Brief summary about gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the popular activities which tourists engage in when visiting the country which is home to 50% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.
Below is summary of information to know about gorilla trekking in Uganda;
- Destinations for gorilla trekking in Uganda
When visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking, there are 2 destinations where the activity is done and this includes Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park which are both located in the south western part of the country.
Bwindi national park offers gorilla trekking experiences around its 4 sectors which include Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector. Each of these sectors has habituated gorilla groups that tourists can encounter during their tours around Bwindi.
In Mgahinga national park, tourists can visit the Nyakagezi gorilla family which is the only habituated gorilla group at the destination. This national park is also home to the rare golden monkeys and many other primates.
Between the 2 destinations, Bwindi national park is popular for gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and also has more gorillas as compared to Mgahinga national park. apart from Uganda, mountain gorilla can also be seen in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and in Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rules and regulations of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is governed by different rules and regulations which tourists are expected to follow during the activity and they are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and include the following;
One of the rules to be followed during gorilla trekking in Uganda is that the activity is to be done by individuals above the age of 15 years. Children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to visit the gorillas in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park but can engage in other activities around the destinations.
8 visitors per day are allowed to visit a gorilla group during gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda. UWA issues a limited number of permits each day to regulate the number of tourists visiting the gorillas in Uganda.
Use of flash photography is discouraged during gorilla trekking tours in Uganda.
Tourists are also discouraged from making noise when in the presence of gorillas.
Littering and smoking is also discouraged when visiting the mountain gorillas in Uganda.
Eating in the presence of the gorillas is also discouraged during the gorilla trek.
Tourists are also required to keep a distance of about 7 meters from the gorillas upon finding them in the forest.
Many other rules are communicated during a briefing done at the park headquarters before tourists engage in the gorilla trek. These different safety precautions help to protect both the gorillas and tourists.
- Best time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an activity which takes place anytime of the year during tours around Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
The dry season in Uganda is considered the best time to visit the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat die to the favorable conditions when exploring the forest during the gorilla trek. The season is experienced during the months of June to September and also in December to February.
Many tourists also visit Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park during the dry season and they are encouraged to book their gorilla permits in advance to avoid missing out on the exciting encounter with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
- Permit costs for gorilla trekking in Uganda
During gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, tourists are required to have gorilla permits which are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Gorilla permits in Uganda can be booked through licensed tour operators and they cost 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens. Citizens from the rest of Africa are charged a fee of 500 USD for gorilla permits.
When visiting Uganda, the gorilla permits are used by one individual for a single gorilla trekking fees and are inclusive of guide fees and park entrance fees to Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
The information needed to book gorilla permits in Uganda includes passport information which is also presented at the park headquarters prior to engaging in the activity. It is important to check availability of permits before booking the gorilla trekking experience
- How to get to Bwindi national park
Tourists can access Bwindi national park by flights from Entebbe international airport or by driving.
Flights can be booked from Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip during tours to Bwindi national park.
The route used to access Bwindi national park during gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda include the Kampala-Mbarara-Masaka-Kabale route which takes about 8 to 9 hours. Tourists can also access the destination from the Cyanika border or the Gatuna border.
- How to get to Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park is a 10 hours drive from Kampala using the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route and tourists can also access the destination by booking flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip.
- What to pack for gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
Proper planning is important for a successful gorilla trekking experience and this includes packing the right items for the tour in Uganda.
Clothing to pack for the gorilla trek include long sleeved shirts and trousers, garden gloves, waterproof jackets, long and thick socks, sun hat. Tourists are also encouraged to pack good hiking shoes as well as items like sun screen, insect repellant among others for their gorilla tour in Uganda.
It is also important to carry water to keep hydrated during the gorilla trek and also bring along snacks to keep up the energy when searching for the gorillas in the forests. Tourists can also carry daypacks to keep their items safe during the gorilla trek.
Cameras and other recording devices can also be carried for the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
