How many days are Required for a gorilla trekking experience?
How many days are Required for a gorilla trekking experience? It is crucial to comprehend the minimum length of time needed for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda prior to making any reservations. Not similar to other tourist activities in Africa, gorilla trekking experiences are programmed to begin as early as 8:00 a.m. in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This signifies that all trekkers must arrive at the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking prior to the trek. For this reason, it is important to take into consideration these requirements when organising your safe gorilla trekking safari experience.
How long does a gorilla tour in Uganda take?
If you are organising a gorilla trekking trip to Uganda and starting in Kampala or Entebbe, you will require no less than three days to make the experience successful. This is for several reasons inclusive of the long distance from the Kampala and Entebbe airport which takes a whole day of driving. The transfer from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable national park takes 8-9 hours while the transfer from Entebbe to Mgahinga takes approximately 9-10 hours driving. For that reason, the first day of the trip will mostly be reserved for transfers from Kampala or Entebbe to the park.
The actual gorilla trekking experience will take place on the second day of the trip. The trek starts at 8:30 am, however it is mandatory to appear at the park headquarters by 7 am for registration and to verify all requirements with the park authorities. Throughout this time, you will undergo a briefing and any essential information before heading to the park. The ranger guide allocated to you will give an overall briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking before entering the forest to look for the gentle giants. Throughout the trek, you will be with the same guide. After locating the gorillas, you will only be allowed to spend time with them and during this time you will observe and take photographs of the gorillas before getting back to the park headquarters. After trekking, you will be awarded a certificate acknowledging your contribution to the conservation of mountain gorillas in Uganda. A fraction of the gorilla permit amount is allocated to support conservation efforts by giving medication to gorillas and paying salaries to employees of Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Gorilla trekking generally lasts between 30 minutes to three quarters of a day and due to the limitation of tourist vehicles driving after 7 pm, it is impossible to go back to Kampala on the same day. Hence, on a gorilla trekking safari you will spend a minimum of three days inclusive of the second night at Bwindi impenetrable national park. The third day is always for driving back to either Kampala or Entebbe. If you have time, please check out our 3-day gorilla trekking tour starting from either Entebbe or Kampala.
Minimum duration for Gorilla Tour to Bwindi from Kabale or Kisoro
For clients planning gorilla trekking safaris experience, a minimum of three days is mandatory if you have plans of starting from either Kampala or Entebbe. Nevertheless, if exiting from Kabale or Kisoro, a minimum of one or two days is required. 1 day gorilla trekking trips from either Kabale or Kisoro to either Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park or Maghinga gorilla national park are very possible so clients can trek the gorillas and be driven back to their respective towns. This organisation can only be done for clients who have an overnight stay in Kabale or Kisoro or live in those towns. Visitors with the interest of gorilla trekking from either Kabale or Kisoro must start their trip very early in the morning, departing at as early as 5am to get to the park headquarters in time for the briefing. It is crucial to put into consideration that landslides can at times block roads, resulting in delays. If such an incident happens, visitors must call the Uganda Wildlife Authority or fellow tourists for rescue. After gorilla trekking, visitors will return to Kabale or Kisoro. It is very important to book gorilla permits in advance from Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters before driving to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The first day should be for driving closer to the park headquarters, while the second day is for gorilla trekking experience before driving back to Kabale Kigali or Kisoro. This will reduce the risk of missing out on the gorilla trek due to challenges that may be encountered on the early morning drive from Kigali, Kisoro/Kabale to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. It is crucial to put into consideration that the road connecting Kabale/Kisoro to Bwindi Impenetrable national park can be very slippery, flooded, or blocked by mudslides. Arriving a day before the trek will assist lighten the stress and worry to do with these challenges.
Essential tips for planning a successful gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
Even if you are beginning your gorilla trekking trip from Entebbe, Kigali or Kabale, it is important to make sure that your trek to Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park is well-organized. Gorilla trekking can be quite pricey and even the smallest blunders during preparations can be costly. Before commencing this escapade, it is crucial to carry out intensive research to rule out the best time to go gorilla trekking, gorilla permits availability, the different gorilla families, the various sectors of the park, in addition to booking the permits and accommodation. In addition, you should make yourself familiar with transport options to and from Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, as both driving and flying are feasible alternatives.
If you are searching for information regarding gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda inclusive of the minimum number of days necessary for a gorilla tour and the booking process of gorilla permits, seek no further than Rwanda Gorilla trek. We are able to provide skilful guidance on availability, reserve and book all services on your behalf, making your booking process stress-free.
Plan your gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is Rwanda’s has an added advantage of being located close to Kigali city and Kigali International Airport. This makes gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda a favoured option for many clients who choose shorter travel times. For instance, the transfer from Kigali to Musanze takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes which is outstandingly less than the time it takes to transfer from Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda.
With the ease of travelling to Volcanoes National Park, a gorilla trekking experience, you can conclude in just one or two days. Despite the fact the we recommend having at least 3 days of gorilla trekking experience to fully enjoy the park and its activities, it is crucial to plan your trip attentively to make sure that you have the perfect experience possible. Research the best time to go gorilla trekking to ensure that you book make the gorilla permits in advance and explore the various activities available in the park.
On Rwanda’s Gorilla trek, we can assist you with planning and booking your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the available services and to ensure that your booking process is stress free.
