How difficult is gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is an activity that enables tourists to search for Mountain gorillas as they have a glimpse of how they look like and interact with the environment. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is abit easier compared to Uganda as it is easier to search for mountain gorillas in the wilderness
How difficult gorilla trekking is in Rwanda depends on various factors such as location of the gorilla family , time of the year to trek , age , physical fitness and cost of gorilla permits .
Tourists are always advised to plan their entire gorilla trekking experience inorder to reduce some of the difficulties that one may encounter .
For the elders who may have difficulties in climbing the steep slopes there are porters who assist in carrying the tourists luggage at a fee starting from USD 20.
In Rwanda , gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National park which is mostly covered by bamboo forests and through these forests it is easier to hike and search gorillas in their natural habitat
Some gorilla families in Volcanoes Rwanda live in areas of higher altitude which is a bit challenging for some tourists to get there due to physical fitness.
Tourists also have to understand that the best time to visit mountain gorillas in Rwanda is the dry season when trails are dry . This is because in the wet season it is difficult to hike higher altitudes because slopes are always slippery.
How difficult gorilla trekking is in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located at a higher altitude of 2500m to 3000m meaning gorilla trekking will require a certain level of physical fitness however those that are healthy will manage to overcome the challenge
Bwindi impenetrable national park is also covered by thick vegetation that is the tropical rain forest and it makes hiking through it to search for gorillas very difficult .
Trekking through the thick will take about 6 hours before one comes to close contact with the mountain gorillas .
Tourists are therefore advised to book their permits in advance in order to arrange for porters who assist in carrying luggage for those with difficulties in hiking the step slopes .
Tourists should also opt to carry out gorilla trekking in the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February when the slopes are not muddy for easy hiking .
Cost of Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
USD 800 for foreign non residents
USD 700 for foreign residents
Ugx 300,000 for East Africans
Cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda
USD 1500 for foreign non residents
USD 500 for citizens of other African countries
USD 200 for Rwandan citizens and East African citizens
