Budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024

Budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024: gorilla trekking is the most popular activity in Uganda that attracts many tourists 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 habitat. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks that is Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park both located in south western region.

Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family and Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families which are located in four sectors namely buhoma in the north, rushaga sector in the south, ruhija sector in the East and Nkuringo sector in the south.

Budge gorilla trekking experience in Uganda 2024

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle in search of the habituated mountain gorillas which takes about 2 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, other primates, mammals, plant and tree species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviours, habits, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record videos to show people back home.

Cost of budget gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2024

Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park cost 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 budget gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2024

Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will reach out to us with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit.  After contacting us we will check for permit availability through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda should however be purchased 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they usually get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.

Best time to go for budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024

Budget gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season which is also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes gorilla trekking easy.

Budget gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be done in the rainy/wet season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period some lodges offer discounts as a way of attracting tourists which favours budget travellers.

How to get to the gorilla destinations in Uganda

Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are located in south western part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala/ Entebbe via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle.

You can as well contact Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters through cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.

Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Where to stay during your budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024

Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park have a wide range of budget accommodation facilities where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Bwindi View Lodge, Karungi Camp, Gorilla Bluff Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Mucha Hotel, Kisoro Travellers Hotel, 3 Way Gorilla Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Nshongi Campsite, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bweza Lodge among others.

What to pack for your budget gorilla trekking safari?

There are a number of essential items that you should pack for your budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024 including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket/ poncho, hiking shoes, garden gloves, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, energy snacks and drinking water, cotton socks, face mask, warm sweater, walking stick, back pack among others.

For more information about the budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website to book a budget gorilla trekking adventure with us.