, including tracking chimps and searching for the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino). It also offers excellent birding and monkey viewing.

Choosing the right country for your gorilla trekking adventure depends on your preferences, fitness level, budget, and what additional experiences you’re seeking. Each destination offers a unique and memorable experience, so you’re sure to have an incredible adventure no matter where you go.