Gorilla Trekking on public Holidays in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking is among the top main and popular activities that are done with in the pearl of Africa and Rwanda. Uganda is known to be one of the best gorilla trekking destinations since it is a home to over half of the world population of gorillas.

Gorilla trekking on public holidays in Uganda and Rwanda offers an exciting experience for tourists seeking to maximize their time as they enjoy a memorable encounter with the gorillas in their natural habitats. You will also be able to spend your rare holiday with the magnificent great apes in their natural habitats.

Many naturals lover would wish to spend the precious limited and hard to come free time with a great experience of the lifetime target of walking with mountain gorillas in the wild.

Public holidays for gorilla trekking

You would be there wondering whether the parks in Uganda and Rwanda stay open for the tourists even on public holidays or even you can be allowed to go gorilla on these days that are declared public either nationally or internationally.

The answer is simple and is yes. Gorilla trekking is a year-round activity including public holidays. You can do your gorilla trekking on any day of your choice as long as there is still permit availability on the chosen date in the specified location.

Remember gorilla trekking in Uganda can only be done from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park and Mgahinga gorillas national park which is part of the great Virunga massif, shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. On Rwanda side, gorilla trekking is done at Volcanoes national park also part of greater Virunga massif range

Why select gorilla trekking on public holidays?

Various reason influence people’s decision to go gorilla trekking on the weekend instead of normal working days and one major reason is the tight schedule that people might be working on during the normal working days without any free time to enjoy such experience. Therefore, they tend to see it as an opportunity to utilize to public holidays to do whatever they can’t afford to do during their working days.

Another reason why people might opt for gorilla trekking on public holiday is to avoid the overcrowding of the parks. Few people tend to go for the gorilla trekking on the public holidays. This will give you a chance to be in the wild with few people hence enhancing your trekking experience and the quality of the photos that you will take.

Another advantage with public holiday is the fact that you will have an extended holiday allowing you to engage in more other safari activities beside gorilla trekking

Unique experience and relaxation. Not every day that you have a chance to spend your public holiday with the gentle giants of Africa in the wild. You will be able to relax with mountain gorillas for a minimum of one hour in the wild while observing their social behaviors.

What to expect during public holiday gorilla trekking?

The uniqueness of gorilla trekking on the public holiday comes with its special expectations and these include the following

Special rates or discounts

Due to the low turnup of visitors on the public holidays, lodges and tour operators tend to offer gorilla trekking on a discounted prices which will enable to save some dollars while enjoying the same if not better gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda.

Cultural experiences

Naturally, public holidays are meant for relaxation and enjoyment and what else that can bring about a great enjoyment and relaxation than encountering the human cousin in their natural habitats and have a full hour of taking pictures while observing their behaviours together with your loved ones. That is why gorilla trekking on the public holiday is really a special event.

What to know before carrying out gorilla trekking during public holidays?

Securing your gorilla permit.

Having your permit secured early enough as the gorilla trekking permits are limited is key and essential for a greater public holiday gorilla trekking experience. Buy your permit either directly online for Uganda wildlife authority (UWA), Rwanda development board (RDB) or through your trusted tour operator in Uganda and Rwanda

Weather conditions

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a year-round activity and the tropical climate of these two countries also support the activity. However, trekking during a dry season will have a positive impact on your gorilla trekking experience in these countries.

December and February

These months generally follow under the dry season and some of the public holidays it covers include Christmas, boxing day and also the new years day. Gorilla trekking is very ideal during the dry season when the trails are less slippery. On top of that, these public holidays are the longest in the countries.

March to April

These months follow into the wet season. However, gorilla trekking on public holidays depends on one’s suggestion towards the date he/she likes. The goodness of trekking gorillas at this time is that the forests are too lush, and the park receives a few tourists. Furthermore, you are likely to trek a short period as the food is in abundancy and gorillas tend to move a shorter distance.

June to October

These months cover the dry season thus allowing gorilla trekking to be carried out with ease. In Rwanda the liberation days is with in this period. In Uganda the national Independence Day takes place on 9th October. This means that tourists should embark on booking in advance. This period is considered the peak safari season in Uganda and Rwanda. Therefore, booking in advance is necessary to avoid any disappointment

Accommodation and transportation

Public holidays are completely at a high demand so tourists should book in advance embark on planning with your tour operator in time in order for you to have accommodation around the particular region you have to trek in. Note accommodations usually range from luxury, midrange and then budget.

The Gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking refers to an activity of hiking through the dense forests in search of the gorillas. The experience starts with a briefing at the park head quarters. The briefing involves tourists learning more about the rules and regulations to follow while in the forest.

After the briefing, you will then join a group of 8 people and go into the forest. As you are trekking you will be able to see different monkey species, bird species, and different woodlands.

In the forest, only one hour is offered to spend with the gorillas. This one hour involves tourists taking photos, see various gorillas eating, playing and even interacting with them.

When you are done with trekking, you will go back to the park head quarters and winners are given certificates.

Where is gorilla trekking done from?

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is generally carried out from two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park which is the home to over 50% of gorilla population and Mgahinga national park with one habituated gorilla family and part of Virunga massif range.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done at volcanoes national park with over 20 percent of total gorilla population. The park is also part of the great Virunga mountains range which is shared by three different countries. That is Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Bwindi impenetrable national park

This is among the unique and exceptional destinations for gorilla trekking adventures. The park is located in the southwestern parts of Uganda. Bwindi national park is a home to half of the world’s population of gorillas. Trekking gorillas in Bwindi is done from four main sectors of the park including Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Ruhijja.

Mgahinga national park

One of the other incredible places in Uganda that offer gorilla trekking is Mgahinga national park. The park is situated in the southwestern parts of Uganda. Trekking gorillas in Mgahinga gives tourists an opportunity to get closer with the Nyakagezi group which is the only habituated gorilla family in the park.

Cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

Trekking gorillas in Uganda entails one having a permit. The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign non residents. Remember when you purchase a permit you have greatly contributed to the conservation of these gorillas.

Obtaining a gorilla permit can be done through booking online using Uganda wildlife Authority or you can book with any trusted tour operator.

Cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda

The price of a gorilla permit in Rwanda only costs $1500 for foreign non residents. Booking a permit in Rwanda has no big difference with that of Uganda. The process includes booking online or book with and trusted tour operator.

Rwanda in particular also enhances responsible tourism so purchasing a permit is one of the big modes that helps in conservation of the gorillas.

Rules and regulations to follow during gorilla trekking

There are some rules and regulations to know before setting up for your gorilla trekking adventure and they include.

• Always keep your voice low as you with the gorillas.
• Do not visit the gorillas when you are sick especially when you have a communicable disease.
• Keep 7m away from the gorillas and don’t make eye contacts with them.
• Please do not eat or drink in front of the gorillas.
• Please do not play or touch the mountain gorillas.
• You must be 15 years and above so that you are allowed to trek the gorillas.
• Do not put on flashlights as you are taking photos for the gorillas.

Best time to carry out gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking as an activity can be carried out at any time of the year. However, the best time of carrying gorilla trekking is mainly the dry season. The dry season is more appropriate as the trails are dry and less muddy making the movement easy and efficient.

Dry season (June to September)

The dry season offers a clear view and comfortable trails making the trekking experience less stressful.

Wet season

On the other hand, tourists can still do gorilla trekking in the wet season and still enjoy the experiences. Trekking in the wet season is abit strenuous as the trails tend to be slippery so one should be physically fit.

Gorilla trekking still remains as one of the top tourism activities whether it’s done on public holidays or not. Tourists still have a chance to enjoy and still leave with unforgettable memories. Adding to that tourists are still able to have a deeper connection with the local people and learn more about their cultures.

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