The Question – Is Gorilla Trekking Worth It? – the Answers.
“Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – the Time and Effort? Thousands of Trekkers think so
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort? In well over a decade of taking clients from around the world on a mountain gorilla trek, not one has told us that they were disappointed, that they thought that the Trek was not worth the money invested into the Safari, the Effort that it took, and Time that was needed?
Do People complain after a Gorilla Safari? Yes, some might complain about an experience at the lodge, and others thought the ranger leading them did not give them enough Time for a Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Some might complain about the weather for their Trek, the annoying flies, the Trek’s toughness, or that the driver was late picking them up after the tour. No one has ever complained about the actual encounter; the Time spent with a gorilla family—a few complaints about the Effort it took on the trail to and from the gorilla family.
After a trek, no one says, “that was not worth the money spent.” There is no talk about money, only about the incredible experience of being in the presence of some of our closest cousins in the animal kingdom.
The words of David Attenborough come to mind: “Spending time with these gentle creatures in their natural habitat was a profoundly moving experience.” Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort? We think so, and so do our clients.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort?
1. Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money Spent on It?
Yes, Gorilla Trekking is one of Africa’s more expensive tourist activities. Ask any Gorilla Trekker after their Time with a Family question, “Is Gorilla Trekking worth It?” One typically gets a reply: “it was well worth it, a priceless experience.”
Regarding pricing, Gorilla Trekking in Uganda offers an instant discount over neighboring Rwanda. Trekking permits are $700 compared to $1,500 in Rwanda, a savings of $800. On average, a Gorilla Safari in Uganda will cost half of the same Safari in Rwanda.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money? If you are focused on cost and not the valuable experience with the gentle giants of the rainforest, then gorilla trekking may not be for you.
If you, however, know that the permit payment pays for Gorilla Conservation. Because of Gorilla Tourism, the number of Mountain Gorillas is increasing and is no longer on the critical engagement list.
According to those who have encountered the Gentle Giants of the forest, Gorilla trekking is worth every US Dollar, UK Pound, and Euro you will spend on an incredible experience.
2. Is Gorilla Trekking worth the Time invested?
Yes, Gorilla Trekking is an investment of Time, and it is not a staged event and takes place in Wilderness Sanctuaries. It is more than mere Time; it is, to state it once again, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You cannot find Mountain Gorillas in any zoo. That has been tried, but the Mountain Gorillas do not survive captivity, and you can only see them in their natural habitat in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
A typical gorilla safari involves three days of your Time. Day one is about getting to the park; day two is the gorilla trek. Day three is about continuing with the Safari or returning to the airport for a flight out. Anything less than three days compromise the quality of the experience.
You can fly to Uganda’s two Gorilla Parks from Entebbe International Airport or Kigali. You can also opt for a longer safari and make gorilla trekking a part.
3. Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Effort?
Gorilla Trekking is no Sunday Afternoon Stroll in Central Park, and it can and does take Effort. Whether you trek up the Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park or hike up and down the ridges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Trek is a challenge for many visitors that come to see the Mountain Gorillas.
You can have the assistance of a porter even though in post-COVID times, the Uganda Wildlife Authority does not recommend it as part of reducing the number of people with a gorilla family.
For trekkers with disabilities, we can arrange a sedan chair where the trekker is carried in and out by porters.
Trekking takes Effort – Trekkers are tired when they return from Gorilla Tracking. But one could say that they are “well-drained” and often come from their lips, “it was well worth the effort.”
Discomfort – the walks can be strenuous, but no one complains about the experience of visiting the Gentle Giants, which far outweighs all the Effort.
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort?
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort? There are Gorilla Trekking Naysayers, most of which have never trekked the Gentle Giants of the Forest. Yet, thousands of visitors each year find a Safari in Africa incomplete without Primate Trekking.
Over 90% of the requests we receive are for Safaris, including Gorilla Trekking or the more Time with the gentle giants, the Habituation Experience. Many of our Clients Trek twice – or even do two or 3 Gorilla Habituation experiences, and none complain about the price, saying “it was not worth it.”
Our Clients rave about the experience of being up close with the Gentle Giants of the Forest in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Where is it better to track Gorillas – Rwanda or Uganda – here is a comparison.
Back to the question: Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time, and Effort?
Here is why Gorilla Trekking is Worth the Money – Time, and Effort:
The Uganda Gorilla Trekking Advantage:
- $700 Gorilla Permit Price: A gorilla Safari in Uganda costs half the price in neighboring Rwanda without compromising the quality of the experience.
- Luxury Gorilla Safaris at Hundreds of Dollars Less: A Luxury Gorilla Trekking Safari will cost you much less in Uganda without compromising the experience’s quality.
- More Gorilla Permits: Uganda has half of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The country has more Habituated (used to Humans) Gorilla Families, meaning Uganda has the most available permits for Gorilla Trekking.
- Safe-Secure Guerrilla-Free Trekking: Uganda is the only Mountain Gorilla Destination with no guerrilla activities in the last 20 years.
