Is gorilla trekking worth it?
Gorilla trekking is one of the world’s premier wildlife experiences. There are only roughly 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild, making them a highly endangered species and a major draw for wildlife enthusiasts. To have the rare opportunity of seeing these majestic creatures, you can only trek them in the wild since they cannot survive in captivity.
There are two populations of mountain gorillas: one lives in the remote, densely forested and mist-shrouded Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda and the second lives in the Virunga Mountain Ranges, which comprises Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the DR Congo.
Getting up close and personal with these gentle giants in their natural habitat is hard work, but one of the most fulfilling wildlife experiences in the world.
Is gorilla trekking worth the money?
Yes! Gorilla trekking is worth the money because you will be seeing one of the world’s rarest and most endangered species in their natural habitat. Sitting down on the cold floor of a rainforest just a few meters away from a massive silverback watching over his family is a profound and intimate experience that justifies the cost for wildlife enthusiasts.
That’s why meeting the gorillas in their natural habitat is widely considered a once-in-a-lifetime, life-transforming, unforgettable experience and well worth the financial investment. Below are some reasons why gorilla trekking is worth the money.
Reasons Gorilla Trekking is Worth It
1. The experience is exhilarating
Few wildlife experiences compare with the authentic thrill of a face-to-face encounter with these majestic creatures in the wild. You’ll be visiting a family of habituated mountain gorillas. Furthermore, they are fairly calm by nature and will only attack humans if they feel threatened. Provided you follow the instructions and guidelines explained to you by the guides, you will be able to enjoy every moment you are in their presence, watching their gentle nature yet powerful existence from a safe but intimate distance of 7 metres.
2. You are directly supporting conservation efforts
Human encroachment on wildlife habitats through agriculture and settlement in areas bordering and sometimes overlapping with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Volcanoes National Park triggers human-wildlife conflict. It also restricts natural ranging and breeding behaviors of the gorillas.
The revenue generated from the permits you buy largely goes towards the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitat and supporting local community development.
3. Cultural immersion
Gorilla trekking generally offers a unique and life-transforming experience that combines adventure, conservation, and cultural immersion. You will have the opportunity to meet the Batwa pygmies, a hunter-gatherer tribe who are believed to be one of the earliest tribal groups to have lived in Bwindi Forest for thousands of years as well as the Bakiga and local communities around Volcanoes.
4. It’s cheaper in Uganda than in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is an expensive activity. A permit particularly in Rwanda costs USD 1,500 per person significantly shooting up the overall cost of safari. This is because of the need to limit visitor numbers and preserve the health and welfare of the gorillas.
However, at USD 800, permits in Uganda are nonetheless much cheaper than those in Rwanda. This is a great opportunity for travelers to avoid the high permit costs. Uganda also offers a multitude of other amazing things to do compared to Rwanda (Uganda vs Rwanda).
5. Spectacular scenery
Gorilla trekking involves several hours of strenuous hiking through thick vegetation and mountainous terrain with thin air, which requires a moderate level of physical fitness. This is part of what makes it such a rewarding experience.
However, you will not only love seeing the gorillas but also the fabulous scenery. Various viewpoints offer stunning views of the densely forested, rolling mountains, often shrouded in clouds that make them appear all the more beautiful and enigmatic.