Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guide: Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most popular activities which involves moving into the forest in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking is carried out in three African destinations namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic republic of Congo though Uganda is an ideal destination for gorilla trekking because it harbors the highest number of the mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu district and it’s a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla destination that is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district and harbors one habituated gorilla family which is available for trekking daily. The Uganda gorilla trekking guide will help you to plan your gorilla trekking safari in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park and it involves what to carry, gorilla trekking experience, best time to visit the mountain gorillas, cost of a gorilla trekking permit among others.

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda

Uganda gorilla trekking guide will help you to know more about the gorilla trekking experience. gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park is an adventurous activity that starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations. After the briefing you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek and a park guide who will lead you into the jungle during trekking. Allocation of gorilla family to trek is done according to age, physical fitness and personal preference because trekking is strenuous therefore in case you are not physically fit you are advised to communicate with your driver guide so that they allocate you a gorilla family that is near to trek. Trekking of the mountain gorillas takes about 30 minutes to 7hours depending on where the gorillas are located, during trekking you will be able to view different bird species, animals like elephants, buffaloes, other primates like l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, view different plant 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 about their behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, rest, take photos and record videos with a flash less camera.

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit

Uganda gorilla trekking guide will also help you to know the cost of a gorilla trekking permit which is a legal document or card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 allowing him or her to visit the mountain gorillas and spend one hour with them in their environment. A gorilla trekking permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority a government body in charge of tourism and it costs USD 700 per person for foreign non residents, USD 600 per person for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 per person for East African citizens.

How to book a gorilla trekking permit

You will also be able to know how to book a gorilla trekking permit through this Uganda gorilla trekking guide. A gorilla trekking permit can either be booked directly at UWA head offices through email or telephone calls or you can book via a trusted tour operator like Achieve global safaris. When booking through a tour operator you will contact us with the dates, month, year and destination when you want to visit the mountain gorillas. We will later check for availability of the permits and if available you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the deposit has been made you will we will purchase the gorilla trekking permit for you and send you a receipt as confirmation. Gorilla trekking permits is Uganda should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance because they are competitive and get sold out quickly therefore in order to avoid disagreements you are advised to book in advance.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda

This Uganda gorilla trekking guide will help you to know the best time to go for a gorilla trekking safari in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done any time throughout the year 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 thick which allows you to have clear views of the mountain gorillas. Access roads to the national parks will be passable and gorilla trekking trails will be passable during the dry season compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.

Though there is heavy rainfall in the wet season in the months of March to May and November gorilla trekking can still be done depending on your interests. There are various advantages for visitors who visit the gorilla destinations in the wet season for example you will be able to acquire the gorilla trekking permits easily and you will also be able to find the gorillas easily due to plenty of food compared to the dry season where they move deep into the forest in search of food.

What to park for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Hiking shoes to keep your feet dry during trekking in the muddy forest
Garden gloves to protect your hands from thorny trees
Long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm during morning hours
Waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall because Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are rainforests therefore it can rain anytime.
Insect repellent to protect your body from insect bites
Warm sweater to keep you warm during trekking especially in the wet season
Energy snacks to keep you hydrated during trekking
Camera to take pictures and record videos
A pair of binoculars to help you clearly view the mountain gorillas in lush vegetation
Backpack to carry your gorilla trekking essentials like camera, energy snacks among others

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations

Only 8 people are allowed to visit a habituated gorilla family in a day
The maximum time you can spend with the mountain gorillas is one hour
Visitors should keep their voices low during trekking in the forest
Do not leave rubbish in the park during trekking therefore whatever you bring should be carried back after trekking
Keep 7 meter distance while in the presence of the mountain gorillas
Visitors should stay in a group during trekking or in the presence of the mountain gorillas
Do not smoke, drink or eat when near the mountain gorillas because food droppings might fall down which increases the risk of disease transmission.
Flash light cameras are not permitted when taking pictures
Do not tough the gorillas because they are wild animals
In case the gorillas charge you should follow the guides instructions like not looking directly into their eyes, and do not attempt to run away because it will increase the risk
If you are not feeling well you are advised not to go for gorilla trekking because the gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases.

Uganda gorilla trekking guide will help you to plan your gorilla trekking safari in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. For more information you can contact Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for safari bookings like 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari, 4 days Uganda double gorilla trekking safari among others.