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3-day Uganda mountain gorilla trekking safari starts in Kampala and ends at Entebbe international airport in Uganda. It involves meeting eye to-eye with the magical mountain gorillas

What Is A Gorilla Trekking Certificate?

What Is A Gorilla Trekking Certificate?, Mountain Gorillas in DR Congo Virunga National Park

What Is A Gorilla Trekking Certificate?

What Is A Gorilla Trekking Certificate?  Gorilla trekking can only be done from three countries all found in Africa and these apes can be found and that is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park located in southwestern Uganda, volcanoes national park in Rwanda, and Virunga national park in DR Congo.

Mountain gorillas are closest relatives to human beings sharing 98% human DNA and maybe this could be a reason tourist to Africa want to meet eye to eye with the great apes although it’s the most expensive tourism activity on the African continent. Gorillas are giant creatures and shy creatures but can easily become very aggressive when disturbed.

Mountain gorillas are stronger than human beings but rarely attack people or their predators, they first caution with threatening signs such as screaming and making loud hoots, throwing and tearing vegetation, walking on two legs, and grunting, If the predator persists them they will eventually attack and can cause bad injuries that can lead to death.

Mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores animals with over 70% of their diet composed of leaves, stems, bamboo shoots, fruits, seeds and sometimes they feed on insects, ants, termites, and soil.

Gorilla trekking certificate

A gorilla trekking certificate is a certification document received by tourists after trekking mountain gorillas in any gorilla park. The gorilla certificate indicates the national park you are to trek from. The date and the gorilla family you will be trekking.

Gorilla trekking is a bit challenging not like game viewing. The activity involves hiking through the thick forest in search of an allocated gorilla family and this can be successfully done by a person who is physically fit. The elderly and the disabled can also trek mountain gorillas by using sedan stretchers with the help of porters who carry you up the mountain gorillas and bringing you back to the starting point where you can pick your trekking certificate.

Gorilla permits

A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs 700 per person per trek, that is to say with this kind of permit a tourist is given one hour to spend with the mountain gorillas. A gorilla habituation permit in Uganda costs $1500 per person per trek, with a gorilla habituation permit a tourist is allowed four hours to spend with mountain gorillas as they learn about their habits and behaviors.

A single gorilla permit can only be used once a day and by a single person to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda in two national parks is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla park. Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from Uganda wildlife authority head offices in Kampala and they cost $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents, and shs. 250000 for citizens of east Africa. Africa adventure vacations organize all-inclusive tours to meet eye to eye with mountain gorillas.

Tourists intending to trek mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park Rwanda can buy gorilla permits from Rwanda development board in Kigali city by paying $1500 and DR Congo comes last with gorilla permits at $450 per person per trek. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas as well as people with flue oh diarrhea.

How does this gorilla permit work?

When intending to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda most especially Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, you must consider the type of gorilla permit you hold or planning to have. The permit determines the sector in which you will be trekking gorillas and the accommodation lodge (place to stay). Unlike other mountain gorilla national parks, Bwindi impenetrable forest national has four sectors open for gorilla trekking meaning that each sector has its own gorilla families and accommodation properties.

Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.

To confirm any accommodation property has to be determined by the gorilla trekking permit you will have booked.

Each tacking sector has its own gorilla families and those interested in trekking given sectors should let Africa Adventure Vacations know so that we act accordingly while booking your gorilla permit.

It’s more important that the gorilla family allocation happens on the day of trekking where trekkers are grouped according to their age, physical ability, and interest so that they allocate you a gorilla family that will help you achieve it. Therefore, for any kind of information contact Africa Adventure Vacations Limited.

What to carry for gorilla trekking?

Mountain gorillas live in tropical rainforests that receive rainfall at any time of the year even during the dry season so the tourists should come along with Rain jackets, Waterproof back, Waterproof walking shoes, Gloves, Long-sleeved clothes, Camera, insect repellents to keep them away from insects, enough drinking water, sunscreen, hat, binoculars, and energy-giving snacks.

Best time to carry out gorilla trekking

All the three countries where mountain gorilla trekking can be carried out are located in the same climatic zone sharing dry and wet seasons. The three countries are DR Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The best time to visit these countries for gorilla trekking is during the dry months of June to September and December to February when the trekking trails are dry and the roads leading to the parks are easily accessible.