Gorilla Trekking for Independent Travelers
Gorilla Trekking for independent Travelers: Travelling independently should not limit you from taking part in gorilla trekking activities in East Africa. Gorilla trekking for independent travellers gives exclusive opportunities for travellers to connect with nature while perceiving the great mountain apes. It is a fascinating experience for independent travellers to experience adrenaline adventure, and expand their gratitude for primate protection. Planning a successful independent gorilla trekking safari is possible if you get in touch with the rightful gorilla experts like Bujuku Eco Tours & Travel.
We have come up with a guide to help you on planning your gorilla trek for independent travellers, including very useful tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of planning your independent gorilla trip to east.
Gorilla Trekking Destinations for independent Travelers
When it comes to independent gorilla trekking safaris in East Africa, three places ought to be on your gorilla trekking list. And these are Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo –these three destinations are the best for any independent traveller to visit in East Africa. Each one of these three countries has a specific destination where independent travellers can trek with mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a unique experience and mainly involves searching for gorillas in the wild. The journey to see these amazing Apes involves trekking through the jungle with the park ranger guide in the lead. The length of a gorilla trek may vary, but it often takes about 2-6 hours, which includes an hour of up close and personal interaction with gorillas. The two places to include on your travel plan east Africa for gorilla trekking as an independent traveller include; Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Is one of the iconic destinations you shouldn’t miss to explore on your Uganda safaris. The Park is endowed with unique attractions of visitor interest, especially if you are an enthusiastic primate and bird lover. Bwindi impenetrable national park has over 24 habituated gorilla groups that make the Park an ideal place to embark on an independent East African gorilla trekking tour. While in Bwindi, travellers can start trekking with mountain gorillas from the four sectors, which are Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. Each gorilla sector has habituated gorilla groups, access options, and lodges making Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a desired choice for independent travellers seeking to achieve their dreams of seeing the Great Apes.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lies in the extensive Virunga Conservation Area, and adjacent to it is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and the Congo’s Virunga National Park. Mgahinga is spectacularly set in the Virunga Mountain region, hosting 3 conical Virunga volcanoes. It is a special destination with a diverse ecosystem for nature enthusiasts to explore on a Uganda safari. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is strategically located, with the possibility for you to explore other nearby amazing tourist destinations like Lake Bunyonyi, Echuya Forest, and Lake Mutanda. The Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only gorilla group to explore in Mgahinga as other gorilla families are not fully habituated for tourism activities and treks begin in the Ntebeko region of Kisoro District.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda is one of Africa’s most visited destinations, primarily for gorilla trekking. In Rwanda, the focus of any primate enthusiast is Volcanoes National Park. Located in Musanze Province, Northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is home to Africa’s endangered species, including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and multiple Albertine Rift-endemic bird species.
Over 13 habituated groups of gorillas are present for gorilla trekking for independent travellers in Volcanoes National Park, and the list includes Kwitonda group, Umubano, Hirwa, Susa A group, and Agashya. Other gorilla groups in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park include the Bwenge group, Amahoro, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Ugenda, and more. The starting point for gorilla trekking is Kinigi, where park officials always conduct the briefing and allocate ranger guides to different groups of visitors to trek a particular gorilla family.
Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Congo gorilla tours take you to iconic Parks, including the Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega. At the Virunga, you can mainly explore mountain gorillas and about 8 groups are open for gorilla tourism here. Gorilla groups in the Virunga National Park, Congo include, among others Bageni gorilla family, Kabirizi, Rugendo, Humba, Nyakamwe group, Munyaga gorilla family, Mapuwa, and Lulengo.
If you are visiting Kahuzi-Biega National Park on Congo gorilla tours, expect to explore lowland gorilla groups such as Chimanuka, Bonnani, Mpungwe, and Mugaruka group. Like Virunga and other gorilla trekking destinations, Kahuzi-Biega gorilla tours also accommodate 8 visitors per gorilla group.
How does an independent traveller navigate through gorilla trekking?
Join our fascinating gorilla group safaris.
One of the easiest ways to embark on gorilla trekking as an independent traveller is to join one of our group trips. Usually, our group gorilla safaris accommodate up to 8 pax. It is the one of the most cost-friendly option for anyone planning to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo as an independent traveller. Talk to the Bujuku Eco Tours now to be guided on the suitable group tour package to join.
Ultimate Private Gorilla Trekking Excursions with Experts
Booking distinctive private gorilla trekking trips to Uganda, Rwanda or Congo can also help you achieve your dream to engage in this thrilling trek with mountain gorillas.
Important Tips for Planning Your Independent Gorilla Trekking Trip
Book your Rwanda Uganda or Congo gorilla permit early.
Reserving a gorilla permit in advance allows you to have a well-planned and successful gorilla trekking tour. Securing a gorilla permit early provides you with adequate time to put everything you need together to have a successful gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. You have time to adjust on so many things to suit your travel. This is far better than doing things at the last minute when you have no flexibility to make adjustments.
Book an independent gorilla trekking safari with a trusted tour operator
If you are searching for a gorilla trekking safari company to secure a place for your gorilla trekking tour, look no further, Bujuku Eco Tours & Travel is an expert experienced company in organizing memorable gorilla treks and other safari tours for independent travellers, couples or large groups of travellers. Contact bujuku eco tours & travel to
Prepare yourself for the landscape challenge
Gorilla trekking is overall a diverse excursion from all the other safari experiences. Given the landscape, a guided gorilla trek takes trekkers deeper in the rain forests to locate a gorilla family. The time taken to trek gorillas can’t be predicted, but it will take trekkers at most 2-6 hours and 1 hour of up-close interaction with the great apes. The determining factors of the length of time taken to trek gorillas include the general terrains, the location of the gorilla groups, and visitors’ fitness levels.
Carry the ideal gear/equipment for your solo gorilla trekking tour.
Irrespective of the destination, packing right is very important for all independent travellers who want to see the gorillas in Rwanda, Congo or Uganda. Given the gorilla habitat, your packing should include gardening gloves, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a daypack, a first-aid kit, a safari hat, waterproof walking or hiking boots, and snacks, sunscreen, personal toiletries, a pair of binoculars, a good pair of socks, gaiters, a camera, camera batteries and more.
Time your gorilla adventure
The best time for gorilla tours/gorilla trekking is during the dry season, but it is possible to travel at any time of the year to engage in this primate adventure. The dry season occurs twice a year, and gorilla trekkers should plan their trip around June, July, August, and September. Or book gorilla tours during the short dry months: December, January, and February. If you are interested in the low season, then expect to embark on a gorilla tour from March, April, and May. The short low/off-months start from October to November.
Know the cost of gorilla trekking permits in East Africa
Any successful gorilla tour requires you to have obtained a valid gorilla trekking permit. Whether you intend to spend a great time in Bwindi or Mgahinga with gorillas, permits in Uganda are issued to trekkers at the same rate though the prices only vary depending on tourist category. Each permit in Uganda is obtained at USD 800 per person for foreign non-resident, USD 700 per visitor trekking as foreign residents, and USD 500 per person for the Rest of Africa, and East African citizens at UGX 300,000 per person.
Gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda are open for booking at USD 1500 per visitor. The for price of permit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda applies to all visitor categories.
While in Congo, permits can be booked at USD 400 per visitor –this cut across visitors with plans to explore gorillas in the Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega National Parks.
Booking a gorilla permit for Rwanda, Congo or Uganda is possible through a trusted tour operator, bujuku eco tours & travel.
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