Important tips for planning a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park

When planning a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, the following important tips are very useful and can make your gorilla trekking experience a successful one. These tips are arranged to cover only the important steps from acquiring and purchasing a gorilla trekking permit to the dress code while trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park trekking gorillas. These tips, when followed, visitors are assured of having an incredible gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Book the trekking dates in advance.

Booking a desired trekking date before is important for the visitors as they secure a date when they wish to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. For visitors to have a gorilla trekking adventure, they need to purchase a gorilla trekking permit. This gorilla permit is the document that allows visitors to gain access to Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trekking tour. Acquiring this gorilla trekking permit, visitors are advised to book in advance at least 3 months before the desired date of trekking. Booking requires visitors to contact a licensed tour company, where they can book the permit. Booking amounts to over 30% of the total price of the gorilla trekking permit.

Select the best tour company to use

Choosing a good and reputable tour company to use can be a challenging task, but very important. This is because a good tour company does not stop at booking and purchasing the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf, but also organizes the whole trip. Selecting the best tour company to use requires a lot of caution and research, through reading the feedback from previous clients and also the rating of the company. Therefore, when planning a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, select the best tour company to handle your gorilla adventure tour.

Take note of the season to trek.

When planning a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, take note of the season. The high and low seasons go side-by-side with the weather or climate seasons of dry and wet. The dry season that runs from June to September and December to February is considered the peak or high season. This is because it is the period when there are more visitors flocking into the park. The wet season, on the other hand, sees a drop in the number of visitors, thus terming it the low season. Taking note of these seasons enlightens you of the periods you desire to trek and also the time to book and purchase a gorilla trekking permit. For example, during the peak season, there is a high demand for the limited permits available; hence, visitors are required to book earlier.

Pack the essential trekking gear.

The success of the gorilla trekking expedition is not just awarded to the permits alone, but rather to other factors such as the packing gear. Packing essential trekking gear can be a lifeline to the success of the gorilla trekking tour, thus an important tip for those planning to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Packing gear for trekking engulfs all the essential items that are necessary for a gorilla trekking adventure. These can range from life support items like energy-giving snacks and a first aid box to clothing gear and accessories like sunscreen, insect repellent, gloves, cap, etc.

Observe the safety precautions.

Visitors must follow the safety precautions of the country and also those delivered to them by the rangers during the pre-trekking briefing. These safety precautions are important tips for visitors planning a gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, as they are meant to keep them safe and secure during their stay.

Travel early before the trekking date.

Traveling early before the actual trekking date is also an important tip for visitors on a gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park. When you travel early, you have ample time to prepare for the trekking experience. Last-minute travels can lead to interruptions such as delayed flights that can affect your trekking experience.

Physical fitness

This is arguably one of the most important tips for visitors interested in gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking is a physical and outdoor activity that requires visitors to traverse the dense forest canopies with rugged terrain to get to the mountain gorillas and spend an hour in their presence. Therefore, visitors need to be physically fit to maintain the long treks that can be tiresome and often exhausting.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park?

Gorilla trekking, being an outdoor activity, is best done during the dry season, which runs from June to August and December to February. This period is characterized by dry weather conditions that are ideal for a successful gorilla trekking experience. This period also ensures that the trekking trails are dry and can easily be navigated, unlike they would in the wet season. With little or no rainfall patterns experienced in this season, the vegetation is sparse and offers a clear sight of the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The clear sky also adds a touch of scenic beauty to the vegetation surrounding the gorilla trek.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

We went on a two-week trip with my family, organised by Coleb from Standard Safaris.

I had my concerns about organised trips, but this one didn’t justify any of those. Everything went very smoothly, even when some problems arose with one of the cars it got fixed by next morning, the accomodations were clean and comfortable, the programs were exciting and well-balanced - everything was done to a truly high standard.

If you plan to visit Uganda and are looking for a guide, I warmly recommend Coleb and his team. In case you have a choice of drivers, go for Godwin, his presence made this trip even more enjoyable - cheerful, helpful, good sense of humour, generally a great person. Just look for the guy with a big smile and big heart:)

Bert Simoens

09:38 08 Jan 24

We recently embarked on a safari adventure with Standard Safaris in Uganda, which was truly exceptional. Our guide, Yonah, was outstanding - his kindness, knowledge, and discretion significantly enhanced our experience. He was the heart of our trip.

The local company's planning was offering a tailor-made journey that matched our interests. We saw an array of wildlife in Murchison, enjoyed rafting at Jinja, and experienced mountain biking at Sipi. A visit to Kidepo National Park was a highlight and comes highly recommended.

The vehicle provided was comfortable and reliable. We highly recommend Standard Safaris for anyone seeking an unforgettable safari in Uganda. Their professionalism and the exceptional guidance of staff like Yonah make them an great choice.

Michał Kostrzewa

00:41 15 Nov 23

We are all extremely grateful Standard Safaris for an incredible East Africa experience. I recently booked a custom trip for group of 8 people, including an 8-year-old boy, from Kampala through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to Rwanda and Burundi. Coleb delivered on everything that was discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

The car provided was in great condition and our driver Meddy went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and had the best possible time. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. All local services were inlcuded in (reasonable) price that we agreed, so there was no need to worry about payments during the 6 day trip. Also Standard Safaris agreed took care about safety and security by helping us organize armed ranger while in the park.

The whole trip was hassle-free and smooth. We saw amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP, took in the sights of Rwanda and Burundi, and made lifelong memories.

I would happily book with Standard Safaris again in a heartbeat and recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone looking for the best East Africa trip. They provide top-notch service while ensuring you have an incredible, customized experience. If you want a hassle-free, flawlessly organized African adventure, Standard Safaris is the tour operator to book with.

Ivan Nammanda

18:31 27 Oct 23

Very organized travel operator who chose awesome guide to make our trip wonderful.

We booked a nine days trip with Standard Safaris and all was perfect from start to finish. Coleb was very prompt at replying and easy to liaise with ahead of the trip. We had done a lot of research and had an itinerary in mind and Coleb helped us to put everything together to make this happen for a very reasonable price.  On the trip we had a private vehicle for the whole tour which was exactly what we wanted. Bryan was our driver and an amazing guide - really friendly and knowledgable, working hard to find the things that we wanted to see and quickly understanding what was of interest to us/how much information to give.

Would highly recommend a trip to Uganda with Standard Safaris. We are definitely coming back soon!

MUGAIGA KENNETH

18:01 27 Oct 23

The company has very courteous tour guides with wide knowledge of fauna and frola in the whole of East Africa.
The choice of safari Lodges is good with first class treatment.
Game drive security is assured.
Almost The whole of September I was traversing through DRC, Uganda,and Rwanda on a gorilla tour and wildlife expedition.
Everything was arranged and booked perfectly by Standard Safaris.
The owner, Coleb was always helpful whenever we needed to ask questions about this gorilla safari in Uganda and beyond.
It was a complex expedition but Standard safaris and Coleb made it look amazingly easy.
I’ll recommend Standard safaris 200%, for all gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and wildlife tours in east africa.

travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

This is so far the best gorilla trekking company in Uganda, and africa, by far. I had a wonderful time with Standard Safaris as a solo traveler.
My guide was excellent and our safari planner, Coleb was quick with responses and the prices were very friendly.
I’ll definitely book with Standard safaris on my next gorilla tour in Rwanda and Uganda.

Important tips for planning a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park

What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park?

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