2024 budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda; Gorilla trekking is one of the most done activities in Uganda and it involves travellers moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks that is 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 in Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking is an interesting activity that attracts many tourists to travel to Uganda and this article will guide you on how to plan a successful budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2024.
Budget 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, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be subdivided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and an experienced park guide who is well conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Uganda 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 primates, bird species, tree species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviours, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
Best time to go for budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period there is less/little rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes gorilla trekking easy.
Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be done in the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there are few tourists in the park therefore gorilla trekking permits will easily be acquired and some lodges offer discounts as a way to attract visitors which favours the budget travellers.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2024
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost 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 gorilla trekking permits in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris where you will contact us with the date, month, year and gorilla destination that you wish to visit. After contacting us we will check for permit availability on your preferred dates 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 be able to purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
What to pack for budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?
When planning your budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are a number of essential items that you should pack/carry including insect repellent, garden gloves, waterproof rain jacket, long sleeved shirt and trouser, warm sweater, hiking shoes, camera and extra batteries, energy snacks and drinking water, a pair of binoculars, face masks, walking stick, a hat and sunglasses, back pack among others.
Where to stay during your budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
There are a wide range of budget accommodation facilities where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, CPTH Gorilla Conservation Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Bweza Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Bwindi Guest House, Mucha Hotel, Mutanda Eco Community centre, Kisoro Travellers Rest, Nshongi Gorilla Camp, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, 3 Way Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gift of Nature Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp among others.
How to get to the gorilla destinations
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are located in south western part of Uganda and can be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive in a safari vehicle. You can also 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 cyanika border in Kisoro or katuna border in Kabale.
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is an interesting that can be combined with wildlife viewing/game drives, boat cruise, bird watching, horseback riding, sport fishing among others in Lake Mburo national park. For more information about 2024 budget gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various budget safari packages.
