Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park 2021
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park: Gorilla trekking is an incredible activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park which allows you to move into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is the major activity which attracts thousands of visitors to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern Uganda and Kanungu district. The park was gazetted in 1992 mainly to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and was recognizes as a world heritage site in 1994. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done in four sectors which include Nkuringo sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south and Ruhija sector in the East. Apart from Bwindi impenetrable national park gorilla trekking is also done in others destinations like Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga gorilla national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families namely Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Katwe, Nkuringo, Christmas, Bushaho, Mishaya, Mukiza, Nshongi, Bweza, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Bikyingi, Businge and Kahungye which are available for trekking on a daily basis. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with different trails in the jungle. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are found because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be rewarded with great views of other wildlife species including bird species, other primate species like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are found you will be able to spend one hour with them in the natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, playing, take photos and record the moments to show people back home.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience an adventurous activity where the mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence. The habituation experience is only carried out in Rushaga sector southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and allows a maximum number of 4 people to visit each gorilla family under the habituated process.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season during the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is little rainfall in the tropical rainforest therefore access roads to the park and trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park
A gorilla permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park is a legal card that is issued to any visitor above the age of fifteen years allowing him or her to visit any habituated gorilla family. A single gorilla permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs USD 700 for foreign non residents, USD 600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs USD 1,500 for foreign non residents, USD 1,000 for foreign residents and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because permits are competitive and usually get sold out quickly especially during the dry season therefore in order to avoid last minute inconveniences you are advised to book in advance.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting their head offices in Kampala via telephone calls or email. You can also book a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. When you want to book through a tour operator you will contact us with the dates, month and year when you wish to travel to Bwindi impenetrable national park. We will check for permit availability and if there are permits available you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money we will purchase the gorilla permit on your behalf and send you a scanned receipt as confirmation.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Buhoma lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Lake Kitandara Bwindi camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Silverback lodge, Mahogany Springs Camp, Gorilla Resort, Engagi lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Gorilla Friends lodge, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Gift of Nature lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Cuckooland Tented lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla lodge, Four Gorillas lodge, Bwindi Jungle View lodge among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by both air and road transport means.
Air transport, when using air transport means you will book charter or scheduled flights with Aerolink Uganda limited from Entebbe International Park or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road. Domestic flights to Bwindi impenetrable national park can be booked by your tour operator.
Road transport, when using road transport means you will drive from Kampala/ Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 8 to 9 hours drive in a 4 WD safari vehicle.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours drive.
