Mountain gorillas

View our gorilla tracking safaris

Gorilla safari Gorillas are large, quiet, gentle apes that live in Uganda and Rwanda. Although gorillas are frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, they are really shy, peaceful vegetarians. You will not want to miss this GORILLA TRACKING experience. Gorilla tracking safari uganda or gorilla tracking safari rwanda. You can combine gorilla tracking safari with any other safari or you can combine kenya, tanzania and gorilla safari in uganda.

With only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world , seeing them in the wild is something only a few people will want to miss this unique experience.

About 300 mountain gorillas inhabit an extinct volcanic region called the Virunga Range along the borders of Rwanda , Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in East Africa. The other 350 or so mountain gorillas inhabit a nearby area of Bwindi in Uganda, a thick rainforest.
Uganda
There are two parks in Uganda, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you are able to go gorilla tracking.
The Mgahinga only covers 28 square miles and is situated on the extreme southwest corner of Uganda on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Besides gorilla you can also see leopard, buffalo, bushbuck and golden monkeys.

Bwindi is in south-western Uganda and is home to about half of all mountain gorilla. The park covers about 200 square miles of extremely dense rainforest and is a proclaimed World Heritage site. Part of the fun of tracking gorilla here is trying to follow them through the dense foliage. You can also get to see chimpanzees as well as some spectacular bird life.
gorilla tracking uganda | gorilla tracking rwanda | gorilla safari | africa mountain gorilla

Rwanda

Rwanda has one park in the North of the country encompassing its share of the mountain gorilla population: the Virunga National Park or Parc National des Volcans (PNV) . The park covers an area of about 46 square miles and encompasses six volcanoes. Despite the terrible genocide in the early 1990's the country is fairly stable and the park permit system is running smoothly. The PNV was where Dian Fossey set up her base and research center. Tracking gorillas in the PNV is slightly less strenuous than at Bwindi since the gorillas move around a little less. The more open terrain also allows more light for better photo opportunities than in Bwindi.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC also has a section of the Virunga Mountains park called the Parc National des Virunga . The DRC gorilla population has been in the news recently (2007) because several gorillas were brutally hacked to death.

Tips:

Getting to see gorillas is not easy, nor are you guaranteed to see them. The trek to where the gorilla groups live takes you through very dense vegetation, up steep slopes and can last several hours. Gorillas move around so they aren't all that easy to track. The gorillas you'll be meeting are habituated to humans which is why you are able to get quite close to them. Some basic rules of tracking gorillas include:

• You have to be over 15 years of age
• You can not be sick or have any infectious disease
• Only one hour is allowed with the gorillas and you have to keep a distance of at least 5 metres
• Maximum number of visitors per day is 6-12 people per group
• No flash photography is allowed
• Trekkers must be fit and well equipped, which includes warm clothing for the wet cool climate high in the mountains.
• No eating or drinking in the vicinity of the gorillas
• No touching the gorillas (although they may decide to touch you)
  
  Gorilla Permits

In Uganda it costs USD 500 per day per person for a gorilla permit. You can get the permits in Kampala (the capital of Uganda) at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters. It is possible to make an international booking for permits using email direct with UWA but they do not accept credit cards so it gets a bit complicated.

In Rwanda you can get permits through the Rwanda Tourism Board offices (ORTPN) in Kigali or Ruhengeri (near the PNV). You can call (250) 576514 or 573396 or email at reservation@rwandatourism.com. The permits cost USD 500 per person per day

The area is well protected and there is no need for concern about personal security. The rangers are very kind and motivated, and they will do everything possible to make it a pleasant trip. It is still a wonderful place to see the mountain gorilla , and it normally offers excellent opportunities for photos. The gorilla tracking is less strenuous than in Bwindi Impenetrable NP however the altitude may cause difficulties for some visitors and gorillas tend to climb higher during dry season. A good physical condition is also here recommended, as you may have to climb higher during dry season.

Gorillas Tour (3 days)
There are habituated gorilla families - Amahoro, "Group 13", Sabinyo and Susa - etc each of the groups allows up to 8 people per day. You can track gorilla, or add on climbing the volcanoes the volcanos Muhabura, Karisimbi or Visoke or track the golden monkeys or visit the Karisoke Research Centre, where Dian Fossey grave is located, the author of " gorillas in the mist" or visit local villages.

Gorilla Safari (4 days) Track Gorillas Twice/ golden Monkeys
Under this safari will track gorillas twice or visit the golden monkeys or the Karusoke Research Station- Diana Fossey stooping grounds .

Primates Tour Nyungwe Forest (4 days)
Nyungwe Forest is a big montane forest, in southern Rwanda is believed to be the largest in Central Africa and has thirteen species of primate including chimpanzee and large groups of Rwenzori colobus monkeys. Tracking is on steep slippery hillsides and viewing is unpredictable.

Rwanda Tour ( 7 days-1)
This tour allows you see Parc National des Volcans famous for gorilla tracking, seeing local communities, it takes to Nyungwe, in South West of Rwanda, a huge afro-montane forest and Akagera Game Park.

Uganda game viewing and Rwanda Gorillas (7 days-2) This is nice itinerary to combine with Northern Tanzania circuits. Where your ground operator will drop you at Mwanza to catch ferry or the border of Tanzania and Uganda at Mutukula and then we pick you from there to continue to lake Mburo national park. Alternatively you can start from Kigali and we then drop you at Mutukula/ Bukoba where you will proceed to Bukoba port to catch ferry to Mwanza and start your norhern Tanzania safari circuits with your ground operator. In this case day 1 will be left out.

Primates & Game ( 8 days)
Visiting Akagera National Park for game viewing Visit Kigali city an attractive city spread over many hills for which Rwanda is prominent. Enjoy local dances and see local cultures at times at your hotel of stay. Parc National des Volcans famous for gorilla tracking, and Nyungwe for primates watching.

Rwanda Rwanda ( 9 days)
Visit the gorillas and other primates in the two countries, Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda Rwanda (15 days)
The best tour to cover Uganda and Rwanda. Track gorillas in both countries, game viewing, chimp viewing and sight seeeing.

Day 1:gorilla tracking Uganda
Morning departure from Kampala for the south with stops at the craft village at the Uganda Equator for pictures and shopping. After lunch at the Lakeview Hotel in Mbarara, proceed through the beautiful evergreen mountain country referred to as the "Little Switzerland". Arrive late evening for dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge. Transit Time 8-10 hrs.

Day 2:gorilla tracking uganda and rwanda safari
Briefing by park ranger guides. Later with picnic lunch, start 30 minutes - 8 hours trek to find the Mountain gorilla. The tracking starts at the area where the gorilla were the previous day. After a full hour with the gorilla, return to your accommodations for dinner and overnight at campsite or lodge.

Day 3: gorilla tracking uganda safari
Transfer to Mbarara for lunch, Later depart for Kampala. Transit Time 8-10 hrs.