Gorilla trekking in Uganda is the foremost safari activity in the country where tourists stand a few meters from the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world.
During gorilla trekking in Uganda, you need to acquire a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority a card that contains your personal details retrieved on the safari booked day.
For gorilla trekking bookings in Uganda, over 22 gorilla trekking families are open to the public with a limit of maximum 8 trekkers per family per day. This restriction is set as a mountain gorilla conservation measure to prevent overwhelming these highly sensitive primates.
The entire gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is quite strenuous because of the physical nature of the terrain of southwestern Kigezi subarea Uganda where this adventure happens. The landscape of Kigezi subregion of Uganda is generally rugged from the vigorous volcanic forces that ended in the formation of several features.
Where to Do Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
Bwindi impenetrable national Park
The largest gorilla trekking destination in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park whose local meaning of Bwindi is impenetrable. Indeed, the double meaning of Bwindi impenetrable National Park is rightful for its sight because of its dense canopy, vast, endowed by variety of inhabitants beyond the mountain gorillas.
More than 10 primate species are residents of Bwindi forest including Mountain gorillas, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, olive baboons and more. Over 350 bird species are residents of Bwindi including Albertine rift endemics. More than 88 months, over 100 natural tree species and more.
For better administration of vast Bwindi Impenetrable National Park it is divided into four areas including Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija.
When booking gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi, they are reserved according to the four areas of park although the gorilla families area more than 21 recorded so far. Some of the Bwindi gorilla trekking families include Rushegura, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Busingye and more.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is the smallest Uganda National Park covering approximately 33.7 square kilometers. Currently 1 gorilla trekking family is open to the public that is Nyakagezi.
Others than the mountain gorillas Mgahinga National Park is home to the endangered golden monkeys with approximately 4000 golden monkeys surviving in the world. Mgahinga golden monkeys are some of the few left in the world.
Mgahinga National Park has three amazing mountain towers part of the famous six Virunga Volcanoes that is Mountain Muhavura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga
Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda
Best time to do gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is the dry season that is normally June to September and December to January when the gorilla habitants are expected to receive less precipitation. More sunlight is let into the forest creating an amazing ambience to spot far ranging inhabitants.
The trails to help you get through the forest are drier when searching to locate the mountain gorillas. This also keeps the mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants closer to the ground searching for a meal to take them throughout the day and night.
The wet season that is March to May and November should not stop you from booking a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda as the gorillas are still in this period too. Note that vegetation in the forests is thicker in the wet season and may block clear visibility of the mountain gorillas.
How to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Uganda
Choose a date when to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, note number and ages of people travelling with to enable finding gorilla permit availability.
Find gorilla permit availability where you can use a reliable tour operator to deal will most of the ground work.
Purchase the gorilla permit as soon as you find availability to avoid running out of the best options. When booking gorilla permits for Bwindi, they are reserved according to the four areas under which Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
When the gorilla permit is to be issued, you are required to avail some personal details like your full names as presented by the ranger guide, date of birth, nationality, passport expiry date and more.
These details are retrieved for verification on gorilla trekking day as your documents are being cross checked.
How Long, Difficult Or Easy Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda sometimes takes 2 hours or more depending on the factors prevailing in the jungle and pace of trekkers.
In order not to lose moral in case the time to take to located the mountain gorillas is prolonged, tourists are requested to shift focus to other amazing forest dwellers and maintain some level of patience.
The search for mountain gorillas has some challenges like the uneven slopes which you have to hike sometimes, stinging nettles along the way and more. Tourists are requested to prepare for some of these challenges like keep some level of fitness to help you move in the forest with less challenges.
Wear your gorilla trekking gears to enable you move fast and safely during gorilla trekking.
Safety Measures To Consider During Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
- Wear the right gorilla trekking gears like safari sturdy boots, rain proof gears, insect repellent and more.
- Attend compulsory briefing during gorilla trekking in Uganda where the most recent communication about gorilla safari is communicated in detail and the rules of this adventure.
- Every gorilla trekking safari has to be conducted by a ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
- Adhere to rules of gorilla trekking like no touching the mountain gorillas when around them, keep a distance of 8 meters from the mountain gorillas and more
- Do not panic when you notice something odd amongst the gorilla family as this may escalate the situation but adhere to new instructions availed by the ranger guides.
- Hire a porter to help you lift your baggage during gorilla trekking in Uganda. The porter may give you a push when stuck and extend a hand to you when you cannot cross over.
Why Choose Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda
To choose and do gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is an opportunity to different options of gorilla permit availability. Uganda has over 22 gorilla trekking families a number which is unrivalled compared to other three countries that is Rwanda and D.R.Congo. Gorilla habituation Experience is still happening in Uganda only with four hours allowed around the mountain gorillas.
Beyond the mountain gorillas, Uganda has alternative safari options including source of River Nile, a number of game safari destinations, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, white water rafting, sports fishing in Uganda and more. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is in an untamed environment with less blend of a modern touch. When seeking to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, Uganda is the destination to choose.