Where To Find Fresh Baby Gorillas during Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

Gorilla tracking experience in Uganda was spiced up with a huge boom of baby gorillas born during the lock down. You might have seen gorillas born in the zoos but you need to see how gorillas do it in the wild.

Each day a surprised baby gorilla may be born to a different family but the most recent infant is in Bitukura gorilla family. The baby gorilla was born on 17 may 2021 to one of the female gorillas of the group.

Bitukura gorilla family enjoys feeding in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park.  Under the leadership of over protective Ndahura silverback. The family is currently merry making as they celebrate the birth of an addition member.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda

Checking for availability of gorilla permits is the first step as few permits are released each day for public booking. Since gorillas are endangered apes that feed entirely on foliage, the number of tourists allowed to see them each day is minimized to only 8 people per day. This is to avoid congestion in the forest which leads to trampling there food.

In case there is availability you can only confirm a gorilla trekking safari by paying for your gorilla permit which is sold for $ 700 currently.

No reserving permits for anyone unless you have paid for it as first come first served basis is used to secure a permit.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Long camouflaged shirt and trousers

The wild is inhibited by stinging nettles and sharp surfaces that you pass by while trekking to see the gorillas. You need to wear something that covers you up and camouflages dirt.

Tracking boots

Walking in the jungle takes you to the unknown so you have to be prepared for whatever comes your way. As you move in the forest the ground surface is normally muddy and soggy requiring you to have boots that make you feel comfortable.

Insect repellants

 Stinging insects linger the forest all day along so you need to protect your skin from them. Carrying a repellant that is friendly to your skin.

A poncho or rain coat

It rains heavily anytime in Bwindi forest without warning so to keep dry, you need a rain protective gear.

A fleece or sweater

 Some warmers for the day will make it more comfortable while in the wilderness. It gets cold when it rains making it uncomfortable for most trekkers so pack some warmers.

Garden Gloves

Tripping while you walk may be unavoidable but when you protect your hands with gloves, you are safer. You may also want to secure your grip on the creeping plants you pass by using gloves.

A pair of stocking

These also provide extra protection to your legs when you tack in your trousers.

Sound proof flash-less Camera

Gorilla trekking is a once in a life time experience whose memories you wish to keep forever. Carry a camera with no sound as this may scare the mountain gorillas while taking photos. It must be flash-less too because strange noise scares the huge apes

A light water proof bag

Keeping your belongings safe and together while in the wilderness by carrying them in a water proof bag. Scattering and losing your belongings in the forest while you trek to find the gorillas makes you feel really bad. Do not spoil your gorilla trekking feeling that you have saved for by forgetting to pack a light bag.

Energy bites

Gorillas are mobile creatures that wonder in the forest all day long searching for a meal. You need to keep up with the pace which may wear you out. You need to energised to keep moving because you do not know when you will meet the gorillas in the wild.

Which Is the Best Gorilla trekking Family To Trek

Depending on which results you wish to get after gorilla trekking, each gorilla family is amazing. You may find one with entertaining juveniles, one with many infants, caring silverback and so much more

The experience of just being in close proximity with the wild mountain gorillas is mind blowing.

Most travelers have watched mountain gorillas in films like King Kong, Babies day out, Gorillas in the mist and majority think it is just fiction. Being one of the Lucky trekkers of the day to personally spend one precious hour with the gorillas is enough joy to your successful trek.

What Is the Best Time To Trek Mountain Gorillas

 All through the year mountain gorilla trekking is open but during the dry seasons, it is more interesting. The gorillas feed from the ground more during the dry seasons and plenty of food is available too.

During the wet seasons, gorillas may hide on the slopes as the ground is normally soaked in rain water and river volumes higher.

Dry seasons are normally June to September and December during the normal seasons

What is the best Area for gorilla trekking

As Uganda Wildlife Authority reserves gorilla permits according to area, it may not be easy to select the best area to trek the permits.

In case you wish to stay at a certain lodge, it is best to request for gorilla permits in that area. This protects you from arriving late for briefing which may cost you the precious chance of seeing the mountain gorillas.

Uganda has the Northern sector with Buhoma gorilla trekking area and Ruhija gorilla trekking area. The southern sector has Rushaga gorilla trekking area and Nkuringo Gorilla trekking area.

Mgahinga National park is placed in the fur south wester area of Uganda. It has only one gorilla trekking family open to tourists.

Is Gorilla Trekking Safe

Gorilla trekking is a safe activity but you need follow the rules of gorilla trekking and following instructions given by the ranger guide.

How Aggressive Are The mountain gorillas

In general gorillas are very shy apes despite there fierce body structure. This however doesn’t mean that you should provoke them. They normally respond to suspicions by beating there chests, walk on one leg and then disappear in to the forest.