Double Gorilla Trekking With Native Africa Tours

Double Gorilla Trekking With Native Africa Tours

Reasons why you should do a double gorilla trekking tour with Native Africa Tours. Mountain gorilla populations have grown through the years, a remarkable feat given their “endangered” status according to the IUCN Red List. Also, beating the challenge of the limited share of the global mountain gorilla habitat made the growth almost impossible. In just over a decade, the World population of these Giant Apes doubled, and there are currently over 1080 individuals. This incredible growth stems from tireless dedication to protecting these majestic creatures from poachers and shrinking natural habitats. Also, maintaining the delicate balance between people and wildlife, and uplifting local communities have been responsible for this population growth.

Today, mountain gorilla conservation stands as the leading source of livelihoods in places where these Giant Apes are found. Meeting face to face with these majestic creatures is an experience that can’t be described by ordinary words. For many travellers, trekking these primates remains a dream, but for those who venture into the jungles, the reward is unforgettable.

For those yearning for gorilla photography or simply the thrill of seeing gorillas, double gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours is an experience of a lifetime. This is basically where you track more than one habituated gorilla family in a single gorilla safari. This can be in the same National Park or two destinations.

How double gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours is done

A typical day of double gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours starts bright and early with a nourishing breakfast at the Lodge in preparation for your first gorilla trek. Your first trek will take between two and six hours. For this reason, a reasonable degree of physical fitness and sturdy hiking boots are required.

Register at the Park Headquarters by 7:30 am to complete a safety briefing before following Ranger guides in the forest. Search for the Giant Apes, and when you find them, leave your bags behind before approaching them with just your camera. While at it, maintain a safe distance of 8 meters and spend one hour watching and taking photos as gorillas rest, play, feed, and groom each other. Retreat to the base for your trekking certificate and to the Lodge for your next activities.

Remember that gorilla trekking is done only once, and this is in the morning. For this reason, your second gorilla trek will be the next morning or a day/s later. One thing for sure is that you will be visiting another habituated gorilla family, whether the activity is done in the same Park/area or not.

Day 2

The second day of gorilla trekking takes you back into the forest, and just like the first, you will meet your Ranger guide at the Park Headquarters. At 7:30 am, the gorilla briefing will start, then you will follow the Rangers through the forest to find the Giant Apes.

You have to maintain silence or at least murmur, so your Ranger guide can explain more about the mountain gorillas, other creatures, and their habitat. When you come across the gorilla family, watch as they play, rest, eat, and take care of their infants. Spend one hour in the presence of these Great Apes.

While on your double gorilla trekking tour with Native Africa Tours, keep a lookout above the trees for birds.

Best places to enjoy Double Gorilla Trekking with Native Africa Tours

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: The ultimate gorilla trekking experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is one of the most popular and picturesque mountain gorilla habitats. Comprising four trekking sectors/regions, Bwindi Forest has the highest concentration of gorillas in the whole World. There are over 500 individuals, and each of these sectors has a unique identity and is home to gorilla families.

Altogether, there are more than 20 habituated gorilla families distributed across the four sectors of Bwindi. This makes the Park the best place to enjoy double gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours.

Each gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents. It also costs Shs. 300,000 per person for East African Community Citizens (at the time of writing).

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Located in the Northern Province of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is famous for its second-highest density of Mountain gorillas. It is another fantastic place to enjoy double gorilla trekking with Native Africa Tours. Spanning an area of 160 square kilometres, this Park has at least 35% of the World’s population of these Giant Apes.

With its 12 habituated gorilla families, visitors can track two of these families during Native Africa Tours’ Double gorilla trekking tours.

The Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per person. You will be required to book these permits at least 6-12 months in advance for your double gorilla trek.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in Kisoro district, is Uganda’s smallest and one of the most scenic gorilla Reserves. There is one habituated gorilla family, and therefore, 8 gorilla permits are issued each day by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Most visitors can enjoy double gorilla trekking in this Park or combine a visit here with the more endowed Bwindi Forest.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a more intimate and serene double gorilla trekking experience compared to the busier Parks. Although gorilla permits are limited (only 8 per day), gorilla encounters are often rewarding. The varying terrains of this gorilla Sanctuary and the towering Virunga Volcanoes make the Park one of the most beautiful in Uganda.

Best time to go for double Gorilla Trekking with Native Africa Tours

The question of timing usually arises every time someone is considering booking a double gorilla trekking tour with Native Africa Tours.

The Green/wet/rainy season

The warm rainy months from March to May, then November, are always less crowded, offer amazing birding, and bring with them vegetation bloom. However, because of the heavy downpours and green settings with thicker vegetation, it might be challenging to track Giant Apes. Therefore, this season is considered a low gorilla safari season and not considered a perfect time for gorilla trekking. Nonetheless, demand for gorilla safaris is lower, and it is easier to find gorilla permits even at the last minute. Also, some Lodges offer discounted rates, hence making the double gorilla trekking tours cheaper.

Hot and dry season

The dry season of June through September, then December to February, is considered the best for gorilla trekking conditions, as well as the largest crowds. For this reason, the demand for gorilla permits is higher, and recommended to book for your adventure at least 12 months in advance.

Conclusion: There are few comparable wildlife experiences to gorilla trekking, and this is something many travellers have commented on after their African safaris. Embarking on a double gorilla trek sends shivers down the spine and can also release emotions that you may not have expected.

Every bespoke double gorilla trekking tour we create at Native Africa Tours is designed to give visitors a better understanding of the Giant Apes. You don’t just see these majestic creatures, but get to compare different gorilla families, analyzing their sizes and composition.

Ready to embark on your own double gorilla trek with Native African Tours? Give us a call or drop us an email! Let us intrigue your gorilla safari tastebuds with a selection of our finest double gorilla trekking tours handcrafted by experts who have been organizing trips for decades.