Gorilla trekking is a life-changing experience that can be done in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking starts with booking and buying a gorilla permit, then flying into Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo for the activity. Trekking begins early in the morning at the park headquarters with a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and the assignment of gorilla families, depending on age, physical ability, and other factors.
Visitors with infections are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas because these animals are vulnerable to human diseases. Any infection can lead to death due to their weak immunity and low birth rate. Children under the age of 15 are also not allowed to trek.
Park rangers go ahead of time to track the gorillas and inform the headquarters of their location. Once they report back, the trekking starts. Keep in mind that mountain gorillas live in high areas, so some hiking is needed to reach them.
As you trek, your guide will show you different plants, birds, and other primates. When you find the gorilla family, you are allowed one hour to observe and enjoy their presence.
While near mountain gorillas, you must follow the rules, such as: do not use flash photography, do not look directly into their eyes, speak in low voices, and keep at least 7 meters away from them.
Mountain gorillas are gentle and shy, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened or unsafe. Before attacking, they show warning signs like beating their chests, throwing vegetation, and making loud sounds. If this happens, the visit may end early.
If a mountain gorilla charges at you, crouch down and act calm. Pretend to eat vegetation to show you are not a threat. This helps calm the situation. Gorilla trekking is a common tourist activity and the most expensive one in Africa, but those who do it never regret the experience.
Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla habituation is the process of helping gorillas get used to people. This takes about 2 to 3 years, with researchers and rangers visiting the same gorilla group daily. They observe the behavior of each gorilla and later give them names based on their characters. When the researchers believe the group is ready, they carry out a test visit. If the gorillas respond well, the group is opened for trekking.
Gorilla habituation allows you to join the researchers during this process. You get to spend four hours with the gorillas, unlike normal trekking which allows only one hour. Only four people are allowed for habituation, compared to eight for trekking. The cost of gorilla habituation is $1500 per person, and it is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
Cost of Gorilla Permits
Gorilla trekking permits cost $800 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
