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. Others thought the ranger leading them did not give them enough time on 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 trek. No one has ever complained about the actual encounter, the time spent with a gorilla family. A few complain about the effort that 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, who said, “Spending time with these gentle creatures in their natural habitat was a profoundly moving experience.”
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money – Time and Effort?
Is Gorilla Trekking Worth the Money Spent?
Yes, Gorilla Trekking is one of the more expensive tourist activities in Africa. Ask any Gorilla Trekker after their time with a Family the question, “Is Gorilla Trekking worth It?” The reply one typically gets, “it was well worth it, a priceless experience.”
When it comes to pricing, Gorilla Trekking in Uganda comes with an instant discount over neighboring Rwanda. Trekking permits are $700 compared to $1,500 in Rwanda, a savings of $800. A Gorilla Safari in Uganda on average will cost half of what the same Safari would cost in Rwanda.
Is Gorilla Trekking worth the Money? If you are focused on cost and not the incalculable experience with the gentle giants of the rainforest then gorilla trekking may not be for you.
If you however knew that the permit payment pays for Gorilla Conservation. It is because of Gorilla Tourism that the number of Mountain Gorillas is increasing and are no longer on the critical list of engagement.
According to those who have had an encounter with the Gentle Giants of the forest, Gorilla trekking is worth every US Dollar, UK Pound, and Euro that you will spend on an incredible experience.
Is Gorilla Trekking worth the Time invested?
Yes, Gorilla Trekking is an investment of time. 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. 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 and Day three is about continuing with the safari or returning to the airport for a flight out. Anything less than three days is a compromise in the quality of the experience
You can fly to the Gorilla Park from Entebbe International Airport or you can drive in from Kigali. Additionally, you can opt for a longer safari and make gorilla trekking a part of it.
Is Gorilla Trekking worth the Effort?
Gorilla Trekking is no Sunday Afternoon Stroll in Central Park. 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 came 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 for a sedan chair where the trekker is carried in and out by porters.
Trekking does take an effort – Trekkers are tired when they return from Gorilla Tracking. But one could say that they are “well drained,” and often from their lips often come the words, “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?
There are Gorilla Trekking Naysayers, most of which have never trekked the Gentle Giants of the Forest. Yet, thousands of visitors each year find that a Safari in Africa is incomplete without Primate Trekking.
Over 90% of the requests that we receive are for Safaris which include 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 of them 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 in Mgahinga Gorilla Park or Volcanoes National Park.
Where is tit better to track Gorillas – Rwanda or Uganda – here is a comparison.