Since in the Eastern and Central part of Africa, Gorillas are only found in the three countries combining this gorilla trekking safari activity seems to be a great experience where by you will do a triple gorilla trekking at hand. Gorillas are unique shy endangered ground dwelling herbivorous apes which feed on young bamboo shoot and stem, flowers, tree leaves, Sugar canes and some fruits like Mangoes, Oranges, Avocadoes, Grapes, Water melon and more.

They usually live in groups composed of female and male members being led by a male old dominant Silver back which is responsible for protecting its group members, looking for what to eat and more, Gorillas are divided into two species which include Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas which are further divided into sub species like Eastern lowland Gorillas, Western Lowland Gorillas and more.

The process of moving in a group following the permanently established routes heading into the jungle in search of these shy endangered apes is what we call “gorilla trekking experience”. Usually, a maximum number of eight people are allowed per gorilla family per day with a park ranger guide to lead you while in the jungle.

The trekking of these gorillas in the three countries is exciting since you will even be able to compare and contrast which country is more gifted with different species, usually its better you start your trekking experience in Rwanda after there cross to Democratic Republic of Congo via Goma border and then after Congo wrap up your lifetime gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

Since you are to visit both Uganda and Rwanda its better you apply for the East African Visa which costs $100 USD per person and it issues entry permission to all countries in the East African Community too and flow.

Dropping in Africa for your lifetime gorilla trekking safari you will arrive in Rwanda at Kigali airport, have an overnight stay in Kigali city depending on your time of arrival, since Eco Tours Rwanda is always available to arrange for you these tailor made safaris you will be transferred by the driver from this local tour operator using a suitable and stable 4×4 wheel drive safari jeep up to Volcanoes National Park which is popularly known for these shy endangered mountain gorillas and for Rwanda these apes are only found in this mystic destination.

This journey from Kigali up to Volcanoes National Park is about 2 – 3 hours’ drive but before you will take some en-route stopover in Kigali town to different cultural sites which include Kigali genocide memorial, Caplaki, art galleries and more, there after continue with the journey to Volcanoes National Park for overnight stay at the lodge of your choice.

This park is located in the north western part of Rwanda nearing Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda characterized with tropical rain forest, Bamboo forests and fertile swampy areas, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, usually starts in the morning at the park offices after some briefing about dos and don’ts by the park officials, you are assigned a park ranger guide to lead you through the jungle and after discovering their location you are offered a one hour period of staying with these apes in the Jungle while seeing them playing with their young ones, feeding, laughing plus taking photos and videos of them for memories.

Do not forget that gorilla trekking in Rwanda requires you to buy a permit which costs $1500 USD per person such that you are issued with permission and always this permit is booked in advance before your trekking dates, after your gorilla trekking in the jungles of Volcanoes in the evening you can go for the Batwa people in the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.

After Volcanoes National Park have an overnight stay in Goma. This is the best step for you such that in the morning you can cross borders to Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo, only that valid tourist Visa which costs $105 USD per person, passport and yellow fever vaccination card are all required at the customs when clearing such that you are guaranteed entry permission, when you reach Goma border your driver will remain at the Rwanda side waiting for you and from the border you will be transferred by Virunga Foundation safari jeeps up to your lodge of stay either Kibumba Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp or Mikeno Lodge.

Democratic Republic of Congo hosts two different species of gorillas which include Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas which are habituated in the two major national parks but usually visitors to Congo like meeting with the Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park and Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park being the second option.

Virunga National Park is located in the Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo ranked to be the oldest National Park in Africa formerly called Albert National Park, it is characterized with thick tropical rain forest, Savannah grasslands and Woodlands, bamboo forests and fertile swampy areas.

Trekking Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo requires you to buy a permit which costs $400 USD per person usually booked in advance before your trekking dates and this looks to be very cheap and cost friendly when compared with other gorilla hosting destinations.

Other primates in Congo include Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Vervets, Baboons, Blue Monkeys, and Chimpanzees in Tongo forest but rarely seen during some seasons, Red tailed Monkeys and more.

After your precious gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park next step is crossing back to Rwanda and then cross borders to Uganda for the wide range of different Gorilla species.

The driver waiting for you at Goma border will transfer you up to either Cyanika border or Katuna border, when you use Cyanika border after crossing you will drive up to Kisoro town and from there continue up to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where variety of gorilla species is experienced.

Using Katuna border after crossing you will drive up to Kabale town and then from there continue up to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda is ranked to be hosting the most part of the world’s remaining gorilla population with almost half of it and these species are habituated in Uganda’s two major national parks but Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park dominating with more varieties of species which include over thirteen gorilla families for trekking and some for research.

Both parks are found in the Western part of Uganda characterized with tropical rain forest, Bamboo forests and swampy areas. Gorilla families in Bwindi are found in its four sectors which include Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija and Rushaga sector with each sector hosting more than two gorilla families apart from Nkuringo sector which has only one gorilla family.

When it comes to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park it is noted with the least numbers of gorilla species with only one gorilla family for trekking named “Nyakagezi Gorilla family”.

The Trekking activity in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also starts in the morning after a simple briefing about dos and don’ts by the park officials, after you are assigned a park ranger guide to lead you through the journey and while in the jungle, some ranger guides are usually sent very early in the morning into the jungle such that they can track location of these apes and communicate to their colleagues who are trekking in with the groups via radio calls.

After locating these apes put it in mind that you are allowed to stay in their presence for only one hour while seeing them feeding, laughing, playing with their young ones and other group members, taking photos and videos of them for memories, after the one-hour session you are supposed to vacate the place such that room is created for these apes to continue with their day-to-day activities and next step is gorilla trekking certificate award at the park offices.

Parked food is always advised to be at hand when starting the trekking Journey because usually lunch time appears to be when still in the Jungle so it’s very difficult to come back for your lunch at the place of residence.

Strong impenetrable hiking shoes are of high importance plus other essentials which include insect repellents, capes & sunglasses, long sleeved shirts and trouser, shocking, water proof bags and jackets to protect yourself from mud, thorns and hooks, biting insects like tsetse flies, sun shine, scratches and rainfall water respectively.

After the exciting gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park its better you relieve yourself from all sorts of stress and fatigue at the shores of Lake Bunyonyi which is associated with cool air by experiencing a local boat cruise on its waters.