Guide to Gorilla Trekking in 2025

 

Gorilla trekking is an exhilarating adventure that allows travelers to encounter these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. As we look forward to 2025, it's important to prepare for this unforgettable experience. This blog post will provide you with essential information on the best destinations for gorilla trekking, what to expect during your trek, and tips for making the most of your journey.

The prime destinations for gorilla trekking are the lush forests of Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are two key locations where you can find mountain gorillas. 

Rwanda, on the other hand, is home to Volcanoes National Park, which offers stunning landscapes and the chance to see the famous Susa group of gorillas. Both countries have made significant efforts to conserve these endangered species, ensuring that your trek will not only be exciting but also contribute to the conservation of gorillas and their habitats.

When embarking on a gorilla trek, it's crucial to know what to expect. Treks can range from a few hours to a full day, depending on the location of the gorillas. Participants should be prepared for varying terrain, which may include steep hills and dense vegetation. 

Hiring a local guide is highly recommended, as they possess invaluable knowledge of the area and can help enhance your experience. Additionally, trekkers should maintain a respectful distance from the gorillas, as close encounters can disturb their natural behaviors and pose health risks to both humans and gorillas.

To make the most out of your gorilla trekking adventure in 2025, consider the following tips. First, ensure you have the appropriate gear: sturdy hiking boots, breathable clothing, and rain gear are all essential for a comfortable trek. Second, prioritize your fitness level, as being in good shape will enhance your ability to trek through challenging terrain.

Lastly, consider participating in a conservation program or community initiative during your visit, which can provide deeper insights into the local culture and the ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent animals.

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in 2025 promises to be an incredible adventure for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. By choosing the right destination, preparing adequately for your trek, and being mindful of conservation efforts, you can ensure that your experience is not only memorable but also impactful.

Start planning now, and get ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that brings you face-to-face with one of the world's most extraordinary creatures.

Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) & Its Effect on Safaris and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo

The whole world has been engulfed by the highly contagious Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) which started from Wuhan in China back in 2019 and has eventually spread everywhere. The virus can be spread through coughs, sneezing or talking so it can enter the human body through the nose, mouth or eyes.

To date, there is no known medicine or cure for COVID-19 and the number of infections worldwide have continued to soar forcing most countries to declare total lock-down to control / slow down the spread to enable the health systems to cope.

Africa has not been an exception and most countries have announced travel bans and total lock down. As a result, Africa’s famous safari industry has greatly been affected as bookings continue to plunge and cancellations on the increase.

Tanzania, which is one of the leading destinations for safari in Africa has not yet announced a lock down but the number of infections there has rapidly increased which is worrying to the rest of the East African countries.

Gorilla trekking is the next big thing for most travelers to Africa and because of the pandemic, the Gorilla parks have all been closed. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park will be closed up to 1^st June 2020 but the closure could be extended if the situation doesn’t significantly improve.

Congo’s Virunga, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, remain closed as the authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise on the next steps. The gorilla parks in particular were closed because the Gorillas share 98% human DNA and as such can easily contract the virus which has no known cure and they are already highly endangered species!

The survival of these Gorillas however, depends much on the revenue obtained from selling the Gorilla permit to visitors looking to take part in Gorilla trekking which supports the authorities in executing their duties to protect the park, fend off poachers and ensure their survival.

The local communities where these Gorillas live also earn a living by working as porters and selling souvenirs to visitors who go trekking. With this closure therefore and the looming Coronavirus pandemic, there is surely much at stake.

So, what next? Because of the uncertainty of this situation, some tourists have panicked to cancel their trips and lost money while others have abandoned the idea of visiting Africa altogether and you might now be contemplating what to do!

Should I cancel my safari / Gorilla trek in Africa? Is it possible to rescheduled my safari or when will the parks open?

If you are planning to go on a safari in Africa or Gorilla trek, here is what to expect and what you can do;

1.      Stay safe; the virus has no known cure yet so follow the guidelines provided by the authorities in your country and stay safe and protect everyone around you from the virus.

2.      Do not cancel your booking; if you have already booked a trip, you do not cancel. This will hurt the industry more and threatens the survival of the wildlife. You can instead reschedule your trip to a later date or move it to 2021. This is what the park authorities advise. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for example, allows tour operators to reschedule the already booked gorilla permits twice up to March 2022. This means, you can change your dates twice between now and March 2022 so you do not have to cancel your trip.

3.      Book your trip; yes, the situation is uncertain but if you have concrete plans of going on safari or Gorilla trek this year, you need to plan early and confirm your booking. There is a faint chance that this virus will be controlled and tourism will resume especially towards the end of the year (September to December)!

If that happens, there will be many looking to go and you could miss out. It is best that you book with a local operator and agree to make payment on arrival so you don’t have to commit any deposit upfront

If you are planning a Gorilla trek in particular, you can book only the Gorilla permit so that if you are unable to go, you can always reschedule or your permit can be sold and get your refund. You can get in touch with a reliable local tour operator like Gorilla Holidays Uganda for your gorilla trekking trips in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

All in all, it is important to observe the following guidelines;

·       Stay home and away from public gatherings

·       Regularly wash your hands with soap and water

·       Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% and above alcohol

·       Do not touch your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands

·       If you have to step out, wear a face mask

·       Lastly, find some form of exercise which you can do from home.

STAY SAFE and we will travel again soon.

Uganda Named on cool 19 list for 2019 by National Geographic Traveler

Uganda makes it on the top 19 destinations list for 2019 by National Geographic Traveler

Dubbed “the cool list 2019”, the list features the 19 destinations that are believed to make the travel headlines in the coming year – 2019. Uganda stands out among other African destinations including Zimbabwe, Eritrea and KwaZulu Natal and the reasons are clear;

Gorilla trekking continues to stand out as a bucket list adventure for African travelers and there is no better destination than Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. It should be noted that after Rwanda doubled its Gorilla permit price from $750 to a whopping $1,500 in 2017, Uganda Gorilla Permits remained at $600.

That, coupled with the closure of the Virunga National Park in Congo due to insecurity, leaves Uganda as the hot spot for mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa! However, there’s more to explore and adventure in Uganda considering the country has 10 National Parks, the source of the Nile River and a host of adrenaline activities in Jinja, diverse cultures and the friendliest people on the African continent!

You can read about the full National Geographic cool list 2019 here. http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/smart-travel/features/the-cool-list-2019/