Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda
Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda
To Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda, you need a gorilla permit first from the Virunga Tourism Authority. If your point of commencement is to go gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park from Uganda, you may drive to Goma. Then, you carry on to Bukavu then Kahuzi Biega National Park. The road network of the Eastern part of D.R.Congo is tricky so you need experience from a professional driver guide.
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Kahuzi Biega National Park is in the eastern part of D.R.Congo. The lowland gorillas are the most outstanding residents of this tropical rainforest. To qualify for this adventure, one must have a gorilla permit for the Virunga office. The number of gorilla families living in Kahuzi Biega National Park is 9 families. However, about 5 lowland gorilla families are open to the public.
The low gorilla trekking safari development is mainly due to the unstable political atmosphere of the Eastern part of D.R.Congo. In this area, several other factors also affect the conservation of mountain gorillas. These include rebel activities, lumbering, mining, poaching for primates, and many more. Sometimes, the park stops gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park if these activities intensify.
Uganda neighbors D.R.Congo from its western border but because of the poor road network in this area and insecurity even the one road gets blocked by the shrubs that overgrow to obstruct the road. Goma is the border that connects Uganda and Eastern D.R.Congo.
How to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Kahuzi Biega National Park From Uganda
Even though your point of commencement is in Uganda, you have to book the gorilla permit from the Virunga office. You may directly contact the reservation office in the Virunga area. Alternatively, you can use the assistance of a professional tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services. (Fill out the form at the end of this article)
To enquire about gorilla permit availability for Kahuzi Biega National Park, you must have a date when you hope to do gorilla trekking or starting and departure dates for your safari.
Our tour consultant checks for gorilla permit availability from the Virunga Tourism office. We can reserve no gorilla permit without payment. Yet, the Virunga office uses a first come first serve criteria in selling the permits. To book the gorilla permit, you need to at least a deposit as this is the confirmation of commitment.
Later forward some personal details for identification purposes. These may include your full name, nationality, date of birth, and others.
What Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permit For Kahuzi Biega National Park
The current cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park is $450 per person for international nonresidents. It is also $250 for international residents and $25 for local Congolese. The cost of gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park is inclusive of the park entrance. it is also inclusive of one hour with the gorillas, ranger guide fees, and others.
Exclusions in the cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Lowland gorillas include tips, accommodation, transport, and others.
Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permit Of Kahuzi Biega National Park Worth it?
The cost of gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park allows you to have one hour with the few leftover gorillas in the world. The Kahuzi Biega forest also hosts other primates. These include the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and others.
When you book a gorilla permit, you contribute to the conservation of these lowland gorillas. The population of lowland gorillas has dwindled over the years because of the political environment in this area.
By hiring a porter, you directly contribute to the lives of the local people. The local people need sensitization about the relevancy of having the gorillas, other primates, and their habitat in their presence.
The gorilla trekking permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park are lower compared to other gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda. In case you have a smaller budget, the low budget may provide a favorable environment to see the gorillas.
How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is partially safe because of the unstable political atmosphere in the Eastern part of D.R.Congo. The gorilla safaris still happen because the environment stabilizes and so gorilla trekking happens in this grace period.
Attending gorilla trekking is a must for all tourists as you are given more information about how to behave while with the gorillas. Stay closer to the people you are trekking the gorillas with. This will help the rangers not to forget you in the wilderness which is vast and thick.
A ranger must escort you while entering the Kahuzi Biega National Park in search of gorillas. Following the guidelines of gorilla trekking is a must so that you can be in a position to enjoy the unique primates. You also enjoy the stunning scenery and much more.
Along the way are some stinging nettles that may hurt you. So, you need to wear long trousers and a shirt before the gorilla trek to be in a position to protect your skin from eczema.
When Is The Best Time To Book Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Gorilla trekking is open in Volcanoes National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park all year but the dry season attracts more bookings. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January when the forest is also busy. The gorillas feed closer to the ground and other forest dwellers are quicker to spot.
Both Kahuzi Biega forest and Volcanoes forest are dense with a thick canopy. This allows less sunray penetration to the ground. The dry season allows more sunrays creating a perfect ambiance even for those wishing to take perfect photos of the gorillas and other forest dwellers.
Even though these tropical rain forests have a dense network of rivers that may flood in case rains fall heavily, during the dry season these flow within normal course. The trails in the forest while searching for the gorillas are drier allowing quick movement to find the gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park may include hiking steep slopes sometimes but in the dry season, the slopes are drier.
Due to the high demand for gorilla trekking permits in the dry period, the permits sell out in advance so one needs to secure the gorilla permits in advance.
Do not ignore the wet season which is March to May and November even though it is the low tourism season. For those wishing to have less disturbance during the time with the gorillas, this may be the perfect timing. In case you have a limited budget, the low season may be an opportunity to get an upgrade while on a gorilla safari.
What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park
Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda. 15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking. The activity involves walking through the jungle in search of the gorillas. The gorillas keep moving and a child below 15 years may not be able to cope. The first look at the larger size of the lowland gorillas is scary. Thus, a child below 15 years may not be in a position to withstand it.
Gorilla trekking also requires some patience. The time of finding the lowland gorillas is hard to determine which requires patience. Children below 15 years may not be in a position to have patience for so long.
Are Lowland Gorillas Aggressive?
Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda. The lowland gorillas are calm primates despite their huge size and large bodies. The lowland gorillas are shy primates with dark brown sunken eyes and walk by knuckle-walking style. These are quite scary signs and may stimulate some adrenaline, especially for first-timers.
Naturally, the gorillas are calm, serene, and shy but they can charge when you disturb them. To show aggressiveness, the lowland gorillas thump hard their chests, hoot, and much more drama. Do not panic as soon as you see this because at times the gorillas are trying to communicate with each other. they also tease each other at times.
Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Follow the example of the ranger guide in order not to cause a stampede in the forest. The wilderness has some other unhabituated occupants so do not get away from the rest of the group while on the search for the lowland gorillas because you may encounter other wild animals.
Is gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega tiresome?
Trek Lowland Gorillas from Uganda. The walk, in search of the lowland gorillas, is quite tiring as these primates are very mobile. Walking in the jungle may take some time before finding the gorillas so you need to bear some level of fitness to complete the entire experience.
During the severe rainy season, the trails leading where the lowland gorillas may be messy from the regular rains that fall and logged water. Even the undergrowth along the way may obstruct you from moving very fast even though you are not sure of when to find the gorillas. This is tiring for most tourists on the gorilla trek.
One needs to wear safari shoes that can go through the muddy ground, especially during the wet season when more rain falls and there is less sunray penetration to the ground. Also, pack a raincoat or poncho just in case it falls while you walk in search of the lowland gorillas.
What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park
Camera for taking photos of the lowland gorillas’ trekking experience and other safari
Safari long-sleeved shirt and convertible trousers to save your entire body from rough jungle surfaces and when they get dirty, you are not afraid of the stains
Tracking boots for wearing on your feet to go through soggy surfaces and slippery ground
A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and prevent insects from climbing into your trousers.
First aid to carry emergency medication in case you need it.
A pair of Binoculars to get a clearer view of far-ranging attractions.
Energy snacks to munch on when you get hungry because you need to re-energize
Medicated Insect repellants to keep away stinging insects in the jungle
Torch in case lights go out in the night as you are sleeping
A pair of garden gloves for protecting your palms when you slide and holding a tighter grip on creepers.
Safari large brim hat to safeguard your head from dripping water off the leaves and buzzing insects in the wilderness.
Carry some hard cash to change into local currency and use when purchasing personal items on the ground.
A shoe bag to put in your shoes when they get dirty and you have no time to clean them
Contact us to book your gorilla trekking permit in advance today.
