When Covid-19 broke out, gorilla tourism came to a standstill leaving most holidaymakers wondering when gorilla safaris will resume once again. Interestingly, countries began to open up for holidaymakers to come to enjoy the attractions or what nature has to offer the world.
Remarkably, gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo amidst Covid-19 is safe and it is possible to arrange a gorilla safari to any of the 3 destinations at any time of the year. A number of tourism policies or safety measures have been deployed to ensure gorilla trekking is safe, secure and enjoyable by all holidaymakers on gorilla safari. A gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo ushers you into the jungles to see the endangered mountain gorillas and Eastern Lowland gorillas that thrive within the Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Gorilla trekking safari is amazingly a unique experience that brings together holidaymakers across the world to strike their imaginations with a group of rare mountain gorillas. This is incredibly a lifetime wildlife experience that shouldn’t be missed while in Uganda, Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
A gorilla trekking experience entirely involves getting up close with the rare mountain gorillas while in the wild. It is an all-day search for and interaction with these distinct creatures. Enjoying a gorilla trekking adventure in Africa is best while on gorilla safari in the 4 national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda; The Virunga National Park & Kahuzi-Biega National Park in DR Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. You can take a customized 3 days gorilla safari tour to Uganda, Rwanda or Congo and you will be part of the thrilling encounter with these rare apes.

About mountain gorillas Africa
Mountain gorillas (scientifically best known as Gorilla beringei beringei) are rare creatures and only live in the 3 African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Only not more than 1063 mountain gorillas still live in the world, a sub-species of Eastern gorilla that also includes the Eastern Lowland gorillas.
Mountain gorillas have unique features that enable them exist in the specific area where they are. They are thicker in size, have longer fur which is a unique adaptation that helps them live in montane places with colder temperatures. They also have unique nose prints. Males weigh an estimate of about 195kgs unlike females 100kgs. The lifespan ranges from 40 to 50 years and they live in families like humans ranging from 2 up to about 40 members.

Uganda’s mountain gorillas
There exist about half of 1063 mountain gorillas in Uganda making it one of the preferred gorilla trekking destinations. Gorilla safaris in Uganda can be arranged to any of the 2 parks in the pearl of Africa and these include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi alone houses over 459 of the world’s mountain gorillas and has 20 habituated gorilla group families in its 4 regions; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla trekking areas. One gorilla trekking region and only one habituated family exists in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda.

Gorilla permits
All valid gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are issued at US $700 for category of visitors under foreign non-residents, US $600 for foreign residents and shs. 250000 for citizens within East Africa Community. The 2 options to have your gorilla permit booked in Uganda include; contacting a reliable ground tour operator or company or through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Getting there: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks all exist in Southwestern Uganda. To get there, you should be prepared to spend 8-9 hours’ drive from Entebbe/Kampala or 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda. By air, expect to take 2 hours from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield Uganda up to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.

Gorillas in Rwanda East Africa
Rwanda is another preferred gorilla safari destination in Africa where a section of mountain gorillas lives. Gorilla safaris in Rwanda are arranged to Volcanoes National Park, Northwestern part of the country. This park spreads to occupy 160sq.kms of land area and makes up the extensive Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). This compact protected area has also existed since 1925 when it was originally created. Presently, it is an amazing gorilla destination with 13 habituated families with each valid permit costing US $1500 per person.

Mountain gorillas in Congo-East-Central Africa
In the D. R. Congo, mountain gorillas are trekked within only the Virunga National Park. This is the biggest of all the 4 mountain gorilla safari destinations sprawls in an area of 7800sq.kms. It is a magical UNESCO Heritage Site with over 300 mountain gorillas and also protects 8 habituated families. The valid gorilla trekking permit in Congo is obtainable at US $450 per person.

Eastern Lowland gorillas
There is also an option of trekking to see the Eastern Lowland gorillas in addition to mountain gorillas. Eastern Lowland gorilla safaris in Congo are arranged to Kahuzi-Biega National Park with 5 habituated families.

When to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Congo for a gorilla holiday tour
Gorilla holidays to Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo can be planned at anytime of the year. However, to have the best of this adventure, the 2 phases of dry season are considerably the best for gorilla trekking. One phase of the dry season starts from June to September and the other begins from December till February. They are amazing months of the year when most gorilla parks record the least or no rains unlike the wet or rainy season when heavy rains usually occur. These begin from March to May and October to November.

What to carry
• Rain jacket
• Insect repellent
• Valid gorilla permit
• Long-sleeved shirt
• A good camera free from flashlight
• Daypack
• Gardening gloves
• First aid kit or Medical kit
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Snacks
• Bottled drinking water
• Sun hat, gardening gloves