Budget Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is a thrilling life time activity that involves trekking, long nature walking, hiking steep and hilly areas, getting through the dense thick lush forests, to locate the endangered mountain gorillas. There are only about one thousand mountain gorillas remaining in the world and a bigger percentage of them is sheltered in the Bwindi national park and Virunga Region that spans three countries including Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The three countries are the only gorilla trekking destinations and the best spots to sight mountain gorilla in their natural habitats. In Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga national park is the best destination for trekking mountain gorillas while Kahuzi-Biega national park carries pride as the only destination for trekking Eastern lowland gorillas.

Volcanoes national park is Rwanda’s best place to sight and encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitats and also the best spot for all Rwandan gorilla trekking activities. There are only two gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda including the famous Bwindi impenetrable forest and the country’s smallest park, Mgahinga national park. In all these three countries, Uganda is the largest host of mountain gorillas with about half of the remaining 1063 in the wild. All the gorilla trekking destinations these three countries are guided by experienced and professional tour guides who assist visitors on this breathtaking journey.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National park offer to its trekkers with eight habituated gorilla groups to choose from, these families include Humba, Mapuwa, Kabirizi, Nyakamwe, Lulengo, and Rugendo group.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park gives trekkers an opportunity to choose from over 10 habituated families. While Uganda’s great Bwindi shelters about 400 gorilla individuals and 21 habituated groups making it the largest host of these human-like primate species of mountain gorillas.

Interesting how Mgahinga is the smallest national park in Uganda but among the most visited and popular destinations in the country while it shelters only one family known as “Nyakagezi family”.

Bwindi national park has four gorilla sectors but Buhoma sector is the most visited and popular gorilla sector in this park. Some of the popular gorilla groups in Bwindi impenetrable national park include Habinyanja, Mubare, Nkuringo, Katwe, Kahungye, Nshongi, Kyaguriro to mention but a few.

Gorilla trekking starts strictly in the morning at around 8 to 9:00am after a simple briefing by the park guides and rangers on what, where and how the gorillas are tracked plus a few instructions to ensure smooth running of the adventure. All trekkers are divided into different groups of eight members per group, each group is allocated to one particular gorilla family. Once the mountain gorillas are tracked and located, they are only limited to one full hour of encountering and spending quality time with these mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is quite an expensive activity but all visitors admit that the thrilling activity is worth every penny and absolutely rewarding. The best time for gorilla trekking in all three countries is the dry season of December to February and June to September. It’s during this time that gorilla trekking routes are less muddy and slippery making it easier to trek.

Cheap Gorilla Trekking Permits

Among all the three gorilla trekking destinations in East Africa that include Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla trekking permits in the region. Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost 1500 USD making the country unsuitable for budget gorilla trekking.

Visitors on a tight budget should instead consider gorilla trekking in either Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda. The two countries have the most affordable gorilla trekking permits at $700 USD for Uganda and $400 for D.R. Congo depending on the season.
Both Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are the best gorilla trekking destinations with cheap gorilla trekking permits favoring visitors on a budget gorilla trekking tour.

When to Travel For Budget Gorilla Trekking

The best time to travel for budget gorilla trekking safaris is the low season of the year. Unlike the peak season, during low season visitors are quite few in number since it coincides with the wet season, travelers on a tight budget may choose to travel during this less congested period.

During low season, most popular destinations are on discount and other services like accommodation due to reduced demand. Gorilla trekking packages are equally cheaper from the normal price and easily affordable making it easier for budget gorilla trekking tour.
Accommodation fees during the low season are totally reduced and there is enough space for all visitors.
The best months therefore for budget gorilla trekking is the low season of the year comprising of March, April, May and November.