Gorilla trekking in Africa – a walk in the jungle to see Gorillas in their natural habitat – is a surreal experience and more of a privilege than a given. It ranks high among the most incredible animal viewing experiences in the world.
There is an increasing number of Canadians heading to Africa every year for this experience, as well as others seeking answers about planning such a trip. I thus thought it important to put together this guide to organizing Gorilla trekking from Canada and provide some tips and answers. So, let’s get to it.
Gorillas are a highly endangered primate species, and as of today, there are slightly over 1063 mountain gorillas in the world, which live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda and the Virunga Massif – a combination of mountain ranges and 3 parks shared by Uganda (Mgahinga National Park), Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the DRC. Bwindi Forest is home to more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas among the three parks, with more than 500 members and more than 20 habituated groups.
There are fewer than 300,000 lowland gorillas, and these survive in the rainforests of central Africa and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in DR. Congo, which is the most popular and most accessible destination for visitors.
Going by the above numbers, it is no mistake when I tell you that getting the opportunity to meet these primates up close, in their natural habitat, is indeed a privilege and a noble thing to do because tourism contributes a lot to conservation efforts towards keeping these animals safe, healthy, and growing to avoid extinction.
The money you pay to obtain a permit goes into conservation and helping the local communities that protect them, instead of poaching and fighting for land and other resources.
There are also major guidelines to be followed while in the presence of the Gorillas, which share 98% of human DNA.
- You are required to put on a face mask to avoid spreading any bacteria and diseases
- You should maintain a 6-meter distance at all times
- No flash photography
- You have to keep your voice very low
- Do not look them directly in the eyes, as it can be interpreted as a challenge, risking retaliation
- Do not mimic the gorillas or shout at them
- Do not litter in the park
Currently, mountain gorilla trekking can only be experienced in Uganda and Rwanda. Trekking in Congo’s Virunga is still indefinitely suspended due to rebel activities and fighting within the area. The rangers, however, continue to do their best to protect these primates through donations, and you can visit the Virunga website to help.
Now, the question is, what is the best way to organize gorilla trekking from Canada?
Planning your trip to Africa shouldn’t be very difficult, but it depends on a few things to consider, as below;
- Is this for you?
- Deciding where to go
- Planning your flights
- Securing your gorilla permit
- Obtaining a visa
- Packing list
- Going on a trip
Before you can start planning your gorilla trek in Africa, it is important to understand if it is indeed for you; trekking to the gorillas, as much as it is exciting, is not for everyone. It requires relative fitness levels and can be strenuous. The whole trip in and out of the forest takes 3 to 6 hours in Rwanda on average and 3 to 8 hours in Uganda for those trekking in Bwindi. The minimum age requirement for any participant is 15 years.
Easier treks can, however, be arranged for the seniors and disabled, or those with other mobility challenges. It is therefore possible for everyone who is older than 15 years to see the Gorillas.
Where to go: Deciding where to go for the trek is determined by your travel style. Rwanda is considered more expensive than Uganda because it has positioned itself as a high-end destination with a conglomeration of luxury facilities around the park, including Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla Nest, and Singita Kwitonda Lodge, among others.
The driving distance from Kigali International Airport to the gorillas in Kinigi is 3 hours, compared to 8 hours from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda.
You can, however, go trekking in Uganda while flying in and out of Kigali, because it is 3 to 4 hours of driving between Kigali and Bwindi Forest.
The gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1,500, while it costs $800 in Uganda. Both destinations are safe and secure for visitors. The choice is yours.
Flights: several carriers connect between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), and Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, as well as Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
Airlines from Canada to Kigali and Entebbe include Air Canada, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Delta Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Brussels Airlines, and EgyptAir, among others. You can easily book your flight tickets online or contact a travel agent to help you.
Gorilla permit: It is a requirement to obtain a gorilla permit, which acts as your licence or gate pass to the gorilla trek. It costs $1,500 in Rwanda and $800 in Uganda. Each permit is issued for a particular date, and it is not transferable. It is advised that you obtain your permit at least 6 months in advance because of the high demand, especially during the drier months of June to September and December to February, which are mostly recommended as the best time to visit.
You can secure one directly through the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority, respectively, but it is best to organize your trip with a local tour operator who can effectively book everything altogether for you.
Visa: Both Uganda and Rwanda require a visa for Canadian nationals. A Ugandan tourist visa can be applied for online and obtained on arrival, while Rwanda offers a visa on arrival without the need to apply online prior to arrival for Canadian passport holders.
A single-entry tourist Visa in each of the countries costs $50 and grants you up to 90 days. If you wish to visit both countries, you should apply for a multiple-entry East African Tourist Visa, which costs $100 and also lasts up to 90 days. It should be applied for from the first point of Entry; that is, if you are visiting Rwanda first, you should apply for it from Rwanda, and vice versa. Visa requirements include a yellow fever vaccination certificate, a passport photo, and a valid passport for at least 6 months.
What to pack: your booking agent should be able to send you a detailed packing list, but the 10 major items to pack for a gorilla trek in Africa include;
- Good hiking shoes with gaiters
- Rain jacket or poncho, because it can rain at any time in the forest
- Waterproof pants and a long-sleeved shirt
- A hat
- Gardening gloves
- Camera with lens protection
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Phone and camera chargers
- Cash for tipping the rangers
Embarking on your trip: When all is set, there is a bit of anxiety that comes with the idea of leaving home for a trip, and it is important to familiarize yourself with the destination.
Speak to your agent a week or two before departure and confirm that everything is booked, and ask if there are any changes in the laws or guidelines to be sure you are not caught off guard.
Do some reading, learn a few words from the common dialect, like a greeting, and cross-check everything to ensure you are well prepared.
Lastly, keep in mind that gorillas only survive in the jungle, so gorilla trekking is a nature-based activity, and Mother Nature can sometimes reward or frustrate us. It is good to keep an open mind, be respectful, and keep a positive attitude.
You can combine your gorilla trekking from Canada with another adventure like the Masai Mara, Serengeti, or Victoria Falls. Let us know.
Experienced webmaster and copywriter with 16 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. Jerome possess excellent knowledge about gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and accommodations across major destinations in East Africa.
