With a combination of gorilla tours, is a cross boundary safari package that allows you to experience the wonder of seeing the rare mountain gorillas up-close in their natural habitat in both Rwanda and Uganda.
Today, both Uganda and Rwanda’s mountain gorillas is a biggest draw to international tourists. Visitors who come to spend a thrilling moment with the mountain gorillas describe a life changing experience. This itinerary samples the best of Uganda and Rwanda what has to offer, combining some of Africa’s best primates and wildlife.
Rwanda
Rwanda is the world’s premier gorilla tracking destination. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park, which runs along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The range of six extinct and three active volcanoes also straddle the Ugandan and Congolese borders and protects more than half the global population of mountain gorilla.
Rwanda has got 12 habituated groups in the Volcanoes National Park; however, gorillas are not governed by international boundaries and it is always possible that groups which originated in Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo might cross there again. The best time for gorilla tracking is the long dry season from June to September.
There two ways in which to organize a gorilla safari in Rwanda. You secure a permit yourself through Rwanda Development Board or try to book the whole thing through a license tour operator who will arrange and book gorilla tracking permit, accommodation and all the necessary essentials.
It is necessary to plan at least two nights in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park. It is possible to fly in and out on a one-day trek, but we don’t recommend it because there is much more to see and visit in the country after spending one hour with gorillas.
Uganda
The lush montane forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park protects the world’s largest remaining population of mountain gorillas, many of mountain gorillas, many of which have become habituated to tourists and can be tracked to within a few metres on foot.
The Bwindi gorillas are scattered across various location that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sector. It is therefore very important that you book accommodation that is not very far away from the tracking point; otherwise, you may have to drive for an hour or more before your registration and briefing.
Besides Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda has another park where you can track mountain gorillas called Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located south western part of Uganda. This park tends to be overlooked as gorilla tracking venue. Mgahinga Gorilla Park hosts just one habituated group called the Nyakagezi gorilla group.
