Planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda; Gorilla trekking is an exceptional activity in Uganda that attracts many tourists and it involves visitors moving deep into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla trekking is one of the major activities in Uganda and this article will highlight a number of things that you need to consider when planning your gorilla trekking safari including,
Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda
Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is the most visited gorilla destination located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district. Bwindi impenetrable national park is known for harboring half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and over 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.
Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla trekking destination located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which is available for trekking on a daily basis.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) 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 in their habitat. 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.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit 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 contact us 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. Once we receive the payments, we will acquire the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
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 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 therefor 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.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari
When going on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of items that travelers should pack including insect repellent, long sleeved shirt and trouser, hiking shoes, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, camera and extra batteries, warm sweater, a pair of binoculars, face masks, walking stick, a hat, back pack among others.
How to get to the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can either be accessed by road or air transport means. When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive or Mgahinga gorilla national park which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
When using air transport means, you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters.
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda where you will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect to the park headquarters via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours drive.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where travelers can stay during their gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Bwindi Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp among others.
Other activities to engage in after gorilla trekking
There are other interesting activities that travelers can engage in after gorilla trekking including guided nature walks, bird watching, Batwa cultural tour, mountain climbing, golden monkey trekking, wildlife viewing and boat cruise in queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park and Lake Mburo national park, chimpanzee trekking and habituation in Kibale forest national park, horseback riding, white water rafting among others.
You can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris for more information on planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
