How to See Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda : Have you seen the breath-taking moment David Attenborough had with the mountain gorillas in his 1979 film “Life on Earth”? You should know that such an encounter would have seemed as unlikely and risky as a prehistoric walk. The tide has turned since David and Dian Fossey’s interactions, and we now have nothing to fear from these kind and vulnerable primates. Encountering them in their own environment – the tropical African mountain forests – has emerged as one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife adventures.
Mountain gorillas are exclusive to high altitudes and small mountain tropical forests in East Africa, according to science. The bigger of the two gorilla species, it has a family of ten to thirty members, led by a male known as the “silverback” because of his white hair cape. There are just about a thousand of these gorillas left in the world, with the majority living in Uganda and the remaining portion in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
You likely plan to trek the mountain gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda, with the DRC being the preferred destination due to security concerns. Your first essential is the gorilla trekking permit, which will cost you a hefty US$1500 in Rwanda or US 800 per person in Uganda. This allows you to spend an hour with the powerful beasts in a restricted and highly protected area, plus the time it takes to hike to their location.
Your trek occurs under the supervision of park rangers. The park rangers will guide you to one of several habituated troops, monitoring their movements around the clock. This might seem to some like a stage-managed encounter. It is, in fact, the only method to witness gorillas in the wild. You cannot simply wander off by yourself: the terrain is too dangerous; the apes too unresolved and the rangers too focused on battling poachers to allow tourists to blunder off-piste. In fact, the only reason the poor apes survive at all is because of the park workers’ tireless work.
Every day, treks depart. Rangers keep park HQ informed by radio of the gorillas’ whereabouts, so sightings are virtually guaranteed. Following the mandatory briefing, porters and guides will pair you with a group of up to eight hikers. We assign each group to a specific troop of gorillas. The duration of the walk, which includes an hour with the gorillas, varies depending on the location of your troop. You will be denied entry with or without a permission if you fail to attend the briefing or arrive sick, as this presents a significant health hazard to the apes.
The dense undergrowth, high altitude and steep, slippery trail will soon have your physical strength scratched, muddy and exhausted. Exciting hints, such as hot droppings and chewed bamboo, heighten the sense of being in the wild.
However, nothing can adequately prepare you for the intensity of a mountain gorilla experience. Many, believing they have made a “connection,” walk away in tears. While such ideas may be imaginative, there is no disputing that sitting among the apes, meeting those searching, bright eyes in a face that seems to reflect your own, is a wealthy safari experience.
Before you begin your hike, the guides will go over the basic guidelines at the trailhead. Though nothing can stop the apes from approaching, you should remain motionless, silent, and seven meters away. Nothing much happens most of the time; the gorillas are sleeping, farting, and/or eating, with the occasional rough and tumble among the rowdy kids. Although the silverback is amazing to see, there is no need for concern. If he is feeling agitated, he may deliver a brief “mock” charge or beat his chest. This causes your heart to race; however, you can alleviate this sensation by remaining still, refraining from making eye contact, and allowing his bravado to dissipate. Your guides will have the upper hand.
Above all, going on a gorilla hike in Africa is a personal encounter that resembles visiting a family sitting room rather than going on a safari run. Once you have your photos, you will be able to see an amazing animal up close. Even though one hour isn’t enough, it’s an unforgettable one that you will never forget. Usually, we advise our visitors to embark on a second day of hiking without cameras, just to experience the moment.
Where to go for the gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking safaris takes place in Rwanda or Uganda offers similar experiences, with the primary distinction being cost.
Trekking Rwanda’s gorillas takes place in Volcanoes National Park, or Parc National des Volcans in French, which is located roughly two hours’ drive northwest of Kigali, the country’s capital. There are wonderful safari lodges for both luxury and budget travel, that’s something Rwanda has got so right. You can complete a trek in just two nights, but spending an extra night will let you unwind and see more. Every journey begins at the park headquarters in Kinigi village.
The gorillas in Uganda can be trekked in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, which are nearly at the border with Rwanda and DRC. You’ll need a full day’s drive from Entebbe or Kampala to get there. I suggest you allow a three nights trip. Treks start a four different trail points, several hours’ drive apart. Your choice of trail-head will determine which lodge you stay in. There are countless options available to you for the ideal gorilla lodge.
Rwanda has the easiest trekking; rangers will assign you to a habituated gorilla troop according on your fitness level, increasing your chances of a shorter walk and giving you more flexibility on the day. The climbs in Uganda are frequently harder and longer, but many tourists enjoy the “wilder” challenge.
