While planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, there are certain things that you need to observe and those that you should not miss out on. Most of the people end up missing some of these things as they do the gorilla trekking, and this is extremely wonderful and interesting.

You need to avoid some of the mistakes that can obviously ruin your safari experience, and this makes it so wonderful and interesting. The gorilla trekking experience takes place in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but today we shall look at the mistakes that you should avoid when doing the gorilla trekking safari experience in Uganda and Rwanda.

Based on the recent mountain gorilla population census, it was found out that there were only 1063 mountain gorilla individuals, and it was found out that Uganda has gotten more mountain gorillas, followed by Rwanda, and the rest are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight people, and it is always good to observe several guidelines as you trek with these gorillas. Today we look at the common mistakes that you should avoid while gorilla trekking.

Failure To Book The Gorilla Permit In Advance:

Failure to book the gorilla permit in advance is a common mistake that visitors should avoid when going to track the gorilla in Uganda and Rwanda. It is a mistake to book the gorilla permit on arrival with your gorilla trekking permit.

With the new guidelines from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board, it is advisable to book the gorilla trekking permit in advance before you go for the gorilla trekking safari, and thus waiting for the arrival and buying the gorilla permit would be a terrible mistake that you can make. Thus, make sure that you book them in advance to avoid last-minute bookings.

Once you have confirmed the gorilla trekking dates and availability, it is good, and once you have the money, you pay and secure yourself the permit to avoid the incidences that come with the last-minute booking.

You should be aware that gorilla permits are non-transferable because they contain your name and the dates you purchased them. Prior to anything else, each habituated gorilla family is given a total of eight gorilla permits, and if you come on the wrong date, you will not be able to do the gorilla trekking permit.

You will need to prepare your gorillas and give them enough time to make preparations. We always suggest to our clients that they book gorilla trekking tours at least three to six months in advance. Once you’ve obtained your permit, mark the date on your calendar and plan to get to the gorilla trekking park a day before the actual trekking day.

You need to know that once you have paid for the gorilla trekking permit, it is not refundable. Thus, compared to the number of people interested in going on the adventures, more than 150 gorilla permits are available for Uganda, more than 80 gorilla permits are available for Rwanda, and about 64 permits are available for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Bookings must therefore be made three to six months in advance; otherwise, you risk being let down if you show up at the last minute, hoping to get a permit. This means that Uganda has more gorilla permits available as compared to the gorilla permits available in other gorilla trekking permit countries.

Coming for the gorillas in the wrong season

This is one of the mistakes that you should avoid. Errors to avoid when trekking with gorillas are based entirely on weather patterns; there are two distinct seasons in the gorilla trekking area. Most tourists choose to travel during the dry season, which is sold out, and avoid the wet season, when it rains. Avoid scheduling your gorilla safari in Africa during the rainy season if you cannot handle walking through torrential downpours.

Choose to travel during the dry months of December to February and June to September. There is little chance of rain while you are on your adventures, and the trails and roads are dry. The dry season, however, is the busiest time for travelers planning gorilla safaris.

You must begin planning far in advance because there are few permits and places to stay. Always consider these seasons, especially the wet months of October, November, and March to May. Travelers are less numerous during that time. Discounts are offered by service providers, and gorilla safaris guarantee total privacy.

You must, however, contend with the rain during all of your outdoor activities. It’s crucial to use a 4×4 truck that has been specially designed for safaris and for traversing challenging forest terrain. Many tourists favor these difficult adventures over the sweet comforts of the dry seasons.

Make Sure You Don’t Forget Your Passport;

Of course, some travelers do forget their passports, and this is one of the mistakes that you should avoid when going for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Another frequent error to avoid when going on a gorilla trekking tour is forgetting to bring your passport. Passports are required during registration at the park headquarters before treks begin.

A passport is crucial because park rangers frequently double-check gorilla permits to make sure you are the legitimate owner or holder. Do you know that if you don’t have your passport, you risk being denied entry to the park, and eventually you will end up missing the opportunity to stay with the gorillas? So don’t pack your passport with the gorilla permit and sabotage your long-awaited dream. You need to plan very well for the gorilla trekking safari and make sure that you are on time, especially when you are traveling to other countries, so that you arrive early at the gorilla trekking center or starting point.

Choosing The Safari Lodge

Further, the visitors must be serious when choosing the safari lodge where they can stay. One of the mistakes that people make is choosing the wrong accommodation, and they find it difficult to trek with the gorilla trekking permit.

There are numerous lodging options close to visitor centers; pick the one that best fits the location on your tracking permit. You’ll arrive at the location of the briefing in plenty of time to join the trekkers. There are five places in Uganda where you can begin a gorilla trek, and all around the entry points are amazing places to stay.

There are four entry points into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. The fifth is near the entrance to Mgahinga National Park and has few lodges, but Kisoro town is where most are located. In Volcanoes National Park, Kiningi town is the only place with affordable lodging, and it is an hour’s drive from the starting point. However, it is somewhat problematic to arrange transportation from your lodge to the trailhead and starting point.

These are some of the mistakes that you should avoid when going gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.