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The Difference between gorilla trekking and tracking, there two words that are used concurrently to mean the same thing but there is a slight difference that we need to point out for those interested in visiting the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park. Gorilla trekking and tracking basically come into play when one talks about mountain gorillas in the above-mentioned national park. The difference between gorilla trekking and tracking lies with who does what.
Difference between gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking
When one talks about gorilla trekking whether in Uganda or Rwanda or Congo. It basically means following mountain gorillas. This involves a group of tourists who hike hills and beat the bush trying to follow and find a given family of mountain gorillas. Tourists are always guided by an official guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and or Rwanda Development Board for the sake of Rwanda. It is this trained guide that will lead the group of tourists to where the gorillas will be. During gorilla trekking, the guide will definitely do his work of identifying other animals, birds, and trees to make the journey or trek enjoyable. He will always be in touch with gorilla trackers, or what we call the advanced team who will keep on directing him to where a given gorilla family will be at that particular moment. The fact that gorillas leave in mountainous or hilly areas, they have to trek or hike to find them hence the term gorilla trekking.
Most requested gorilla trekking tour
2 Day gorilla trekking tour Uganda from Kigali
3 Day gorilla safari from Kigali
3 Day Bwindi gorilla trekking safari from Entebbe/Kampala
5 Day gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari
5 Day gorilla and wildlife safari from Entebbe
5 Day gorilla and chimp habituation experience safari
Gorilla tracking can be used to mean gorilla trekking but in the actual sense, gorilla tracking means trying to find a given habituated mountain gorilla family. Gorilla trackers/advanced team/rangers use many signs and methods to trace these gorillas before gorilla trekking takes place. These rangers wake up very early every morning to hit the forest in search for these mountain gorillas. They use natural means to track them other than using the GPS system. Once they find them, then they will communicate to the park headquarters, and its then that gorilla trekking will then follow. The second difference between gorilla trekking and tracking is that gorilla tracking is done by rangers or the advanced group using several methods to find gorillas and then once found, gorilla trekking will then follow. This does not however rule out the fact that when tracking gorillas, rangers also trek or hike hills to find them. Thus the difference between these words is minimal and one word can be used to mean the other.
Best Places for visiting gorillas in Africa?
Visiting Africa to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla Trekking in Africa is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home the only remaining mountain gorillas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national park a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book at least 5 months in advance prior travelling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator.
Cost and Getting Gorilla permits in Uganda
The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $600 Per person for residents and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda like Eco Adventure Safaris.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in DR Congo
Gorilla tracking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Lowland gorillas. A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non residents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 national resident. Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator like Eco Adventure Safaris.
P.S When booking your gorilla permit it is important to note that the gorilla permit price excludes accommodation, air tickets, ground transport, meals and other expenses, you will need to get more details of the package you are booking with your tour operator.
Uganda is one of the Best places to visit gorillas in Africa, compared to Congo Uganda is safe for travelers and compared to Rwanda Uganda is much affordable for gorilla trekking.
What is the age limit for visiting gorillas in Africa?
The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.
Why book gorilla trekking with Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about difference between gorilla trekking and tracking.
