Wondering how to plan a gorilla trekking safari and the whole process? Don’t just get on the move, know this before the safari.

Mountain Gorillas are known to be in only three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo (both mountain and lowland gorilla) with a total number of up to 1,004 gorillas. Mountain gorillas live in high steep mountain forests of up to 8000–13,000ft (1,500m-4000m above sea level). In Uganda, mountain gorillas (half of the total mountain gorillas) are found in two national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where Uganda gorilla safaris are done. The other gorillas are found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park in the Democratic republic of Congo. The three countries are close and the gorillas are transboundary within what is known as the Virunga massif.

To have a gorilla trekking experience, a tourist needs to book a gorilla trekking permit which costs $600 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda and $400-$450 in Congo. These permits are booked prior the gorilla trekking activity, its advisable to book your permit at least 6 months before the actual safari. Booking for a gorilla trekking safari is best done by a local tour company. If there’s a personal plan of booking the permit in Uganda a tourist can go to Uganda Wildlife Authority prior the Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Make sure to pick the permit before going for trekking because it will be required before you go for the activity. The height of the gorilla habitats should not scare away either the elderly or un fit tourists from enjoying either Uganda gorilla trekking tours, Congo gorilla safaris or a Rwanda gorilla safari since porters and trekking sticks can be hired from the start off trek point.

The mountain gorillas as said live in high altitudes which means there is need for a good safari vehicle to travel in these rugged highlands. 4×4 land cruisers for hire in Uganda or Rwanda can be hired in Kampala with an expert driver for a comfortable safari. If a tourist prefers to have a self-drive safari, the tourist can hire a car and have their safari though this is recommendable when there’s knowledge of the roads and expertise in driving.

When anyone travels, they wish to have a lot of comfort during their safari. This is only possible when there’s comfortable accommodation booked prior the safari. Safari accommodation caters for all tourist budgets ranging from Luxury/up-market, mid-range to budget/basic accommodation. Hotel bookings can best be done by a local tour operator to avoid inconveniences since there are many tourists who come for the gorilla safaris.

When something is rare and you take time to encounter it then you join the few extra-ordinary travelers. Take time to meet the mountain gorillas and have an unexpected experience that you alone can tell us.