Gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024

Gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional and most popular activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourist. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done on two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park which is known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern part of Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi and Bwindi impenetrable national park is 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. Gorilla trekking is also done in other destinations like Volcanoes national park in the Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.

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 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 an experienced park guide who is conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park 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 other primates, birds, different plant and tree species among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, play, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and the habituation experience takes a period of 2 o 3 years to be complete. Just like gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience starts with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle in search of the gorillas with a team of researchers, park rangers and guided, during trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, birds among others. Once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their habitat which gives you a chance to watch and monitor their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their behaviors, engage in the naming process, take photos among others.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2023/2024

Gorilla trekking permits are legal cards or documents that is issued to visitors above the age of 15 years allowing them to visit any habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their habitat. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 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.

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 2023/2024

Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) where you will contact the park headquarters in Kampala via email or telephone calls.

Gorilla trekking trails in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available on your desired dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payment, we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.

Gorilla trekking permits 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 quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda

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 in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season, the gorilla destinations receive little rainfall therefore gorilla trekking trails will be passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be done in the wet season in the months of March to May and October to November because during this period you will be able to enjoy the national parks with less crowds and gorilla trekking permits will be easily accessed.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2023/2024

There are a number of items that you should pack or carry when going for your gorilla trekking adventure including long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, insect repellent, waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, warm sweater, walking stick, a pair of binoculars, backpack among others.

Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Uganda. For more information, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking packages.