Uganda- Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo are popularly known for gorilla trekking. The three countries are proud for hosting one of the rarest species of the gorillas called Mountain Gorillas. DRC on the other hand offers Lowland and Mountain Gorillas in Kahuzi -Biega National Park and Virunga National Park respectively.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National park are proven to have the largest number of mountain gorillas worldwide. Gorilla news for Gorilla trekkers is that, Bwindi protects 18 habituated Mountain Gorilla Families while Mgahinga Gorilla park has one habituated Gorilla family.
Rwanda protects ten habituated Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. The park is situated in Ruhengeri province in northern Rwanda. The mountainous park offers fascinating views of the mighty Virunga ranges hence making Gorilla trekking memorable.
Rwanda Gorilla park is easily accessible – its 2hrs drive from Kigali Airport/ city to Volcanoes National Park. You can even decide to do one day gorilla trek to save time and money. For people on very tight schedule, can fly to Kigali- do gorilla trekking and then fly out. For that case, the arrival flight should be around 4:30am – drive to the park for 2hrs and then report to the briefing point at 7:30am – Trek Gorillas and return to the Airport by 6:30 pm – fly out.
Rwanda has ten habituated Gorilla families – making it easy to get Gorilla permits. It should be noted that a maximum of eight people is allowed to trek each Gorilla family. That means there is a room for eighty visitors to trek Gorillas every day.
COVID-19 control measures– Rwanda is well organized – all Social operation procedures (SOP) are followed before Gorilla trekking – During gorilla trekking and after Gorilla Trekking to control the spread of Corona Virus. Like wise in Uganda, all international visitors are supposed to come with certificates proving COVID-19 free visitor. It must be with the advance checkup duration of 72 hours.
Uganda protects the largest number of Mountain Gorillas – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla parks are well known for keeping the largest number of mountain gorillas with 19 habituated gorilla groups making it easier to get gorilla trekking pass. You can only confirm this when you go on a gorilla safari to Mgahinga – Bwindi region. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four trekking centres: Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga and Buhoma.
Uganda and Rwanda are politically stable – For a long time, Rwanda has never engaged any war since 1994 Genocide Movement which cost the lives of about 800000 people. Uganda has also been stable since 1986 war which brought president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tihaburwa in power. Peace and stability have facilitated Gorilla trekking in the two countries. On the other hand, DRC experiences season insecurity which sometimes forces the government to halt Gorilla tourism. Its true that DRC experiences on and off Gorilla tourism but still people visit for other added good factors.
Democratic Republic of Congo offers cheap Gorilla permit at US$400 – For travelers wanting to save some money, DRC is an option. Compared to Rwanda Gorilla permit at US$1500, Uganda Gorilla permit cost US$700 that means, DRC is the cheapest country as far as Gorilla trekking is concerned.
DRC has both low and Mountain Gorillas – Its amazing to visit both Lowland Gorillas in kahuzi- Biega national Park and Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park. Rwanda and Uganda only offer Mountain Gorilla trekking thus clients wanting to see both, better visit DRC.
Other activities apart from Gorilla trekking – Uganda- Rwanda and DRC offers chimpanzee trekking, boat trips, city tour, Game viewing drives, nature walks, Golden monkey trekking among others. Other activities supplement Gorilla trekking and you can do any after or before.