Conservation and Heritage Tourism for Gorillas

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  • All About Gorilla Trekking

    Around only 1000 mountain gorilla still exist today. Although our closest living relatives, ironically, it is man that poses the greatest threat to their survival. For years gorillas have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which are sold on as macabre souvenir ashtrays and lamp shades. Additionally, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing babies which are illegally sold on to zoos, where their survival rate is low. This has affected gorilla conservation in Africa.

    Gorilla trekking is a wonderful experience, allowing you the opportunity to have a close encounter with these gentle giants of the jungle in their natural habitat. The trekking will take place either in Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo – depending on local conditions and the availability of the gorilla permits. You need not feel that you are exploiting these animals by paying good money to go trek to see them in their natural habitat. In fact the ever-growing number of tourists keen to see the gorilla proves to be an important factor in their survival. The gorilla permit fees help to set up and finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.

    Gorilla Permit Costs

    On most African overland safaris, gorilla trekking is an optional activity and the cost of the permit, transfer and local service fee is to be paid upon arrival. We also offer a 4 day Gorilla Express lodge accommodated safari in Rwanda, please note that on this trip the cost of the gorilla permit, transfer and service fee is included.

    The cost and availability of gorilla permits varies by country and park and currently ranges from USD 400 – 1500. You will also need to budget for visa fees (costs vary), transfer and a local service fee (approx USD 60 – 75) and to renew your Ugandan or East African visa upon re-entry should we have to go to Rwanda or DR Congo. The government often increases the permit and transfer costs without notice, so we ask that you budget for the highest amount, so that you don’t suddenly have to find additional money to partake in this wonderful experience. We recommend you budget a total of atleast US$ 1200.

    The reason that the permits are so costly is because each park only issues 10 permits per gorilla family per day, to ensure that the gorilla’s exposure to humans is limited. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used by the government to continue in the excellent work they do in protecting and promoting these wonderful animals.

    Tours companies are not in control of the price of gorilla permits and therefore cannot be held responsible for any increase in fees. If the political situation in this region should change, there is the chance that the itinerary would be amended and an alternative scenario advised prior to departure if possible.

    Trekking to see the Gorillas

    The trek starts in the early morning and after border formalities you are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and as close as is allowed to a gorilla family. The rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

    To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of our genes (and are therefore able to catch our diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point. Clients considering joining this trip should realize the demands and unpredictability of the areas visited. These factors may contribute toward restricting or delaying our trip and viewing of the gorillas. Often, the trek through thick, dense jungle can be somewhat strenuous and due to the nature of the gorillas and their habits, viewing cannot be guaranteed.

    IMPORTANT: Although the groups of gorilla that are sought out on our jungle trek have been habituated, they have not been tamed and their behaviour is not demonstrably different from that of non-habituated groups. Nobody forces them to stay with us for the allotted hour, and they can fade into the forest as you appear, if they wish to do so. Further, as gorillas are EXTREMELY sensitive to human disease, the park authorities will not allow anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups. Additionally, no children under 16 years of age are permitted to visit.

  • Is Gorilla Trekking Safe?

    Is Gorilla Trekking Safe?

    Gorilla trekking is a safe enterprise, so long as you follow a few basic rules and listen to your trek guide. We introduce you to the safety guidelines for gorilla trekking to give you peace of mind about this extraordinary adventure.

    Moreover, the troops that folks visit on gorilla treks are habituated, which means they’re used to being around humans.

    There are of course some fairly common rules that you should obey on a gorilla trek to ensure your safety as well as the well-being of the gorillas. And your gorilla trek guide is the person to look to if you’re ever uncertain about what to do (or not do). He or she is there to protect you and knows the visited troop well.

    Mountain gorillas are gentle giants

    Some might understandably have qualms about the mountain gorillas themselves. A silverback can weigh around 150 to 180 kg, after all. But while mountain gorillas are extremely powerful especially the fully grown males, they’re quite gentle by nature.

    Mountain gorillas are even vegetarians and predominantly, at least – sometimes they eat insects. So, while gorillas will defend themselves if attacked, they’re not aggressive creatures. And they have no interest in messing with humans.

    You visit habituated gorillas

    Further enhancing everyone’s safety is the fact that the gorilla troops you visit on a trek are habituated. This means they’ve undergone a long process of slowly becoming accustomed to the presence of humans. They’re therefore less likely to become alarmed and agitated by your presence.

    You trek with a trained guide

    When you go on a gorilla trek you go in the company of a trained guide. Such men and women know the gorilla troops being visited, and know what can and cannot be done.

    It is important to always listen to your ranger and stay with the group while trekking. Listen to what you’re told to do and not do. Poking a silverback’s stomach, for instance, is not allowed. But if you follow the rules of your trek guide and act with common sense, you’re perfectly safe visiting the gorillas.

    The age limit for tracking

    The age limit for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is 15 years and above. This is the age limit for all tourists planning a gorilla safari in Rwanda. Age verification using your official identification documents like national IDs and passports will be done. The age limit was put at 15 because all those that are 15 and above can easily be controlled, unlike children below the age who are hard to control and might be forced to run in case a gorilla approaches them. They make noise and play around.

    Gorilla trekking safety guidelines

    Obviously, there are rules to follow when observing the gorillas that are geared towards not angering, frightening or in any other way upsetting the gorillas. Here are some simple guidelines to follow when in the presence of mountain gorillas to further ensure everything goes smooth.

    The forest trek is safe, but tough

    Mountain gorillas live in montane forest, which means you have to walk along forest trails to find them. A gorilla trek is all about seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, after all.

    Every forest trek varies in length and difficulty depending on a few factors, like which park your visit, the weather, and the particular gorilla troop you’ve been assigned (troops’ locations are monitored by park rangers and each trek group is assigned a specific troop to visit).

    Generally speaking, visitors can ask to be assigned a troop near or far from the starting point. The less fit, for example, may wish to have shorter hike. Hikes range from about half an hour to three or four hours. There are no overnight hikes.

    You need to be prepared

    Probably the biggest ‘danger’ on a gorilla trek is to do with navigating the mountainous and forested terrain. You often walk along narrow or even non-existent trails.

    Further, note that the route you walk is likely to be steep in places, as well as muddy and slippery. So, you want hiking boots with good grip. And you might also consider bringing along trekking poles or a walking stick, as many others do.

    You can also hire the services of a porter, who not only carries your backpack for you but also helps you to navigate tricky sections.

    Finally, it can be really cold in the early morning, as well as hot at midday when the there’s no cloud cover. So, you need to be prepared for all kinds of weather, having warm layers, a waterproof shell, and sunscreen and a sunhat.

    Uganda and Rwanda are stable countries

    We regularly travel in both Rwanda and Uganda, the two main countries where visitors head to go gorilla trekking. And we’re pleased to say that Rwanda and Uganda are relatively stable countries with thriving tourism industries. The locals in both countries are warm and welcoming towards visitors.

    Well-run national parks

    Moreover, the parks where the mountain gorillas live – Bwindi Impenetrable Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda – are particularly well maintained and patrolled.

    Visitor safety is a top priority at both parks, and experienced trek guides always accompany every gorilla trekking party. So, you’re in one of the safest spots of each country when you go gorilla trekking.  You can also see mountain gorillas in the DRC, but we don’t recommend that as a destination right now.

    We also recommend travelling with a local tour guide to further ensure your safety. No matter where you go in the world, having a local look after you is always a great idea, as they know the culture, environment, people and wildlife of the place.

    In conclusion

    Although safety measures have been put in place, you also need to ensure that you take care of your personal Security to contribute to safety during a gorilla trek safari in Uganda and Rwanda.

    Follow all the rules and regulations that were put in place because they are to protect you from mountain gorilla attacks and protect the gorillas from extinction.

     

  • Interesting Facts About Mountain Gorillas

    Interesting Facts About Mountain Gorillas

    Get all the facts about the mountain gorillas of Uganda and find out how these primates survive as you plan for your next gorilla adventure.

    Prominence: Threatened species description:
    A gorilla is an enormous tail-less ape which is covered with black hair. The type of gorilla found in Uganda is the mountain Gorilla and this differs from the West African forest gorilla in size. From the three gorilla sub species in the world, the mountain gorilla is the largest and rarest and is remarkably the strongest, with a short trunk and a broad chest and shoulders.

    Where to find mountain gorillas
    This endangered species can be found in the Central African Republic, South western Uganda and in Rwanda. They are found in four national parks of Bwindi Park, Mgahinga National park, Volcano National park and Virunga National park.

    The world famous Bwindi Impenetrable National park lies in South western Uganda on the edge of the rift valley and is a home of about 480 mountain gorilla species. Mgahinga National park is located high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227 meters and 4,127m and was created to protect these rare primates inhabiting the dense forests.

    Magnitude, population and life span of a mountain gorillas:
    A Silver back normally stretches six feet tall when it is standing straight, balancing approximately four hundred to five hundred pounds. This makes it the largest great ape bigger than chimpanzees. The females are relatively lesser compared to the males and stand an average of about four to five feet, weighing about one hundred fifty to two hundred pounds. Following a census which was conducted in 2011 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the confirms a minimum population of about 400 gorillas and their is 53 years in captivity.

    Reproduction
    Well, females get matured at the age of seven years though they do not produce until they are ten years of age and one silver back mates with several females. The males usually mature later than females and are very strong enough to reproduce between fifteen and Twenty years of age, with young ones being breed year round. They breed at the age of 10 (females) with a gestation period of eight to nine months

    Diet and Eating habits of Mountain gorillas:
    Food preferences
    The food of mountain gorillas vary by category and seasonality. The western low land eats parts at least 97 plant species with about 67 percent of their diet being fruits, 17 percent being leaves, stems and seeds and only 3 percent being caterpillars.

    Food Intake and methods of collecting food
    A mature male swallows more than 18 kilograms of vegetation per day and drink rarely in the wild because they eat delicious vegetation that is composed of almost half water as well as morning dew. They usually use their incredible strength to break apart vegetation and eat only the leaves, pith, stalk or roots of a particular plant. They do not over  exploit an area for food where crop vegetation in a manner that allows for quick replenishment. In their diet, 86 percent is composed of leaves, 7 percent is composed of roots, 3 percent is composed of flowers and 2 percent is composed of snails and grubs. They use their absurd strength to break apart vegetation and an adult can shred apart a whole banana tree to get the interior tender pith.

    Senses of Mountain gorillas
    Hearing
    Brightness of mountain gorillas is always limited by dense flora, hearing is important for these elegant apes to locate another and to detect danger. They appear to reply to unusual noises that are not part of their normal activity.

    Eye sight
    Mountain gorillas have a good vision which is used for finding and recognizing diet and to detect movement. Throughout the daytime, herbivores perhaps have color vision which is a useful adaption for finding ripening fruits in treetops.

    Smell
    They have got good intellect of smell and are very able to detect strong odors in the environment such as human sweat or the musk of an unknown ape. In most cases, males use females odor to determine her reproductive status.

    Fears to the survival of mountain gorillas:
    The main threat to these primates comes from forest clearance which comes as a result of human population struggling to earn a living in search of land for agriculture and competition for resources such as firewood. Since they are closely related to humans with similar anatomical and physical features it makes gorillas vulnerable to diseases which affect humans.

    Conservation efforts to mountain gorillas:
    Active conservation
    Active protection of the primates include frequent patrols in wildlife areas, which destroys poacher equipment and weapons, prompt law enforcement, census counts in regions of breeding and ranging concentration, strong safe guards for the limited habitat that animals occupy.

    Community – based conservation
    Community based preservation includes protection for involving the local community in the practice of conservation. The process seeks equity in meeting the needs of the people who stay with tourism resources and preserving the protected area as well. The local people need to be involved in verdict making process.

    The future of mountain gorillas
    It has been found out that many people now acknowledge that, to achieve success in any future conservation efforts of mountain gorillas, all stake holders must be involved. Since humans are very close to the proximity of the apes, it is important that conservation accomplishment widely use rain forest resources.

  • COVID-19: New protocol out to protect Uganda’s gorillas

    Conservation organizations and the government of Uganda and Rwanda have adopted new guidelines to protect the mountain gorillas from catching the Covid-19 Virus.

    Under the guidance of the International Gorilla Conservation Program and Gorilla Friendly, updated gorilla trekking protocols have been issued to ensure minimal contact between the great apes and tourists who at times are likely to be disease carriers.

    Gorilla Trekking Before Covid-19

    The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a number of things in regard to gorilla trekking.  Before the pandemic, a good number of tourists were visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the only home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the Pearl of Africa.

    With the breakout of the COVID-19 in March 2020, Uganda decided to close all its national parks and primate tourism was suspended due to the fear of the spread of the novel virus from humans to the great apes. It was also during that time that Bwindi impenetrable forest national park registered its highest baby boom in just 7 months.

    When the gorilla parks were reopened, strict Standard Operating Procedures had to be adopted.

    “Since gorilla tourism is one of the primary sources of gorilla conservation funds, it is important to do tourism in a careful and sustainable manner that must ensure the safety of the gorillas,” Bwindi officials said in a statement.

    One didn’t need a face mask to trek with the gorillas, and it was only in Virunga national park where face masks were considered necessary before the pandemic

    The old gorilla trekking protocols also discouraged anyone with flu or cough symptoms getting near the animals, as gorillas share 98% human DNA. This implies that the disease that affects humans also affects the gorillas.

    They also did not allow smoking, eating or drink in the presence of the mountain gorillas and one had to maintain a 7 meters distance between them and the gorillas.

    “But sometimes the gorillas defied this rule. In that case, the gorilla trekkers were always advised to sit quietly until the gorilla moves on. This was very common with the little gorillas which are very playful,” the statement from Bwindi said.

    New Gorilla Trekking Protocols

    In addition to the existing gorilla trekking protocols, the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) has come up with a list of protocols to ensure that diseases like Covid-19 and many more infectious diseases.

    They are:

    1. A Gorilla friendly pledge will be signed by the visitors to ensure that they adhere to the gorilla trekking protocol. This is done as a pledge to gorilla sustainability
    2. Visitors are required to undergo a test for fever “temperature scanning” or sign of illness such as cough and flu prior to the gorilla trek. Once you are found ineligible for the trek, the parks usually have refund policies that have to be looked into before booking your gorilla trek.
    3. Every visitor is expected to wear a face mask during their gorilla trek in any gorilla national park

    Are Gorillas Safe?

    A common question asked by travelers who would like to resume their gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. According to Makonzi Michael Kiwanuka working with Go Gorilla Trekking, one of the leading gorilla safari outfitters in the country, the gorillas are very safe!

    “Tourists who have resumed their travels have embraced the new protocol as well as the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that Uganda and Rwanda adopted while reopening the primate parks,” said Kiwanuka.

    He adds that there are even plans to make rapid tests available to visitors looking to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, testing is available at Musanze the closest town to the park. All this is done to ensure that mountain gorillas are protected.

    Gorilla Tourism key to wildlife conservation 

    For a significant number of travelers to East Africa, gorilla Safaris are the major icon for tourists. Most travelers who travel to big-name destinations like Tanzania and Kenya combine their safari experiences with gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Even the unstable DR Congo receives tourists who travel to Virunga National Park and KahuziBiega National Park to see the gorillas.

    The revenues received from gorilla tourism are used in the conservation of the gorillas. Part of the conservation work is the gorilla-based research conducted in partnership with several international Universities and students around the world.

    The local people who were resistant to the creation of gorilla national parks have embraced gorilla tourism to the extent that there is reduced poaching.

    More benefits received from tourism include direct revenue from the sale of souvenirs, service providers such as local tour operators, guides, and porters, rising community-based development projects such as the Bwindi Hospital, etc. Several locals now own safari lodges where travelers stay.

    Success Story of Gorilla Conservation

    There are few conservation projects that have been named to be successful and gorilla tourism is among the few.  The mountain gorillas were once projected to be extinct. The good news is that the mountain gorilla population is rising and these great apes are off the IUCN list of Critically Endangered Species.

    There were as few as 240 mountain gorillas in the 1980s. By late 2018, there were 1069 mountain gorillas left in the whole world. These great apes roam through the Virunga Region shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo as well as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of the great pearl of Africa.

    The Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda has also registered a great success story. In the past three years, the park has been expanded twice to provide a safe haven to mountain gorillas.

    The park boundaries were first expanded in 2018 and this year the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has decided to extend the park by an additional 40sq miles. This is really good news for both conservationists and tourists.

    The post COVID-19: New protocol out to protect Uganda’s gorillas appeared first on The Independent Uganda:.

  • Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?

    Gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda is one of the best life experiences one looking a wildlife safari should not miss while on holiday in Africa. The intimacy of being with these endangered species gives exhilarating unexplained feel. Once your eyes are set on your trekking group, one hour will be spent with them since they are endemic to human diseases. The gorilla can only be seen after getting a gorilla permit from governmental organizations (UWA for Uganda and RDB for Rwanda). Gorilla permits cost US $1500 for Rwanda and US$00 for Uganda.

    The current number of mountain gorilla is estimated to about 1050 individuals. These gorillas live with the deep tropical rain forests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes  Park, in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park. There are several habituated gorilla groups for tourism and some for research purposes! A maximum number of 8 people only can visit the allocated group within a day.

    GENERAL COMPARISON IN PRICE – BEST RESULTS OF TREK AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE GORILLAS

    Although gorillas can be visited in the volcanoes OF Uganda, Congo and Rwanda, Rwanda has a slight advantage over the others because of its well habituated groups usually found in the bamboo rather than the dense forest in case of the others making there photographing easier.

    The biggest problem concerning the Rwanda gorilla trekking is its gorilla permit which is at US $1500 making it US $700 higher than that of Uganda which is US $00. However amidst the 700 price difference, Rwanda’s strength lies in its ability to trek in one day which is impossible with Uganda. The least days of trekking in Uganda should be 3 days. the distance between Rwanda’s volcanoes is 116 km only a 2 hours drive from the country’s capital Kigali and for Uganda the distance between Entebbe and Bwindi impenetrable national park is 500 km taking around 8 hours plus drive. however this long hours drive gives you a chance of viewing the natural beauty of Uganda like the equator, lake Mburo national park, queen Elizabeth national park the real true jungles of Africa which is not the case with Rwanda.

    Though 1 day gorilla trekking is possible in Rwanda, we would recommend the list to be two days to avoid pressure and enjoying enough of your tour in Africa.

    The low gorilla permit in Uganda is however without the long distance transport cost and the time spent on the way. Some of the road to Bwindi impenetrable national park are not so comfortable to drive on as it aren’t the case with Rwanda.

    With the transport cost from Kampala to Bwindi, the price of the trekking has to be increased since transport is exclusive on the permit cost. You have to travel 2 days to and from. roughly a low budget gorilla trekking for 3 day can cost a bout US$1350 with the gorilla permit, accommodation and transport inclusive. Yet a 2 days Rwanda gorilla trekking goes for about US $1920 gorilla permit, accommodation and transport inclusive and a 3 day Rwanda trek costs US$2280 with the permit, accommodation and transport inclusive.

    In case the traveler is not only interested in mountain gorillas alone and wants to venture into other activities and watch more animal species, Uganda can be the best option. Rwanda can be the best choice if the interest is only to see mountain gorillas and that’s why many travelers always cross and come over to Uganda to see more of the wildlife missed in Rwanda. Uganda’s many parks like queen Elizabeth national park along the way to Bwindi has got a number of wild life including tree climbing lions and many other big primates, lake Mburo national park, the equator enticing the real pearl of Africa even before even the actual trekking.

    With this information, it’s all a bout ones choice, time and the pocket all countries can give you their best. But a combination of both Rwanda and Uganda can be the best with the gorilla trekking in Rwanda then end up in Uganda for the big 5 among others in the queen Elizabeth national park.

  • Visiting Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

    Have you ever heard about Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda? Have you ever heard about Dian Fossey? Volcanoes National Park is one of the few renowned homes to the endangered mountain gorillas. It is the park that is featured in movies like the “Gorillas in the Mist, and it is part of the larger Virunga region premiered in the 2014 movie “Virunga Movie” produced by NetFlix.

    The Volcanoes National Park is situated amidst the five out of eight Virunga ranges namely Muhabura, sabyinyo, karisimbi, Visoke/ Bisoke and Gahinga volcanoes. The strategic location of the park plus the endowment of Mountain Gorillas makes the park one of the most important tourist destinations in Rwanda and the world at large. It’s only three hours drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National park and the journey rewards visitors the view of the mighty virunga ranges and valleys en route.

    Currently, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park hosts ten gorilla families like Sabinyo group, susa gorilla family, Amahoro group, Group 13, Umubano group, Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, karisimbi gorilla group, Ugenda gorilla and Bwenge gorilla group. Each gorilla group is allowed to be visited by a maximum of eight people thus 80 people visit the park daily – this happens in peak season when each group receive visitors.

    Volcanoes national park was gazetted in 1925. This park is mostly known after the famous primatologist Doctor Dian Fossey who arrived in this park in 1967 setting up Karisoke Research Centre between Visoke and Karisimbi, Dian Fossey, later was assassinated by poachers she had vehemently fought all her life as portrayed in her autobiography – Gorillas in the Mist. Her graveyard at the research centre has to date become agreat tourist attraction.

    Though most travelers who visit the park go for mainly gorilla tracking, there are lots of other things to see! The Volcanoes National park Golden monkeys, Spotted Hyena, buffaloes, elephants, black-fronted duiker, and bushbuck. The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori Mountains and the Virungas.

    The Volcanoes national park is occupied by rain forests which are characterized by high rain fall and bamboo forest – type of flowering perennial evergreen plants in the grass family. The bamboo forests are not dark as tropical or rain forest thus making it easier for Gorilla tracking.

    Unlike in Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking is much easier due to the following reasons:

    The Volcanoes National park is easily accessible – 3 hours drive from Kigali international Airport making it possible for one day Gorilla trekking safari – for visitors with the tight schedule.

    The park is endowed by bamboo forest- easily penetrable when searching for the gorillas – Unlike the tropical forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

    In Volcanoes National park, visitors are given chance to choose the gorilla group they wish depending on the level of fitness or health conditions. Strong trekkers can decide to trek the gorilla group in distant area and the weaker ones choose to trek a nearby Gorilla group (2-3 hours) walk.

  • Gorilla Trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda vs Congo

    Gorilla Trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda vs Congo

    Meeting face to face with mountain Gorillas in the jungle is one the most breathtaking and unforgettable experiences for trekkers but planning on where to go, when to go and what to pack is important before you head to your destination.

    Mountain Gorillas are found only in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. This therefore means that they can trekked in four national parks found in these three countries; Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic Congo), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda). It is important that you get enough information concerning the comparison of whether to go on a gorilla safari in Rwanda or Uganda or DR Congo.

    Therefore the question usually asked by most tourists is; which country is better than the other? The answer is in the comparison below; 

    Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

    Trekking gorillas in Uganda mainly happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and also a little bit in Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Massif together with the other two Parks, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks but it has one habituated gorilla family and the other groups are habituated in Bwindi Forest.

    Uganda hosts close to 500 mountain gorillas which is nearly half of the world’s remaining number of these endangered species. There are 24 Gorilla groups to trek with 23 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga National Park.

    In Uganda, the cost of the Bwindi gorilla permit is far more affordable than in Rwanda at only $800 per day. With this comparison, in most cases the cost of the gorilla permit affects the decision of the visitor concerning where to trek gorillas from, whereby they end up choosing Uganda as their destination. However, reaching gorillas in Uganda is further and harder than in Rwanda.

    Tourists can also enjoy exclusive gorilla habituation, which involves spending about 4 hours with the gorillas unlike the 1 hour experience spent while trekking gorillas. The habituation permit costs $1500 per person per day which is better than paying $1500 in Rwanda to watch gorillas for 1 hour only. Besides visiting the gorillas, there are other 9 National Parks to enjoy compared to Rwanda’s 4?

    U can combine your gorilla trip with a visit to Kibale National Park which has the highest concentration of chimpanzees in Africa, or visit the Murchison Falls, trek Rwenzori and Mountain Elgon, go rafting on the Nile or visit one of the 52 tribes cultural displays and so much more.

    The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located far from Entebbe International Airport, therefore the journey is tiresome and long especially if you are not having a stopover in any of the other National Parks. It is a 9 to 10hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi, if you are not interested in long drives you could take a scheduled flight to the Park. However most visitors that want to enjoy gorilla trekking in Uganda usually fly into Kigali and drive 4 hours to Bwindi which is much easier.

    Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

    Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park which is situated 113.1 km from Kigali International Airport approximately a 2hours and 30minutes drive. The park lies in the Northwestern part of the country at the border with Uganda and DR Congo.

    The short distance and less time spent while traveling to the home of gorillas gives Rwanda the biggest advantage over the other two countries hence it makes Rwanda the easiest option for travelers especially those that want to spend one night and have lesser activities to do while on safari.

    Volcanoes National Park is home to about 300 habituated gorillas which are divided into 12 groups and many others that are wild. And every day 96 gorilla trekking permits are issued to visitors.

    It’s in Rwanda where Dian Fossey’s work of conservation and primatology was taken after she was forced to cross to the country’s border after the civil war in DR Congo and hence the oldest gorilla groups are found here.

    In 2017, Rwanda increased the cost of one gorilla permit from $750 to $1500 which doubles Uganda’s cost per permit and literally triples DR Congo’s cost. Though the cost per permit is the highest, Rwanda, it is the best option if you have limited time on your African safari.

    Since Rwanda is well-known for its high end tourism strategy, there are many exclusive resorts attracted which are also promising an increase in income for the local people who live around Volcanoes National Park, home to the mighty gorillas. Therefore this means that going for a gorilla safari in Rwanda is one of the most expensive safari experiences. Apart from the gorilla permit at $1500, also gorilla lodges are expensive. The prices are higher but they come with higher standards and unforgettable experiences.

    Gorilla Trekking in the DRC

    Despite all the challenges related to the Goma political unrest, trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park is cheaper than it is in Uganda or Rwanda, at only $400 one can purchase a Congo gorilla trekking permit (foreigners) whereas Congolese can get it at $150. The park is Africa’s oldest Park and is endowed with the highest biodiversity.

    The Park still stands as one of Africa’s most unique destinations with a number of breathtaking features like the active volcanoes; Nyiragongo which can be hiked in one day and the Nyamuragira Volcano which last erupted in 2021.

    All the instabilities, fighting, difficulties in conservation aside, the committed and remarkable efforts of the team and park rangers has over the years managed to raise the number of mountain gorillas from 75 to over 300 individuals.

    About 6 families are habituated in Virunga though these numbers change with new families added as even a group of gorillas can move from Rwanda. All mountain gorillas can be found on the border with Uganda and Rwanda in the south eastern region of the Park.

    Also the number of tourists visiting the park has increased since 2014 when the park was reopened after a long time of being closed. Apart from trekking gorillas, Virunga National Park also hosts a habituated group of chimpanzees which you can visit to.

    There are a number of factors that affect decision making when choosing where to trek mountain gorillas. The price of a gorilla permit can’t give you the full picture of what it is like. So since the comparison is between Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo, we should look at other factors like; the airport to fly to, the location where gorilla trekking starts from, number of habituated gorilla families, accommodation options, weather conditions, safety and other activities to do. 

    The Luxury Traveller

    Are you a luxury traveler and interested in more exclusive and intimate experiences? Rwanda answers you well. The lodges around Volcanoes National park are luxurious, located in spectacular areas and have famous names in the luxury travel.

    The Budget Traveler

    Uganda’ gorilla permit is sold at $800 and more to that, Uganda has a total of ten national parks compared to Rwanda’s four. So there is much to see and do in Uganda.

    Despite the fact that Rwanda’s gorilla permit is the most expensive than Uganda and DR Congo (sold at $1,500 per permit), Rwanda still stands out as the most well organized and safest place to trek gorillas.

    You can have an added experience after the trek to engage in other activities such visiting Dian Fossey’s grave, visit the local communities, climb volcanoes in the region, visit Lake Kivu, visit Dian Fossey Gorilla Museum and also watch golden monkeys.

    Conclusion

    Gorilla trekking in these three countries Uganda, Rwanda and DRC will depend on the tourist’s choice and budget but trekking experience is almost the same during the activity.

  • Rwanda to Promote Gorilla and Chimpanzee Conservation

    Rwanda being a small country it has taken high level in promoting sustainable tourism to save the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park and the chimpanzee in Kyamudongo area, part of Nyungwe Forest National Park. There are several companies promoting Eco Tours Rwanda and the promoting this type of tourism it has led to the increase of the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park.

    The sustainable gorilla trekking tours are the most experiences which leads to the high flow number of international visitors in Rwanda, the organizations concerned at conserving the mountain gorillas have put measures to regulate the high pressure that the mountain gorillas would experience from the tourists, as the number for visitors to trek each gorilla family is limited to 08 people per day and this has helped so much the gorillas and the carrying capacity of the forest maintained.

    The Eco-friendly safari lodges which blend with the nature have been established at the Volcanoes National Park and some measures like the benefit sharing with the local communities near and far from the park is in place to promote the local communities projects and hence saving the mountain gorillas. To have this experience some of the reliable companies can arrange for you this kind of experience in Rwanda and you can either start your Ec tour from the Rwanda volcanoes or Nyungwe forest and this experience can be 5 or 6 days safari in Rwanda, and this safari can start from Kigali or from any other town of Rwanda or Uganda. For you to experience this sustainable tour in Rwanda stay with lodges that blend with the nature in Volcanoes and Nyungwe forests, after this experience you can too visit some Rwanda cultural sites like the IbyI’wacu cultural village and other museums. The Kigali city is well planned on the sustainable plan and several lodges have been put up to boost Eco tour conferences.

    The Rwanda development board has introduced more activities like Musanze caves, Karisimbi and Bisoke mount hike, Dian Fossey and the Golden monkey tracking, birding trips Rwanda and all these can be experienced on your Eco tourism in Rwanda.

  • Mountain Gorillas Remain draw for Tourists to Rwanda

    The buzz at the foot of the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda on Wednesday was yet another sign of how eco-adventure tourism like mountain gorilla trekking has high prospects for Rwanda.

    In the morning breeze, more than 100 tourists interacted with Rwandan tourism officials, including CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Clare Akamanzi, before embarking on their journey to the park.

    Akamanzi reiterated the fact with tourists that security organs contained the situation and restored order following a security incident, where a group of gunmen last week killed 14 in an armed attack in Kinigi sector, which is close to the park.

    Among the tourists, at least 59 tourists from different countries were there to see mountain gorillas while 68 others were visiting the park for other activities such as hiking the Virunga Mountains and visiting other primates such as golden monkey.

    “I feel excited to visit gorillas because they are unique species with complex behaviors,” an American tourist who gave her name only as Lisa told reporters.
    “Even before seeing them I think the walk alone to reach to the gorillas offers an amazing lifetime experience,” she added.

    There are over 1,000 mountain gorillas living in the world, more than half of which live in the Virunga Mountains, where Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park lies, according to World Wildlife Fund.
    Mountain gorillas contribute about 90 percent of tourism revenues from Rwanda national parks, RDB said in a statement released in February. The central African country sold 15,132 mountain gorilla permits worth 19.2 million U.S. dollars to tourists in 2018, statistics from RDB showed.

    The attack didn’t scare off tourists who were still confident about the security of Rwanda. “We feel 100 percent safe. We feel very welcome. I love Rwanda,” Gordon Higman, a tourist from Australia, told reporters.

    Several hoteliers in the area sounded an upbeat tone about their businesses. Leonard Harerimana, assistant manager at a hotel located close to the park, said the attack did not affect tourism activities and didn’t affect business.

    The same day tourists went to the national park to track gorillas normally, and those who do hiking in the Virunga Mountains did it normally, he said.

    Michael Hughes, manager of a lodge near the national park, said the “truth is hoteliers didn’t feel any effect though they had to delay new arrivals and departures a bit.”
    “I honestly believe right now everyone is very safe. There should be no reason why tourism could be affected,” he said.

  • Africa’s Mountain Gorilla Population Booms

    Mountain gorillas have to thank the efforts of Gorilla Doctors and other organizations in restoring hope for these world’s endangered species. Unless you’re a bit of a statistics enthusiast, census figures are probably not of great interest to you. But here are three simple numbers that are worth your attention.

    The Aiken Standard, a daily newspaper published in Aiken, South Carolina, reports that Uganda’s mountain gorilla population has grown to 400, up by almost 100 from 2006. This brings the total number of mountain gorillas in Africa—they also live in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo—to 880.

    Nonprofit organizations like Gorilla Doctors are dedicated to saving the lives of mountain gorillas, began their work in Uganda’s Bwindi Park in 1996. “The Gorilla Doctors’ Staff Research Veterinarian, Dr. Jean Bosco Niyezi (now a professor at Makerere University Veterinary School), was approached and hired as the first field veterinarian for the organization,” Jessica Burbridge, Communications Officer for the same Organisation, told Take Part. “Gorilla Doctors Uganda field team, now led by Dr. Fred Nizeyimana, regularly monitors all of the habituated gorillas in this park for health problems and performs medical interventions when an individual is looks to have a life-threatening injury or illness of any kind.”

    The Aiken Standard noted that, among these individuals “Even a common cold can kill a mountain gorilla, as the species is particularly vulnerable to respiratory diseases usually associated with humans.” Mountain gorillas also have a slow rate of reproduction, which has contributed to their endangered status. The African Wildlife Foundation notes that in a 40-to-50-year lifetime, a female might have only two to six living offspring and males don’t reach sexual maturity until between 10 and 12 years. In addition, the females are only able to conceive for about three days each month and often give birth to a single infant.

    Gorilla Doctors has stated that “extreme conservation” methods have contributed to the growth mountain gorilla’s population. Burbridge explained that it “entails having people there for example employing Ranger guides, on the ground, working to protect the gorillas. Gorilla Doctors’ veterinary intervention for wild great ape populations, as well as other organizations that have instituted daily ranger monitoring of the gorillas, have contributed to the increase in population.”

    But the organization faces a number of problems and difficulties as well in carrying out their work. “One of the largest challenges of working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C) is of course, security,” said Burbridge. “With the recent fighting between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese military, the area we work in has become very insecure. Access to the wild Grauer’s (or eastern lowland) gorilla populations in Kahuzi Biega National Park, the wild mountain gorilla population in Virunga National Park and to the orphans at the Senkwekwe Centre has also become a challenge. Relatively speaking, Uganda and Rwanda are more stable, and we are able to carry out routine health monitoring visits for all of the habituated gorillas.”

    Gorilla Doctors’ efforts are complemented by collaboration with a number of conservation groups, (stakeholders) and government authorities. “The gorilla’s conservation success story is very much a product of the dedication and hard work of many different organizations and stakeholders working in the region, and especially the various parks’ efforts,” said Burbridge. “Gorilla Doctors, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) are among a few working in the region.”

    She adds that, “Just to give you a snapshot of this, in Rwanda alone, Gorilla Doctors provides the life-saving medical care for the gorillas, the Rwanda Development Board / Volcanoes National Park and the Dian Fossey Fund employs rangers that are in the field all year long, monitoring the habituated groups, and all organizations working in the country play an important role in increasing awareness about the gorilla’s plight and educating the local and international public.”

    It’s nice to see that the intense collaboration efforts among all these different groups working together really is making a difference. Mountain gorillas are the backbone to gorilla tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their conservation is vital and you can help conserve these amazing gentle giants through different ways; taking a gorilla safari to Bwindi, PNV or Virunga, donate to organisations working towards their conservation or volunteer with a local community project. Your contribution definitely provides hope that the results of the next census will provide even better news for mountain gorillas.