Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda; Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity that attracts a wide range of travelers to visit Uganda and it involves visitors moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Uganda is one of the most visited gorilla destination in Africa due to the fact that it harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and mountain gorillas are found in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla trekking is also done in other destinations like Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the gorilla destinations in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kanungu district on the age of the Albertine rift.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is famously known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors including Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 21 habituated mountain gorilla families which are open for trekking on a daily basis, Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is also the only destinations that offers the adventurous gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is carried out in Rushaga sector, southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and it allows visitors to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla trekking destination located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district bordering with Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which is available for trekking daily.
Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will be sub-divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide. Trekking of mountain gorillas takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view different bird species, other primates like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different plant and tree species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch gorillas feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record videos.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is a legal card that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non residents, 1,000 USD per person for foreign residents and 750,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
How to acquire or book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the park headquarters in Kampala via email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour company like Achieve Global Safaris whereby you will contact us with the dates, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the gorilla destinations therefore vegetation will be less which helps you to have clear views of the mountain gorillas and other wildlife species, access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy, Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can also be done in the wet/ rainy season during the months of March to May, October and November because during this period there is plenty of food in the forest therefore the mountain gorillas will not move deep into the forest hence they will easily be allocated. During the wet season, visitors will be able to acquire the gorilla trekking permits easily and some lodges offer discounts which favor budget travelers.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
There are a wide range of accommodations ranging from budget, midrange and luxury in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where you will stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. The accommodations include Mount Gahinga lodge, Lake Mulehe lodge, Travelers Rest hotel Kisoro, Mucha hotel Kisoro, Lake Mutanda Resort, Amajambere lwacu community camp, Mgahinga Rest camp, Kisoro Tourist hotel, Gorilla hills eco-lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Rushaga gorilla lodge, Engagi lodge, Gorilla heights lodge, Bakiga lodge, Gorilla safari lodge, Gorilla mist camp, Buhoma lodge, Clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Sanctuary gorilla forest lodge among others.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
When going for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of items that you are required to pack for example long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking boots, garden gloves, a pair of cotton socks, insect repellent, hat and sunglasses, energy snacks and bottled drinking water, camera and extra batteries, hat and sunglasses, a pair of binoculars, waterproof rain jacket/poncho, backpack among others, Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is an interesting and unforgettable activity that shouldn’t be missed during your Uganda safari. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book luxury or affordable gorilla trekking packages.
