Gorilla trekking safari in 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking safari in 2023/2024; Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourists and it involves travelers moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their environment. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park which harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in south western part of Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 22 habituated gorilla families and gorilla trekking is done in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the East and Nkuringo sector while Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi and all the gorilla families are 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, regulations and expectations during trekking. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with different gorilla trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours or even more 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 wildlife species, primates, birds among others and once the 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 behaviors, habits, lifestyle, watch gorillas feed, play, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the incredible moments to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore vegetation will be short therefore you will be able to view the mountain gorillas and other wildlife species clearly and access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in 2023/2024
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in 2023/2024 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.
How to book gorilla trekking permits in 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in 2023/2024 can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us on email or telephone call with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability at Uganda Wildlife Authority and if there are permits available on your preferred dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
What to carry for your gorilla trekking safari in 2023/2024
There are a number of items to carry when going on your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda including hiking shoes, garden gloves, warm sweater, long sleeved shirt and rouser, waterproof rain jacket/poncho, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, insect repellent, face mask and hand sanitizer, waterproof back pack, walking stick among others.
How to get to the gorilla destinations
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
The gorilla destinations can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where travelers will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive.
Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you book schedule or charter domestic flights with Bar Aviation Uganda or Aerolnk Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
