Gorilla tracking from Arusha Tanzania 

Arusha is a city in Tanzania lying at Mount Meru’s base on the Rift Valley’s eastern edge. It is a notable city serving as a business and tourism center for visitors who wish to enjoy wildlife in different national parks and beautiful insights into Mountain Kilimanjaro.

Since Arusha is in Tanzania, which is a member of the East African states, different trips can be easily connected to neighbouring states like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. it is possible by road or air.  Therefore, in this scenario, gorilla trekking from Arusha is possible.

Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after activities and a lifetime experience that attracts many tourists to Africa.  Gorilla trekking involves hiking, searching, and observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. When planning for a gorilla safari to any of the gorilla trekking destinations, it is more advantageous to use the East African visa that enables you to travel through all the East African member states.

Gorilla trekking destinations

Uganda has two gorilla trekking destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is done across four sectors. Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each sector has its own gorilla families that can be accessed for daily trekking with a maximum of 8 people visiting a specific group. The park has a total of 22 gorilla families,20 for trekking experience and 2 for research and habituation experience. Mgahinga National Park located in the southwestern region of Uganda has only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The family is open to trekkers daily.

From Arusha, gorilla trekking can be done in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, and in DRC it is done in the Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.  the only way that guarantees participation in the gorilla trekking experience is by securing a gorilla tracking permit that is only issued by the responsible bodies in the different countries. In Uganda, it is the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board, DRC

How to access gorilla trekking destinations from Arusha.

Tourists can travel from Arusha to different gorilla trekking destinations by either road or taking flights.

If you decide to travel by air from Arusha to Uganda, book a direct flight from  Arusha’s Kilimanjaro International Airport to Entebbe, Uganda. From Entebbe, use a domestic flight from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip for Bwindi National Park or Kisoro Air Strip for  Mgahinga National Park.

When you reach Entebbe from Arusha, you may decide to reduce the flight costs and travel by road, you may travel with your organized tour operator or use a private vehicle to transfer to Bwindi National Park which takes 8 -9 hours or Maghinga National Park for 9- 10 hours.

When traveling to Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda from Arusha, take a flight from  Kilimanjaro National Park to Kigali International Airport.  From Kigali, continue with another flight to Ruhengeri Airstrip in only thirty minutes. Traveling by road, transfer from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi in private transportation which takes 2-3 hours.

Traveling from Arusha to Congo (Virunga National Park)

Take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. From Kigali set off for a three-hour drive to the Goma border post which is the main gateway to Virunga National Park. from  Goma,  meet the park representatives who will transfer to the park.

Cost of a gorilla permit

Gorilla trekking permits to the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda cost $1500. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign residents, $700 for non-foreign residents, and 300,000 UGSH for East African citizens. The cost of trekking gorillas in DRC is $400 per person. The cost is higher in Rwanda than in Congo and Uganda but the trekking experience remains the same.

Uganda offers a gorilla habituation permit at $1500, and the habituation experience is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This gives Uganda more reliability and accessibility to the endangered creatures in their natural habitat. This notable difference in costs will help a traveller to plan a manageable safari, especially when you would like to visit more than one gorilla family.

Age limit for gorilla trekking

The minimum age for trekking gorillas is 15 years. Trekking through the forested gorilla habitats requires someone to be physically fit as the gorilla parks are found in mountainous areas hence finding the mountain gorilla involves hiking. When at the park, headquarters, you are advised to hire a porter at $10 to help carry your luggage so that you can enjoy the activity. The elderly are provided with sedan chairs at $300 to carry them to the gorilla family, at times they are allocated to gorilla families in a closer range to the park headquarters.

 Best time to travel to the gorilla trekking destinations from Arusha.

Gorilla trekking safaris from Arusha and any other place are best enjoyed in the drier months of December, January, February, June and September. This is because the trekking trails are not slippery, and the gorillas can be easily found in the easily seen in the clear vegetation.

Travelers should not guarantee any rainfall in the dry season. This is because the gorilla national parks are in the tropical rainforest zones so, expect to receive rain pours at any time of the year. You should carry the next trekking gear.

What to pack for a gorilla trekking from Arusha

The dressing code for tracking gorillas in their natural habitat is a crucial factor as you plan your journey. The parks are found in tropical rainforests that receive rain throughout the years, so travelers need to fully cover their bodies from rain and thorny plant species.

The following are essential gear for a successful trekking trip.

Light waterproof trekking trousers,

Good quality shoes/boots.

Waterproof jackets or raincoats.

Long stockings or waterproof gaiters

Lond sleeved t-shirts or shirts

Outdoor gloves, sunglasses, and hats are also important for body protection

You are provided with drinking water to help you quench your thirst along and after the trek.

Walking sticks are provided at the park headquarters to give you extra support as you trek.

It is also advisable to hire a porter to help you carry your belongings throughout the trekking time. This will help keep you flexible and fully enjoying your adventure.

For the best gorilla trekking safari experience, Active African Vacations is the best tour operator company in Uganda and all around East Africa. We organize affordable Safaris for both solo and group travelers.