A mountain gorilla trek in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be one of my top travel experiences EVER and one of the most unforgettable. As a budget traveler, this was a total splurge, but 100% worth it for me.
The opportunity to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat offers a unique window into how they behave, interact, and live. It is truly incredible how these broad-chested giants are so closely related to us humans and have clear human-like behaviors and expressions.
They demonstrate cleverness and compassion as well as humility, tenderness, playfulness, and curiosity. This experience creates an indelible feeling of obligation to protect the gorillas and their environment.
This comprehensive guide provides practical knowledge about what to expect, how to prepare, how to book, as well as the impact tourism has on the survival of the mountain gorillas. It also offers a brief understanding of the delicate balance of biodiversity and the cooperation required between local communities and gorilla conservation. This guide will set you up for an extraordinary adventure.
Choosing Your Gorilla Trek Destination
Gorilla treks are offered in three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each location has similar requirements, but there is quite a difference in fee structures. Rwanda and Uganda while having higher fees, it is safer, more accessible, and easier to organize.
The information can feel overwhelming and complicated. I have tried to simplify it here.
Understanding the Rarity
There are currently only 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the world. A gorilla trek is not just an adventure, it’s a chance to witness one fo the rarest mammals (and our close cousins) on Earth in their natural setting. This population has been classified as a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List since 2018.
The mountain gorillas are only found in the Afro-alpine environments of three countries- Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Conservation Through Ethical Tourism:
Tourism plays a pivotal role in financing conservation efforts. Entrance fees and permits contribute directly to habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and community development projects.
Various organizations and Governments have developed a sustainable model for responsible tourism practices that benefits both the wildlife and local communities. This arrangement also ensures gorillas live freely without excessive exposure to humans. They do this in three ways:
- Each park limits the number of gorilla trek permits granted each day.
- The tracking groups are limited in size.
- Every group has a regulated time with the gorilla family.
This also provides a wonderfully intimate encounter with a gorilla family.
How to Book Your Gorilla Trek
When I did my gorilla trek in DRC, I organized accommodation, transport, food, permit, and visa independently. This suited my price point as I could not afford the higher-priced tours in Rwanda.
When researching for this blog post, both the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Virunga National Park confirmed that individuals are no longer able to purchase permits independently.
Gorilla permits for Uganda and DRC are sold through licensed tour operators that charge additional fees on top of the gorilla permits. These fees often include booking fees, transport fees, accommodation, and lunch costs for the day of the trek.
When contacting tour operators, you can always try to negotiate and create a package that works for you.
There is ease in booking with a tour company. It is a one-stop shop that will be happy to create an experience for any style of travel you like.
RWANDA: Booking for Rwanda Gorilla Permit here. This is only for the permit and doesn’t include transportation or accommodation.
UGANDA: Booking for the Uganda Gorilla Permit is no longer offered directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. They confirmed they are now only issuing Uganda permits through licensced tour operators here.
DRC: Booking for Democratic Republic of Congo here. *Treks are unavailable at the moment in Virunga National Park and are no longer available to be organized independently due to the rebel groups in the region and safety concerns for tourists.
**Militia and Unrest in DRC
As of 2022, gorilla treks have been suspended in Virunga National Park due to the M23 rebels uprising and humanitarian crises in the area around Goma.
Before publishing, I confirmed with the Virunga National Park Visitors correspondent who confirmed Gorilla treks in Virunga National Park are no longer available to be organized independently as I did.
Now the fees are built into a multi-day package that includes accommodation within the protected area and transport from Kigali. The portion of the gorilla fees remained the same and the money goes to conservation efforts within the park. However, now it is integrated into a multi-day tourism package, the reflected price is higher than in Rwanda and Uganda, when you organize those individually.
There are lowland gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega park are still open. That region of DRC has not been affected by the rebels and has remained relatively conflict-free.
Understanding High and Low Seasons:
Gorilla trekking experiences are available throughout the year. However, the prices can vary based on the season. The high season coincides with the dry season and school holidays (December-February and June-September)I a and offers easier hiking conditions.
In contrast, the low season during the rainy season provides rich, lush landscapes, fewer tourists in the region, and lower prices.
What to Expect the Morning of Your Trek
On the morning of your trek, you meet with the guides and trackers in the park headquarters, where they will give a short orientation with the rules and guidelines.
This is also when guides allocate the groups for which gorilla family they will visit.
All the gorilla families have been habituated meaning they have been familiarized with humans over several years. These troops range in size from 5-15 members each with a dominant male silverback leading the pack.
The tracker’s expertise in gorilla behavior and navigating the local terrain provides them with a relative idea of where the nests of each troop are located. This information allows them to accommodate for closer or easier treks for visitors with mobility issues.
Gorilla Trekking Guidelines
Guidelines for interacting with gorillas emphasize maintaining a respectful distance and behavior including:
- Maintaining a distance of roughly 5-7 meters to minimize stress on both humans and the gorillas.
- Don’t look a gorilla in the eyes.
- Make as little noise as possible and speak in low voices if you have to.
- If you are sick with any sort of transmittable airborne disease, you will not be allowed to go due to the vulnerability of the gorilla’s health. You should be refunded or rescheduled once recovered.
- No spitting because of the transmission of germs that the gorillas could be exposed to.
- Do not litter in the park.
- Do not touch the gorillas, especially the babies as the cutest!!!
- Do not eat or drink during the hour of the gorilla visitation.
- How to behave as well as how to behave when charged, not making erratic movements, and speaking in a soft tone.
- If you need to use the toilet, tell one of the rangers and they will dig a hole for you to cover thoroughly when you are done.
- No smoking while on the trek.
- Stay with the rangers and guides.
- No flash photography.
- And stay calm if you are approached by a wild animal or gorilla.
Each group includes a guide and one or two armed rangers carrying automatic rifles, vital for safeguarding both gorillas and visitors. They are trained to make body gestures and noises to deter wild animals from mock charges followed by shooting warning shots into the air if the animals are unresponsive in their attempts.
Gorilla Migratory Patterns and Biodiversity:
Mountain gorillas migrate daily. The trackers do their very best to ensure you will have gorilla visitation time, however, they are still primates living in the wild and it is never 100% guaranteed. Their roaming behaviors make the hiking times less predictable.
A little background as to why this is amazing – mountain gorillas migrate daily, consciously avoiding overexploitation of the forest for food. They maintain biodiversity by dispersing seeds as they move through the forests, playing a vital role in the ecosystem.
Their movements within the Congo Basin have been essential in maintaining growth and clearings for the second-largest rainforest in the world and the largest carbon sink on the planet.
The lush forests introduce gorilla trekkers to diverse plant and animal life, enriching the overall experience. Towering trees canopies, bamboo clusters, and varied vegetation create a captivating backdrop for your hike.
Fitness Requirements
Gorilla trek durations can vary from 30 minutes to seven hours based on the location of the gorilla nests. Guides and trackers make sure to go at a pace that suits everyone’s well-being in the group, but having walking stamina is advisable.
We hiked for about 90 minutes before we met with our gorilla troop. I also know others that have hiked for 8 hours, remember they are still wild, migratory animals.
If you have mobility challenges, contact the tour operator when you are booking and let them know about your fitness level. If needed, porters are available to carry day packs.
The elevation is between 2500-4000 meters above sea level and hiking through the overgrown forests. Vines, dips, and roots can be camouflaged by leaves. Being sure-footed or having hiking sticks are handy, but following your guides and guard’s tracks is easy to navigate.
In the rainy season, there is the potential for muddy slopes that can make for slick and slippery ground.
What to Wear and Bring
To ensure a comfortable trek, appropriate seasonal attire is crucial. Being prepared will help have a seamless experience.
Clothing & Footwear
Neutral-colored clothing is recommended. Black and dark blue can attract Tsetse flies that bite. Gorillas see colors as humans do. Bright colors can be shocking in the rainforest and studies have shown that gorillas prefer greens and blues.
Long, breathable, durable pants. Wear pants that are comfortable hiking in humid conditions for long periods and are not prone to ripping.
Lightweight long-sleeve shirt. Covering your arms prevents scrapes from thorns and branches, bug bites, and uncomfortable and itchy run-ins with stinging nettle.
Short-sleeved shirt. It can get humid and layering with a short-sleeve, breathable shirt can feel more comfortable.
Wool socks. Ideal for hiking, wool socks absorb moisture, reduce friction, and offer cushioning better than cotton.
Hiking boots or shoes. Wear boots or shoes that are already broken in. Do NOT wear new boots. You don’t want to be thinking about sore feet during your cherished time with the gorillas. Wear something that offers water-resistance or Gore-Tex and provides ankle protection due to the uneven grounds.
Additional Apparel Gear
Rain shell. If you decide to go during the rainy season, a light to heavy shower can be expected sometime during the day.
Gaiters. Lightweight gaiters are good since there is a lot of undergrowth in the jungle and they can help keep pants, socks, and boots dry.
Gardening gloves. Carrying a solid pair of gloves is recommended for mooring through dense bush and stinging nettle.
Surgical Face mask. This was a practice implemented in DRC. They may suggest and enforce it now in Rwanda and Uganda post-COVID. Gorillas share 98.4% of our DNA, but it also makes them very susceptible to airborne diseases. Coughs, sneezes, and spits carrying human illnesses wreak havoc on their immune system and are the second-most common cause of death after traumatic injury.
U/V protective sunglasses. There is still sunshine that comes through the tree canopies. It will also help protect your eyes as you are hiking through the forest.
Buff. This a good during the dry season to help reduce dust in your nose and mouth as well as keep hair off your face.
Brimmed hat. To protect your face from elements like sun and rain, but also to prevent your hair from getting caught in low branches and bush.
Equipment Essentials
Fully charged phone, camera, batteries and/ or lenses. This is an exquisite memory to capture. My only recommendation is to also take time to be in the moment with the gorillas and not behind the camera the whole time.
Water bottle. Be certain to carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Because your hiking times are unpredictable it is best to be prepared.
Snacks. Fruit, nuts, cut veggies, biltong, or hard cheeses are my go-to trail snacks. You are not allowed to eat during the one-hour visitation with the gorilla troop, but you don’t want to be hungry while you are observing them.
Small zip lock bag. This is to ensure all packaging, peels, cores, tissues, or toilet tissue is taken out of the park with you. Rwanda has a law not allowing plastic bags. The point is DO NOT LITTER!
Hiking sticks. The forest floor is unstable and can be slick and slippery, having hiking sticks can provide comfort and stability while hiking.
Mosquito and bug repellent. I opt for a cream or stick over the aerosol options. Malaria is prevalent especially in DRC attributing to 60% of hospital visits and 11% of global malaria deaths.
Hand Sanitizer. Washing your hands is not an option until you are back at the ranger station.
Head torch. Your gorilla trek starts in the morning, but it may be dark upon your return.
Important Documents
Reservation Information. Make sure to have the contact details of your accommodation, driver’s name and contact, proof of payment for the gorilla trek, and reservation confirmation.
Passport or certified copies of your passport. You will be asked to show identification and they will copy your information. If you are crossing country borders with a tour this is required at checkpoints.
Yellow Fever Card and/or inoculation cards. Entry requirements for: Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo
Valid visa.
Rwanda offers a 30-day visa on arrival with a choice of multi-entry.
Uganda visas are required to be processed online prior to your arrival.
DRC visas are granted once a gorilla trek has been booked and paid form. It can take up to 14 days for visas to process. They will email you back with a confirmation (mine came back within 72 hours). Make sure you have flexibility and do not impulsively book a last-minute gorilla trek booking. Once the visa has been confirmed, you are then granted a 14-day tourist visa.
Local cash. If you choose to hire a porter, it will be arranged on the morning of your gorilla trek between $10-$20.
Tipping Etiquitte
Tipping is not required; it is ENTIRELY based on your discretion.
If you feel the guide and team have done a good job throughout the day you can choose to tip. Make sure to offer the cash tip once you have arrived back at the ranger’s office.
Tips for tipping:
- Tip the primary guide in front of the trackers and rangers to ensure that it is distributed fairly, or you can tip them individually.
- Tip using the local currency.
- Suggested tipping can be:
$10-$20 for the guide
$5 for porters, rangers, and trackers per person.
$10 for the drive
Conclusion
Organizing and planning a gorilla trek especially from abroad can feel like a challenge. As a budget traveler, it can also feel like an enormous expense. I found this experience to be one of the biggest travel highlights in my life and encourage anyone on the fence about it to go! It was 100% worth every dollar spent and every passing second observing these magnificent and rare primates in their natural environment.
If a gorilla trek has been on your bucket list, don’t let doubts or financial concerns hold you back. Take the first step towards your unforgettable journey by booking a travel coaching call today.
Let us help you overcome any self-limiting beliefs and turn your dream of exploring the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, Uganda, or DRC into a reality.
