What is the difference between Gorilla Trekking & Gorilla Tracking

When you hear about visiting Africa to see the endangered gorillas, you might come across two terms: gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking. But what exactly do they mean? Let’s break it down.

Gorilla Trekking: Exploring the Jungle

Gorilla trekking involves travelers venturing into dense tropical forests, like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Region. They’re led by experienced park guides on a mission to see mountain gorillas. It’s not your average walk in the park – you’re diving into the forest, navigating through bamboo, and hiking at high altitudes.

The adventure usually starts around 7:00 am with a briefing and the allocation of a gorilla family. This is done by park guides at the park’s visitor centers. Then, at 8:00 am, the trek begins as visitors enter the forest to search for their assigned gorilla groups.

Each gorilla family is assigned to a maximum of 8 visitors, and participants need to be 15 years and above. The length of the trek can vary, depending on factors like the gorilla family’s location, the terrain, and the visitors’ fitness levels. Treks can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Once gorillas are found, visitors get a maximum of one hour to observe, learn about gorilla behavior, and snap some photos.

Gorilla Tracking: Following the Experts

Gorilla tracking is a bit different – it’s carried out by trained park guides, trackers, or researchers. These experts head out early to search for a specific gorilla family. They use various methods and signs to trace where the gorillas have been.

There are several reasons for gorilla tracking. Researchers use it for studying gorilla behavior and population, and it helps in locating families quickly during gorilla trekking sessions. The trackers stay in communication with the guides, so once visitors leave the park station after their briefing, the guides can easily direct them to where the gorilla family is located.

In essence, gorilla tracking kicks off first, followed by trekking. This method increases visitors’ chances of seeing gorillas because the advance team of trackers can guide the park guides to where the gorilla families are.

So, while gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking may seem similar, they each offer a unique experience in the quest to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Where to Go for Gorilla Tracking/Trekking?

If you are planning to see gorillas in the wild, Africa is the place to be. There are two types of gorillas you can see: mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. These are further divided into four sub-species. Most tourists head to Africa to catch a glimpse of mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas are both sub-species of Eastern gorillas.

There are only four parks in Africa where you can see mountain gorillas up close:

Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s oldest parks, founded in 1925. It spans across 160 square kilometers in the northern Ruhengeri region. Here, you’ll find a total of 11 habituated gorilla groups. These groups are open for tourists to explore during Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

Located in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is among Africa’s top destinations for gorilla trekking. Designated as a national park in 1991, it later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 18 gorilla groups/families. These families are spread across four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda

Situated in the Kisoro district in the southwest of Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another spot where you can encounter mountain gorillas. It’s the smallest of Uganda’s ten national parks, covering only 33.7 square kilometers. Like Bwindi, Mgahinga National Park was established to provide a habitat for mountain gorillas. Interestingly, tourists can also encounter golden monkeys here.

Virunga National Park – D.R. Congo

Virunga National Park is the main gorilla park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo). It’s the only place in D.R. Congo where you can see mountain gorillas. This park holds significant historical importance, being gazetted in 1925. Today, it’s home to eight habituated gorilla families waiting to be trekked.