Gorilla Trekking From South Africa

Gorilla trekking still stands out as Africa’s top most sought for experience after the big 5 game safaris. But what remains as a key area of concern is if one can organize a gorilla tour from South Africa or their respective destinations. South Africa by itself is an established destination offering unmatched big five game experiences and with availability of gorilla trekking, combining your trip remarkably guarantees you mesmerizing experiences of what Africa is most popular for.

Gorilla trekking in Africa is all about you immersing yourself into the tropical natural forests to see a gorilla family. It is active adventure involving you walking through the natural rainforest with an experienced guide and the same process applies to other primate adventures such as golden monkey tracking in places like Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzee trekking for instance in Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Nyungwe Forest National Park or Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

How to plan your gorilla safari from South Africa

With help from an experienced tour operator on ground –Maranatha tours and travel, arranging your unforgettable gorilla trekking safari becomes easier than you ever imagined. We have over 10 years’ experience of organizing the best gorilla safaris, wildlife tours, and also offering excellent car hire services.

What is important is for you to decide on the destination to go for gorilla tours. This means, your choice should revolve around the 3 options; Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. While in Uganda, you can choose between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These are the 2 remarkable destinations in Uganda where all mountain gorilla treks are always done.

Rwanda gorilla tours are specifically conducted in Volcanoes National Park and in the D.R. Congo, look out for the endangered mountain gorillas while in the Virunga National Park. Still in Congo, there is an option of visiting habituated Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Securing a valid gorilla permit

Once you have the destination to be visited in mind, next should be to secure your gorilla permit. This is recommended that you do it at least 2-6 months before the actual date you intend to visit to see gorillas. In each destination, there is a cost set for visitors to obtain a gorilla permit whereby in Uganda, foreign non-residents pay USD 700 per person, USD 600 for foreign residents and Ugandans/East African citizen are charged shs. 250,000.

The Rwanda gorilla permits are available for visitors to book at USD 1500 per person –this is the best place for guests interested in luxury gorilla safaris. In case you are interested in tracking the Congo gorillas –mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas, the permits cost USD 450 per person.

Book your accommodation in advance

In addition to securing permits, all guests should have their accommodation booked in advance. All destinations have variety of safari lodges ranging from budget, midrange to luxury. Dealing with the tour operator on ground makes it easier to have your gorilla safari lodge booked early.

Know the acceptable age limit

Gorilla trekking is restricted to persons above 15 years but the maximum age may vary depending on your fitness level because even guests as old as 85 have had successful gorilla treks. There are options also to persons with disabilities or elderly where sedan chairs are used to carry such categories on actual day of visiting mountain gorillas. The sedan chairs cost between USD 400 and 500 for hiring per day.

When should you go for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an open adventure all year-round but to have excellent experience, the most preferred time to get there is during the dry season. Most of the gorilla parks lie astride the Equator and experience the best weather conditions. The dry months to mark on your travel calendar; June, July, August to early September or plan your gorilla trip starting December, January to February. The remaining months are wet or

rainy months of the year (March, April, May, October, November) and are characterized by heavy downpour.

What should you pack?

Packing right is essential to every trekker visiting Uganda or Rwanda to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The expected items on your packing list for gorilla trekking include insect repellents, camera free of flashlight with a spare battery, gardening gloves, rain jacket, bottled water, binoculars, valid gorilla permits, first aid kit, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a sweater, and many others.

Getting to your destination

The easiest and safest way to get to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking from South Africa is by taking a flight. There are national carriers and other airlines operating to and from these gorilla destinations. In Uganda, you can connect with Uganda airlines, and in Rwanda use RwandAir. Or book your flight with South African Airways and Kenya Airways.

On ground, you can travel from Entebbe or Kampala by road to Mgahinga or Bwindi, about 9-10 hours’ drive or take 4-5 hours from Kigali through Kabale or Kisoro. In Rwanda, your gorilla trip can begin from Kigali city about 2-3 hours’ drive to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri.