Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is one of the best activities that travelers can engage in to explore the amazing gorilla species in the montane forests.
In Uganda, they are found in two conservation areas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which has made Uganda to be famously known for the safaris carried out worldwide. These two national parks are positioned in the southwestern region of Uganda and above all, due to it being popularly known, this is because it inhabits half of the population of great mountain gorillas that are still remaining in the world.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is the best-done activity on a safari in Uganda and this is because it is truly an enjoyable and everlasting experience one wouldn’t have missed encountering in a lifetime.
However, Uganda’s tourism hub has got an impact of current and future development, and this is due to the high population of endangered mountain gorillas, which are increasing yearly, thus attracting a number of travelers to visit these two touristic places, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which are protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are on the list of world heritage sites.
However, gorilla trekking can be habituated in different gorilla families in over 20 families stipulated in four gorilla sectors that is say Buhoma sector, the Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector and Rushaga sector each in different location of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and one gorilla family is found in Mgahinga national park. Note that, the habituated gorillas are gorillas which are already trained to live close to human beings with no sign of danger.
Within these 2 gorilla trekking national parks, there is a limited number of 8 people allowed to participate in this incredible gorilla trekking experience, which can be conducted in the trailheads of the bamboo rainforest.
Where travelers can be led with a trained ranger to their nature habitats and end up having other opportunities of viewing small primates such as white and black monkeys, blue monkeys, and golden monkeys; spotting beautiful bird species and vegetation, among others; and thus resulting in an unforgettable experience in a lifetime encounter.
Facts about the gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla trekking is truly an exciting and top activity carried out on safari in Uganda because many tourists visit the country due to these great apes, which they want to encounter with their own eyes. They are said to be 98% DNA of human beings, and remember, it is very fantastic to get face-to-face with your close relative in their natural habitat. It is absolutely good to learn about the lifestyle and behaviors of these endangered mountain gorillas since you’re given one hour to spend watching these apes in the wild.
Ideally, gorilla trekking starts early in the morning after visitors’ breakfast, and a driver picks you up from your lodge with a packed lunchbox and drives you to the meeting point within the park at 7 am.
After briefing, travelers have to meet their ranger, who leads you to one of the four sectors within the park; it could be the Buhoma sector to trek a gorilla family found in that sector and what I can advise you, a traveler, is to book a lodge near the gorilla family you’re meant to trek with in the following morning, which could be much easier for you to enjoy the activity. As you’re trekking, there is a possibility of seeing other amazing varieties in the forest, and the trek can last 2 to 8 hours depending on where they were located the previous day.
Once gorillas are found, travelers are given one hour to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. As you learn their behaviors and lifestyle, such as swinging on tree branches, playing around, grooming their young ones, and breastfeeding, which is quite exciting and amazing, you can as well enjoy your photo shooting, but flash cameras are not allowed. And after trekking, you’re driven back to your lodge to have refreshments, dinner, and an overnight stay.
To note, mountain gorillas do not live in zoos or in any mire places because they cannot survive there, and they can only survive in the montane rainforest, bamboo forest, and volcanoes, and on the African continent, they can be found in three countries: Uganda, in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Rwanda, in Volcanoes National Park; and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Virunga National Park.
Note, in the world there are over 1,000 mountain gorillas that are remaining in the world, which can be seen in only those three countries. Above all, half of this population of mountain gorillas are found here in Uganda in the hallmark of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. That’s why the number of tourists is increasing each year due to this high population of these habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda, famously known as the Pearl of Africa.
Before any traveler embarking for gorilla trekking safari Uganda, you need to first known about the charges of Uganda Gorilla trekking permits because no one can be able to engage in this gorgeous gorilla trekking activity without holding a valid permit and you ‘re advised to book your gorilla permit in advance before your time of arrival to the country. The best way a traveler you can do is a book with a trustworthy tour operator and we achieve global safaris we can help you in all arrangements of the tour package of your itinerary in time and care. What you need to do is to send in your copies of passports, VISA as early as possible as a starting point to verify your identity.
What is the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking?
Of course, one yearns to know the fee of Uganda gorilla trekking. Per now the cost of Gorilla trekking still costs USD800 for foreign non-residents, USD 600 for foreign residents and 1500 usd for habituation
What is the best time to visit Uganda Gorilla trekking activity?
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is open throughout the year for tourism but the best seasonal trekking months are dry seasons when the forest trailheads are out water sources and such months include June to September and December to February. Though the area can receive rainfall at any time of the year.
Essentials to carry on Gorilla trekking safari
Before embarking on your gorilla trekking safari these are essentials you’re met to pack for yourself in order to enjoy your trekking without any disturbance such as garden gloves, rain jackets, energy giving snacks, Cameras and extra batteries, hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirts, and trousers, walking stick, mineral water, hiking boots stocking, waterproof bag, rain jacket among others.
Rules and regulations considered on Gorilla trekking Uganda safari
- Children who are below 15years are not allowed to engage in gorilla trekking experience.
- Do not litter rubbish in the park
- You should stay in a tight group when you are close to gorillas
- Please do not touch gorillas because they have a high risk of being affected by human diseases.
- Trekkers should wash their hands before going out for gorilla trekking activities.
- You should keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas in their natural habitats.
- A limited number of 8 people are allowed to trek per group.
- While you’re with gorillas, you shouldn’t look directly in the eyes of these apes; they might threaten you.
- You should lower your voices while you’re with gorillas.
- Flash photography is not allowed to be used while in the wild.
Where to stay on your Ugandan gorilla trekking safaris
Uganda’s gorilla destination boosts with very many rewarding accommodations with comfortable facilities suitable for the guests ranging between luxury, budget and midrange, and some of these lodges include The Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Buhoma Safari Lodge, Rushanga Gorilla Lodge, among others.
Accessibility
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be easily accessed depending on the traveler’s location, and we recommend our travelers always book accommodation that is so close to the gorilla sector they are meant to trek in. From Kampala city to the main destination, the journey takes 8 to 9 hours by road.
Alternatively, you may opt for the flight from Entebbe International port while using Aero link flights which is a charter or scheduled flight that lands to Kisoro airstrip and from there, you have to pick up and drives you to the lodge, a flight can take 2 hours to land at the airstrip.
The time is now to grab this great opportunity through booking your tour package with us, achieve a global safari and participate in this everlasting experience in a lifetime and get close to great apes of the Pearl of Africa.
