Mountain Gorilla Trekking: Sustainable Ecotourism in Uganda and DR Congo

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Are you curious about mountain gorilla trekking in Africa? Trekking to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the trip of a lifetime anda sustainable ecotourism experience that benefits the gorillas and local communities.

Guest author Kesi from Kesi to and Fro shares her expertise and tips for gorilla trekking in Uganda and DR Congo and the positive benefits of the tours. Make sure you stick around until the end to learn how to join Kesi on her next trek and ways you can support her. Let’s give her a warm welcome.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Sustainable Ecotourism

In 2018 I spent three months backpacking around eastern and central Africa, and it quickly became my favorite part of the world. One of the reasons I love traveling throughout this region is because there is ethical animal tourism.

Wildlife tourism in Africa shows animals in their natural habitats without manipulation. For example, when I was in the Philippines, they offered to swim with whale sharks. The guides would feed the sharks to attract them to specific areas and guarantee that tourists would see the whale sharks. When I went on a whale shark excursion in Mozambique, I was not guaranteed to see the whale sharks, since the guides don’t interfere with their natural habitats.

In the African countries I’ve visited, animals are generally respected and treated ethically. The best wildlife experience I’ve ever had is hands-down gorilla trekking.

I first went gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it was surreal to spend an hour observing creatures with many features similar to those of humans. I loved every minute of the experience and couldn’t believe I could get so close to animals in their natural environments.

One of my favorite moments was when a baby gorilla walked over my feet! Initially nervous, I remained calm and realized the animals were habituated and comfortable with us. 

Gorilla trekking is an expensive endeavor, especially on a backpacker’s budget, but it is worth every penny because there are many benefits, including environmental, economic, and social.

Environmental Benefits of Gorilla Trekking

First, let’s discuss the environmental benefits of mountain gorilla tourism. Mountain Gorillas are endangered and can only be found across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla permits are expensive ($400 in the DRC, $700 in Uganda, and $ 1,500 in Rwanda), yet the money is well spent, as it directly supports national parks.

Over the years, the mountain gorilla population has been slowly increasing; currently, there are over 1,000 mountain gorillas. Tourism increases the mountain gorilla population by raising funds from gorilla trekking tours.

Poaching poses one of the biggest threats to gorillas. Poachers can make money by illegally selling gorilla meat for food, the bushmeat trade, and traditional medicines. Gorilla permits help support the rangers in these parks, which protect the animals from poachers. Being a ranger is dangerous, and they deserve fair compensation for their hard work. Unfortunately, it is expected to hear about rangers dying in the park in the DRC.

When I went gorilla trekking in 2018, five rangers were killed that same day. (Note: The area where tourists visit Virunga is usually safe, but the more dangerous parts are other parts of the park.) Rangers in Uganda face several risks, like stepping into a poacher’s trap. Tourism helps deter poaching by supporting rangers.

 

 

 

 

 

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Economic Benefits of Gorilla Trekking

What is at the center of Uganda’s economic progress? One answer is focusing on conservation-based economies. Wikipedia defines conservation economy as

“economic wealth that is harvested from a bioregion’s local natural resources in a way that meets local communities’ needs yet restores rather than depletes natural and social capital[1]”

The gorillas in Uganda are a great example of the conservation economy. For instance, most gorilla lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Park are owned and operated by Ugandans, whereas many safari companies in Kenya and Tanzania are owned by foreigners. When safari companies are locally owned, the country has more spending power.

Also, gorilla trekking directly helps the local communities. If 10 tourists go gorilla trekking in Bwindi, at least 15 community members, ranging from porters to a woman selling refreshments, will benefit. Also, some gorilla permit fees are allocated to local communities around the park. Besides gorilla trekking, people in the region can benefit from tourists by offering other activities, such as a banana-beer tour or community walk after a day of trekking. 

Tourism provides an alternative way for potential poachers to make money. The decision to become a poacher is not made lightly.  We discussed that being a ranger is a dangerous job, but a poacher also risks being killed by animals or rangers when they act in an illicit manner. Many poachers feel they have few opportunities, so the money from poaching seems attractive.

Tourism surrounding gorilla trekking helps provide more opportunities for the local community, so instead of poaching, they can gain another job that helps with conservation.

Poverty is a global issue, and it’s central to development in Uganda. Yet, a conservation economy can help the local communities and protect national parks.

Social Benefits of Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking also allows people to meet new people and explore new places. Gorilla trekking is the main attraction for people visiting places like the DRC and Uganda. I would’ve never thought about visiting the DRC if it weren’t for gorillas. I heard all these horror stories about the DRC and how I should not visit because it is too dangerous.

Luckily, I did not have any safety concerns while there and instead was welcomed by one of the most helpful people I’ve met in my five years of travel. I’m referring to John-Paul, whom I met via Couchsurfing. He works as a DRC tour guide and is the best! If anyone plans to visit DRC, you must contact John-Paul because he is the warmest person and will ensure you are cared for. He will find you the best prices for transportation and a hotel.

For me, traveling is all about the new connections I make with people, and I am happy the gorillas encouraged me to visit a new country so I could meet someone like John-Paul and learn his story as a Congolese man.

Contact details for John-Paul: [email protected]. Gorilla trekking is also an extraordinary moment to share with someone else. I highly recommend this adventure as a unique honeymoon activity in Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

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Gorilla Tourism and the Batwa People

We can’t talk about the positive social impact of gorilla trekking without disclosing the historical marginalization of the Batwa Indigneous People in Uganda. The Batwa People have lived alongside gorillas in the same habitat for thousands of years.

Conservation efforts and the development of Ugandan National Parks to protect the gorillas forced the Batwa people from their homes.

When booking a Ugandan gorilla trekking, choose tour providers that support Batwa-led experiences to help right the wrongs against this Indigneous group. Learn more about the Batwa people and gorilla experiences.

Recommended Tours for Gorilla Trekking

Buutu Safaris

Local companies are crucial in fighting poverty in Uganda as they create employment opportunities for the locals. Foreign companies continue to sustain the colonial extractive economy by taking the much-needed profit out of the country, which has led to poverty and its perpetuation in Uganda.

Local companies, like Buutu Safari, are wholly invested in growth and development, creating avenues for Ugandans to earn and rise out of poverty.

• They reinvest profits in Uganda.
• Offer real, long-term, sustainable means of fighting poverty.
• Help development as they earn and retain much-needed foreign exchange.
• You will gain an unparalleled understanding of Uganda and share the complete picture as you learn about Uganda’s wildlife, culture, and history from a local perspective. Uganda cannot be experienced through a wildlife prism but rather through a holistic view that appreciates the intricate relationships among people, wildlife, and Africa’s lands.
• Encourage locally-led conservation solutions and create opportunities for Ugandans to take full responsibility for conservation. There has been a disconnect between biodiversity and Ugandans. However, the benefits from tourism incentivize locals to conserve biodiversity.
• Buutu believes Uganda’s future lies in creating companies that create employment for fellow citizens. Tourism provides a valuable starting point for Ugandans, as inclusive conservation-based tourism offers the best foundation for building sustainable green economies of the future.

Recommended Tour Agencies

If you want to book a gorilla tour, I recommend reaching out to these two companies: 

• For Uganda: Buutu Safaris—This Ugandan family-owned tour company offers gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda. It is trustworthy and values creating job opportunities to support local communities. 

Email: [email protected] 

IG: @buutu_safaris

• For the DRC, John-Paul is THE person to contact if you plan to visit. He is a guide who can help you find the best accommodation that suits your needs.

Email: [email protected] 

IG: @zihalirw

WANT TO JOIN THE NEXT “FOLLOW THE FRO” GROUP TRIP?

I plan on running an additional group trip to Uganda. Only a few places are left on the next trip, so sign up! If you are interested in future trips, please click here to fill out the interest form. By joining me on a tour, you’ll engage in sustainable ecotourism, meet like-minded people, and be cared for by the best local tour guides. 

Comment and Share

• Would you ever go on a mountain gorilla trek in Uganda or the Democratic Republic of Congo? If so, what would you find most exciting about the trip?
• Do you have any questions for Kesi, about sustainable gorilla trekking or planning a tour? – Drop them in the comments, and she will get back to you!

Make sure you bookmark and pin this post so you and all your friends can get inspired to plan a trip to Uganda for sustainable gorilla trekking eco-tours.