Gorilla trekking is an exhilarating and life-changing wildlife activity that you can encounter during a safari from California. This activity involves hiking in lush tropical forests to experience the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking is done in a few places in the world since these primates are endangered species that you can encounter in Uganda and Rwanda. There are several strict guidelines put in place to conserve and protect the remaining population of the mountain gorillas.
Tracked gorillas are usually first habituated for them to get used to the human presence. The Gorilla habituation process takes about 2 years done by several researchers.
This activity has a 99% chance of seeing the gorillas in their natural habitats.
What are the destinations to engage in gorilla trekking from Califonia?
To engage in the gorilla trekking from Califonia, there are several destinations in Uganda and Rwanda to engage in gorilla trekking from Califonia. Some of these destinations include;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the largest protected areas of the mountain gorillas in the world.
Authorities opened this park for gorilla trekking in 1992. It includes four sectors: Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo.
In each sector, there are several habituated gorilla families and they are about 20 in number. To adventure in gorilla trekking, you must acquire a gorilla trekking permit.
The cost of the gorilla trekking is about 800 USD for the foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for the foreign residents, 500 for the rest of the African residents, and 300000 UGX for the East African residents.
In the Bwindi impenetrable national park, there are about 160 gorilla permits available each day.
In this park, you can also engage in the gorilla habituation where you have more time with the gorillas. The Uganda Wildlife Authority carries out gorilla habituation in the Rushaga sector. The cost of the gorilla habituation permit is 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 800 USD for foreign residents, and 750,000 UGX for East African residents.
Where to stay during the gorilla trekking from Califonia in the Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Several accommodation facilities, ranging from budget to luxury, dot Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some of these facilities include the Buhoma Community Lodge, Rushaga Havens Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Ride 4 Woman Community Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, Mutanda Resort, Kaara Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge and many others.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This is Uganda’s smallest national park, located in southwestern Uganda where it borders Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also part of the Virunga region where in this park there are some Virunga ranges like Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura ranges.
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, visitors can encounter one habituated gorilla family during the safari. In the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park encounter the gorillas, there are about 8 gorilla permits available each day.
Where to stay during the gorilla trekking safaris from California in Mgahinga gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a variety of accommodation facilities that you can stay in during the gorilla safaris. Some of these accommodation facilities include Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Lodge, Chemelone Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, and many others.
Volcanoes National Park.
Located in Rwanda’s northwest province, Volcanoes National Park sits at the border shared with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Virunga region. This destination offers an incredible opportunity for gorilla trekking, making it a must-visit for travelers from California exploring Rwanda.
It is one of the oldest parks in Africa, established in 1925, and the late Dian Fossey played a key role in leading its historic gorilla conservation efforts. The park is home to over 12 habituated gorilla families.
To encounter the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you must obtain a gorilla trekking permit. The Rwanda Development Board issues this legal document.
The cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda includes 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 500 USD for foreign residents, and 200 USD for East African residents.
Where to stay during the gorilla trekking from California in Volcanoes National Park?
On a gorilla trekking from California to Volcanoes National Park, there are many accommodation facilities that you can choose to stay in during the safari. These facilities are ranked from budget to luxury.
Some of these facilities include Bisate Lodge, Mountain View Lodge, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Sabyinyo Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, and many others.
How is the gorilla trekking done?
Gorilla trekking is a primate activity that offers a chance to encounter large and powerful primates. It starts with an early morning transfer to the park headquarters with the briefing.
In the briefing, the guide highlights the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking to help you ensure a successful experience. After the orientation, the organizers group you into teams of 8, with each group assigned to visit one gorilla family.
Later on, you will follow your ranger guide who will take you through the several trails of the park to see the gorillas this activity will take about 2 to 6 hours of the day upon where you meet the gorillas. As you come across the gorillas, you will have 1 hour of viewing them maintaining a distance of 7 meters.
What to pack for a gorilla trekking safari from California?
as you plan to ensure successful gorilla trekking from California, there are several things that you can pack for gorilla trekking and some of these include;
- sturdy hiking shoes
- long-sleeved clothing
- water bottle to keep hydrated
- hiking sticks
- insect repellents
- cameras to capture the moments.