Is gorilla trekking worth it? I say yes, gorilla trekking is worth the money. Many travellers who take part and time to do this activity, can bear witness. the many reviews from various travellers who have done the gorilla trek indicates that gorilla trekking is worth it. Gorilla trekking has unforgettable, magical and life-changing experience worth the penny. Despite the high costs, strenuous trek and time spent on gorilla watching tours in any of the countries which have the mountain gorillas such as; Rwanda, Uganda & Congo, gorilla safaris remain the best wildlife experience worth doing. Over time, most people who have not been to the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo ask themselves “is gorilla trekking worth the money”? we are therefore here to clarify to you that Yes, we assure you that gorilla trekking experience is worth the money. It always appropriate to take part in the activity before you can finally draw a final a conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda gives you an opportunity to have a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
This is one of the exceptional experiences, which no traveller to Africa should miss. The magical feeling that one gets on seeing the human-like characters of gorillas in their families and their social interactions make these gentle giants worth visiting. The silverback has a role of taking care of the family and the female gorillas feeding their young ones and picking lies from each other is so exciting to look at.
The gentle giants live in the jungles of Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda and Virunga national park in DR. Congo. Gorilla watching has become one of the most thought off activity with Bwindi being the dominant tourist destination in Uganda while on Uganda Safaris Tours. This experience which has impressed many people to do it over and over again despite the high cost, energy and time required to encounter the gorillas. But never the less, gorilla trekking has become one of the highly valued activity in Bwindi national park thus Is gorilla trekking worth it?.
Gorilla habituation experience
Besides gorilla trekking, one can also opt for gorilla habituation experience this allows you 4 hours with the gorillas in their natural habitat. During the habituation, researchers, travellers, scientists and the rangers all visit the gorillas and you are free to ask all questions and get the answers and also you may participate in the study and the naming of the new gorilla families. This is so exciting as you get to learn all the behaviours and the ways of life of the living gorillas in the jungle.
Gorilla habituation permit goes for $1500 per permit and per person trekking. This permit allows you to have a close encounter with the gorillas and spend approximately 4 hours, this is a great time you can have with the gorillas. Therefore, gorilla habituation experience is worth the money.
Gorilla permits Uganda
Unlike Rwanda, Uganda gorilla permit cost is quite cheaper and affordable. A single gorilla permits in Uganda costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and 250,000USH for East African residents. For the budget travellers, who would wish to spend less on their gorilla Uganda safari, Uganda should be your number one destination.
Gorilla trekking Rwanda prices
Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is done at the Volcanoes National Park and a single gorilla permit goes for $1500 per permit to spend one hour with the gorillas. Rwanda gorilla permits were hiked in May 2017, when the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) doubled permit costs from $750 to $1500 paid by all travellers. The major reason for the hiked gorilla permits in Rwanda is to improve gorilla conservation and the livelihoods of local people living around the park. This fee paid for gorilla trekking, is used to support gorilla conservation and the 20% is transferred to the local communities which has helped to improve on people’s standards of living.
Gorilla permits Congo
For the travellers tracking gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo offers the cheapest gorilla permits at only $400 per permit. The reason for low-cost gorilla permits in Congo is because of the ongoing civil conflicts and political fights which have made Congo one of the insecure travel destinations for gorilla trekking experience. Also, the rampant kidnap and killing of park rangers in Virunga national park has become a threat to gorilla tourism in the park, these has led to the decrease in number of tourists visiting the park.
Time spent with the gorillas
For travellers on gorilla trekking experience, they are given one hour with the gorillas. The one hour starts from the time you encounter the gorillas. But the actual time spent in the jungle before finding the gorillas can be from 30 min to several hours depending on the current location of the gorillas on that particular day. Travellers are therefore encouraged to utilize this hour carefully studying the social character, photo shooting, capture the videos and enjoy the full company of the gorillas in their natural habitat.
For the travellers having interest in spending more time with the gorillas, can therefore book a gorilla habituation experience this allows you four hours with the gorillas for the time you find them. The gorilla habituation experience is currently done at the southern part of Bwindi in the Rushaga sector. The habituation permits costs $1,500 per permit but this is worth the experience you will have after your encounter with the gorillas thus Is gorilla trekking worth it?.
Number of people allowed to track the gorillas
Uganda wildlife Authority put up a policy whereby the number of people visiting the gorillas is 8 people per day visiting one gorilla family. During the day for gorilla tracking, Gorilla family allocation depends on the physical fitness, age, energy and hiking abilities of the traveller. Travellers are therefore advised to disclose their hiking abilities to your guide so that you are allocated a particular gorilla family that will be easy for you to track. Gorilla trekking is worth the energy, time, and the cost of the activity
Is gorilla trekking worth the effort and discomfort?
is Gorilla Trekking Worth It – All the discomfort and fatigue disappear the moment you set eyes on the gorillas. That excitement and feeling you have given you more strength and make you want to spent more and more of your time with these gentle giants. Gorilla trekking is a strenuous adventure, which entails hiking through the thick jungle forests with muddy and slippery grounds. The hiking time can vary from 30 minutes to full day depending on the location of the gentle giants on that particular day. During the wet season, expect wet, gloomy, muddy and slippery grounds, thorny bushes and ground insects during your search for the gorillas so you therefore advised to wear proper gadgets required for this activity including; hiking boots, long pair of trousers, shirt and blouse, garden gloves, rain jacket and many more. If you are trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, expect hiking to high attitudinal areas, which is entirely tiresome. However, upon reaching the gorillas, you will not regret the efforts used in searching for the gorillas and believe that this once in a lifetime magical experience is worth the discomfort and the energy.