Gorilla trekking, starts early morning at the park headquarters with the briefing on gorilla trekking, an experienced ranger will go through the dos and the don’ts to be followed by all trekkers taking part in Gorilla trekking. Thereafter, the ranger will guide you through the forest since they kept tracking the movements of the gorillas, they are well versed with the trails and where you might track them from. And when you found them, all trekkers are given one hour to be with the gorillas in their natural habitat and after, you will exit the forest. During the trek, you will also sight some of the primates and animals and bird species in the forest, the park is a home to over 76 mammal species including; elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush back, Buffalos, leopards, with bird species of over 180 species including the 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco.

All travellers visiting Mgahinga for Gorilla trekking, are required to purchase a gorilla trekking permit to be able to the track the gorillas in Mgahinga or Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. You are therefore required to book the permits in advance prior to your tracking dates since they normally get sold out. The permits can be purchased through Uganda wild life Authority (UWA) a body managing all national parks in Uganda or reach to us at Adventure in the wild safaris; Email: www.gorillaugandasafaris.com, we will book the permits for you and also plan your memorable gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking fees

The permit fees go for $700 per permit for all foreign nationals, $600 per permit for foreign residence and Ugx 250000 per person for East African Community. All fees are paid per person tracking the Gorillas in Both Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest. Both national parks, offer unique experience of Gorilla trekking.

To track the gorillas, one must be an adult and only children ages 15 and above are allowed to track the gorillas in their natural habitat. There instances where a child below 15 years may trek, although this is Minimum age for gorilla tracking, this happens when the child is about to celebrate their 15th birthday. The authorities may extend sympathy to such a child of below 15 years and he or she is allowed to track the gorillas but under parents’ supervision.
The other alternative is to track gorillas in Uganda from Rwanda. Mgahinga national park is situated in the boarder between Uganda and Rwanda, but the park is located in Uganda and the drive time takes about 4-5 hours from Rwanda. Therefore, travellers with flights landing in Rwanda, can also track the gorillas in Uganda’s Mgahinga considering the higher price in Rwanda gorilla trekking permit compared to Uganda. You can land in Rwanda, and our guide will pick you up and transfer to Mgahinga national park to do gorilla trekking and return back to Rwanda on that same day.

The dos and the don’ts of Gorilla trekking

Before gorilla trekking

• Maximum of 8 people are allowed to track one habituated gorilla group per day as this minimises behaviour change and the risk of contracting infections since the gorillas are vulnerable to human infections.
• You are advised to wash your hands before the start of gorilla trekking
  Adults and children ages 15 and above are required to do gorilla trekking

During gorilla trekking

• Aways keep your voices low while in the forest to watch out for other animals and also not to scare the gorillas.
• Do not litter the forest, carry all the garbage like bottles, papers and any other garbage with you as you exit the forest.
• The guide will lead you in to the forest since they know where they were last spotted, follow the trail and the guide will inform you when you approach them.

When with the gorillas

• Always maintain the distance of 15meters from the gorillas as this reduces the risk of transmitting infections.
• While observing them, remain in your groups do not surround the Gorillas, allow them to move.
• Do not eat or drink while with the gorillas
• Keep allow voice, but you can still ask the guide questions
• Do not touch the gorillas although they are habituated, they are still wild animals
• All travellers are allowed one with the gorillas but in case they become agitated, the guide will ask you to leave early
• When laving the forest, you are required to maintain low voice until you have reached 200 meters away from the gorillas.

Health tips

• Gorillas are wild animals and are prone to human diseases therefore, all trekkers are required to follow precautions when taking part in gorilla trekking.
• Respect the limit of visitors required to visit one particular habituated gorilla group to void the easy spread of diseases.
• In case you are feeling ill or suffering from contagious disease such as flu and cold, you are advised to stay behind. Your money will be refunded or alternative arranges can be made for you to track the gorillas when your fully recovered.
• While in the presence of the gorillas and you want to sneeze or cough, turn around and cover your mouth and noise with your elbow to avoid spreading bacteria viruses. Gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.
• In case you feel like using toilet, talk to the guide and I will be arranged for you
• Keep a distance of about 7 meters away from the Gorillas.

What to carry for your Gorilla trekking

• Comfortable Hiking boats for hiking up and down the jungle
• A camera to capture your memorable encounter with the gorillas but avoid flash flights
• Long sleeved shirts and trouser to prevent your skin from cuts by tree branches
• Rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat
• Packed food and enough drinking since the gorilla trekking may last for much longer time
• Bag pack for carrying all the necessary essentials you may need during gorilla trekking
• During the gorilla trekking, you may hire porters to help you with your language or assist you with the hike in case it gets a bit tougher, the porters are hired for a small fee.