Gorilla Trekking Tours in Africa

Planning for the best African gateway experience before your death? Visit the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Once you choose to go for gorilla tours in Rwanda or Uganda, you should consider some of the highlights and budget for them in your planning and among them are: porters who will help you carry your backpackers and also give you a hand during challenging spots on the hike. The cost to hire a porter is $15. Hiring a porter for such a nominal fee compared to the actual permit at least provides locals with much needed employment. Some are even reformed poachers and the parks are trying to educate them the Eco-tourism.

The actual hike to the gorillas can range anywhere from 1 to 6 hours. Although usually the most difficult, many people seek to visit the Susa group. Not only is this the largest gorilla group you can visit, it is also a group Dian Fossey studied for years and it is the most difficult trek.

Another sought after group is that guided by Francois Bigirimana – the most famous and knowledgeable guide around. With over 30 years’ experience, including working with Fossey, Francois is in a league of his own. Having lived with a group of gorillas for an extended period of time, Francois is even able to communicate with them through grunts, shrieks and chest thumps. He knows the gorillas and they know him.

Although the gorilla trekking experience can be physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery always makes the trekking a worthwhile experience. Once the gorillas are located, all fatigue is forgotten, the joy of finding your gorilla troop will only be overcome by the amazement of watching the gorillas go about their daily routine. The gorilla group is likely to be chilled out and eating celery, indulging in grooming, or involved in some other primal social activity. Looking deep into the eyes of the silver back gorilla is surely the most thrilling and profound wildlife encounter that Rwanda has on offer.

Gorilla Trekking Rules

There are certain guidelines trekkers should follow to ensure their safety and the safety of the gorillas:

• Do not trek if you have a cold or flu.
• Keep a distance of 7 meters away (the gorillas can still approach you)
• No eating or drinking near the gorillas
• Keep your voice low and movements slow
• Avoid eye contact

The gorilla trekking experience- general schedule of the day

• 7am Check in at park headquarters. You sign up, drink some coffee and wait around for a bit. Drivers and rangers negotiate group assignments. Once decided, you will meet guides for a briefing.
• 8am your driver will take you to the start of the trek. Each group has a different starting point. Guides will hitch a ride in one of the cars.
• Begin trek with guides, porters and armed military officers.
• First 30 minutes will be an easy walk through flat farmlands. Once the forest boundary is reached, the actual trek begins.
• Remember, trek length varies (usually between 1-5 hours).
• Once you reach the vicinity of the gorillas, porters will stay behind with all bags. Only cameras and whatever you have in your pockets are allowed.
• Visitors are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos at this time. You will observe playing, fighting, eating, swinging on trees among the gorilla family.
• Before you know it, time is up and you find yourself hiking back through the forest, past the farmland and driving back to the park headquarters.
• You will receive a certificate of completion at park headquarters. We returned at 1:10 p.m. but this will be later if your trek is longer.
• Hire Your Own Porter: Though they are typically not included in your permit or guide price, hire one at the park gate. For just $20 a day, he can assist you with your backpack and your water, or help give you that extra push up a hill (a $15 tip at the end of your trip is customary).
• One to Watch: Democratic Republic of the Congo the 12-bungalow Mikeno Lodge just opened in Virunga National Park in the D.R.C. While political instability currently impedes travel to the country, Virunga has the highest biodiversity of any park in the world place to track.