Gorilla Safari Uganda, Rwanda & Congo : Gorilla Trekking.

Car Rental Tanzania is a  one stop center for all your help regarding the adventure in East Africa? whether planning a self-drive safari in Uganda or Rwanda that includes gorilla watching & Wildlife watching! we do partner with specialists in primate safaris like Primate Safari Experiences a strong company incorporated in Uganda offering gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

Gorilla trekking is possible even on self-drive safaris whereby we book gorilla permits for clients that are traveling with us.

Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the thick tropical rain forests of the African continent in search of the mountain gorillas from their habitats. In Africa, this experience is what mostly attracts the travelers from different continents so as to enjoy the presence these endangered giant apes and also learn more about their ways of living. Mountain gorillas can be trekked in only countries in Africa – Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga gorilla National park, Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park and Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park.

Gorilla Trekking Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo hosts both the mountain gorillas and Eastern Lowland gorillas in the magical two national parks . Eastern lowland gorillas are only found in Kahuzi Biega National Park & Maiko National Park all located in Eastern Kivu province.

Gorilla Trekking in Virunga

Virunga National park is one of the diversity in the African continent which is famous for mountain gorilla and almost over a half of those in the Sub Saharan Africa is hosted in this national park. Though the park has been threatened by different political conflicts in the country –Congo, it has survived and has been recently opened.

Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in Africa established in 1925 by the then king of Belgium, Albert 1 and thus first called Albert National park. The park was gazetted to protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas from the hunters and poachers. Virunga National Park is covers an area of about 7800 square kilometers stretching from the mountains of Virunga in the south to the Rwenzori in the North. The park is well notable for different species like birds, primates, mammals, reptiles and others with mountain gorillas as the main attraction.

Gorilla trekking in the Democratic republic of Congo will lead the travelers into the rainforests, montane forests and the alpine vegetation of Virunga National Park so as to search for the endangered mountain gorillas from their habitats. The park habituates six families of mountain gorillas which are open for tourism purposes. Among these families, Kabirizi family is the most popular one to the adventurous travelers who are much interested in the experience of gorilla trekking. This family has the largest family approaching to about three dozen members. This big number of members comes due to the fact that Kabirizi is a prominent polygamist silverback among all other members.

Uganda “The Pearl of Africa”

Uganda is often the major highlight when it comes to Lake Victoria circuit; this is mainly because of its outstanding natural green environment that cannot be matched by any other country in East Africa giving it its name “The Pearl Of Africa.”  The pearl of Africa is known to be the home for the mountain gorillas which are among the primates that are only found in Virunga Massif, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is not part of Virunga Massif that is shared between Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo.

When it comes to a Uganda Safari , we can  recommend the ultimate Gorillas , Wildlife & Nature walk to visit the islands of Lake Victoria with rented car from Car Rental Tanzania.  The 18 days might be a good start for your Uganda Lake Victoria circuit with the following considerations on your itinerary; Sipi falls in Kapchorwa (should be your first destination from Kenya), Jinja town for the source of the Nile, rafting and several other activities, Entebbe for more Lake Victoria views then proceed to western Uganda parks such as Kibale for chimps and other primates trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking experience which is a unique National Park.

Looking for Low Gorilla trekking Permit while on Self drive Safari in East Africa?  The Pearl of Africa (Uganda) has two national Parks that offer gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation is only done  in Bwindi Impenetrable national Park which hosts half of the world’s Mountain gorillas.  Car Rental Tanzania will help you in booking the gorilla permits at no extra cost for the visiting of the gorillas.

Comparison of Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi vs Mgahinga National Park.

If your traveling as couple and your elders, we would recommend that you book the gorilla permits for mgahinga National Park which is close and ease to trek compared to Bwindi impenetrable national park ,  however if your traveling with a big group just rest assured that gorilla trekking is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park since it has over 4 sectors which are open for the gorilla watching.

Please Note : Gorilla Habituation is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and its limited to only 4 pax per day costing 1500 for watching the gorillas for 4 hours.

Gorilla Trekking Permit costs USD 700 in Uganda , Yet in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park the permit costs Usd 1500 USD

Wildlife Watching in East Africa.

With all the game drives in Tanzania and Kenya; I would only recommend one or two game drives in Uganda; most specifically Queen Elizabeth national park and/or Murchison Falls National Park or Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Bunyonyi views for relaxing before proceeding to Kigali Rwanda for your flight.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking- Gorilla Permits

When one visits Volcanoes National park, primate safaris are one of the best experiences to engage in during the Rwanda safari. The park is well known for compassing the Virunga Mountains which hosts a variety of species including the primate, animal and also bird species.

During the safari to the park, one can carry out a number of activities like birding, hiking to the top of the Virunga Mountains, and also game viewing.  Among the animals in Volcanoes National Park are bushbucks, elephants, warthogs and others.

Volcanoes National Park is a home to different endangered primate species including the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and others.

Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park hosts a number of mountain gorillas that are divided into different groups for the purposes of tourism. The park has about 15 habituated gorilla families that are free to the tourists during their safari to the park. Before going for the mountain gorillas, on has to first purchase a gorilla permit at a cost of $1500 and get a great experience of spending time with these apes in there habituated groups.

Among the gorilla families in the park include the Amahoro gorilla group, Susa gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family. Other gorilla groups can be found along the slopes of different mountains of Virunga Mountains. Among these groups include Susa group on mount Karisimbi, Hirwa and Ugenda gorilla group on mount Gahinga, Agashya gorilla group on Mount Muhabura and Sabyinyo gorilla group on Mount Sabyinyo. All these gorilla families or groups can be visited during the experience of gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park starts in the morning by the severe briefings from the professional rangers about the Dos and Don’ts during the activity and when around the mountain gorillas. After the guidelines, the trekkers will follow the game ranger through the forests of the park in search of these apes. While moving to the families of these gorillas, see other species like trees, birds, butterflies and others.

After finding the gentle mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to spend about an hour with them as you are learning about their ways of life like how they mate, they feed, they live and others.