Things To Note During Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda

Pay attention to detail when booking and during gorilla trekking safari in Uganda so as to enjoy and make memories because this is a once in a lifetime adventure. Do book Uganda gorilla trekking permit in advance to avoid getting last minute panic attack if you cannot find availability.

Cross check the ages of the people expected to do gorilla trekking in Uganda because the age limit is 12 years and over. Children below 12 years are not accepted to do gorilla trekking because they are too young to withstand the possible rough conditions in the jungle. Enquire Now

Reserve accommodation to use during gorilla trekking in advance because the best options in all categories run out early especially in the peak season.  More tourists visit Uganda in the peak season which is normally June, July, August, September, December and January.

Choose the means of transport to get you to the Uganda gorilla trekking destinations that is Road transport or air transport. With road transport having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition is a great choice because of the nature of the terrain in this area. Fly in gorilla trekking safari are available if you wish to travel for a shorter time and enjoy Uganda from the bird eye view.

It is better and safer to do a health check-up before travelling for gorilla trekking so that you are able to move in the forest and overcome the possible huddles you may encounter along the way. In case you have a communicable infection like flu, covid-19, you are excluded from participating in gorilla trekking. This is because the mountain gorillas are vulnerable human infections like these which may end in massive death.

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What To Do before Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda

• Before gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, choose the date you desire to do this safari and the number of gorilla permits to book.
• Check gorilla permit availability per the dates of your choice and be flexible with the dates too incase there is no static reason for choosing the desired dates.
• Purchase the gorilla permit as soon as you can when you find availability to avoid getting disappointed when you do not find then later. A few Uganda gorilla permits are open to the public each day that is maximum 8 gorilla permits per day.
• Start exercising to keep your body ready and fit for the jungle. No need to do vigorous exercises as you prepare for gorilla trekking but start with simple exercises and progress as advised by your fitness instructor.
• Cross check with the gorilla trekking packing list so that you carry the relevant items for your safari. Some of the items to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda include safari boots, garden gloves, rain proof gears and more
• Organise international transport to use to get to Uganda in advance so that you do not miss finding a seat to get to Uganda especially if your safari is commencing on arrival.
• In case you have additional safari activities to combine with gorilla trekking in Uganda, do make necessary bookings too in advance.

What to do During Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

When you start the gorilla trekking safari, you need to keep your gorilla permit with you especially when you travel to the gorilla trekking destination that is Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National Park. These personal documents are presented at the ranger station on gorilla trekking day for verification.

Do carry your gorilla trekking gears and packed lunch to eat during lunch break in the jungle incase you delay to find the mountain gorillas. Remember to attend gorilla trekking briefing because it is compulsory for every tourist. Briefing start early morning at about 0830 hours but every tourist is expected to attend or be penalized in case you have no standing reason.

Hire a porter to help carry your gorilla trekking gears and may give you a push in case you get too tired to carry on. Request for a walking stick too for extra support as you move around to locate the mountain gorillas.

On The Way To The Gorillas

Each tourist is allocated a gorilla family to trek with each family allocated maximum 8 tourists. This is to minimize the effects of disturbance to the gorillas as human presence disrupts their day today activities. The less time the less are the chances to pass a communicable infection to the mountain gorillas.

Do carry a clean mask to change into when you locate the mountain gorillas as this was adopted after the covid-19 pandemic.

Try not to dump garbage in the forest but pack every thing in your backpack and return with it to dump it in the provided bins.

The ranger guides lead the trekkers following the trail leading where the gorilla family allocated was last seen. Do note the clues the gorillas may have left behind when trying to trace them like the nests, leftover foliage and more.

Along the way, you may encounter other forest dwellers like the forest elephants but do not panic to get away but follow the instructions given by the guide.

Incase you feel like easing yourself, aske the ranger guide to dig a hole for you at least 30 centimeters low and cover well beyond recognition.

The ranger guide will warn you to prepare to meet the mountain gorillas as you get closer to them. One of the trekkers may be requested to show up as a way to introduce you to these primates. Do not take out your cameras immediately but wait for the ranger guide.

Keep your voices low and avoid sudden movements in order to avoid looking suspicious as mountain gorillas are very keen with intruders in their presence.

When With The Mountain Gorillas

• As you stand before the mountain gorilla family, maintain a gap of about 7 meters or 12 feet from these primates. Sometimes, the mountain gorillas may bridge the gap by moving closer to inspect some of your belongings but do not touch them no matter how adorable they may look.
• Do not surround the mountain gorillas because you appear to be ambushing them.
• Maintain a low voice in case you are communicating while with the mountain gorillas so that you give them no reason to see you as suspicious. You can still ask question from the ranger guide about the gorillas. Sometimes you may be requested to show submissions so please comply.
• Never drink or eat before the mountain gorillas as they may try to grab it from you yet they are wild animals that must depend on forest supplies rather than human food.
• In case the mountain gorillas charge do not panic but stay composed and follow the ranger guide’s new instructions like crouching down, showing submission, demonstrating chewing foliage and more.
• Avoid staring in the eyes of the mountain gorillas because they are shy and can get agitated. Do stand still in case the gorillas are passing so that they do not pounce on you. Running away may ignite the gorillas to attack or rush into hiding.
• Try not to touch the infants no matter how playfully they may get around you. These are wild animals no matter how serene and adorable they appear.
• Avoid using flash photography when with the mountain gorillas as this may scare these primates.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them but use it maximumly to create everlasting memories. In case the mountain gorillas become agitated or nervous, the ranger guide may end the gorilla viewing earlier.

 Keep your voices low as you get away from the mountain gorillas until you are in about 200 meters away from the mountain gorillas.

How to Contribute to the Conservation of The mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking

By purchasing the gorilla permit you support the fund used in the conservation of the mountain gorillas. Even though the gorillas live in the wilderness and must depend on supplies from the jungle, at time they need extra support like medical care, routine check ups and more.

Mountain gorillas also called Gorilla Beringei Beringei are endangered primates whose population is slowly recovering currently at about 1062 gorillas from the 1980s 250 mountain gorillas. The gorilla live in only three countries in the world that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo. The Virunga area is ecologically rich hosting some of the rare species including flora and fauna.

Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human communicable infections so volunteer to stay behind incase you contract it before gorilla trekking so that you do not spread germs to these vulnerable primates. Abide by the rules of gorilla trekking to avoid causing behavioral disturbance to the fragile mountain gorillas.

From the profit accrued annually from the sell of gorilla permits a portion is shared with the local communities around the gorilla trekking destinations as a way of creating community sensitization.

By hiring a porter during gorilla trekking, you directly contribute to the community as these are from the community. By being porters they earn a living promoting their way of life.

When is the return time from Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Return time from gorilla trekking in Uganda is hard to determine but you some tourists have seen the gorillas after 30 minutes and returned in two hours but this is not the case for everyone.

Along the way, you may encounter some obstacles that may delay you from progressing fast to the mountain gorillas. At times the mountain gorillas migrate to new feeding grounds, weathers condition for the day, mood in the forest, pace of fellow trekkers and more may delay the time to find the gorillas.

In order to maintain the yarning to be with the mountain gorillas, focus on seeing other forest dwellers including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked, several bird species and more. When you locate the mountain gorillas, you may forget the huddles you may have gone through to find them and enjoy every moment as it unfolds.

Only one hours is allowed with the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking as a conservation measure. Human presence disrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas that have to consume a lot of foliage to take them through the day and night.  

How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is safe even though the trekkers have to move on foot in the jungle. Bwindi forest and Mgahinga forest are dense with several trees and creepers but the environment is safe.

Before moving in the forest to search for the mountain gorillas, tourist must attend briefing where communication about the rules and what is to expect in the forest are communicated in details. These include the safety measures you can take during gorilla trekking.

When you locate the mountain gorillas, try to adhere to the rules of gorilla trekking so that you do not appear suspicious to the mountain gorillas.

Wear the right gears when going for gorilla trekking especially a long sleeved shirt and trousers in case you get into contact with biting nettles. Do not forget safari boots to help you explore the forest because the ground is soggy and rivers or streams may overflow at times.

Do not do anything that will cause you to appear suspicious before the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are very keen with intruders in their presence.

When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Uganda gorilla trekking safaris are best in the dry season that is usually June to October and December to January when even the rain forest have less precipitation. The gorillas and other primates are easier to spot in this period because they keep most of the day close to the ground though they have search for food.

Competition for gorilla trekking permits for Uganda in the dry season which serves as the high tourism season. Even demand for other logistics that support tourism is high.  It is best to book the gorilla permits in advance to avoid last minute panic.

The wet season is open for gorilla trekking and seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed too. The wet season which is March, April, May and November is normally the low tourism season but chances of enjoying the gorilla safari alone are more open. Note that gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is open all year with extreme seasons that can lead to closing off this adventure so lets go mingle with the jungle whenever you are ready Book Now