Uganda gorilla trekking safari in 2022

Uganda gorilla trekking safari in 2022 ; Gorilla trekking is the major and best done activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourists.  Gorilla trekking involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking is done in different destinations namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in democratic republic of Congo.

Where to go for Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2022

Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern park of Uganda and it’s the most visited gorilla destination due to the fact that it harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of 21 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma in the north, Rushaga in the south, Ruhija in the east and Nkuringo in the south.

Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is the other gorilla destination in Uganda located in southwestern region in Kisoro district. The national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which is available for trekking daily.

Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda

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 at the park headquarters.  After the briefing you will be 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 takes 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located. During trekking you will be able to view different primate species, birds, plant species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record the incredible moments to show people back home after the Uganda safari.

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda 2022

A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued 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 a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can either be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices in Kampala via telephone calls or email. Gorilla trekking permits can also be booked through a trusted tour company like Achieve Global Safaris. When booking through a tour company you will contact us with the dates and destination you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment has been made, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date as 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.

Best time to go for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

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 there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads to the park and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and accessible compared to the dry season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.

What to carry for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2022

There are a number of items to carry for your gorilla safari in Uganda including hiking shoes to keep your feet dry, garden gloves to protect your hands from scratches, long sleeved shirt and trouser to keep you warm, waterproof rain jacket to protect you from rainfall, camera, a pair of binoculars, energy snacks, back pack  among others.

How to get to the gorilla destinations

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.

Road transport, when using road transport means you will drive from Kampala or Entebbe via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.

Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed from Kigali Rwanda whereby you will fly to Kigali international airport and then transfer to the park headquarters via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale.

Air transport means, when using air transport means you will book charter or scheduled flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield Kihihi or Kisoro airfields and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

For more information about Uganda gorilla trekking safari in 2022, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various gorilla trekking packages.