.What does a Mountain Gorilla look like?With half of the remaining gorilla population living in Uganda, a rewarding gorilla trekking experience is to be had in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where the majority of the gorillas live. There is also a smaller number of gorillas living in the Mgahinga Gorilla Park but these gorillas do tend to cross over into Rwanda.Bwindi Impenetrable ForestThe dry months of June to September and December to February are the most popular amongst visitors, with days offering more sunshine than rain. December is always a popular month for travel to parks across Africa, so it is always advisable to book your trip well in advance. – being tropical rainforests, there’s a good chance of experiencing some rain all year-round. Just roll it up and put it in your backpack when you're done. Is Gorilla Trekking safe?Due to the interaction with the gorilla families requiring visitors to hike, the terrain differs from path to path. During the rainy season the ground can become very slippery, making the trek a little more challenging. But whether there’s rain or sunshine, the gorilla trekking experiences run every day. – you’ll need to drink a lot during the trek so make sure you pack enough water into your backpack. Your accommodation will be able to arrange this for you. On a A Silverback Mountain Gorilla is fearless and defends his territory with his immense size and body strength.Our packages include accommodation, logistics and permits – we can also help with arranging flights, transfers and any other extras.Camera and binoculars - yellow fever immunization is a requirement for travelers to Uganda and the Congo and should be administered ten to thirty days prior to arrival. Rwanda will only require proof of yellow fever should the visitor be traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Do not forget to pack the certificate as you will be required to present it on your arrival. and the Water At Safari.com, we’ll help you make the most of your time and budget, whether you’re adding a gorilla trek to a safari, or adding game viewing and some time on the Quick drying long pants and shirts Virunga National Park is a natural wonder with its riverine forest, rolling mountains and volcanoes. who can advise you on all the requirements and plan a bespoke trip.Visitors are generally advised to keep a seven-meter distance from the gorilla family however it's not uncommon for members of the gorilla group to walk or brush past you. Virunga National ParkGorilla Trekking is situated in the south-western region of Uganda and is a whopping 81791 acres in size. What makes Bwindi so special isn’t just gorilla trekking with one of fourteen habituated gorilla groups, but the abundance of other wildlife that lives in the park. Bwindi affords visitors the opportunity of seeing colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, over 350 bird species and 120 mammal species, including the African elephant and striped jackal.Where to find Mountain Gorillas A Silverback Mountain Gorilla and his family go about their day in the tropical rainforest they call home.Gorilla trekking undoubtedly is Living in the highest mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are Mountain Gorillas.Gorilla trekking is a year-round activity however there are certain months that are regarded to be better than others. – the treks can be tough and take a few hours so it's always advisable to pack energy bars, chocolate, and sugar-coated snacks. Many of the luxury camps will provide their guests with snacks but it doesn’t hurt to bring your favorites long. You will be so happy you did.What to pack for Gorilla Trekking5-day tour- given that you will be trekking through a tropical rainforest, it is advisable to bring along some insect repellent in order to keep these creatures at bay. Sunscreen is a must, especially for those with a fair complexion, as the rays of the sun can be harsh.Gorilla trekking is a costly activity due to travel logistics and permits required, traveling to such remote destinations and ensuring the best chances for a successful trek requires first-hand knowledge and experience that you get from booking with one of our Africa Safari Experts. – a good quality pair of hiking boots will serve you well in the forest. Protecting those ankles are vital so they may be expensive but the value outweighs the risk of breaking an ankle.Volcanoes National ParkIn order to go gorilla trekking, you are required to obtain a permit before your arrival. Permits are limited, costly, difficult to secure and cannot be held on a provisional basis. It is therefore imperative that your Safari Expert secures your permits before any other travel arrangements are made. The pristine forest wilderness surrounding Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.Families traveling with children are advised that although some camps accept children of all ages, the age restriction for gorilla trekking is fifteen years.Gorillas have been wrongfully labeled as aggressive and volatile animals, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gorillas are in fact very gentle and shy animals that maintain their composure until threatened. Visitors are instructed to sit down quietly and not make any sudden movements, as this can often surprise the group and result in the Given the costs of gorilla trekking, most visitors tend to only do one trek during their stay, and will more often than not choose a habituation trek which affords them a four-hour visit versus the one-hour gorilla trek. Either experience though is unforgettable!Insect repellent – to avoid being cut and scratched by branches and vines, a durable pair of gloves are essential as well as a wide-brimmed bush hat that offers protection from the rays of the sun. The rest of the group will be envious! A life-changing experience awaits you in Uganda, Africa. in the Democratic of Congo is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is 1927422 acres in size and is home to two of the worlds most active volcanoes. Experiences to be had in the park include gorilla trekking with one of six habituated gorilla groups, chimpanzee habituation walks, Nyiragongo volcano treks, Rwenzori mountain treks, and visits to Tchegera Island. Other animals to be seen in the park include savanna and forest elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, African buffalo and several endemic bird species.UgandaRwandaThe packing list below is just a mere guideline as you may have your own preferences but please bear in mind that the attire in this part of the world is quite modest. It’s often difficult to comprehend just how big mountain gorillas can get, with the silverback males generally double the size of females. They have the potential to stand as tall as 1.82 meters and weigh as much as 226 kilograms. These animals are incredibly strong and muscular, with the arms of a silverback reaching out as far as 2 meters. Mountain Gorillas are social animals, gathering in groups that can be as little as two or as big as forty. Each group is led by one dominant silverback.silverback male roaring and making mock charges.BootsGorilla Trekking vs Gorilla Habituation There are two rainy seasons in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. The first is shorter from October to November whilst the longer rainy season is during the months of mid-March to end May. Although rainy seasons can see as much as 2000 millimeters of rainfall, most days are balanced with some sunshine and rainfall. During these low season months many of the camps and lodges like to reduce their rates to attract more business. The permits in the Congo are too reduced to further entice visitors to experience gorilla trekking. When packing for your trip to East Africa we do recommend including these essential items for your gorilla trekking experience. This Best time to go Gorilla Trekking - the essentials for tracking and capturing this incredible experience with the gorillas. Remember to bring along extra batteries and SD cards.A gorilla habituation trek Gorilla Trekking know-how and permits A visitor has an up-close encounter with a habituated Mountain Gorilla.Democratic Republic of CongoLight waterproof rain jacket or poncho Gorillas are mostly seen living on the forest floor except the young who like to play in the trees.Vaccination certificate affords you the magical experience of encountering gorillas in their natural habitat. The forest teems with wildlife, including the rare forest elephant, giant forest hog and eleven kinds of primates. Your unforgettable experience with the gorillas is complemented with a stay in the charming lakeshore town of Entebbe.Gloves and hatThe 39537 acre Our 5 day Gorilla Trekking TourVirunga National ParkSafari ExpertsVolcanoes National ParkThe only other time you will see a gorilla go on the defense is when two silverbacks challenge one another for territory. SnacksThe adults generally live on the ground whilst the young with their playful nature like to swing from the branches of the trees and get up to mischief. The females generally start reproducing at the age of ten, giving birth every two to three years. They will generally mother four to six babies in their lifetime. The general lifespan of a mountain gorilla is between forty and fifty years.is offered in the Rushaga region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda and is a more exclusive experience with only four people in a group. It's an all-day affair, and although relatively more expensive than a gorilla trekking experience, the advantage is the extended visiting hours with the family. This experience is perfect for those gorilla enthusiasts or wildlife photographers. There is a lot of planning and preparation involved in a gorilla trekking safari so we do recommend chatting to one of our A Mountain Gorilla is an endangered species and can only be seen in three African countries - white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of an Indian Ocean island. It’s important to know that all the gorilla groups visited in East Africa have been habituated over a period of time - roughly around two years. This means that these groups of gorillas have become accustomed to the presence of humans, allowing these incredible animals to go about their day without being perturbed by their human visitors. Volcanoes National Park is a vast mountainous wilderness that's perfect for gorillas.– to avoid being attacked by insects it’s best to cover up and not expose too much skin. Given the possibility of it raining on your trek, it’s best to wear clothing that will dry with the wind Try to select khaki or natural colored clothing to blend in with the surroundings. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Rwanda forms part of the Virunga Conservation region and is one of the most popular gorilla destinations. Experiences offered in this region include gorilla trekking with one of ten habituated gorilla groups, hiking the 3800-meter Karisimbi Volcano, visits to the renowned Dian Fossey Tomb, The Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, cultural village tours and cave tours. Other animals to be seen in the park include golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffalo, hyena and over 300 bird species. and sunscreen the wildlife adventure of a lifetime. It is by far the most up-close experience in Africa, coming face-to-face with one of the rarest animals on earth. The Mountain Gorilla is the world's most endangered great ape, found only in protected forests in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo (DRC). At Safari.com we are honored to support trekking tourism that contributes directly to protecting rainforest habitats and conserving these elusive creatures.The last census estimated the world population of Mountain Gorillas to be a total of 880 with the greatest increase showing in Uganda. experience, you are assigned to a gorilla group that fits your level of fitness and your ability to withstand the tougher gorilla treks. After splitting into groups of eight people, you head off on your trek through the forest in search of your assigned gorilla family. You are accompanied by researches and trackers who eagerly share their knowledge of these incredible animals with you. Depending on their location, you could trek for upto three hours before finding them. Once you locate the family, you will have one hour to watch them as they go about their daily life and capture this incredible interaction on camera. , After extensive research, several scientists have concluded that humans and gorillas share 98% of their genetic makeup, making the gorilla species our closest living relative. Living high up in the mountains, mountain gorillas are exposed to extremely cold weather conditions and are therefore equipped with long black hair to retain heat, whilst gorillas living on the lower mountain escarpment are much smaller and have a brownish-grey coat and a well-defined temple-bone. The only real predator that a mountain gorilla faces is that of an armed human poacher.
Anja Mayer was extremely knowledgeable, patient, prompt with her responses to questions, and always very helpful. She was also a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone that asks that Anja is the right person to contact if they are interested in travelling to South Africa or Botswana.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 12, 2024
Anja did a fabulous job!
Anja was knowledgeble, patient prompt with her responses to questions and always very helpful. In addition, it was a pleasure working with her. I would recommend her to anyone without any reservation.
Lewis Warren
,
US
Dec 10, 2024
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to…
Mel du Toit was the perfect person to arrange and organize our trip!! She was on the ball, made sure everything was in place and travel arrangements secured! I highly recommend her!!
JUDITH ANN
,
US
Dec 9, 2024
Great support from Shann
Shann made the booking experience seamless - provided very helpful information to ensure we fully understood what the experience would be like and made sure we felt safe with experiences we have booked.
SUE And Bryson STEIN
,
AU
Dec 9, 2024
Quick & efficient
Very fast response, polite - impressive
Eduardo Rocha
,
BR
Dec 7, 2024
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays…
Went through Newmarket travel and Hays travel ..information about flight changes hard to get..but on arrival the holiday was taken over Safari.com..amazing ..experience everything was fine tuned and the staff ..guides drivers fabulous and friendly ..lots of knowledge..lots of fun and the surprises they did was so lovely ...loved every minute ..Paris our guide was amazing..10/10 and Eric driver ..the waiters and waitress every and everyone in the hotels .smiling and friendly..Best holiday of my life
Gillian Dodsworth
,
GB
Dec 7, 2024
Anja at Safari.com was a great partner to work with!
Working with Anja at Safari.com was great. She was able to work some magic and got us a few nights at the safari lodge we really wanted, Ngoma. Unfortunately, our flight from the USA to South Africa was canceled and we were rebooked a day later but Anja was great about making sure our lodge and the transports knew about the change in plans and made sure we got to our trip as soon as we could.
She was a great partner to have and communicated quickly whenever we reached out. I would highly recommend using her when planning a trip to Africa!
Joanna
,
US
Dec 4, 2024
Prompt & knowledgeable
Prompt & knowledgeable
Scott Millar
,
ZA
Dec 4, 2024
Great service from Denise at Safari.com
Denise from Safari.com was extremely helpful. She responded promptly, provided good advice on safari lodgings options and worked up a couple of itinerary options to suit our budget. Denise also organised flights and transfers very quickly so that we could finalize our booking in a short time. Much appreciated.
