Mountain Gorilla trekking is an exciting activity done which invites in a huge percentage of tourists from different countries of the World per year, its ranked among the mostly wanted activities done by different tourists while in Africa for their Safari vacations particularly in the Eastern region.

Are you planning to be part of the exciting Gorilla trekking and arranging for either Uganda Gorilla trekking safaris or Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safaris but just limited with more information about this exciting excursion? If so then highlighted below is the clear information to help you when making a decision, planning and budgeting for your amazing Gorilla trekking safari in Africa.

There is no any other exciting place in the Eastern part of Africa you can go for the mostly wanted ground dwelling herbivores Mountain Gorillas if it’s not Uganda or Rwanda.

Where is Uganda & Rwanda? Both Uganda and Rwanda are located in the Eastern part of Africa nearing each other, when it comes to description of the geographical location Uganda is bordered by Kenya in the East, South Sudan in the North, Rwanda in the South West, Democratic Republic of Congo in the west and Tanzania in the South.

Then Rwanda “The land of a thousand hills” is bordered by Uganda in the North, Burundi in the South, Democratic Republic of Congo in the west and Tanzania in the East. All visitors to this amazing destinations access it by air transport means arriving in at Entebbe international airport for Uganda and Kigali international airport for Rwanda.

Usually to be issued with permission entry to Uganda and Rwanda you must be with three required documents and these include a valid driving license, entry visa and valid yellow fever vaccination card. If you hope of visiting these two countries at once then its better you apply for an East African Tourist Visa which awards you with permission of visiting both countries at once.

The East African Tourist Visa works only for countries which are under the East African community and these include Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

What’s Gorilla Trekking? This is an exciting and amazing activity done while in Uganda or Rwanda, it usually involves moving in a group of eight people plus the park ranger guide from the starting point following the well-established trails heading to the jungle searching for the Gorillas.

After locating these apes in the Jungle you are allowed to be in their presence for only one hour while seeing them playing, feeding, resting, moving around plus taking photos and videos of them. After the one hour session, the next step is trekking back to the Park offices or starting point for the certificate award indicating you as a person who has contributed towards the conserving of Gorilla lives.

Usually the time taken and distance moved while in the jungle depends on where these apes spent their last. Always trekkers are the first to go early in the morning to locate where these apes spent their last night after of which they will communicate with park ranger guide who is heading the group of trekkers via radio calls about the exact location of these apes in the jungle.

While in the jungle searching for the Gorillas you are also exposed to other Wildlife species including plant life, primates, reptiles, insect species and different bird species.

Highlights about Gorilla Trekking. Usually before the trekking journey is started, a briefing is first conducted at the Park offices or starting point by the Park officials to highlight trekkers about what it takes for Gorilla trekking, behaviors of Gorillas in the Jungle, safety tips, what to do and what not to do while in the presence of Gorillas.

After briefing the available participants are divided into groups of eight people per group and each group is assigned to a particular Gorilla family and park ranger guide. Each habituated Gorilla family is allowed for visit by only one group of eight people per day.

It’s always advised that when heading for the Gorilla trek you come along with your packed food from the lodge for eating while in the jungle since most of the times lunch hour reaches when the trekkers are still in the jungle.

There are some rules to follow and fulfill while in for the Gorilla trekking experience and these include to always move slowly and maintain your voice at low tone while in the jungle, do not eat in the presence of Gorillas, do not liter rubbish in the Park, do not touch on the Gorillas without permission, keep a distance of about seven meters from the Gorillas, do not provoke the Gorillas, do not use flush camera when taking photos of Gorillas and also do not run after the Gorillas.

Also it’s not allowed to go for the Gorilla trekking and meet with Gorillas if you happen to be infected with infectious diseases like cough, flue and more because you will spread these diseases to the apes.

What’s required for Gorilla Trekking. Usually for any person to be part of Gorilla trekking you are required to buy a Gorilla permit such that you are granted permission for it and this permit in Uganda costs $600 USD per person and that of Rwanda costs $1500 USD per person.

Where to go for Gorillas in Uganda. Uganda is popularly known for Mountain Gorilla trekking and it usually receive huge percentage of tourists because of it per year. The only two parks to go for Gorillas while in Uganda include Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Where to go for Gorillas in Rwanda. Rwanda is mostly known in the tourism industry because of the Mountain Gorillas which attract in different tourists per year. The only place to go for Gorillas while in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park which is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda.

How to book for a Gorilla Safari. Usually it’s better when you are planning for a Gorilla Safari in Rwanda or Uganda, you contact and book with a local tour operator.

The operator will help in planning and arranging for your Gorilla Safari like drafting an itinerary, booking for accommodation, transportation services, guide and Gorilla permits. They will further guide you on what to pack and how to behave while in Uganda or Rwanda.

Best time to visit Gorillas. It’s usually advised to do the exciting Mountain Gorilla trekking Safari during seasons when there is low rainfall than seasons when there is high rainfall rates to avoid being interfered while in the Jungle by the constant rainfall drops.

During rainy seasons also the trails in the Jungle tend to be muddy and slippery hindering successful trekking of the trekkers in a group which may even lead to missing out on seeing these apes.

Minimum age of trekking Gorillas. The minimum age for Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is sixteen years of age and if you are less than these years do not expect of getting the permit.