Gorilla trekking is the most done travel activity on Uganda safaris. Over 80% of total travelers to Uganda choose to trek the endangered mountain gorillas as their first priority. Uganda is a premier gorilla safari destination sheltering half of the world’s gorillas. A face-to-face encounter with the endangered gorillas is ranked as a thrilling, magical ad the best wildlife experience in the world.
Mountain gorillas share over 99% of human genes and they are close relatives to man. The human like characters of gorillas within their families is enchanting! You will see a silverback gorilla guarding his family members from any external attack while adult female gorillas are seen breastfeeding and nursing babies just like our human mothers. The fact that Uganda has a high number of mountain gorillas, availability of gorilla permits is guaranteed.
9 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Arusha incorporates Uganda and Tanzania, two outstanding safari destinations in East Africa. It …
Gorilla Tours in Uganda
Where to trek gorillas in Uganda?
There are two gorilla national parks in Uganda. These are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Kabale and Rubanda districts while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in Kisoro district. You can choose to trek in any one of the two gorilla parks or trek in both parks for comparisons and diversified gorilla trekking experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest shelters the highest population of gorillas habituated into 17 families split into four regions, which make up the park. Gorilla groups in Bwindi Forest include Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Rushegura gorilla group, Nshongi gorilla family, Bweza gorilla group, Kahungye gorilla family, Katwe gorilla group, Christmas gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Busingye gorilla family, Bitukura gorilla group, Oruzogo gorilla family and Nkuringo gorilla family. On the other hand, Mgahinga gorilla national park shelters the one and only Nyakagezi gorilla family available for trekking every day.
Gorilla permits in Uganda
You need a gorilla permit to allow you visit Uganda gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks. Each gorilla group calls for 8 permits since only 8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family. The availability of gorilla permits depends on the number of habituated gorilla families in a particular park. In Mgahinga, there are 8 gorilla permits each day. On the other hand, Bwindi Forest National park has 136-gorilla permits available every day. Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of gorilla permit issuing on the basis of first come first serve.
Gorilla habituation experience. Uganda gorilla safaris also entail a 4 hours’ gorilla habituation experience done in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. The experience entails training of wild gorillas to make them familiar r with human presence. Habituation experience is a 2-3 years training of gorillas before they are officially open for trekking. Only four people are allowed to visit a gorilla family undergoing habituation unlike in trekking where 8 people are allowed t per gorilla family.
Every day, 8 gorilla habituation permits are available for those who wish to take part in this experimental experience. Travelers hike along with a team of conservationists. Gorilla doctors and researchers to meet the wild gorillas. Each permit for habituation costs $1500 but it’s worth it. Bikyingi and Bushaho gorilla families are currently undergoing habituation experience and they will be opened for trekking any time soon. The four hours of gorilla habituation are counted from the tie travelers set their eyes on gorillas.
Best time for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris. Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s rain forests is best done in the dry season. This is between June, July, August September, December, January and February. The less or no rains in this season ease trekking through the jungle unlike in the rainy season where forest grounds become too slippery and muddy making it hard to trek through. However, you can still trek gorillas in the wet season to have a, more adventurous experience. Wet season normally has low visits, which call for discounted services from hotels, and other service providers to encourage more visit. Wet season in the months of March, April, May, October and November is therefore a best time for budget travelers.
What to pack for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari? You must carry the right attire and other essentials for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. Trekking through Bwindi impenetrable is not a joke but rather a strenuous adventure not for faint hearted. You should be dressed right for the jungle or else you will be challenged. Among the things you should carry for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda include waterproof hiking boots/shoes to ease your movement through the jungle, garden gloves to protect your hands, rain jacket to deal with unpredictable forest weather, sweaters and scarf to provide you with warmth especially in the morning and evening hours. More so, remember to carry a hat and sunglasses to protect your head and eyes from direct sunshine.
An extra battery for your phone and camera is also recommended to avoid disappointments. Remember to apply insect repellants to avoid insect bites, which can be poisonous. You also need energy giving snacks to keep you strong throughout the trek. Bottled drinking water keeps you hydrated and strong. Endeavour to carry a walking stick for support and easy movement in the jungle. Walking sticks can be hired from the respective park headquarters at a lesser fee. You should also dress in long pants to protect your legs from being hurt by stinging nestles and thorny bushes. Avoid wearing short pants when going for the gorilla trek.
Age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is limited to only those aged 15 years and above, any traveler below 15 years is not allowed to trek gorillas unless otherwise. When booking, travelers are asked to submit in their passports to confirm their actual age. If a child has few days to celebrate his/her 15th birthday, the guardian can write a consent letter to Uganda wildlife Authority asking permission to allow the child trek. In this letter, the parent will take fully responsibility of whatever happens to the child in the trekking process.
The strenuous nature of gorilla trekking is one of the reasons for restricted age limit. Spending a whole day wondering up and down through thick bushes in search of gorillas may not be easy for a child below 14 years. Also, there is a fear that a child below 15 years may not adhere to the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking especially keeping a distance of seven meters away and keeping quite while in the presence of the endangered species.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda? Gorilla permit booking in Uganda can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). You can visit their head offices in Kampala or in Kisoro district if you are trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Also, you can book for a gorilla permit online by visiting UWA website, check gorilla permit availability on your desired date, follow procedures and may foe the permit. Alternatively, you can book trough any trusted and registered gorilla safari company offering gorilla trips to Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks. Upon booking, travelers are asked to pay 30% deposit as booking fee and the balance is expected 45 days to the trekking date. Failure to do this will lead to loss of a permit with no any refund given.
Rules and regulations of Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Uganda wildlife authority has set a list of rules and regulations that govern gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National park. These guidelines are put for the safety of travelers and the endangered gorillas in order to promote sustainable gorilla tourism in the Pearl of Africa. At the start of each gorilla trekking day, travelers are introduced to these rules and regulations during the pre trekking briefing. These include:
Keep a distance of seven meters away from the gorillas
Do not look direct into the eyes of the gorillas
Avoid using flash light cameras which irritate gorillas
Do not litter in the Park
Do not touch the gorilla
Do not trek gorillas when you are sick. The endangered species are susceptible to humanlike diseases such as flu and cough
Keep within your groups (Avoid walking alone in the jungle)
Jungle back you face when sneezing or coughing
Human waste should be buried at least 30 centimeters
In the period of corona virus, Mask up your face when with the gorillas
Mandatory hand washing and sanitizing
Spend strictly an hour with the gorillas
Gorilla trekking add-ons in Uganda
While on your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, you can addon other wildlife experience to make a complete package. Other things to do and see in Uganda besides gorilla trekking include chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National park, Bird watching, game viewing in savannah parks (Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo National parks), Nature/forest walks Mountain climbing (Mount Rwenzori, Elgon, Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura) and cultural tours to learn and experience the traditions, norms and customs of Uganda people.
A combination of gorillas and these other wildlife experiences make a complete Uganda safari package. Uganda gorilla safaris should not miss on your African safari. Book your gorilla permits today, reserve a slot and wait to experience this lifetime experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga gorilla National Parks.
