Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2023/2024; Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary and the most popular activity in Uganda that attracts big numbers of tourists and it involves travelers moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated 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 Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park both located in southwestern part of Uganda. Gorilla trekking is also done in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
Bwindi impenetrable national park is famously known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas and over 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south while Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family and all the habituated families are available for trekking daily. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. 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 conversant with different gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Uganda 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 primates, different bird and plant species among others and once the mountain gorillas are found you will be able to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos to show people back home after the safari.
Best time to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park 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 or little rainfall in the park therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy compared to the rainy season when the trekking trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking complicated.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park 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 2023/2024
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2023/2024 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 we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipt as confirmation.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda 2023/2024 should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and usually 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 minutes inconveniences, you are advised to book in advance.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Mutanda Lake Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Wagtail Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Bwindi Jungle View Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Silverback Lodge among others.
How to get to the gorilla destinations in Uganda
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive and Mgahinga gorilla national park which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
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 via Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Bar aviation or Aero link Uganda from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Gorilla trekking is an adventurous and breathtaking activity in Uganda that can be combined with wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo national park. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various gorilla trekking safari packages.
