Doing a combined gorilla safari to Uganda joining Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is the best way to experience and compare gorilla encounters in different locations. An encounter with different mountain gorilla families in different localities is an extensive wildlife encounter that you will live to remember. Whereas mountain gorillas are the same, each gorilla family is unique in its own kind and worth visiting. A combined safari gives you chance to visit more than one gorilla family which help you to draw accurate comparisons on how different gorillas families behave. You can choose to trek three times across all gorilla parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo on the same trip. Alternatively, a combined gorilla safari can combine Uganda, and Rwanda, Rwanda and Congo, and Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo depending on the choice of the traveler, budget and available time.
Enjoy Uganda and Rwanda combined gorilla safari for a great and lifetime gorilla encounter. This safari entails trekking Uganda gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park or Mgahinga Gorilla National park together with Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National park. The choice of where to start from is yours! You can either start from Entebbe International airport in Uganda, or Kigali International airport in Rwanda. A start from Entebbe requires at least a 5 Days double gorilla trekking. On the first day, you arrive at Entebbe airport and transfer to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks, second day you do the first gorilla trekking in Uganda and community visits. Third day you transfer to Volcanoes National park, 4th day is second gorilla trekking and the fifth day is for departure. Alternatively, you can do a 4 Days Rwanda Uganda double gorilla trekking safari. In this trip, you start in Kigali Rwanda. First day pick up and transfer to Volcanoes National park, 2nd day is first gorilla trekking, 3rd day is transfer to Bwindi forest National park, 4th day is 2nd gorilla trekking in Uganda and drive back to Kigali for your connecting flight in the night.
The 17 days Congo, Uganda and Rwanda combined gorilla trekking safari is one of the best long gorilla tours you …
Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Tours & Holidays
Rwanda - Congo Combined Safari. You can as well do a Rwanda combined gorilla safari. Here you trek Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National park and Congo gorillas in Virunga National park on the same trip. In the same trip, you can also add Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park to make a complete to trek two different gorilla species on the same trip.
This trip starts from Kigali Rwanda with a first gorilla encounter in Volcanoes park and thereafter transfer to Congo for the second gorilla trekking in either Virunga or Kahuzi Biega National parks. You the drive back to Kigali for your connecting flight. A 5 Days Rwanda combined safari can do better for you. Arrive on the first day and transfer to Volcanoes National park, 1st gorilla trekking on the second day and sleep over in Kigali, 3rd day you transfer to Goma, 4 Day you do 2nd gorilla trekking in Congo and 5th day tour drive back to Kigali and that’s marks the end of the safari.
Uganda and Congo combined safari. Combine Uganda and Congo gorilla trekking for a great primate encounter. Here you choose to either trek in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park/Mgahinga Gorilla National parks in Uganda and Virunga/Kahuzi Biega National parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trip starts from Uganda and end s in Kigali Rwanda. On the first day, arrive in Entebbe and transfer to Bwindi/Mgahinga gorilla parks in south western Uganda, 2nd day, you do 1st gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali, 3rd day you transfer to Goma, 4th day is for 2nd gorilla trekking in Virunga/Kahuzi Biega park, 5 Days you drive back to Kigali for your connecting flight.
Uganda - Rwanda - Congo gorilla trekking. Trek gorillas three times in three countries on the same trip. YES, this package takes you to trek gorillas in Bwindi forest Uganda, Volcanoes National park Rwanda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The suitable package for a combined gorilla safari is 7 Days. On the first day, arrive at Entebbe at Entebbe international airport and transfer to Bwindi Forest National park. On the second day, you do the 1st gorilla trekking. 3rd day you transfer Kigali and proceed to Volcanoes National park in Northwestern Rwanda. 4th day you do the 2nd gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali for an overnight. 5th day you transfer to Goma and on the 6th day you do a third gorilla trekking in Virunga National park and on the 7th day you transfer back to Kigali for your return flight.
The cost of a combined gorilla trekking safari. You have to buy three different gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for your combined gorilla trekking safari. In Uganda, each gorilla permit cost $700 for foreign non residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens and Ugandan nationals. In Rwanda each permit cost $1500 for all visitors including Rwandan nationals and east Africans. Rwanda is a luxury gorilla safari destination with the most expensive gorilla permit in Africa. In Congo, each permit cost $450 for foreign residents and $400 for foreign residents. The democratic Republic of Congo is therefore the cheapest gorilla safari destination and most preferred for travelers on a tight budget.
Packing list for a combined gorilla safari. The fact that you will spend most time in the jungle forest, please endeavor to carry the right clothing for a safe and enjoyable gorilla encounter. Among the things you should pack for you combined gorilla trekking g safari include Hiking boots/shoes, garden gloves, long pants, long sleeved shirts/blouses, hat, sun glasses, rain jackets, warm sweaters and scarf, insect repellants, energy giving snacks, bottled drinking water, toiletries and first aid kit. A walking stick is also essential for support easing your walking up and down up hill in search for the gorillas. Hiring a porter is also advised to save you of a heavy baggage, which make it difficult for you. Porters are local people some of whom are former poachers who help you carry baggage to and from the gorilla trek for a s low as $15 to $20 for a full day.
When and how to book a combined gorilla trekking safari? Gorilla permit booking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is recommended at least 6 months in advance. The reason for early booking is due to high demand and low supply of gorilla permits in all destinations. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most done travel experience, a priority for most travelers in Africa. A 30% deposit is required upon booking while full payment is required 45 days to the trekking date. Regarding how to book a combined gorilla safari, you can book directly with responsible conservation bodies in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
These are Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda and the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Online gorilla permit booking is also possible by visiting website for these conservation bodies, you follow the steps, check availability and book online without necessarily going to the head offices. Alternatively, you can contact any trusted and registered travel company offering combined safaris to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just contact any company, tell them about your travel dates and budget and leave the rest for them. Booking through travel agent is the most convenient way to book combined gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo at a cheap cost.
Availability of gorilla permits for a combined gorilla safari. Checking the availability of gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is a first thing you should do when booking a combined safari. Check whether there are available permits on your desired dates in both countries. Each day, a total of 280 gorilla permits are available. Uganda has the highest gorilla permits roughly 136 gorilla permits, Rwanda has 80 gorilla permits and Congo has 64-gorilla permits available every day. Gorilla permits are used on the first come first serve basis. The number of habituated gorilla families in each country determines the availability of gorilla permits. Each gorilla group has 8 permits a day for the eight people allowed to visit it.
Gorilla trekking rules for a combined safari. In all gorilla national parks, responsible conservation bodies have put rules and regulations to guide gorilla trekking. These are also called dos and don’ts put to ensure the safety of the endangered gorillas and travelers. These rules are similar in both countries and they include:
Do not trek gorillas when sick. The endangered species are susceptible to human illnesses especially communicable diseases
You must have a valid gorilla permit. During briefing, each traveler is asked to submit his/her permit before he is allowed to take part in gorilla trekking. Anyone without a permit will not be allowed to visit gorillas
Keep a distance of seven meters way form the gorillas. Keep a social distance please
Do not litter in the park. Leave nothing but only the foot steps
Do not sue flash light cameras to take pictures
Mask up your face to cover your nose and mouth
Do not look direct into the eyes of the silverback gorilla
Keep your voices low. Do not shout loud in presence of the gorillas
Do not eat or drink in the presence of gorillas
Do not touch baby gorillas. The silverback gorilla will charge at you
Do not smoke in the presence of gorillas
Spend strictly an hour with the gorillas. An hour is counted from the time you meet the allocated gorilla family. However, you can spend over 6 hours trekking through the jungle before meeting the gorillas.
In conclusion therefore, a combined gorilla safari is the best way to compare gorilla encounters win different destinations. Book a combined safari and trek different gorilla families in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo on the same trip.
