Travel Guide for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2022
Travel guide for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2022; gorilla trekking is the most popular activity that attracts big numbers of tourists in Uganda and it involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. There are a number of factors that you should consider when planning for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and they include the gorilla destination to visit, cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, how to book a gorilla trekking permit, tour company to use, best time to go for your gorilla trekking safari, what to pack for your gorilla trekking adventure among others and this travel guide will guide you to plan a successful gorilla trekking tour in Uganda 2022.
Where to go for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2022
Uganda harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which makes it the most visited gorilla destination. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern region. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 21 habituated gorilla families while Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family and gorilla trekking in both destinations start with a briefing about the rules and regulations to carry at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be sub divided 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. Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes about 3o minutes to 7 hours depending on where they 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 primate species, birds, plant and tree species and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda 2022
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal card or document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit any habituated gorilla family in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda 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 gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2022
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2022 can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices via email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour company like Achieve Global Safaris by contacting us with the dates and destination you want to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available that match with your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the payments, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and get sold out quickly especially during the dry 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.
Tour Company to use for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
When choosing a tour company to use for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of factors to consider for example time taken to reply your emails, if the company is a member of the travel associations, visit the company’s website, read through their reviews from Trip Advisor or Safari Booking among others. There are a number of trusted tour companies that you use for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda including Achieve Global Safaris, Explore Rwanda tours, Focus East Africa Tours among others thus Travel Guide for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2022.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in tropical rainforests and there are a number of items to pack for your gorilla trekking safari including,
Hiking boots to keep your feet dry and support your ankles during trekking in steep slopes
Long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm during morning hours and protect you from biting ants
Energy snacks and drinking water to keep you hydrated due to the fact that gorilla trekking takes about 7 hours.
Waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall because gorilla trekking is done in tropical rainforests therefore it can rai anytime of the day regardless of the season.
A camera and extra batteries to take photos and record videos with a flash less camera during the one hour with the mountain gorillas
A pair of binoculars for clear viewing of other wildlife species and bird species because the gorilla destinations harbor variety of bird species.
Insect repellent to protect you from biting insects such as tsetse flies and mosquitos
Waterproof backpack to carry your gorilla trekking essentials such as energy snacks and drinking water, insect repellent, camera, hand sanitizer among others.
Hand sanitizer and face masks for safety and protection against the dangerous Covid-19 virus because the mountain gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases therefore they can easily be affected by Covid-19 virus.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2022
Gorilla trekking in Uganda 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 less rainfall therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails in the jungle will be dry and passable compared to the rainy season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
For interesting and breathtaking experiences, gorilla trekking is an activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Uganda. For more information about gorilla trekking in Uganda 2022, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking packages in 2022.
