African Safaris Guide

Category: Experiences

  • Gorilla Trekking Vs Gorilla Habituation Experience

    There are two amazing adventure activities that involve visitors hiking in the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi to see the mountain gorillas. At times, visitors are confused with which adventure to take on during their safaris to Bwindi in Western Uganda. Here we try to compare gorilla habituation with gorilla tracking.

    Would you like to opt for gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda? Below is a comparison between the two experiences in Uganda that will allow you to choose what is right for you.

    Both Adventures Explained

    Gorilla trekking is the most popular adventure taken in the ancient rain forest of Bwindi. This activity involves hiking into the forest and watching of the mountain gorillas for up to one hour. This activity was developed along guidelines of ecotourism. Elsewhere this activity is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

    Gorilla Habituation is a new activity developed in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This adventure involves hiking in the wild jungles of Bwindi and watching the mountain gorillas for a period of up to 4 hours.

    What is the Best Activity to Undertake?

    What is the right activity for me financially? For many tourists, their choices narrow down to the amount of money it takes and there is a difference in price between the two activities. The permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda are at $600. On the other hand, gorilla habituation costs USD 1500 per perosn. This means that gorilla trekking is cheaper by US$900 than gorilla habituation. The permit for the gorilla habituation is at $1500 per person. The difference $900 for many is worth it since you have more time with the gentle giants of the forests.

    Over 60% of the tourists choose Habituation over trekking because of the extras one receives while with the gorillas on the habituation Experience. The same rules also apply to gorilla habituation however distance from the gorillas is in the rules but is mostly violated by gorillas and not humans.

    A normal gorilla trek is 3 hours and depending on the group that you are to track while gorilla habituation experience is longer. You are with the gorillas for 4 hours plus the time it takes to hike in and out to where the group is located that day. The location of any group depends up to 1 kilometre a day and the pre trackers are out at the crack of dawn of finding the location of the group you will be with on that day.

    1 hour with the mountain gorillas is a worthwhile experience, while 4 hours with the family of gorillas is an ultimate dream. Those who love taking up close pictures of the gentle giants of the forest prefer the experience of habituation.

    The Normal trek takes 8 participants on the activity while the habituation Experience trek takes only 4 participants, this means that the experience is going to be exclusive for you. You will also learn more about the gorillas, their ways, and habits, daily routines from the researchers and trackers that will join you on your trek. Not only are there very few participants, there are also few porters, staff, support staff, which gives you more time to focus on what you came for. There have been many words of thanks from participants in the Habituation experience that is only offered in Uganda. It’s not offered in Rwanda or DRC. It’s a very unique activity offered in Uganda.

    The Gorilla habituation takes places in Rushaga area of Bwindi impenetrable Forest since trekking is mainly carried out from Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga areas of the park. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is in one location and in Uganda, it’s from 5 locations inside Bwindi Impenetrable National park as well as Mgahinga gorilla park, Rushaga and Nuringo can be reached from Kigali, Rwanda is 3 hours while it takes so longer to travel to the Buhoma Or Ruhija Area of Bwindi impenetrable National park. The sector of Rushaga and Nkuringo are the most convenient locations if you are to fly from Kigali Rwanda, from here there is 3 hour drive to the southern areas of Bwindi impenetrable Forest.

    Gorilla habituation experience since it was started, its inception has been a famous activity with our clients, Over 60% of those who want to see the mountain gorillas in the wild choose gorilla habituation adventure over the common Gorilla trekking. Their main reason is the time that is spent with the gorilla family in habituation experience verses Gorilla trekking and these like being with those that are involved in the Habituation process, the knowledge and insights they get from them is so rewarding. The cost is not the main factor since the tourists who choose the habituation experience want a kind of activity that they can be part of where there are only 4 participants and it’s a learning experience.

    There are some mythologies in regards to the habituation experience and the two gorilla families are very used to the Humans and have been habituated for over two years, you are as close to them as you are during a gorilla trek, the gorillas may however get closer than the rules call for since they don’t own internet.

  • 4 Alternatives to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

    Gorilla trekking is one of the leading and most thought after experiences in the travel market. No wonder millions of travelers flock into Rwanda for this dramatic experience of a life time. Tracking mountain gorillas in the wild is the most exciting and inspiring experience in life especially exploring the daily behavior of these magnificent primates that share about 98% of their DNA with humans. In the world, mountain gorillas are estimated to be less than 900 and very few destinations offer visitors a golden opportunity to sight at them in their natural habitat. Many tourists have been taking gorilla safaris in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park, the favorite place for short gorilla tours.

    Historically, Rwanda has been and still one of the famous destinations for gorilla trekking. It is true that gorilla trekking is a life changing experience; but have you ever thought about other or alternative areas to visit to see mountain gorillas besides Rwanda? In most cases, we run of options when it comes to gorilla experiences and what to add on our safaris some thing which leaves us stranded in life. Because our travel interests in most cases are affected by various factors like the cost of enjoying an attraction for instance gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $1500, we then opt to avoid such areas or even get no option at all and yet there are also best alternatives that can make you achieve your dreams

    Below is a list of alternatives for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; we hope this will be of a great help as you prepare to pay a visit to Africa.

    Uganda gorillas:

    Uganda is one of the few countries in the world that you must visit for gorilla trekking. It is the most famous and perfect alternative for gorilla trekkers. Uganda is proud to be a home to more than 480 mountain gorillas, out of 900 that are estimated to be still living in the world.

    Visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking is the most rewarding travel experience. Visitors have higher chances to achieve their dreams given the fact that the country has a total of about twelve habituated gorilla groups that are ready for visitors to track mountain gorillas in the wild. Besides, visitors have two alternative choices to track mountain gorillas, if they fail to track in one at least they can visit the other and at the end of day they achieve their dreams.

    Gorilla trekking in Uganda is specifically done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both national parks are situated in South Western Uganda and they are a little bit close to each other. If you are not hurry and you wish to extend your stay, you can also take up Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience.

    The gorilla habituation experience is only done in Uganda and no where else in the world but in the two habituated gorilla groups that are found within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The habituation experience is one way that visitors can enhance their travel experiences on mountain gorillas where they spend all the 4 hours with these giant apes in the wild unlike gorilla trekking where you can spend only one hour! This is fascinating!

    The experience is indeed unforgettable although it comes at a cost! Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $600 per visitor during the peak season and $450 per visitor during the low season.

    Gorilla viewing in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):

    The DR Congo is a renowned war zone country and it is still recovering from the insecurity. For interested travelers, it is advisable that you first check the security alerts concerning DR Congo before you travel. However, visitors who get into this country will appreciate the astonishing hidden gem that for long has never been exploited by many travelers. Visitors have higher chances to track mountain gorillas in the Virunga national park that boosts of over 200 mountain gorillas. Tracking mountain gorillas in the Virunga national park is possible in any of its eight habituated gorilla groups.

    Unlike other destinations, gorilla permits in DRC are relatively affordable and they cost $450 per visitor. Alternatively, visitors can also visit Kahuzi Biega National Park where they can get opportunity to track the Eastern Lowland gorillas. The park is composed of four habituated gorilla groups but only two of them are utilized for gorilla trekking. The permits also cost $450 per visitor.

    Monkey tracking at Nyungwe Forest Lodge:

    Nyungwe Forest Lodge is located in Rwanda and it is composed of various types of primates of which monkey trekking is one of the perfect tourist activity that is provided to visitors. Travelers have wide choice of trekking options right from chimpanzee tracking, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and golden monkeys. Nyungwe forest is one of the largest tropical rain forests in Africa and it offers refuge to more than 13 various primate species. Despite tracking monkeys in the Nyungwe forest, you can as well visit Kibale national park a renowned primate capital that also boosts of over 13 different primates, and most importantly there are over 1500 chimpanzees that live in the jungles of Kibale.

    Chimpanzee trekking at Greystoke Mahale:

    Greystoke Mahale lies on Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania. It is a renowned area for up close encounter with chimpanzees. There are more than 1700 chimpanzees that are inhabited in the Mahale Mountains National Park and tourists have higher chances to sight at the 60 strong Mimikere group that are fully habituated for visitors to track.

    In conclusion, there are many alternatives for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Visitors can choose to track mountain gorillas not only in Rwanda but also across Uganda and DRC. Visitors are free to combine their gorilla safaris with numerous primate experiences in any destination. Don’t burry your dreams, come and explore the hidden treasures in East Africa!

  • Meet & Learn About the Amazing Gorillas

    Humans are considered to be very intelligent! However in the apes world, the gorillas are highly considered to be intelligent creatures as well. Today scientists believe that if the gorillas are taught like humans, they can be very intelligent just like humans! A few individuals within captivity have been taught a subset of sign language that they clearly understand. In their natural world, one can wonder about the intelligence of these great apes and how they live within the wild. Like the other great apes, gorillas can laugh, grieve, and also have rich emotional lives, develop strong family bonds, make and use tools, and think about the past, present and future.

    The gorillas in the wild are governed by laws; with the silverback gorilla being the head of the gorilla family. If you get to chance to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo, and get to see and  the wild gorillas in their natural habitat, you will leave the wild wondering how amazing the gorillas can be. Those who have taken gorilla treks into the impenetrable forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in Congo can testify this!

    On my gorilla safari adventure within Bwindi Forest last year, i got to see the mountain gorillas face to face in their natural wild. What i learnt about the gorillas is something that i cant easily relate on paper.

    These creatures construct nests for daytime and night use. Nests tend to be simple aggregations of branches and leaves about 2 to 5 ft and are constructed by individuals themselves. Gorillas, unlike chimpanzees or orangutans, tend to sleep in nests on the ground. The young nest with their mothers, but construct nests after three years of age, initially close to those of their mothers. Gorilla nests are distributed arbitrarily and use of tree species for site and construction appears to be opportunistic. Nest-building by great apes is no longer considered to be animal architecture, but also an important instance of using tools.

    Some researchers believe gorillas have spiritual feelings or religious sentiments. They have been shown to have cultures in different areas revolving around different methods of food preparation, and will show individual color preferences.

    Check out the gorilla tracking guide for more information to help you plan an amazing safari to see the great gorillas in Africa.