Uganda gorilla trekking safari 2024
Uganda gorilla trekking safari 2024; Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary activity that attracts big numbers of tourists to travel to Uganda. Gorilla trekking activity involves travellers 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 namely Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in south western region. Apart from Uganda, gorilla trekking can also be done in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi while Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home of over 22 habituated mountain gorillas which are located in four sectors that is buhoma sector in the north, rushaga sector in the south, ruhija sector in the East and Nkuringo sector in the south. Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. 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 an experienced park guide. Trekking mountain gorillas 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 other wildlife species and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda 2024
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 because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy. During the dry season, vegetation will be short which helps you to spot the mountain gorillas clearly.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can also be done in the rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there are few tourists therefore you will be able to explore the parks with less crows and some lodges offer discounts which favours budget travellers.
Cost of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
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.
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?
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be booked through Achieve Global Safaris a trusted tour company in Uganda where you will contact our tour consultants with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit. When we receive the money, we will be able to purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a copy of the receipt as confirmation.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?
When planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of items that you should pack/carry including insect repellent, hiking shoes, waterproof rain jacket, garden gloves, warm sweater, energy snack and drinking water, long stockings, a hat and sunglasses, face mask, camera and extra batteries, walking stick, a pair of binoculars, back pack among others.
How to get to the gorilla destinations
Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can 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.
Bwindi impenetrable national park can also be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Entebbe/Kampala via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
You can as well access 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 Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive
For more information about Uganda gorilla trekking safari in 2024, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris.
