Gorilla Trekking is an incredible encounter with Uganda’s most extensive collection of great apes.
Exploring the World of Mountain Gorillas: An Extraordinary Gorilla Trekking Experience
Gorilla Trekking is an incredible Encounter with the largest of Great Apes. Whether you refer to it as Gorilla Tracking or Gorilla Trekking, the experience remains the same—an excellent and once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. The terminology used is not as important as the profound experience of being in the presence of these majestic creatures.
People from all corners of the globe flock to Uganda each year to embark on this extraordinary adventure. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park are the sought-after destinations, as they are home to the Mountain Gorillas. It’s worth noting that these gorillas cannot be found in any zoo worldwide; they can only be observed in the wild.
Currently, Uganda stands as the leading choice for gorilla enthusiasts, thanks to its affordability and the high level of safety provided during tracking expeditions. The Country has established itself as a premier gorilla destination, captivating the hearts of trekkers and trackers alike.
Regardless of the terminology used, whether it’s Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Tracking, the essence remains unchanged. It is an extraordinary encounter that will leave an indelible mark on your memories—a unique opportunity to connect with the Gentle Giants of the Forest.
Unlike Pandas, Orangutans, or Chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas cannot be visited in any zoo worldwide. They can only be found in three African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda, in particular, is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, with more than 480 gorillas residing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
So, whether you call it Gorilla Tracking or Gorilla Trekking, the experience remains an exceptional and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with these magnificent creatures—the Gentle Giants of the Forest.
Gorilla Trekking is an incredible Encounter with the largest of Great Apes
Exploring the World of Mountain Gorillas: An Extraordinary Gorilla Trekking Experience
Many may not realize that observing Mountain Gorillas in Uganda differs from spotting lions or other wildlife. The number of visitors allowed to view and interact with these incredible creatures is limited. Currently, 19 habituated gorilla groups are available for visitation—19 in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Nyakagezi Family in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. (Habituation refers to familiarizing gorillas with humans, which can take up to two years.) Uganda is home to over 36 Mountain Gorilla groups, both habituated and non-habituated.
Each day, a maximum of 8 visitors can spend approximately one hour with a Mountain Gorilla group. These groups can range in size from 6 to 30 individuals.
The meeting point for gorilla tracking depends on the specific group you are assigned, which could be in the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo area of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
To prepare for the experience, it is advisable to bring a packed lunch, 2 liters of water, gorilla wear (including a hat, tough gardening gloves, long pants, boots, long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket), a backpack, insect repellent, and ample batteries for your devices. You can acquire a walking stick locally and enlist the help of a porter if needed.
During the gorilla tracking orientation, you will be assigned a knowledgeable guide who is an expert on gorillas. These guides have often been involved in the gorilla group’s habituation process. They visit the gorilla groups daily and possess a deep understanding of their behaviors and movement patterns as gorillas construct new nests and venture through the forest each day.
Tracking the gorillas can take up to 8 hours, and reaching their location often involves a challenging hike, especially in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. However, the surrounding environment in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park is breathtaking. Besides encountering the Mountain Gorillas up close, you may spot other mammals, birds endemic to the parks, butterflies, chimpanzees, and forest elephants. You may be captivated by the rugged scenic beauty of your Gorillas in the Mist experience in Uganda. Some individuals are so fascinated by the Mountain Gorillas that they opt for a two-day Gorilla Trekking adventure. It is rare for anyone to leave disappointed after encountering Uganda’s gentle and majestic Mountain Gorillas.
There are certain restrictions for visiting the Uganda Mountain Gorillas, including having no flu, coughs, or colds, no diarrhea problems, being reasonably fit, and having a minimum age of 15. Additionally, the cost of a permit to see the Mountain Gorillas may pose budgetary constraints, as each ticket costs 600 USD (Rwanda increased its price to 750 USD as of June 2012).
The concept of Mountain Gorilla Tracking was not always accepted. Some scientists and researchers, such as Dian Fossey, initially opposed it. However, Walter Baumgärtel, the father of Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Uganda, believed in
promoting tourism to conserve these majestic creatures. He purchased the Travellers Rest Hotel near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Baumgärtel pioneered the Gorilla Trekking program, overcoming obstacles with the British Colonial and Ugandan governments. Though he left in 1969, many renowned Mountain Gorilla researchers stayed at his hotel, which, at the time, lacked running water. He explored the surrounding mountains with a Ugandan guide who became an expert over the years, discovering the wonders of the Mountain Gorillas.
Baumgärtel’s vision proved correct. Today, Mountain Gorillas in Uganda reside in protected areas, and their primary threat, poaching, has been mitigated by involving the local population through gorilla permit allocations. The gorilla population is steadily increasing in Uganda’s protected areas, affirming Walter Baumgärtel’s belief that gorilla tourism can aid their conservation.
Thanks to trailblazers like Walter Baumgärtel, whose tourism-focused approach aimed to protect rather than harm the gorillas, thousands of people visit Uganda each year in search of the Mountain Gorillas. Some even choose to stay at the Travellers Rest Hotel he once owned, but he would undoubtedly be astonished by the current state of his beloved Mountain Gorillas.
Whether you refer to it as Gorilla Tracking or Gorilla Trekking, the experience is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will leave an indelible mark on your memory.
Gorilla Trekking is an incredible Encounter with the largest of Great Apes
Exploring the World of Mountain Gorillas: An Extraordinary Gorilla Trekking Experience
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