Category: Frequently Asked Questions
Our Stories:
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What Is Best Time to Visit Rwanda, Uganda and Eastern DRC? Experts Disagree!
“When is the best time to come?” is the question I have heard too many a time during my 20 years in the Gorilla Highlands. “Any time is the best time,” has been my standard reply, undoubtedly valid for the core of our region with rainforests and volcanoes inhabited by gorillas. But before posting this…
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How Do Gorillas Get Habituated (Used to Humans)?
In the national parks of the Gorilla Highlands, many gorilla groups roam. But only some of them can actually receive one-hour visits from tourists. That is because they are habituated or, in other words, used to humans. This is done very selectively and carefully. For example, when in 2017 Rwanda doubled its gorilla tracking fees…
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Why Do Gorillas Fart So Much?
Contrary to old myths about bloodthirsty gorillas hunting humans, mountain gorillas are peaceful vegetarians. What Do Mountain Gorillas Eat? They are herbivores, eating up to 140 different types of fruit, herbs, stems and roots. Like other primates they sometimes munch on ants and termites and have been seen to enjoy a communal meal off a favourite…
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To Fly or Not to Fly? Let’s Talk Responsible Tourism!
Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism In recent years there has been — rightly so — a lot of attention devoted to ecotourism or sustainable tourism. While ecotourism clearly focuses on being ecological, or not harming the environment, the term sustainable tourism is a bit more encompassing. Sustainable seems to be the buzzword of the last decade;…
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Advice on Buying your Own Camping Gear
Last week we talked about the beauty and challenges of camping in the Gorilla Highlands and promised we would move a level higher today: into buying your own camping gear. We are still helping an East African beginner enjoy the thrill of sleeping in nature, but now we will be guiding your tent shopping in…
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A is for Adventure, B is for Beginners, C is for…
Are you new to camping, hiking, canoeing and all these adventure things? You’ve come to the right place! This year on the Gorilla Highlands blog there will be quite some emphasis on domestic tourism, on Rwandans and Ugandans getting comfortable in our astonishing wilderness. And, to be properly inclusive, we do know there are many…
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Building Traditions: New Year’s Eve Celebration on Habukomi Island
“How do local people celebrate New Year’s Eve?” visitors to the Gorilla Highlands often ask. Until 2007 there wasn’t much to say. The drumming that traditionally announces Christmas would get repeated to some degree, and that would be all. But now that we have awaited a new year on Habukomi Island ten years in a…
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![Here We Go: Apply Online for Uganda Visa [Updated]](https://gorillahighlands.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/e-visa-1-1.jpg)
Here We Go: Apply Online for Uganda Visa [Updated]
UPDATE, 22/7/2016: The cost of the single entry visa for Uganda has been reduced to USD 50. UPDATE, 15/7/2016: Two travellers coming from Slovenia have emailed us some details on how the border-crossing experience was. Business as usual, basically, but they did get a printout with the following text: “It is still possible to get a visa…
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Hiking in Surprising Africa: Free Your Mind
When you consider trekking in the Gorilla Highlands of Uganda and Rwanda—towards our extraordinary mountain gorillas or through the dramatic cultural landscapes—you should free your mind first. There are many preconceptions that have to do with Africa and simply do not apply. How safe is Uganda? How safe is Rwanda? In one word: very. The…
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