FAQs

The answer is yes. This follows the introduction of special stretcher beds and litters upon which Persons with Disabilities can be taken to see the gorillas. They operate in the same way as litters. Typically, most take the shape of an open chair or bed. They are supported by two parallel handles made of hardwood that don’t break easily, like mahogany. Upon these ends, the you will be ferried by two or more porters depending on your weight. Though most porters prefer placing the carrying poles upon their shoulders as it is effective. Occasionally they carry it by hand especially if the PWD in question has a fright for heights.

The four mountainous National Parks where gorillas live lie at a altitude of 1160m – 4,500 meters above sea level. What’s more, they are tropical rainforests that experience frequent rainfalls. These two aspects makes them one of the 10 coldest places in Africa. To this effect, you are advised to carry enough warm clothing, raincoats and waterproof hiking boots.

Yes. Having undergone through series of political instabilities that crippled its economic sector in 1980s, Uganda’s Government now prioritizes safety over everything else. The country has three organs in charge of protecting it from any terror attacks or outbreak of civil wars. These organs are the National Army(Uganda People’s Defence Forces), Uganda Police and Paramilitary Police. Their work is complimented with that of the Tourism Police, a team of police trained on how to professionally look after tourists. They are mostly based in the National Parks and Hotels across the country.

Unlike Big 5 animals which can be found in over 40 National parks across the continent, these mountain gorillas can only be found in Virunga region. As such, while the entire world travels to here to see them in the wild, only 8 tourists can see a particular family in a day. As such, permits often register a 90% sale out. They are given to travellers on a first-come-first serve basis.  It is thus wiser to pre-book your permit ahead of time, at least six months ahead of your planned time for visit. If you have any further inquiries, Umoja Motherland Safaris is just an email away.

Rwanda’s pricing of permits at $1,500 is influenced by their positioning as a high end destination. It is also purposed by the need to limit number of mid-range and budget visitors into the country. They would rather have few tourists who can spend much more than lots of tourists who are spending little. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Uganda has positioned itself as a mid-range destination because its gorilla permits are priced at $600 to foreign tourists-$450 for foreign residents and 300000 UGX for East African Nationals. Far from it, Uganda believes that the easiest way to influence the conservation of gorillas is by allowing everybody get to know them better, regardless of social class. This is achieved by setting a price that can allow even budget travellers go gorilla tracking. That way, they can get a better understanding of circumstances under which gorillas have become endangered.

Gorilla tracking is quite frustrating the rainy months from April, March and May for two reasons. For starters, the vegetation overgrows at this time making frustrating to observe them or take their pictures. In this regard, the dry season is much more recommendable as it offers a hustle free experience. It occurs from June to August and December to February.

Kwita Izina is an annual gorilla naming ceremony hosted in Rwanda by their Government. It is purposed to establish a strong bond between locals and the gorillas with the intent of uplifting their conservation. The event is organised like a festival and attracts over 10,000 tourists inclusive of International A-list celebrities, musicians, sports personalities, business men and conservation enthusiasts.

Due to the harsh nature of the environment they live in, the average life expectancy of a mountain gorilla is 35 years. Beyond this time, they become more vulnerable to athritis. It is a sickness that weakens the joints, causing a lot of pain and difficulty in movement.

The other cause of death especially among dominant silverbacks is severe injuries sustained from fights with rival groups. This makes the gorillas vulnerable to open wound infections. That said, it is not unusual for some gorilla members to exceed 50 years.

While wild male mountain gorillas weigh 136 to 195 kg (300 to 430 lb), adult females weigh about half 68–113 kg (150–250 lb). Adult males are 1.4 to 1.8 m (4 ft 7 in to 5 ft 11 in) tall, as female gorillas are shorter at 1.25 to 1.5 m (4 ft 1 in to 4 ft 11 in).

Simply put, gorillas are over five times stronger and carry up to 815 kilograms with ease. Man can’t lift more than 150 kilograms..

Upon letting us know when you want to go gorilla tracking in Rwanda, Uganda or Congo, we will, we will check availability for you at the respective headquarters of the parks. If permits for your preferred dates are still available, we will keep you posted. Thereafter, we shall proceed to book the gorilla permits for you using money you have entrusted us with. Next, we shall email you an invoice from the park authorities. This will be done within a day. The rest as the say will be history.

The natural habitat where gorillas live are surrounded by communities with big populations of subsistence farmers. This in turn has created a pressing need for land for cultivation, thereby forcing locals to encroach on parks in which gorillas live. This destruction of forests translates into food shortage for gorillas forcing them to depend upon crops of farmers. The result of this quest is unendending inter human-wildlife conflicts which sometimes leads to direct attacks on primates.

That aside, mountain gorillas are not the primary target of poachers because they are not edible. However, they often fall victim to their snares meant for other prey like forest buffaloes. This leaves them with severe injuries, exposing them to infections.

Your decision to buy gorilla permits directly contributes to the salvation of gorillas. Uganda Wildlife Authority relies on proceeds from gorilla tourism to employ more ranger guides who can protect their animals. The same money is also used to fund community sensitization projects with the hope of addressing inter human-wildlife conflicts.