Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda; Gorilla trekking is the most famous activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourists and it involves moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is the most visited gorilla destination in Uganda located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district. The national park harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas which are located in four sectors namely Buhoma in the north, Rushaga in the south, Ruhija in the East and Nkuringo in the south. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of more than 21 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park

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

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 an experienced park guide who is conversant with different gorilla trekking trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park takes about 30 minutes 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 such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, view different bird species, plants among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the Uganda safari.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is a legal card/ 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 both destinations 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

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda can be booked through 2 options for example booking directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting the head offices in Kampala via email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. When booking through a tour company you will contact us with the dates, months, year and destination which 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. When the payment has been made, we will purchase the permit 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 the permits 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.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round though the best period is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the park therefore gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season/ low season when the trails are muddy and slippery.

Where to stay during your gorilla trekking permit

There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Wag Tail Safari lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge, Four Gorillas lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla lodge, Gift of Nature lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Cuckooland Tented lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Bwindi Jungle View lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Haven lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mt Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, Mondi Lodge Kisoro, Gahiza Island Retreat, Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Muhabura Motel, Lake Chahafi Resort among others.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking Permit

How to get to the gorilla destinations in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in southwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala/ 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 by air transport means where by you will book charter or scheduled flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

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

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