Gorilla Trekking Safari
Gorilla Trekking Safari is an amazing experience that will give you plenty of memories. You will be able to take a look at mountain gorillas and explore how they live in their natural habitat.
Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, about 530 km from Kampala the capital city. The park is one of the largest montane low land forests in Africa and it is the main park in Uganda protecting the mountain Gorillas in the wild.
We will assist you in making your gorilla tracking dream in Africa come true. Below is the information to guide you on Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi forest.
- Mountain Gorillas can only be found in the forests and the ones in the zoo are lowland Gorillas.
- Mountain Gorillas can only be found in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi has about 25 Gorilla families which are located in different gorilla trekking sectors including Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga when buying your gorilla permit you must be careful on where you will trek from.
Mountain Gorillas are worth of your trip and travelers that go for trekking never regret. Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person for foreign non residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, $500 per person for Rest of African citizens and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Plan your trip in advance
When you have a plan for your gorilla trekking safari, it should be done at least 6 months pro to your trip date. This will help you order / book your permit as their things you can put into consideration and enjoy a successful Gorilla trekking safari.
Purchase a permit
Clients need to purchase a gorilla trekking permit before embarking on the gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi and this permit must be booked through a tour operator. Once you book your permit your in for the gorilla trekking safari. In Uganda they are issued out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority through the tour operators. There might be a shortage of Gorilla permits so first come first serve is the only way out.
Interest before buying a permit
As mentioned, the permit your holding determines where you will be trekking in the sector and the accommodation.
Bwindi has sectors that can determine the kind of gorilla trekking safari you will have for example;
- For those who need a simple trek I advise trekking in Ruhija or Buhoma.
- For those who need a challenging trek then trekking through Rushaga and Nkuringo sector is better.
- If one has a problem with altitude then trekking through the southern sector must be avoided. Therefore contact the Tour operator before booking your permit.
Which sector would you like to trek?
Trekking through Bwindi depends on where one wants to trek. Bwindi has for regions and also these regions have different families to trek, Buhoma has about 5 families, Ruhija has about 4 families, Rushaga has about 8 families, Nkuringo has about 4 family therefore the permit determines where one is to trek in any of the sectors.
How is Gorilla trekking done?
The Gorilla trekking Safari starts early morning where you wake up early morning, prepare and take breakfast. Then go to the restaurant and pick up your packed lunch and then your guide will drive you to the park headquarters. Here you will engage in a short briefing about the Gorilla trekking rules, regulations and you will be given a walking stick.
You will start the trail depending on the Gorilla family you want to trek. You will then be divided into groups of 8 people and every group will be allocated a gorilla family to trek with an experienced park guide and park rangers.
When trekking through the forest one might have a chance to spot other wildlife species like L’hoest monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, Chimpanzees, forest elephants, birds and different tree species.
The trek takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain Gorillas are located as they like to move from one place to another in search of food.
Finally when you encounter the mountain Gorillas, you are only allowed to spend one hour and one more hour to enjoy your packed lunch. After you will return to the park headquarters for a Gorilla ceremony where you will receive your certificate for participating in gorilla trekking experience.
The guide will be ready to drive you back to the lodge.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations
Your visit to the mountain Gorillas should not decrease on their number but rather increase it. According to the 2013 census their only 800 mountain Gorillas left in the whole world.
Basically you need to know each Gorilla family is visited by 8 people.
One needs to stand 7 meters away from the wild apes.
No dumping of rubbish anyhow as this may cause the Gorillas to eat and die.
One with infectious disease like cough and flu many more must not visit the mountain Gorillas. Avoid eye contact with the Gorillas and flash cameras. The best thing to do is to follow what your guide and ranger is telling.
Best time to trek mountain Gorillas.
Gorilla trekking Safari can be done throughout the whole year although dry months like June, July, August and September are more preferred months given that rainfall in the park will be less and trekking trails will be passable hence making gorilla trekking easy.
During the dry season the permits are high compared to low season where they are sold at a low cost of $600 per person for foreign non residents. The rainy/wet season include April, May and November and clients tend to avoid the steep slopes which get muddy and slippery.
Porters and walking stick
One is advised to use a walking stick to help trek on these hills and steep slopes. Walking sticks are provided at the lodges and if you don’t find them then you will get at the park headquarters .
If your not fit for the gorilla trekking safari your advised to go with a porter with you who will give you a push/pull when you can’t do it anymore.
This Porter will also help to carry your heavy bags and also things you must not carry. When you approach the mountain Gorillas, there things you must not have. For example packed lunch as Gorillas may approach you and want to test the food. This may turn into challenging situation which is not good during the trek
What to wear or pack for mountain Gorillas.
Since the forest is thick with steep slopes one needs to prepare what to wear. You will need hiking boots, long sleeved shirts and trousers, you need gloves as some shrubs might itch you, a hut and sun glasses as well as energy giving foods, insect repellent, your camera as you may get a big chance to take pictures.
Transport and Accommodation
Find out first the side/sector which suits your interest then booking of your accommodation will follow. The Tour operator must know the level of accommodation which suites you the lodges range according to Budget, mid-range and luxury.
The same applies to transport. You may choose to travel in land cruisers, super custom, land rovers depending on your budget. One can option to travel using a flight.
Note: Uganda is a country in Africa with friendly people who respect their culture.
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
Bwindi Impenetrable national park offers a number of safaris of which 90% of them are gorilla trekking safari. To book yourself a well prepared and organized gorilla trekking safari, check out these amazing gorilla trekking offers
