Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024
Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024: Gorilla trekking is an adventurous and one of the top activities in Uganda that involve visitors moving on foot 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 most popular activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourists and this article will guide you on what you need to know about gorilla trekking in Uganda and also on how to plan a successful gorilla trekking safari in 2023/2024.
Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national.
Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest national park 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 gorilla family called Nyakagezi which is available for trekking on a daily basis.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is another gorilla destination in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kanungu district on the edge of the Albertine rift. Bwindi impenetrable national park is known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and a home of about 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience where the mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. The habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector, southern part of the park and it involves a team of researchers, gorilla doctors, park rangers and park guides. Visitors who engage in gorilla habitation experience will get an opportunity to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters about the rules and regulations to follow 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 gorilla trekking trails.
Trekking of mountain gorillas in Uganda takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the 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, plants, view other primates 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 about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, climb trees, groom young ones, take photos and record videos.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done anytime throughout the year 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 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 gorilla trekking difficult.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda 2023/2024
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document or card that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park 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 book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority where you will contact the park head offices in Kampala via email or telephone calls.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact our tour consultants with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will acquire the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation, Guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they usually get sold out quickly especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. Therefore in order to avoid last minute disappointments, you are advised to book in advance.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024
When going for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of people that you should pack including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, garden gloves, hiking shoes, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, waterproof rain jacket, warm sweater, a pair of binoculars, walking tick, backpack among others.
Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary activity in Uganda that shouldn’t be missed during your safari. For more information about gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for several gorilla trekking packages.