Gorilla trekking in uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is the pearl of Africa in that it harbors the endangered mountain gorillas which are the most visited attractions in Uganda and Africa. gorilla trekking is the most popular and thrilling activity in Uganda where visitors move into the tropical rainforests in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Uganda is the most visited gorilla destination in Africa in that it’s a home of about 459 mountain gorillas hence the only destination harboring the highest number of the mountain gorillas in the world.

Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mahinga gorilla national park.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

The national park is located in south western Uganda in Kanungu district and it’s the most visited gorilla destination in that it harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas in all gorilla destinations in Africa. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma in the north with 4 habituated Gorilla groups including Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe, Ruhija in the east with 4 habituated groups including Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Mukiza and Bitukura, Nkuringo in the south with 3 habituated Gorilla groups including Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho, Rushaga with 8 habituated Gorilla groups namely Nshongi, Mishaya, Bweza, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikyingi, Mucunguzi and Rwigi.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts in the morning with a briefing at the starting point. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people to trek each habituated gorilla family and grouping is done according to age, personal interest, physical fitness among others so that visitors who are not physically fit are allocated a gorilla family that is near to trek. After you have been grouped and allocated a gorilla family, you will start trekking in the jungle with a park guide who will be sharing information about the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 2 to 7 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. Once the gorillas have been found, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat taking photos, recording the moments, learning more about their lifestyle, behaviors, habits, social interaction among others.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district and harbors the most visited primates in Uganda which include the endangered mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. The national park is a home of 2 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily namely Nyakagezi group and Hirwa group. Mgahinga gorilla national park had one habituated gorilla family until in October 2019 when Hirwa family from Volcanoes national park in Rwanda migrated to Uganda to add on Nyakagezi family.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts with a briefing just like in Bwindi impenetrable national park at Ntebeko park headquarters. After the briefing you will be grouped into two groups where each group contains 8 people and allocated a gorilla family to trek. Grouping of individuals is done according to preference, age and physical fitness.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla families and once found you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. During the one hour provided in the presence of the gorillas, you will have an opportunity of learning more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feeding, mothers breast feeding young ones, silverbacks dominating the group as you take plenty of photos and record the moments.

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to any visitor who fifteen years of age allowing him or her to trek a gorilla family in either Mgahinga gorilla national park or Bwindi impenetrable national park.

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $600 for a foreign non-resident, $500 for a foreign resident and UGX 250,000 for an East African citizen. However a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda was increased by $100 therefore effective 1^st July a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda will cost $700 for a foreign non-resident and $600 for a foreign resident. A gorilla trekking permit is valid for 24 hours and allows you to spend one hour in the presence of the habituated gorillas.

When to book for a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and usually get sold out especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February therefore in order to avoid disappointments it’s advisable to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance.

How to book for a gorilla trekking permit

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is easy to book as long as you know the right procedure to follow. Booking a gorilla trekking permit can either be done directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority a government body in charge of tourism in Uganda. When booking through (UWA) you will contact the offices through email or telephone calls.

There is also another option of booking a gorilla trekking permit through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. Booking through a tour operator is the best and easiest option in that you will contact us with the date, month, year and destination where you want to trek the endangered mountain gorillas. We will then check for availability of the permit and once there are permits available you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit and send you bank details where the deposit should be paid. Once the deposit has been made, you will be asked to send your scanned passport details which will be used to register for your permit, we will therefore pay for permit and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.

What to carry for you gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Gorilla trekking permit, this is the main item to carry when going for gorilla trekking because without a gorilla trekking permit you will not be able to visit any habituated gorilla group in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Long sleeved shirt and trousers, these will give you warmth while in the forest especially in the morning or evening, protect your body from biting insects and thorny trees.
Hiking shoes, the hiking shoes will keep your feet dry since you will be trekking in muddy and slippery grounds.
Garden gloves, the garden gloves will protect your hands from germs and thorny tree branches which you might torch unknowingly.
Waterproof rain jacket/poncho, the rain jacket will protect you from rain in case it rains while in the forest
Energy snacks, since gorilla trekking takes about 2 to 7 hours it’s advisable to carry packed lunch from the lodge and drinking water so as not to get dehydrated.
Sun glasses and a hat, these will protect your eyes from direct sunlight.
Camera and extra batteries, the camera will be used to take plenty of photos and record the moments to show people back home after the safari.
A pair of binoculars, these will be used to view far things such as bird species in the national park because they are known as best places for bird watching.
Backpack, this will be used to carry all your items for gorilla trekking such as camera, permit, binoculars, energy snacks among others.
Walking stick, the walking stick help you to during trekking in steep, and slippery grounds
Hiring a porter, due to the fact that gorilla trekking is done in steep slopes, muddy and slippery grounds, it’s advisable to hire a porter who will give you a pull, push and also carry your backpack while trekking.

Best time to go on a 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 this period there is less rainfall in the jungle therefore access roads will be passable and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet/rainy season when the gorilla trekking trails are muddy and slippery due to heavy rainfall in the forest.

Though visitors prefer travelling in the dry season which is also known as the peak season it has some drawbacks like competitive gorilla trekking permit compared to the wet season where even the last minute traveller can acquire a gorilla trekking permit.

Uganda is a must visit destination for gorilla trekking in that it harbors the highest number of gorillas in Africa which are the most popular attractions that offer unforgettable and lifetime experiences to visitors on a safari in Uganda. Visitors interested in gorilla trekking safaris in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park should visit our website or contact our experienced tour consultants.

Sample gorilla trekking related safari packages

7 Days uganda gorilla and wildlife safari

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