Gorilla Safaris & Kilimanjaro Trekking

Gorilla Safaris & Kilimanjaro Trekking (Uganda & Tanzania)

If planning Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Climbing ( Trekking Gorillas and the majestic Mountain Kilimanjaro are quite an encounter as you get to watch the rare species of Mountain Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat as well as hike to Africa’s highest point Uhuru in Tanzania.

Majestic Gorillas of Africa

Gorillas are among the incredible creatures in the animal kingdom and are known for their intelligence, social structure and immense strength. There are two species of Gorillas i.e the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla. The Eastern Gorilla is further divided into two subspecies i.e the Mountain Gorilla and the Eastern lowland Gorilla.

Mountain Gorillas

The Mountain Gorilla is the rarest of the two types of Eastern Gorillas and these are watched in the Virunga Mountains in Central Africa. They inhabit the dense forest vegetation with mist, high altitude on the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tourism plays a vital role in the conservation of Mountain Gorillas and while in the presence of the Gorillas, travelers are allowed an hour to take photos to keep about the Mountain Gorilla Trekking Adventure.

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is a unique adventure which offers travelers a chance to trek and watch the rare Gorillas up close in the wild. The trekking adventure takes you on a guided hike through dense jungles and rugged terrain for a period of 3 to 5 hours traversing from one track to another with park ranger guides informing you about the safari destination, Gorillas and their livelihood.

After a while transferring along the trails, you shall meet the Gorillas and in a period of an hour, stay in their presence taking many photos to keep with you for memories about your encounter. Treks range from a few hours to an entire day, depending on where the gorilla groups are located

When interested in trekking the Gorillas, you MUST have a valid Gorilla Trekking Permit which is offered in countries like Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo. The Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda costs US $800 per person, Rwanda US $1500 per person and DR Congo US $450 per person. The permits are obtained through contacting an authentic Tour Operator Agency to reserve these on your behalf before the date of arrival.

Safari Destinations to trek Gorillas

In Africa, Gorilla Trekking is done in the Central and Eastern parts in countries i.e Uganda, Rwanda and The DR Congo.

In Uganda, Gorilla Trekking is done at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the South West of Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers trekking adventures within the thick forest vegetation as you find it quite challenging to navigate along the trails despite it being worthy at the end.

There are over 17 habituated Mountain Gorilla Groups that can be tracked in Bwindi within the varying sectors i.e Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Other than Gorilla Trekking, travelers can take on the Gorilla habituation experience where they get a chance to stay in the presence of the Gorillas longer i.e 4 hours with lead researchers and guides as they learn more about these primates.

Alternatively, travelers can also trek Gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park situated a few kilometers off Kisoro Town. The park offers remarkable Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Tracking Adventures as you get up close to these primates in their natural forest habitat. Other than trekking, the park is ideal for travelers interested in hiking adventures as there are various mount volcanoes in the park.

Trekking the Gorillas in both parks costs US $800 per person interested.

The Kilimanjaro Trek

Mountain Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) making it the tallest point in Africa and one of the Seven Summits. Hiking the majestic Mountain is incredible as you go through varying ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to alpine deserts. Hiking the majestic Mountain does not require skilled hikers as most people with fitness levels can attempt and win the summit.

While on hike, you are awarded beautiful views of the verdant rainforests, terrains, flora and fauna. Hiking the Mountain requires you to follow varying routes which offer you unique experiences and these include;

Marangu Route

Marangu Route also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the easiest and most straightforward route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro till you reach Uhuru summit. The Route is the oldest and prominently used and offers a unique balance of accessibility, scenic beauty and comfort. Marangu Route stands out to be more appealing to trekkers who prefer some comfort during their hike.

Overview of the Marangu Route

Distance: About 72 kilometers (45 miles) round-trip
Duration: 5 to 6 days
Difficulty: Moderate (though still challenging due to the altitude)
Accommodation: Huts (instead of tents like on most other routes)
Route Description: Marangu Route gets to Uhuru along Mountain Kilimanjaro from the southeast and follows a well-defined path through verdant rainforest, heath, alpine desert.

Machame Route

Also referred to as the “Whiskey” route, Macahme Route is one of the most prominent and scenic routes. It is quite challenging to conquer to the summit although offers more spectacular views, diverse ecosystems and higher success rates when properly acclimatized. If you are looking to experience a bit of challenge traversing and ascending through rainforests, heath, and alpine desert to the summit of Kilimanjaro, this is your route.

Overview of the Machame Route

Distance: Approximately 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) round-trip
Duration: 6 to 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (due to its steeper terrain and longer days)
Accommodation: Camping (except for the final night at the summit)
Route Description: The Machame Route starts in the South Western part of Kilimanjaro and ascends through dense rainforests before emerging into heath and moorland zones. The route proceeds through alpine desert terrain before reaching the summit.

Lemosho Route

Lemosho Route is known to be the most beautiful route to follow along Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the most scenic and less crowded. It gives you a chance to experience Kilimanjaro’s diverse landscapes and ideal for hikers looking for a balance between beauty and challenge.

Overview of the Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is stunning with distant terrain landscapes and gradual ascents hence becoming the best route for acclimatization. It gets to Kilimanjaro from the Western side allowing hikers to enjoy less crowded trails till they reach the summit.

Distance: Approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) round-trip
Duration: 7 to 8 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (due to its length and altitude gain)
Accommodation: Camping (except for the summit)
Route Description: The Lemosho Route is one of the longer routes on Kilimanjaro, which gives trekkers more time to acclimatize. Starting in the rainforest zone, the route moves through verdant forests, heath and moorland before transitioning into the alpine desert and finally, the summit.

Rongai Route

Rongai Route along Mount Kilimanjaro starts from the Northern side and is less crowded offering a more distant challenging trekking experience. It is ideal for travelers looking for a more tranquil, quieter and distinct adventure experience.

Overview of the Rongai Route

The Rongai Route starts from the Rongai Gate located just South of the Kenyan border. All travelers looking for a gradual climbing experience, this is your route.

Distance: Approximately 73 kilometers (45 miles) round-trip
Duration: 6 to 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate (though it can feel more difficult due to the longer days at high altitudes)
Accommodation: Camping (except for the final night at the summit)
Route Description: The Rongai Route offers an ascent through pristine wilderness with a gradual increase in altitude through forested areas, heathland and alpine deserts, providing trekkers with incredible views of the mountain’s glaciers, valleys, and the surrounding terrain landscape.

Umbwe Route

Umbwe Route along Mountain Kilimanjaro is the shortest and most difficult route, best suited for experienced trekkers/ hikers. It is the steepest route along mount Kilimanjaro following through beautiful rugged terrain landscapes enabling hikers to experience the raw and unspoiled beauty.

It starts from the Southern side of Kilimanjaro moving straight through dense tropical rainforests, steep ridgelines and high-altitude deserts.

Overview of the Umbwe Route

Distance: Approximately 53 kilometers (33 miles) round trip
Duration: 6 to 7 days
Difficulty: Difficult to Very Challenging (due to the steep ascent and shorter trek duration)
Accommodation: Camping (except for summit night)
Route Description: The Umbwe Route is steep, and hikers face significant altitude gain early in the climb. It is shorter than many other routes, so the days are intense, but climbers are rewarded with exceptional views, especially at higher altitudes. The Umbwe Route converges with the Machame Route at the Barranco Camp, after which the climbers take the same path to the summit.