What You Can Do To Enjoy Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda

To enjoy priceless gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, you need to plan in advance. The joy of finally meeting the mountain gorillas is deep rooted in the heart. The first sight at the mountain gorillas is a mixture of feelings both anxiety and fear but offers memories that last a lifetime. Do not forget to maintain the recommended 8 meters from the gorilla even though they normally bridge the gap out of curiosity.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done from misty shrouded hill tops of Bwindi impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga national Park. Every sunrise unfolds new adventures during gorilla trekking so do open your mind to viewing the mountain gorillas. It is hard to explain all about what gorillas do on a daily because everyday they behave according to mood just like humans. Request A quotation

Beyond the mountain gorillas, Bwindi and Mgahinga forests are home to other primates too including chimpanzees in Bwindi, golden monkeys in Mgahinga, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more. An array of birds that is over 350 birds for Bwindi forest and more than 115 birds have been recorded as residents of these forests including those on the IUCN red list.

During gorilla trekking, do not focus seeing the mountain gorillas only but look beyond meeting these primates as there is plenty in the forest to keep you mesmerized including sparkling water falls and other features. Keep your camera rolling because majority of the other primates show up fast and disappear in a flash of time because they are not habituated to meet humans.

Book your Uganda gorilla trekking permit in advance is recommended because there availability gets tighter as season unfolds. Each day maximum 8 gorilla permits are opened to the public in Uganda a number that is insufficient to satisfy the hunger for gorilla trekking world over.

Use the check list when packing for gorilla trekking in Uganda because this is not an ordinary African safari but every step is an adventure. Do not forget safari waterproof boots that extend beyond ankles, rain proof gears, safari hat and more.

Tips to A Great gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda

• Reserved the gorilla per it in Uganda and it must be from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla trekking permits can be reserved through an accredited tour company or directly from the authority.
• Choose the most comfortable season to do gorilla trekking in Uganda that is dry or wet season according to your reasons for taking this African safari. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an all year around adventure.
• The age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 12 years and beyond to enable more children to see these endangered primates at an early age and appreciate the relevancy of protecting these primates.
• Do not forget some warmers because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are often cold almost the entire day despite the fact that Uganda is a tropical country. Rains falls in south western Uganda any time and its is where these National Parks are found.
• The more the merrier so travelling with company for gorilla trekking safari gives you chance to recap on the events of the day with someone because even allocating gorilla families in Uganda is randomly done. Each of the people you may have travelled with for gorilla trekking may be given a different family so you have so much to share at the end of the adventure.
• Have some level of fitness before gorilla trekking in Uganda to enable you traverse the mountainous rain forest especially during the heavy rainy season.

What are the requirements for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Book the gorilla permit for every person travelling with for gorilla trekking in Uganda and in advance to avoid getting disorganized at the last minute. Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are reserved according to four sectors that is Buhoma, Rushaga , Ruhija and Nkuringo which are separated by some hard to cross features. You need to book the gorilla permits in time to stay close as a group travelling together for gorilla trekking safari.

Reserve accommodations and transport as some of the fundamental logistics for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. It is best to identify the type of accommodation category you are interested in booking according your planned budget that is Luxury, mid-range or basic. For transport a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle with a professional and experienced driver guide is perfect choice.  Flying gorilla trekking safari plans can be made on request.

 Stay fit for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National park topography is mountainous yet at times the gorillas spend time on the slopes of these highlands.

Some hard cash to use for on ground purchases during gorilla trekking tours as some lodges may not have some services included in their cost or you may wish to purchase some souvenirs and more.

Some lodges may offer credit card services in case they have card readers however, the card reader machines may breakdown because most lodge use solar system for lighting.

How much is the cost of gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda

The cost of Uganda gorilla trekking safaris vary with the number of  days on safari, people travelling with, category of safari package you choose, time of booking the Uganda safari and more.

For all these factors the cost of the gorilla trekking permit stands out as the universal cost and currently $ 800 for international nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and 300000shs for East Africans.

The average cost of 3 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is about $950 to more for budget gorilla trekking in Uganda, Mid range cost average $1050 and over, Luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda $1500 and over

Carry some cash to use for on ground transactions, tipping, private activities and more as desired.

How Easy or Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking safari in Uganda

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are quite strenuous because of the jagged terrain of this area. At times the mountain gorillas locate there feeding points deep in the valleys or along the slopes so you have to hike. In case you are unfit, you may move slow delaying the rest in the group. 

Bwindi and Mgahinga forest are prehistoric forest with accumulated tangled vegetation that drapes down the ridges, tree trunks and plateaus and may obstruct your way to find the mountain gorillas. Get ready to creep under these plants to find the mountain gorillas sometimes because there is no steady location to find them.

On a severe rain day, the mountain gorillas tend to spend most of the time in sheltered spots so you have to be patient and during the dry seasons gorillas tend to be more mobile too.

No matter the huddles you may experience during gorilla trekking, the glance at the gorillas through the dense leaves transforms your fatigue into yarning to clearly face them. Try not to stare into the eyes of the mountain gorillas because this appear suspicious and may cause them to retreat into hiding.

What Guarantee can I Have To Find Mountain Gorillas During Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

• Gorilla trekking in Uganda has 99% chances of finding the mountain gorillas. After paying for the gorilla permit, one would like to be assured that viewing the mountain gorillas in the jungle is a sure deal.
• All gorilla trekking families in Uganda undergo gorilla habituation process which introduces them to human presence without altering their traits. It is through those processes that the gorilla families are able to stay with humans for atleast an hour. The presence of humans interrupts the flow of gorilla’s daily life so it must be minimized.
• Tourists are encouraged to watch out for clues the mountain gorillas lead behind including fresh leftover foliage, foot prints, listen for their murmurs, nesting points and more. Some of these are indicators to the direction taken by these primates. Some of these clues lead to the gorilla families.
• Mountain gorillas occupy a particular feeding location for sometime and so tracing them during this time is quite easier and even when the family relocates, they do not normally move far from the previous spot.  
• Early trackers wake up to try finding the nesting spot for the mountain gorillas and possible direction they are to take for the day. Some of these clues are used by rangers with tourists to trace the mountain gorillas.
• Mountain gorillas are bulky primates that cannot move far from there previous spot so catching up with them during gorilla trekking is possible.

Time To Take on Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Uganda

From the starting point, finding the mountain gorillas may take sometime as some have been traced in two hours while other may take more time. No matter when you trace the mountain gorillas, keep the urge of getting face to face with these gentle guides up because it is a dream come true adventure.

Along the way, you can focus on the adventures that unfold as every step into the jungle comes with so much beyond expectation. Along the way to find the mountain gorillas you may encounter primates like blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, chimpanzees and more. Keen birder have so much to spot out during the gorilla trek.

Finally, when you locate the mountain gorillas, only one hour of gorilla trekking is accepted and if you wish to have more time, a second gorilla trek may be the next option.

Alternatively, gorilla habituation experience where four hours are allowed with semi-habituated mountain gorilla families is recommended.

Which is the better gorilla trekking destination in Uganda of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park

Both Bwindi impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga National Park are special homes to some of the priceless natural treasures in the world the endangered mountain gorillas. These parks are biosphere reserves hosting other rare wild species including golden monkeys in Mgahinga and chimpanzees in Bwindi.

Mgahinga national park has untamed vegetation and other beautiful features including towering mountains that is Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabyinyo that form a beautiful backdrop. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has fairly not so steep highlands but still challenging to find the mountain gorillas.

Bwindi impenetrable National Park has the largest number of gorilla trekking families that is about 19 families so far but gorilla habituation still continues. Mgahinga national park at the moment has one gorilla family called Nyakagezi open for gorilla trekking but interesting to watch.

From gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, it is quicker to visit areas like Lake Bunyonyi the spot of tranquility, a day hiking experience on the three mountains in the park, golden monkey safaris and more. From gorilla trekking In Bwindi impenetrable national park, you can do a community tour, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park the game safari haven in Uganda and more.

Bwindi has more accommodation options to use during gorilla trekking but you need to note the area where your gorilla permit is booked that is Buhoma, Ruhija or Rushaga or Nkuringo areas. This is to avoid having to drive in the misty dawn to catch up with briefing in another area. Mgahinga National Park has limited accommodations within and out the park but more alternatives are in Kisoro town.

Gorilla habituation experience where tourists have extra time with semi-habituated mountain gorillas the number of participating trekkers is maximum 4 in company of habituators and researchers.

 

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda

Safari hat

Garden gloves

Safari boots

Rain proof gears

Toiletries

Warmers

Extra clothes

Long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers

Flip flops

Backpack

Torch

Insect repellant

Charger

 Camera

A pair of stockings

Water bottle

Snacks

Gorilla trekking Rules To follow

No feeding the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals that must find own food.

Only one hour is allowed before the mountain gorillas as a conservation measure

Do not eat before the mountain gorillas or smoke but from atleast 300 meters away.

 In case you have a cold, volunteer to stay behind to prevent spreading infections to the vulnerable mountain gorillas.

No dumping garbage in the wilderness as it alters the forest nature where mountain gorillas live.

Avoid provoking the mountain gorillas

No feeding the mountain gorillas because they must depend on supplies from the forest and not human care.