OTHER GLOBAL INFORMATION
Differences Between Gorilla Encounters In Odzala-Kokoua And Other Areas
| Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda |
| Size | ± 13,600 sq. km. |
(5,250 sq. mi.) |
± 160 sq. km. |
| # of Annual Guests | 2,920 | 29,200 | >36,000 |
| # of Gorillas | ± 25,000 | ± 480 | ± 400 |
| Gorilla Tracking Permits | Cost: US $750 per permit per day. Only 12 permits issued per day. At least 2 permits included in each Kamba Journey. |
Cost: US $1,500 per permit per day. 96 permits issued per day. Permit availability is not guaranteed. Advised to book at least a year in advance. |
Cost: US $700 per permit per day. 80 permits issued per day. Permit availability is not guaranteed. Advised to book at least a year in advance. |
| Group Size | Max 4 guests per group, 3 groups per day. |
Max 8 guests per group, 12 groups per day. |
Max 8 guests per group, 10 groups per day. |
Gorilla tracks at Ngaga Lodge are on foot and typically start before dawn. Expeditions range in length from 1-8 km (0.5-5 miles) over undulating terrain and often through thick undergrowth. Tracks can last between two and seven hours, including the time (one hour maximum) spent with gorillas.
Guests must be at least 16 years of age.
We require a medical clearance form completed by a health professional prior to your arrival. This is to prevent transmission of harmful diseases to which the gorilla families are susceptible. Guests must wear masks (provided) when in proximity to the gorillas
Your tracker and guide will use hand signals to communicate while in close proximity to the gorilla families. Guests are asked to remain silent until the tracker and guide advise it is safe to be vocal. Camera equipment and personal belongings must be easily accessible during the trek to reduce noise.
Guests remain at least 10 m (32 ft) from the gorillas at all times to preserve their natural behaviours, protect them against disease, and create a boundary of mutual respect.
Guests are permitted to spend up to 1 hour maximum with gorillas per day (not including trekking time).