Uganda Gorilla Trekking Challenges

Gorilla trekking in Uganda has some manageable limited challenges but these must not stop you from trying this once in a life time experience. Having one hour with the mountain gorillas while standing a few meters away is unforgettable and life changing experience found nowhere else except Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

• The trails in the jungle that lead to the location of the mountain gorillas are often wet from the regular rains that fall with mild sunlight experienced generally in the southwestern part of Uganda. This makes the search to find the mountain gorillas quite challenging because of the slippery and boggy surface. Untimely rains fall in the Virunga area where gorillas live.
• The number of gorilla trekking permits open to the public is limited to maximum 8 per day which limits chances for many desiring trekkers to join this adventure every year. The cap on the number of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda brings competition which requires advance booking.
• Mountain gorillas live in a rough jungle with biting nettles, sharp broken wood, stinging insects and more that may cause skin eczema however you need to dress perfectly for gorilla trekking to feel safe.
• Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda are in deep remote locations but with facilities of all budgets that is upscale, mid-range and basic. Do not forget to have full gas tank before heading to the gorilla trekking destinations because finding a refueling station in southwestern Uganda is quite challenging.
• Sometimes the gorilla family may run into hiding before one hour of gorilla trekking elapses. For mountain gorillas to prematurely retreat it may be caused by those who may violet the rules of gorilla trekking. Tourists are encouraged to adhere to rules of gorilla trekking all the time.

Despite the challenges likely to experience during gorilla trekking in Uganda, meeting them may make you forget everything the moment you meet the mountain gorillas. It is hard not to fall in love with the mountain gorillas and erase the misconceptions may have about them.

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Gorilla Trekking Destinations In Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is best done in Bwindi impenetrable National Park moist rain forest in southwestern Uganda. So far more than 21 gorilla trekking families are open to the public in Bwindi impenetrable National Park but these live in the four areas under which the park is divided that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.

It is more practical to reserve Bwindi accommodation to use during gorilla trekking safari closer to the area where your gorilla permit is booked for easy access to the briefing and starting point of the trek.

Bwindi forest is a biosphere reserve hosting 8 other primate species, over 350 bird species, more than 88 butterfly species, multitude of other mammals and more.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park may be the smallest Uganda national Park, but is home to the mountain gorillas too even though so far 1 gorilla family called Nyakagezi is open to the public.

Golden monkeys another endangered primate specie is also part of the inhabitants of Mgahinga forest. over 115 bird species are recorded as resident on Mgahinga National Park including Albertine rift endemics.

For short time wild hiking challenge on three of the six Virunga Volcanoes can be arranged while in Mgahinga National Park that is mountain Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo.

Where To Find Gorilla Trekking Permits For Uganda

Gorilla trekking permits for Uganda can be booked through a reliable Tours company like Arch Safaris And Tours or directly at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

One need some details before booking the Uganda gorilla permits which is sometimes non refundable there fore you must have the right details at your figure tips.

Guide To Booking Gorilla Trekking Permit In Uganda

• Choose a date when to gorilla trekking in Uganda, number of desired permits and more.
• Check gorilla permit availability but later purchase them as soon as you can because their status changes without warning. First come first served policy is used to reserve the gorilla permits in Uganda.
• Note that the number of gorilla trekking permits for Uganda is restricted to maximum 8 to reduce on the number of visitors likely to meet these primates because they are easily overwhelmed by large crowd.
• Avail some personal details like your full name as presented on the passport, nationality and more which are added to your Uganda gorilla permit card and retrieved for verification on gorilla trekking day.

Time To Take On Uganda Gorilla Trek

Although some tourists have reported finding the mountain gorillas in 2 hours from start of the gorilla trek, other have more time before locating these primates. Mountain gorillas in Uganda live freely in Bwindi forest or Mgahinga forest and their location is determined by factors prevailing in the jungle.

Tourists are encouraged to stay open minded and shift focus to other amazing naturally thriving forest inhabitants of either Bwindi or Mgahinga forest. Ranger guides with tourists suggest breaks during gorilla trekking in order to recap from the long fatigue of trekking and enjoy some treats.

When you locate the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed around them as they are habituated to be with humans for just that time. This limited time allows the mountain gorillas continue with their day today activities like feeding to cater for the day and afternoon time.

Best time To do Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Uganda gorilla trekking is open all year however the dry season that is June to September and December to January is most preferred. The sun in south western Uganda is brighter and filters through the dense canopy to create a lovely ambience in Bwindi or Mgahinga forest enabling trekkers to trace the mountain gorillas and other inhabitants more easily.

Note that competition for the limited Uganda gorilla permits is high in the dry season so those desiring this adventure must book in advance.

The wet season which is March to May and December to January must not scare you when booking to do gorilla trekking in Uganda but expect to still see the mountain gorillas.

Why Choose To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the still authentic safari adventures in Africa in untamed destination. The number of gorilla trekkers of Uganda are restricted to maximum 8 per day as a conservation measure to avoid overwhelming the highly sensitive mountain gorillas. Beyond gorilla trekking, Uganda offers a range of safari activities options to combine with this adventure including variety of game safari destinations, chimpanzees safaris, water activities, visit source of river Nile and more.