Within the World Heritage Site that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we discover one of nature travel’s peak experiences, a visit with wild gorillas in their natural habitat. About 880 mountain gorillas remain in the world, half of them in this preserve.
Our gorilla safaris include two chances to spend time among the gorillas, maximizing our prospects for extraordinary photographs, often at very close range.
Early in the morning, we depart on a trek through the dense rain forest on a quest to locate one of the “habituated” family groups. Our local guides are expert trackers, reading signs of the gorillas’ recent presence in the undergrowth.
Finally we hear and see them, and watch, enrapt as they sit in the trees and chew leaves, babies cling to mothers’ backs, juveniles swing from branches and a big male silver back surveys it all, including us.
It’s hard to tell who is more captivated, them or us! If time permits, we’ll visit Conservation Coffee, a local co-op of farmers who grow process and roast their beans to sell them at a premium that benefits gorilla conservation.
We may have a chance to walk through the coffee fields, pick some beans and see first-hand how this sustainable community enterprise unfolds.
It is worth noting that mountain gorillas are not adaptable to any other conditions besides their natural habitat. This is why there are more chances of seeing the gorillas in Bwindi than anywhere else.
Bigger mammals, like elephants, buffaloes, wild pigs, duikers, and warthogs, are also are residents of the forests and are a rare sight to see.
We provide clients with a wide range of experiences, from going on a mountain gorilla trek and meeting the gentle apes, to learning about – and appreciating – the conservation efforts by the stakeholders involved.
The fees paid for the experience contribute towards meeting the challenges associated with protecting the mountain gorillas and ensuring their continued survival.
Within the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which is also a UNESCO Heritage site.
This park is located in the eastern side of democratic Republic of Congo and boarders both Uganda and Rwanda. The park covers an area of 7800 km2 and is home to over 200 gorilla individuals mostly situated in the southern part of the park.
Those planning to track and photo mountain gorillas in Virunga national park, you are advised to book with one of the best local tour operators and the Congo gorilla permits costs ($400) per person.
The mountain gorillas in Virunga national park can be visited anytime during the year, however some paths are hard to navigate during the wet seasons of (May/April and November & October), in this season, Congo gorilla trekking permits are reduced to ($350) per person.
The guide at the park will take you through a brief preamble before heading into the forest for the awaited trek. He will cover the geography, history and some of the truths about the gorilla family you will be seeing.
The tour guide shall also offer you guidance on ways to conduct yourself when you are with the gorillas in the forest. Masks are to be put on to avoid these gorillas from getting any kind of human illness. The length of this trek is determined by the position of the gorillas.
On some days it can be 20-40 minute hike from the way into the forest while on others it can take more than an hour’s walk to get to the Mountain gorillas since they are always on the go in the search of food. Be sure to meet the gigantic chap silver back that will welcome you after it makes sure you are not a danger.
After you are accepted, spend a thrilling time photographing and watching the gorillas which is truthfully a once in a life span experience. Remember you are given an hour in the forest with these Mountain gorillas.
