Mountain Gorillas in Africa

[Del]

I'm thinking of going sometime next year, has anyone been to Rwanda or the Congo to see them? When's the best time of year and any idea of the price?

Nice one!

[lestat]

you need to be careful where you go wandering in africa esp congo, tourists have ben known to be sold to rebels.i wouldnt not go there if you know what i mean - i would be as careful as fuck though

[Del]

I meant to say Uganda but wasn't able to edit it

[hughjass]

I was in Kenya and Uganda recently, had a fantastic time, and its not really dangerous at all. The Congo is more unstable alright, but I had no hassle backpacking across Kenya and Uganda.

I didnt get to go to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda unfortunately due to Kenya Airways not changing my flights, although I was booked to go. Some friends did go in Rwanda, and had an amazing time. It involves a fairly tough trek through very thick jungle to see them, and they can be a bit dangerous themselves too, but its supposed to be an amazing sight. The whole area is extremely beautiful too.

The downside is it costs $400 for a permit to visit them. If you want a cheaper option, you can do a chimpanzee trek in Uganda for $70. I did one in Kibale National Forest near Fort Portal, and that was class. Theres not many places in the world to see wild chimps, and you get pretty damn close to them, about 3-4 metres away. You get a guide who'll help you find them, and you can follow them around for an hour or so. Theyre class creatures, theyre unbelievably human-like up close. Its their gestures and facial expressions that really make them stand out. The trek is much easier too, it can take a while to find them but the forest is just woodland as opposed to thick jungle.

If I were you I'd do both. I was really disappointed not to be able to go to the mountain gorillas after I had booked it and all, but the chimpanzee trek was cool too. And if your on a budget the chimps are a lot cheaper. I was there in early September, which was a grand time to visit, not too hot. Best time to go is around July/August/September I think, rainy season is just over and its not the hottest time of year.

Oh and if youre travelling around Uganda, make sure you do the white water rafting on the river Nile near the town of Jinja - savage craic!

[Reef]

How much did you have to budget to backpack around Uganda and Kenya? Were there cheap guesthouses/hotels pretty much everywhere?

How much was a flight from Ireland?

I'd love to go to East Africa...

[D'oriel]

Rwanda is where I would go tomorrow if I had a free choice.

PM Hang.
He spent some time there through his Dad's job, I think.

[Ciotóg]

There are mountain guerillas in Uganda. They're not all that friendly and don't really welcome outsiders coming in on their territory.

[D'oriel]

Spokesperson?

[Reef]

Would love to go to Rwanda too. I've been reading travel blogs of a lot of people who have been in the Congo over the Summer and haven't had any troubles. Apparantly it's safe enough once you aren't foolish about things. That'd be some trip, sounds unreal...

[hughjass]

How much did you have to budget to backpack around Uganda and Kenya? Were there cheap guesthouses/hotels pretty much everywhere?

How much was a flight from Ireland?

I'd love to go to East Africa...

Its very cheap to travel around once you get there. Theres cheap hotels/hostels everywhere, you can easily find places for less than €5 a night in quieter towns, even in big cities like Nairobi you can find plenty of hostels for around €10. Food is cheap too, €1-3 for main courses in places locals eat, maybe €5-10 for main courses in fancy western restaurants. Beers €1-1.50 at most. Travel is cheap and easy too, loads of bus companies, and even cheaper matatus (14 seater minibus driven by lunatics) on many routes. Get yourself an East Africa Lonely Planet book and youll have no trouble finding cheap accomodation and transport. You could live on €100 a week comfortably, probably a lot less if you wanted, but things like gorilla treks and white water rafting are more on top of that.

Flights - Im not too sure how much really, I was in Kenya doing volunteer work so my flights had already been arranged for me. I flew Aer Lingus from Cork to Amsterdam, then KLM from there to Nairobi. Very good service + dont think its too expensive. After that just use buses everywhere.

[i_didnt_do_nawtin]

Would love to go to Rwanda too. I've been reading travel blogs of a lot of people who have been in the Congo over the Summer and haven't had any troubles. Apparantly it's safe enough once you aren't foolish about things. That'd be some trip, sounds unreal...

Nah, I know a chick who works at the Swiss embassy in the Congo. Armoured vehicles and armed guards are the norm. I wouldn't ventrue around those parts at the moment.

[Reef]

I'd definitely want an armoured guard etc if I was working in an embassy there. If you are on a bus with shit clothes and a backpack it might be a different story...

[hughjass]

I'd definitely want an armoured guard etc if I was working in an embassy there. If you are on a bus with shit clothes and a backpack it might be a different story...

Trust me youll stand out a mile on a bus with your pasty white Irish skin. And white people equal lots of money to any dodgy sorts out there. I personally wouldnt go to the Congo, it is a bit unstable and you would need armed guards in some parts, and to be honest you can see just as much if not more in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

And one final note, visas for the Congo I think are around $100. Rwanda is $50, while Uganda is free for Irish passport holders!

[Reef]

Point taken, I was being a bit reactionary there. Don't think I would go to the Congo quite yet, it's just always been somewhere I'd love to go. I was more saying that people have been going in the past year without too much trouble. And that being in a job like working for an embassy (where you would wear a suit and drive a car around) you'll look a lot more like you have money than if you are a backpacker.

Cheers again for the info on Uganda and Kenya, very seriously thinking about going there next Summer for a bit. Sweet about the Uganda visa!