When is the Best Time To Do Wildlife And Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda

Uganda is open for gorilla trekking and wildlife safari all, year however the dry season which is normally June to September and December to January attracts high demand from world over. Uganda has a variety of wildlife parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and others.

To confirm attending the gorilla and wildlife tour in Uganda, you need to possess a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. During the peak season, demand for the gorilla permits is extremely high and for last minute bookings chances of missing a permit are high. In the wildlife game parks, logistics like accommodation also sell out in advance during the peak season.

Note because of the high demand for Uganda safaris in this season, be ready to share the gorilla and wildlife safari in Uganda with others.

The wet season that is normally March to May and November may attract less demand for gorilla and wildlife tours in Uganda but it is also worth your safari time. There are less people demanding to do the safari opening better opportunities for those interested in having less crowds during an African safari.

No matter the time you plan to travel to Uganda for the gorilla and game tour, advance safari planning is required. At Arch Safaris And Tours, our safari consultants are available to help in planning your gorilla and wildlife tours in Uganda. Contact our safari consultant with your interest and details about the gorilla and wildlife tours.

How Can I Plan and Book A Gorilla and Wildlife Tour in Uganda?

Here is e simple procedure you need to follow when planning and booking gorilla and wildlife safari in Uganda

When planning and booking the gorilla and wildlife Uganda safari, you need to note the time of planning and number of people travelling with. Choose the date and number of days for your Uganda safari as this helps with planning the entire Safari. Enquire about the Uganda safari.

Upon receiving your Uganda tour enquiry, our tours consultants check availability of gorilla permits first  from the list of Uganda Wildlife Authority as this is the only confirmation to a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. The number of gorilla permits is also limited and yet demand surpasses supply creating last minute disappointments.

It is best to secure in advance your gorilla permit as first come first served basis is used to supply these permits. No gorilla permit is reserved without payment as this is the only way of showing commitment to taking the gorilla tour.

Finally, when the gorilla permit for each person in your group is booked, you must provide details of each person as per the passport for identification. Forward the full names as presented on the passport, date of birth, nationality and other requirements.

For Uganda Wildlife safari, how to plan and book depends on activities you hope to engage in while on safari like game drives, Uganda birding, white water rafting, sports fishing and others.

How Much Is The Cost Of Uganda Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Safari?

The cost of gorilla trekking and wildlife tour in Uganda varies with category you choose that is Luxury, mid-range or budget. The cost of the gorilla permit is common to all the safari packages as at the moment the cost of the Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 for international nonresidents, $700 for international residents and 300,000 shs for east Africans.

There are additional factors that may influence the cost of the gorilla and wildlife safari like number of safari days, number of people travelling with, timing of the Uganda safari, additional activities to combine with the safari and others.

Our safari consultant are ready to work with you to tailor the most suitable itinerary of your Uganda gorilla and wildlife tour inclusive of your interests and within your budget. We cherish helping our clients in making everlasting memories while on any safari

The cost of the park entrance fees to all Uganda game parks is paid per person and it lasts 24 hours since entering the National Park no matter the safari package. The cost of Uganda park entrance fees is currently between $40 to $45 per person per 24 hours.

Other Uganda safari costs differ with accommodation, transport and much more.

When can I Book a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit or Park entrance fees?

The best time for booking the gorilla permit is atleast 180 days to a year before the gorilla trek. This reduces on the panic you may incur at the last minute. The gorilla permits for the peak season run out in advance as the peak tourism season of Uganda is normally June, July, August, September, December to January.

The number of gorilla permits for Uganda is limited to maximum 8 per gorilla family yet at the moment Uganda has about 20 gorilla families. The limited supply of the gorilla permits even when demand for these permits is high is for conservation reasons.

To reduce on the amount of time to spend at the gate clearing park fees, it is better to pay park entrance fees to the Uganda wildlife park in advance as on ground( National Park gate) cash is not allowed .

Is Uganda Safe For Doing Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Tour?

Uganda is a safe African safari destination for doing gorilla and wildlife tours. Even though gorilla trekking is in the wilderness, every trip must be escorted by atleast two professional ranger guides. The Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guides carry some emergency protective gears with them that is a rifle and machete. The radio call is used for communication with ranger guides on ground in case an emergency and back up is required.

Before tourists proceed into the forest in search for the mountain gorillas, the tourists must attend briefing to listen to the guidelines of the gorilla trek, expected behavior during the gorilla trek and much more is explained in detail to the tourists.

Before opening a gorilla family to the public, it is first habituated  to be in the presence of humans as process that helps these wild primates get used to humans without altering there nature. Gorilla trekking is for one hour upon locating these primates. This is how much time the gorillas are habituated to be in human presence. No moving in the forest without an escorting guide during the gorilla trek to prevent encountering unhabituated forest dwellers.

The Uganda game parks are safe for safaris as each has a team of ranger guides who routinely patrol the park to protect it from unlawful intruders. Every vehicle heading for a game drive must first be registered for easier follow up in case of anything. Tourists are advised not to step out of there vehicle during the game drive unless accompanied and authorized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide.

Are Mountain Gorilla Dangerous?

The mountain gorillas are not dangerous but may charge when provoked. In nature, the mountain gorillas are serene primates even though there is a misconception about there dark fur covered bodies. The mountain gorillas look fierce on the outlook because of the physical appearance. When agitated, the mountain gorillas may retreat into the dense and far point of the park.

Even though mountain gorillas are calm, they also loose it when provoked. The mountain gorillas may charge by thumping there chests, walking on one foot, pulling grass around them and much more. Not all the time that such uncomfortable behavior is shown by the mountain gorillas that it is because of you.

Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Sometimes the mountain gorillas are seeking attention, having family feud or any other reason but you need to follow instructions  and example given by the ranger guide. Ensure you donot panic as this may throw the entire forest into a stampede

Why Do Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari in Uganda?

Uganda is one of the well endowed African destinations that are naturally gifted. The mountain gorillas are an endangered primate specie with currently about 1000 of them living in the entire world. The mountain gorillas can only survive in few locations in the world of which Uganda is one of them. World over, the mountain gorillas are living in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

The limited number of mountain gorillas puts them on the list of the highly endangered primates of the world. Booking a gorilla trekking permit is like a dream come true safari experience as the number of people allowed to visit the mountain gorillas is limited.

The number of gorilla trekking permits is limited to maximum 8 per day per gorilla family as a conservation measure.

At the moment, the cost of Uganda gorilla permit is lower compared to some of her counterpart. Currently, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person per day.

Uganda has a number of wildlife safari parks where you can visit during Uganda safari. These wildlife parks host a number of wild animals like lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, a number of primates and much more. During the game safari in Uganda, you may get an opportunity to see some of these animals in there natural setting other than in the cages in the zoo or exhibits.

How easy Or Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

The challenge of doing gorilla trekking may come with some difficulties at times because of the nature of the topography of this area. The Virunga area was affected by volcanic action that led to the formation of several features like ridges and plateaus.

During the adventure to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, you hike in search for the mountain gorillas. You need to bear some level of fitness and have some patience to be able to sustain the walk to discover the mountain gorillas.

Along the way is protruding foliage that may obstruct you from proceeding to find the mountain gorillas. The ranger guide uses a machete to trim the over grown vines that may obstruct you from getting to the mountain gorillas.

By hiring a porter during the gorilla trekking safari, you are not weighed down by the stress of having to walk a long distances and while navigating the forest where these primates live. This is quite straining and may keep you from getting further.

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

The Uganda gorilla trekking age limit is 12 years and over. This was lowered from 15 years to 12 year to enable more children to have time with the mountain gorillas. There is quite more for children to learn about the eco system and how to exist fully with it. This will helps the children to appreciate why sustainable conservation is necessary.

Moving in the jungle to locate the mountain gorillas includes by passing the thick vegetation that may be quite challenging for children below this age. Briefing before the gorilla trek is very important but children may forget to follow the necessary rules and regulations. Even taking the gorilla trek may last sometime which may not be comfortable with the children.

What Rules To Follow On Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

At a glance the look in the eyes of the mountain gorillas may send a chill down your spin but as get comfortable with the gorilla family, you realise how vulnerable they are.

In nature, mountain gorillas are gentle, serene and shy but this doesn’t mean you provoke them. mountain gorillas charge when agitated by thumping there chests, hooting, walking on one leg, grab the grass around them and much more.

Donot panic upon noticing such odd behavior about the mountain gorillas. Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter as sometimes they are having family discontentment, may be teasing you, an attack from another gorilla family and much more.

No feeding the mountain gorillas when you locate them because they are wild animals that must search for there own food, the forest must be there sole provider and not depend on humans.

In case you have a communicable infection like flue, covid-19 and others, volunteer to stay behind. Mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to human infections.

Keep a distance of about 7 meters from the mountain gorillas when you locate them to avoid chances of passing an infection to them.

Donot dump garbage in the forest when you are searching for the mountain gorillas because this changes the nature of there environment.

Only one hour are allowed with the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking experience so that they can be left alone to carry on with there day today activities.

Maximum 8 tourists are allowed to do gorilla trekking experience per day per family.

Donot provoke the mountain gorillas or mimic them as you may not know what you are communicating.

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