Is gorilla trekking in Africa Safe?

Safe gorilla trekking can only be done in two countries which is Uganda and Rwanda, DR-Congo also has a number of gorilla families but currently, it’s safe because of different civil wars around Virunga national park, for Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tourism is one of the main sources of income for both governments. For example, the gorilla permit price for Uganda is $700 per person while in Rwanda permit costs $1500 per person and for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda’s Bwindi forest-Rushaga sector.

Protecting tourist, and providing a Safe and Secure Environment for them inside and outside of the gorilla national parks in both Uganda and Rwanda is an essential requirement because personal security for the tourists who comes to see those endangered apes is the key.

The Security Measures that are put in the place include daily foot patrol in each of the gorilla national parks of both Uganda and Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo is one of the best to see mountain gorillas in Africa but the external forces and guerrillas have made gorilla trekking in DR-Congo more dangerous and less secure so if you are planning gorilla safari in Congo please contact us for the advice.

Gorilla trekking is the Number One tourism activity in both Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking provides funds for the communities living around park borders, creating job opportunities for local people and general  Conservation of the mountain gorillas so the Safety and Security of tourists trekking gorillas in Africa is a priority on everyone’s mind.

How safe is gorilla trekking in Africa?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is one of the most exciting adventures compared to wildlife safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, which leaves many tourists wondering if gorillas trekking in Africa is really safe because when one thinks about mountain gorilla trekking safari safety becomes the main concern but now Kisoro Tours Uganda can assure you the this wonderful and lifetime experience of mountain gorilla trekking adventure is safe.

Gorilla trekking in its natural habitat (African jungles) is very safe so you don’t have to worry about safety when going for gorilla trekking and other wildlife safaris in Uganda and Rwanda that you may imagine ensuring that all tourists and other visitors are safe.

Uganda and Rwanda have set rules and regulations that every tourist and other visitor coming for gorilla trekking must follow and observe at all times during this activity for example before you enter the forest for trekking you have to first go through a briefing of dos and dots while you are with the gorilla family that has been assigned to you, you will be in the company of the park ranger guide who keeps reminding you the same dos and don’ts.

Gorilla trekking briefing starts at 7:30 am at the park headquarters, the briefing is mainly done to outline the general rules and regulations which every trekker should follow while in the jungles with gorillas, apart from being habituated, mountain gorillas remain wild so it’s important to observe the outlined rules and regulation and also follow what your ranger guide tells to while with those creatures, just like any other wild animals mountain gorillas also can charge against you and even harm so that’s why you must observe the set rules and regulations during the whole gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or Rwanda.

We can assure you that Uganda and Rwanda are the premier mountain gorilla trekking destination in Africa because of two reasons, one is gorilla permit affordability and Safety, currently, it’s true that DR-Congo has the cheapest gorilla permit price but cheaper is meaningless without Safety for tourists and all other visitors.

In other words Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern Uganda, and Volcanoes national park of Rwanda are the safest places to be for mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla trekking security measures in Rwanda and Uganda are one of the main reason that both countries have become the best and they will remain the best African gorilla trekking destination.  Whoever takes part in gorilla trekking stick to the Security Standards that the park authorities have put in the place.

The local communities living around these three national parks are aware of how vital mountain gorilla tourism is, locals around gorilla national parks benefit from tourism directly and indirectly so local people can report any suspicious activity out or inside the parks

Gorilla trekking in Africa is safe

Normal trekking is only done within habituated gorilla families, to habituate a gorilla family it takes about 2 years of habituating to make them get used to human presence before it is open for tourism, and also during trekking park rangers and other officials are very keen on the dangers that are likely to occur so it’s always advised to follow what your ranger guide tells you while with gorillas.

 Park rangers/guides are one of the main security/protection for the mountain gorillas, rangers ensure that the area is safe and secure for both gorillas and tourists, also no ranger/guide who takes tourist into the African jungle (forest) alone normally go with other armed ranger/guides. Take note that you also have to observe the dress code when planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or in Rwanda, you must have good hiking boots, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellents, long-sleeved shirt/t-shirt, trousers, socks, and others, some tourists ignore this advice but the truth is that by the end  your gorilla trekking activity you will have exposed your skin to some hot tree so it’s always good to follow what you are advised

Also in most cases, the park ranger guides are too specific when it comes to mountain trekking distance of about 7 meters away from gorillas during trekking times most especially with this COVID-19 park rangers have been given tough measures to make sure that mountain gorillas are safe from this pandemic- coronavirus so you have to avoid direct contact and touching them when taking photos of the gorillas please turn-off flashlight on your cameras before you start taking photos.

In my conclusion, I would say yes gorilla trekking in Africa is safe and can be done any day throughout the year, for more information contact us via email or telephone.

You can reach us at info@kisorotoursuganda.com or call us at +256785790925 and also on WhatsApp for free information or a free quote.