Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda are one of the most adventurous and fun filled tourism activities in the country and on the African Continent. Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda have gained a lot of popularity over the years and is among the top foreign exchange earners in the country. Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in the southwestern part of Uganda.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is conducted in 4 sectors, which are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. The national park is located in Kanungu district in the south-western region of Uganda. It was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. There are currently 19 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park and 15 of these groups are available for tourists to track. Among some of the habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi that visitors can track include; Habinyanja, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Mubare, Rushegura, Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Bikingi, Bushaho, and Mukiza.
Bwindi national park in Uganda shelters a total of 459 mountain gorillas, which is almost half of the total population of mountain gorillas living in the world today. A recent census that was conducted in 2018 shows that there are about 1,059 mountain gorillas in the world.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a great option for tourists travelling from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The national park is situated in Kisoro district and lies within Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mgahinga National Park in Uganda is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, along with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking tours in Mgahinga national park involve visitors trekking any of the two habituated gorilla groups in the park, which include the Nyakagezi group and the Hirwa family that recently migrated from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park starts at the park’s headquarters in Ntebeko.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda are conducted in groups with a maximum of 8 members per gorilla group. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be quite challenging both physically and mentally, as gorilla trekking activities involve a lot of vigorous hiking and tracking in order to locate a gorilla group. Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda can take several hours, depending on how far into the forest the gorillas have moved as they search for food.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda require trekkers to wake up very early in the morning. Gorilla trekking activities in both Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks commence at 7am every morning. Trekkers are expected to report to the park by 7am to sign into the visitor’s register, which is followed by a briefing from the head ranger at the park. After the briefing, visitors are placed into tracking groups depending on which gorilla group one has paid to trek.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda require visitors to be both physically and mentally fit. It is important that visitors with conical health problems get clearance from a qualified medical personnel before embarking on a gorilla trekking safari. Gorilla trekking activities in Uganda can take several hours from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas and how easy/fast they are located.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda require the visitor to purchase a gorilla trekking permit at a fee of USD 700 and USD 600 dollars per person for Foreign Non Residents and Foreign Residents respectively. Visitors can book their gorilla permits from 6 months up to two years in advance.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda can only be done by visitors aged 15 and above years. This is because the vigorous hiking and tracking activities involved in gorilla trekking, do not favour children and hence the activity is strictly limited to adults.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda require visitors to come well prepared, which means that one has to pack the necessary/essential items needed for the activity. Some of the essential items that one should pack for a gorilla trekking safari include; a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen, a hat/ cap, a rain coat in case it rains, a walking stick (you can get one at the national park), long sleeve shirt, long trousers, a camera, your packed lunch, and mineral water to keep hydrated throughout the gorilla trekking activity.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda are best done in the months of June, July, August, September, January and February. During this months, it is drier and cooler in the national parks and the hiking trails are not so steep, slippery and muddy. This time of the year also favors wildlife viewing which makes it quite easy for visitors to spot the gorillas in the forests.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are the best way for visitors to see gorillas in their natural habitats, and is also one of the best ways that we can realize the important role that gorillas play in our society and environment in general.
Book now a gorilla trekking tour to Uganda and get a chance to experience the best primate safari in your entire life!
Common Uganda gorilla trekking safari packages
5 Days Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari
