Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Tracking

Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking is one of the relaxing and mind blowing experience. Gorillas are 98.4% next to human being and what they do is not far away from the things that are done by human beings. Gorilla tracking is an amazing experience available in both Uganda and Rwanda, where you can see these incredible creatures up close in their natural habitat.

The permits in both countries allow you to spend one hour with a family of habituated gorillas. It’s a truly unforgettable experience, watching them interact, feed, and move about in their forest home. Since the number of permits is limited and they sell out quickly, it’s essential to book well in advance. This ensures you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking

Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking is a very good experience that everyone is encouraged to give it a try, it starts in the morning around 7am with briefing by an experienced guide and then visitors are entertained so as to put them in the tracking moods.

Gorilla tracking involves hiking through dense forests to find a habituated gorilla family. You’ll be accompanied by experienced guides and armed rangers who know the gorillas’ locations. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll be allowed to spend one hour observing them from a safe distance of about 10 meters.

During this time, you can take photos, watch their behaviour, and enjoy this unique experience. Every gorilla family is tracked once a day for one hour and by eight people.

Places for gorilla tracking.

Uganda offers one of the most diverse and immersive gorilla tracking experiences. With the main gorilla tracking areas being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda is home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.

Bwindi is particularly renowned for its four tracking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each sector offers a unique trekking experience, varying in terrain and level of difficulty. The dense and misty forest, with its challenging trails, adds to the adventure, making every encounter with the gorillas a rewarding feat. Bwindi diverse ecosystem also boasts over 350 bird species and a wide variety of other wildlife.

Buhoma sector

Buhoma Sector is the most popular sector and the first to be opened for gorilla tourism in Uganda. It’s located in the northern part of the park and offers relatively easier trekking routes. Habituated gorilla families here include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe.

Ruhija Sector

Ruhija sector is Located in the Eastern part of the park, Ruhija offers a more challenging trek due to its higher altitude.

Habituated gorilla families here include Mukiza, Bitukura and Oruzogo.

Rushaga Sector

Rushaga sector is Situated in the southern part of the park, Rushaga is known for hosting the highest number of habituated gorilla families. It also offers the gorilla habituation experience, allowing visitors to spend more time with semi-habituated gorillas. Habituated gorilla families here include Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye and Kahungye.

Nkuringo Sector

The sector is located in the southern western part of the park, Nkuringo offers a moderately challenging trek. Habituated gorilla families here include Nkuringo and Ntugwe.

Mgahinga gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s known for the Nyakagezi gorilla family, the only habituated group in the park, offering a more exclusive tracking experience.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National park offers a more controlled and accessible trekking experience. The park, located in the northwestern part of the country, is famous for its stunning volcanic landscape and was the base for Dian Fossey’s gorilla research. The park is home to around 10 habituated gorilla families, including the famous Susa group, known for its size and the presence of twins.

Rwanda’s well-maintained trails and the less dense forest make the trek somehow easier compared to Bwindi. The park’s proximity to Kigali (about a 2-hour drive) adds to its convenience, making it possible for a day trip, though an overnight stay is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.

Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking permit

Gorilla tracking is an amazing experience available in both Uganda and Rwanda, where you can see these incredible creatures up close in their natural habitat. While tracking in Uganda, the costs are;

For Foreign Non resident, the cost is $800 per person. Foreign residents pay $700 per person. Rest Of Africa, the cost is $500 and for the East African citizens can get a permit for 300,000 Ug shillings per person. And for habituation, the permit goes for: Non foreign resident $1500, Foreign resident $1000, Rest of Africa $1000 and East Africa Community is 750,000 ugx

In Rwanda, for international visitors, the cost is $1,500 per person. Foreign residents pay $500 per person. East African citizens can get a permit for $200 per person. Rwandan citizens pay $200 per person.

The permits in both countries allow you to spend one hour with a family of habituated gorillas and for gorilla habituation experience goes up to four hours. It’s a truly unforgettable experience, watching them interact, feed, and move about in their forest home.

How to get Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking permit

Since the number of permits is limited and they sell out quickly, it’s essential to book well in advance. This ensures you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

International visitors must book their permits through a reputable tour operator and Only Ugandan residents can book directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). When booking, you’ll need to select the sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo) or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or choose to track in Rwanda.

You can book permits through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or a reputable tour operator. International visitors often find it easier to book through a tour operator.

Best tracking time

The best time to track in both Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are less muddy and easier to navigate, increasing your chances of spotting gorillas and enjoying the hikes.

During his season, the gorillas tend to be more active and very easy to spot, even the visitors always have different experience tracking during dry season which is more enjoyable.

Challenges while tracking

The trails can be steep, muddy, and slippery, especially during the wet season. This can make the trek physically demanding because there will be a lot of falling and sliding. It is a tropical rain forest and Rain can occur unexpectedly, making the trek more difficult.

Proper gear like waterproof jackets and sturdy boots is essential. Trekking often involves navigating high altitudes, which can be challenging for some visitors, causing shortness of breath and fatigue. The forests are thick with vegetation, making movement slower and more strenuous. It’s important to follow the guides closely.

Expect encounters with insects like mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing can help. The trek can be strenuous, requiring a good level of fitness. Visitors should be prepared for a potentially long and demanding hike.

Restrictions for gorilla tracking.

There are several important restrictions for gorilla tracking to ensure the safety and well-being of both the gorillas and visitors:

Participants must be at least 15 years old to join a gorilla trekking expedition. This ensures that everyone is physically capable and mature enough to follow the guidelines. Visitors must be in good health. If you have a cold, flu, or any contagious illness, you won’t be allowed to track gorillas.

This helps protect the gorillas from human diseases. Each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 people per day. This limits human impact on the gorillas and reduces stress on the animals. You must maintain a distance of at least 7 meters (about 23 feet) from the gorillas at all times.

This helps prevent the transmission of diseases and reduces the risk of disturbing them. You can spend up to one hour with the gorillas. This minimizes the impact on their natural behaviour and allows them to go about their daily routines with minimal disruption. Flash photography is prohibited as it can startle and disturb the gorillas.

Keep noise to a minimum in order to avoid disturbing the gorillas and other wildlife such as the olive baboons, monkeys, chimps, duikers and forest elephants. No Eating or Drinking Near Gorillas, Food and drinks are not allowed near the gorillas to prevent littering and potential health risks. Always follow the instructions given by your guide or ranger to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

These restrictions are in place to protect the gorillas and ensure a sustainable and responsible tourism experience.

Must have for Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking

When embarking for Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tracking adventure, here are the essentials that one must have;

 long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect against insects, stinging nettles and thorny vegetation. Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots with good grip for navigating rough, muddy trails and it’s more recommendable for one to carry gumboots due to the muddy rails and sometimes there is crossing of boggy places so as to encounter the gorillas.

A waterproof jacket or poncho is as well needed because it is a tropical rainforest and at any time it can rain unexpectedly. A hat and sunglasses for sun protection, along with sunscreen and insect repellent. A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the trek or carry at least 2 litres of water because the tracking distance are always not predicted where visitors could love the short tracking and find themselves in long tracking.

It is as well advisable to pack lunch, Snacks or energy bars to keep your energy levels up. Carry a camera (with no flash) to capture the incredible wildlife. A basic first aid kit for any minor injuries.

Remember, one must not forget to carry a facemask especially when tracking in Uganda because it is a must – have before having an encounter with the gorilla.

The best destination for gorilla tracking.

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer incredible gorilla tracking experiences depending on one’s preferences and priority.

Looking onto Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is just a 2-hour drive from Kigali, making it highly accessible, especially for those with limited time. The trails in Volcanoes National Park are generally less dense and easier to navigate, which may be appealing if you’re looking for a less strenuous trek.

Permits are more expensive at $1,500 for international visitors, reflecting Rwanda’s focus on luxury tourism.

Meanwhile Uganda offers two main gorilla tracking destinations—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi alone has four sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo), each offering unique experiences. The terrain in Bwindi is more challenging and denser, providing a more adventurous trek. Permits are more affordable at $800 for international visitors, making it a budget-friendly option without compromising the quality of the experience.

Both destinations offer incredible experiences with their own unique advantages. If you’re seeking accessibility and a less strenuous trek, Rwanda might be the better choice. If you prefer a more diverse, adventurous experience at a lower cost, Uganda could be ideal.