Best time to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda
Best time to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda ( Uganda gorilla trekking) : Uganda is known to be the best destination for gorilla trekking safaris in the world. Gorilla trekking is one of the top foreign exchange earning tourism activities in the country, collecting annual revenue of over $ 324 million dollars. With that said, the country receives over 8,647 tourists flying in every year from all parts of the world just to track its rare mountain gorillas.
Where to Trek Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, all of which are located in the southwestern part of the country. Bwindi alone has over 459 individual mountain gorillas, which are spread in 18 habituated gorilla groups. On the other hand, Mgahinga national park currently has two habituated gorilla groups which are available to tourists for tracking.
Best Time to Trek Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.
The best time to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda is during the months of June to September and from December to February. It is dry around this time of the year which visitors prefer because it is much easier to hike through the forests while looking for a group of mountain gorillas. The hiking trails in the forests are not so muddy and slippery at this time of the year, which makes hiking through the forests much easy.
Even though it’s a dry season rain can be expected anytime and the peak/ dry season has some drawbacks for example a gorilla trekking permit is competitive during the peak season due to increased number of visitors and the permits usually get sold out therefore you are advised to book 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date to avoid disappointments. Accommodations in the national parks also become competitive hence visitors are also advised to book in time.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda can also be done during the wet or rainy season, which is usually in the months of March to May and October to November. It is important to note that during the rainy season, the parks receive heavy rainfall which at times makes trekking mountain gorillas a bit difficult. The hiking trails within the national parks are very slippery and muddy during this time of the year, and in some cases the roads leading to the parks can be hard to navigate through. For this reason, it is recommended that you hire a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in case you are planning to do gorilla trekking in Uganda.
What to pack when trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda.
If you are planning a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, you might want to pack these essential items for your trip; a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen and insect repellent cream, a hat/cap, mineral water bottle, long trousers and shirts, long stockings, a warm sweater, light raincoat, warm and durable hand gloves, binoculars, and a camera. Also do not forget to carry your gorilla trekking permit on the actual day of gorilla trekking because you will be required to present it to the officials at the park.
How long does it take to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can take between two to eight hours, inclusive of one hour that is spent with the gorillas once they have been located. It can take sever hours of hiking and tracking a gorilla group depending on their location, hence the activity calls for one to be in good health conditions both physically and mentally. So, if you have any chronic illness, it is best you get medical clearance from your doctor before embarking on gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.
How much does it cost to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs between USD 600 and USD 700 dollars per person. You can book your gorilla trekking permit in Uganda through a trusted tour operator like Explore Rwanda Tours, Achieve Global Safaris, and Focus East Africa Tours. Simply present a photocopy or scanned copy of your valid passport and the rest will be done for you. After your trusted travel consultant has secured your gorilla trekking permit, you will be sent a scanned copy as proof that your gorilla permit has been secured/booked.
In conclusion: Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a very thrilling and adventurous primate tour to embark on during your visit to Uganda. Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is the ideal leisure activity that you can do along with friends and family aged 15 and above years. Do check out some of our gorilla trekking tour packages for the best offers!
