The Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda is one of the best as this park hosts almost half the total population of the mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi National Park. It is a prehistoric forest and believed to be one of the survivors of the ice age era existing for more than 25000 years.
Currently about 23 gorilla trekking families are confirmed to be living in Bwindi Impenetrable National parks and are open to the public. Some of the Bwindi gorilla trekking families include Mubare, Habinyanja, Nsongi, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Muhoza and more.
Bwindi forest covers an area of about 378 square kilometers and it is divided into four administrative areas that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. It is quite challenging to cross from one gorilla safari area of Bwindi to another because of the nature of the topography of this area which is rugged.
Other than the mountain gorillas, Bwindi forest is home to other 9 primate species including the blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, L’hoest and more. More than 350 bird species are residents of Bwindi forest including Albertine rift endemics.
How To Do Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest Uganda
- Book a Bwindi gorilla trekking permit from either area under which Bwindi forest is divided that is Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma or Ruhija. Present this gorilla trekking permit card to the ranger on the date allocated with other necessary documents for verification.
- Do not forget to carry your gorilla trekking gears and dress as comfortable as you feel but considering that you are to walk through the jungle. Hire a porter before proceeding to search for the mountain gorillas where necessary.
- After briefing and allocating you a gorilla family to trek, follow the ranger guide using the trail leading where the gorilla family was last seen. The ground is normally soft and dump most of the day because less sun lights filters through the dense leaves to the ground.
- Along the way, there is dense undergrowth including creepers that drape down the highlands and tree trunks that may obstruct you from moving fast. The ranger guide with a machete uses it to trim it and open the way for you.
- Adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking as explained by the ranger guides at briefing so that you can get to find the mountain gorillas without appearing suspicious.
- You hear the mountain gorillas before facing them as they keep in constant communication with each other. Finally, when you find the gorillas enjoy their presence, take photos but do not forget to get off the lens to watch the moments directly.
- It convenient to maintain some level of fitness during gorilla trekking as the ground is jugged with several highlands resulting from volcanic forces. The mountain gorillas at times spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys necessitating you to hike to their present location.
How Long Is The Gorilla trekking Safari Search In Uganda
From the starting point of gorilla trekking in Uganda it may take about 2 hour and more to find the location of the mountain gorillas. The pace of tourists, prevailing weather conditions, mood of the tourists contribute a great part on the time you find the mountain gorillas.
No matter how long it takes to locate the mountain gorillas, keep your spirit for choosing to do gorilla trekking high. Finally, when you meet the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed before them. The presence of humans disrupts the daily program of the mountain gorillas including feeding that is why it is regulated to one hour of viewing.
When Is The Best Time For Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The dry season is best preferred season for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national Park Uganda with less precipitation expected in and around the forest. The dry season in southwestern Uganda is normally June, July, August, September, December and January. Even though the environment around the forest is drier, expect it to rain without warning.
The mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers spend most of their day closer to the ground during the dry season in search for food to take them through the day and night. Mountain gorillas are vegans despite their huge size.
The wet season is fine for choosing to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park that is March, April May and November when rains are expected to fall. The temperatures of southwestern Uganda drop so much and but expect to see the mountain gorillas although they normally keep in sheltered spots.
Chances of finding gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi are more open in the wet season since fewer trekkers are expected in the country. Not that gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi are booked according to the four areas under which the park is divided that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija.
What To Expect When On Gorilla Trekking Safari In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Trekkers for the day gather at the ranger station early morning before starting the gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In case your over night was in another Bwindi area, you are expected to drive to the ranger station where your gorilla permit for Bwindi was booked.
After allocating you a gorilla family to trek, together with other trekkers for the day and the ranger guide leads you via the trail leading where the mountain gorilla family was last seen.
Expect the ground to be soggy and soft in most parts of the trail because of the regular rains that fall and Rivers or streams that may flood sometimes. The under growth falls over to obstruct the trails or vines drape down the huge tree branches sometimes as this is a jungle. Wear sturdy safari boots, long sleeved shirt and trousers to protect your skin.
The landscape of Bwindi area is rugged with several highlands where the gorillas spend time so you have to hike to get to them which is quite tedious. Carry a supporting walking stick or the porter may extend a hand to help you cross some huddles. Rangers calls for breaks
Along the way, you spot other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and more. An array of forest birds cross your path too as you walk on, look out for sparkling water falls and more.
When you locate the mountain gorillas, only one hour of viewing is allowed with them but use it to the best of your interest while maintaining the rules of gorilla trekking. Do not forget to keep the distance of 8 meters away from the mountain gorillas although they may bridge it out of curiosity.
Expect to receive a certificate after completing the gorilla trek which is the souvenir you carry home.
Which Accommodation to Book During Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi accommodations are categorized into Upscale, mid-range and basic. These accommodations offer services according to your budget so request for the inclusions and exclusions of the cost before booking for better planning.
Bwindi accommodations: Gorilla safari lodge, Clouds lodge, Nshongi Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi View bandas, Gorilla forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge.
It is best to book accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in Bwindi in or closer to the area where your gorilla permit was booked. This is to avoid having to drive early morning to get to the ranger station for briefing.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park For gorilla Trekking
By Road
Several routes lead to Bwindi impenetrable National park from Kampala or Entebbe and some of them include Kampala to Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma
Kampala to Kabale to Ruhija
Kampala to Kabale to Nkuringo
Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kihihi to Buhoma
The distance from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 530 kilometers which may take time of approximately 8 hours to 9 hours.
By Air
Bwindi impenetrable National Park can be reached by air via charter or the daily domestic flights to Kihihi or Kisoro air strip.
It is best to make prior arrangements for this fly-in gorilla trekking adventure including transfers to your lodge. The flights to Bwindi normally take 1 hour and 30 minutes or 2 hours. At times the flights may be rescheduled due to weather challenges.
How much is the cost of gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Currently, the cost of gorilla trekking permit for Uganda is $800 including park entrance, one hour with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide fees, conservation support and more.
Exclusions in the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit personal expenses, tips and more.
Do not forget to carry porter hire fees in case you may need help while on gorilla trekking adventure
How is the security during gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is secure as each is guided by a well trained ranger guide with a jungle experience.
Each tourist is expected to attend compulsory briefing where details of how to behave before, when with and after the gorilla trekking adventure. During gorilla trekking briefing details of the rules of this adventure are communicated, the most recent updates about the gorillas.
No tourist is allowed to do gorilla trekking without an escorting ranger guide to protect you from possible dangers that you may encounter in the forest. Tourists on gorilla trekking are encouraged to stay closer to the rest of the group so that none I forgotten in the forest.
As a tourist on the gorilla trekking adventure, security starts with you so do not carry your precious belongings along in the forest especially those you are afraid of losing. Adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking. When you notice something odd about the gorilla family allocated to you do not panic but wait for the ranger guide to avail new instructions on how to go about the situation.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Time to take on gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi is about 2 hours to more depending on factors prevailing in the forest. The mountain gorillas live and feed in a particular location for sometime until food becomes insufficient for the entire family.
When you locate the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them as they are habituated to be with humans for just that time. Mountain gorillas also need to keep searching for enough food to take them through the day and night so time is minimized to one hour to give them time to carry on.
The weather conditions prevailing in the day contribute a great deal to the time when you are to locate the mountain gorillas as this may slow you.
Which Is The Best Gorilla Trekking Family To Trek In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable National Park has currently over 23 gorilla trekking families open to the public but each has its own characters. It is not easy to identify the best gorilla family to trek in Bwindi since the gorilla permits are booked according to the four areas under which this park is divided Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Some of the gorilla families of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Nshongi, Bweza, Oruzogo, Mucunguzi, Christmas, Rushegura, Mubare, Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Bitukura and more.
Each tourist has different reasons for taking the gorilla trekking adventure including wanting to see infants mountain gorillas, visit a gorilla family with the strongest silverback, wanting to visit the largest gorilla family and more.
In order not to lose track of the reasons for choosing to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, open your mind and look out for other amazing forest dwellers including several other primates, birds, different tree species, wonderful features and more. To save yourself from having to drive in the dark to catch up with briefing in another gorilla trekking area, it is best to book accommodation to use closer or within the area where your Bwindi permit is booked. Do inquire about where your gorilla permit is booked before booking accommodation to avoid getting frustrated by having to drive in the dark in the middle of this endless Bwindi forest.