Without doubt, gorilla trekking is one of the top star safari attractions in Africa and one of the great natural wonders besides the wild beast migration in in Masai Mara. It is important to note that Uganda is a great gorilla trekking safari destination offering all travelers the best chance of viewing these delightful apes. The country is graced with almost half of the remaining mountain gorilla populations found in only two breathtaking safari parks. Namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable Forest National is known as the best gorilla trekking destination since its host’s huge numbers of mountain gorilla population. The park is home to about 600 Mountain gorilla individuals out of the 1063 remaining population in the world. Prior to this, Bwindi Forest hosts about 22 habituated gorilla families ready for gorilla safaris throughout the year. On this note it is the most visited gorilla safari destination that gives many travelers across the world an opportunity to have a close encounter with these endangered rare apes.
Although you can as well go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, there is two habituated gorilla family in this park. But many tourists love to do gorilla safaris in this national park due to the double experience. It is a place where gold meets silver, as you trek the silverback gorillas, you as well get chance to see the golden monkeys in big numbers thus giving you long lasting memories.
However the other places to trek the endangered Mountain gorillas is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. The DR.Congo is home to the lowland gorillas found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. And these are the only 3 countries where you can see the mountain gorillas in the world.
In this article, we present you some of the frequently asked questions about Uganda gorilla trekking by many visitors and local tourists who look forward delight in a gorilla trekking safari in future;
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is a breath taking and incredible adventure activity where visitors move into the dense tropical rain forests to search for the endangered habituated Mountain gorilla families. Upon locating a gorilla family, all visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment while learning about their interesting behaviors, habits, lifestyles, taking photos and videos as well recording the great encounter with these wonderful giants in the jungle. You enjoy watching mothers breastfeeding babies, Juvenile gorillas playing, see how the mature silverback gorillas protects the family among others behaviors.
Where to go gorilla trekking or see the Mountain gorillas in Uganda 2023?
As earlier mentioned, these incredible endangered primate apes are only found in three African countries. And Uganda is not only one of them but actually known as the best gorilla destination in Africa. You can see the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda covering districts of Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro district. It is blessed with about 22 habituated gorilla families available for gorilla trekking. The park is divided into four sectors namely; Ruhijja sector in the east, Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector in the south. Each of these sectors features its own habituated gorilla families as well accommodation lodges of different ranges.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This safari park is also situated in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district. The park is home of two gorilla families namely; the Nyakagezi and the Hirwa family open for gorilla safaris to all travelers throughout the year. Besides gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla National Park, you can get an opportunity to encounter the golden monkeys in large troops that adds on your gorilla adventure in the park.
How long does gorilla trekking take in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes about 1 hour to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. This is due to the fact that they like to move from one area to another while searching for food, and upon locating the habituated gorilla family, you are allowed to spend only one hour with them. Feel free to take photos and videos with them that reminds you about gorilla safari in Uganda as learn more about lifestyle pattern of life.
What is the maximum number of people allowed to trek a gorilla family?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda allows a maximum of 8 individuals to trek a gorilla family. This allows visitors to have an opportunity of taking plenty of photos, learning about the gorilla habits and also helps to minimize behavior disturbance of the apes and keep a distance to reduce the risk of spreading diseases.
What is a gorilla trekking permit?
This is a card or document that is issued from the Uganda Wildlife Authority allowing visitors above the age of fifteen to trek a habituated Mountain gorilla family in either Bwindi forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
What is the cost gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Before 2020, the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda used to costs $600 for a foreigner nonresident, $500 foe a foreigner resident, UGX 250,000 for an East African citizen and it was increased by $100. Apparently this 2022/2023 the cost of gorilla trekking permit is $700 for the non-resident, $600 for all residents and UGX 250,000 for an East African citizen. Uganda wildlife Authority.
It is important to note that there are no discounted gorilla trekking permit in Uganda regardless of whether it is a peak or low season. The price of the gorilla permit in Uganda is constant throughout the year.
Where do you purchase a gorilla trekking permit this 2023?
A gorilla trekking permit can be acquired directly through Uganda wildlife Authority which is government tourism body in Uganda that manages the Uganda tourism industry in the protected areas. When booking directly from the tourism body, you will contact the offices via telephone calls or emails. A gorilla trekking permit can also be booked via a trusted tour operator like us. We advise travelers to consider booking the gorilla permits at least 4-6 months prior to the dates of travel. Simply feel free to share your travel details like travel date and, passport details and the gorilla destination you would love to do your gorilla trekking.
What to wear for gorilla trekking Safari?
Due to the unpredictable weather changes in the gorilla destinations, all visitors are advised to pack the essential gorilla trekking gears like;
- Long sleeved shirt and trouser
- Garden gloves, long socks
- Hiking shoes
- Camera and extra batteries
- Walking sticks
- Back pack
- Pack rain Jacket among others.
What are the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking?
- Do not leave rubbish in the wild during trekking
- Stay in tight group so as not to get lost in the forest
- Do not touch the gorillas because they are wild animals.
- Always listen to the instructions of your guide.
- Always keep your voices low while in the jungles and in the presence of the gorillas
- Visitors are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas.
- Do not use flash light cameras when taking photos
What is the best time to go for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is open to all travelers throughout the year although the best time to go gorilla trekking is during the dry season when the roads and trekking trails are dry thus it is easy to navigate through. The dry season occurs in two phase in a year. There is the long dry season and short dry season. This is in the months of June to September and December to February. The dry season is also known as the peak season where many travelers are flooding the country to enjoy Uganda safaris. Many visitors prefer to do gorilla trekking during this time when there is little rainfall in the gorilla destinations to interact the gorilla exercise. It is also easy to navigate through the access roads. The trails in the forest jungles will be dry and less slippery compared to the wet season when the trails are wet, muddy and slippery thus making gorilla trekking exercise extremely strenuous.
Can a disabled person participate in gorilla trekking?
Yes yes, gorilla trekking in Uganda is very possible and allowed to all the disabled visitors. These are given support by carrying them in a traditional bamboo stretcher or a modern sedan chair which is made of steel base, seat belts and handles which makes transportation so easy and comfortable. The gorilla activity is available for all the youth, old, elderly but not to persons below 15 years of age.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda allows all visitors that is above the age of fifteen years, therefore any person below the age of 15 years are prohibited from trekking these apes because he/she is considered to be a child. Yet children’s behaviors can be unpredictable when they meet the gorilla family, at times they can make noise while in the presence of the gorillas or even run which is not allowed therefore to prevent such behaviors, persons below 15 years of age is not fit to go gorilla trekking.
Where can I stay while on the gorilla trekking safari?
There are a wide range of up market, mid-range and budget accommodation offering quality services and facilities like comfortable beds, en suites bathrooms with cold and warm water, restaurant where you can access meals at any time of the day, free WIFI in public areas, gardens for relaxation after gorilla trekking great scenic views among others.
What else can i do apart from gorilla trekking?
Gorilla destinations in Uganda have a wide range of interesting activities to you can enjoy besides gorilla trekking. They include; golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park, bird watching, Batwa trail experience in Bwindi national park, Batwa cultural encounters, nature walks among others.
In synopsis, Gorilla trekking is among the incredible and breathtaking adventure activity in Africa that offers unforgettable experiences to all visitors. Also gorilla trekking exercise is strenuous and involves some hiking, expect a fascinating experience at the end of the safari graced with long lasting memories of a lifetime. With the above outstanding gorilla trekking information in Uganda, we hope you find it helpful to guide book your gorilla tour in Uganda this season or in the future.
