How to Book Gorilla Permits for Virunga National Park from Uganda

If you want to go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park from Uganda, you can’t book permits in advance. Instead, you’ll have to check availability and pay when you arrive at the Institut Congolais Pour La Conservation De La Nature (ICCN).

Cost of Gorilla Permits

Each gorilla trekking permit for Virunga National Park costs around $450 per person per trek. This price covers things like park entry, conservation efforts, security, a certificate, and one hour spent with the mountain gorillas.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking

You can go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park at any time of year, but the dry season is often preferred. This season, which typically falls in June, July, August, September, December, and January, sees less rain. This means the trails are easier to walk on, and spotting gorillas is more likely because the undergrowth isn’t as thick.

Safety During Gorilla Trekking

Before booking your gorilla trekking safari, it’s important to check the political stability of the Virunga area. Sometimes there can be rebel activities, so it’s crucial to make sure it’s safe before you go.

Duration of Gorilla Trekking

The length of gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park can vary. It depends on factors like where the gorillas are, the weather, and how fast your group moves. Once you find the gorillas, you’re only allowed to spend one hour with them. This is because too much human presence can disrupt their daily routine.

Difficulty of Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park can be challenging. The terrain is often volcanic with steep slopes and dense vegetation. Sometimes you’ll need to hike to find the gorillas, and paths can be muddy from rain. It’s important to wear the right gear, like boots and long-sleeved shirts, and being somewhat fit can be helpful.

Hiring a porter can make things easier. Porters are locals who can carry your bags and help you navigate the forest. They often have valuable knowledge about the area and can even give you a boost when you’re tired. Bringing snacks along can also help keep your energy up during breaks.

Security Concerns

Security in Virunga National Park can be unpredictable, so it’s something to consider before booking your safari.

Are Mountain Gorillas Dangerous?

Generally, mountain gorillas are not aggressive animals. They’re shy and calm despite their intimidating appearance. However, they can charge if they feel threatened. Signs of agitation include thumping their chests, pulling grass, or walking on one foot. If this happens, it’s important to stay calm and follow the instructions of your ranger guide. Charging incidents are often related to hierarchy disputes within gorilla families or other external factors.

If you follow the guidelines and respect the gorillas’ space, you should have a safe and unforgettable experience gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Contact Iconic Africa Safaris for more information on planning your adventure.

Chances of seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park

When you visit Virunga National Park, you have a good chance of seeing mountain gorillas. The park is home to six gorilla families that are used to being around humans. Before each trek, ranger guides give you important information. They’ll lead you to the area where your assigned gorilla family was last spotted.

The gorilla families in Virunga are taught to be comfortable around humans by researchers. This process takes about an hour. Before the gorillas are open to the public, they go through practice sessions to make sure they’re ready.

During the trek, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines. Speak quietly so you don’t startle the gorillas. They might already know you’re there before you see them because they keep an eye on their surroundings.

Ranger guides patrol the forest early each day to find where the gorillas have been. They look for clues like nests and places where gorillas spend time during the day. These clues help them lead tourists to the gorillas.

You’ll also be involved in finding the gorillas. Look for fresh signs like dung, chewed foliage, footprints, and listen for their sounds. This helps you understand how close you are to finding them.

When you finally encounter the gorillas, stay together as a group. This prevents them from feeling threatened. Avoid staring directly into their eyes because it might make them uncomfortable.

Remember not to use flash photography. It can scare the gorillas and disrupt their daily routines. You’re only allowed to spend one hour with them to minimize disturbance.

Other Wildlife to See

Apart from mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park is home to many other animals. You might see blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheekedngabey, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. The park also boasts a diverse range of bird species, including some that are unique to the Albertine Rift.

The park’s landscape is breathtaking, with lush green highlands and sparkling waterfalls. As you trek to find the gorillas, keep an eye out for other animals you might encounter along the way.

Rules for Gorilla Trekking

When trekking to see the gorillas, there are important rules to follow:

• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the gorillas to avoid passing on infections.
• If you’re sick, stay behind to avoid risking the health of the gorillas.
• Eat or drink at least 300 meters away from the gorillas to let them search for their own food.
• Only those aged 15 and above can participate due to the rugged terrain.
• Always trek with a ranger guide to ensure safety.
• When nature calls, ask the guide to dig a deep hole and cover it properly.
• Stay in a tight group to avoid alarming the gorillas.
• Don’t provoke the gorillas, as they are still wild animals.
• Use flash-less cameras for photography.
• Keep your voice low to avoid scaring the gorillas and other animals.
• Never litter in the forest, as it disrupts the gorillas’ habitat.

Contact Iconic Africa Safaris to plan your safari to Virunga National Park and experience the gorillas for yourself.