Gorilla Trekking Family Allocation

Gorilla Trekking Family Allocation

Gorilla Trekking Family Allocation — Embarking on a gorilla trekking adventure comes with the excitement of encountering these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. For first-time visitors, the question of which gorilla family to trek often arises. In this article, we shed light on how habituated mountain gorilla families are allocated for visitors participating in the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.

Historical Allocation Methods

In the early days of gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, distinct methods were employed for gorilla family allocation. Rwanda allocated families based on the interests of individual participants, while Uganda assigned gorilla permits to specific habituated gorilla families. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park initially had 10 habituated gorilla families open for trekking, each with unique names and characteristics.

However, this system faced challenges as certain gorilla families became less booked, impacting revenue. Families with fewer members, no silverback, or baby gorillas were overlooked, leading to a mismatch in demand. To address this, authorities expanded the number of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to 18, spread across five trekking sectors.

Current Allocation System

Presently, gorilla trekking family allocation and permit assignment follow a unified approach in Uganda and Rwanda. The habituated gorilla families are distributed across Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo sectors, and Mgahinga, allowing a more equitable distribution of visitors and an enhanced trekking experience.

On the day of gorilla trekking, allocation occurs at the park head offices after the briefing session. Factors such as age, physical fitness, and client preferences influence the allocation. Visitors can communicate their interests to their guides, who then work to arrange services accordingly. The current system aims to maximize sales and ensure a balanced distribution of tourists across the various gorilla families and sectors.

Uganda’s Gorilla Trekking Sectors

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features four sectors open for gorilla trekking year-round: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. Gorilla permits are sector-specific, with availability influenced by the number of gorilla families and the eight-person daily visitation limit per family.

For a seamless gorilla trekking experience, entrust Trek Africa Expeditions, the leading tour operator in Uganda. Our team organizes gorilla trekking safaris to Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Contact Trek Africa Expeditions, and our safari consultants will provide comprehensive information on gorilla trekking family allocation, permit bookings, and safari planning in Africa. Let the adventure begin!