Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali

Uganda Gorilla Trekking from Kigali is one of the top Uganda Gorilla Safari packages that quite a number of travelers engage in for a few key reasons. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is such a wonderful experience with more tourists opting to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda than in Rwanda; all thanks to the cheap gorilla trekking permits in Uganda as compared to Rwanda.

Now visitors can do gorilla trekking in Uganda from Rwanda. These gorilla trekking tours start from Kigali International Airport. These gorilla trekking safaris are very affordable and convenient especially for travelers on a tight budget, as well as those with a fixed travel schedule.

Visitors can choose to do a 2 day gorilla tracking safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or a 3 Day gorilla tracking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For two day gorilla trekking tours, visitors will picked up from your hotel in Kigali city and spend an overnight in Mgahinga National Park or Kisoro town, prior to your day of trekking.

For those doing 3 days gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, visitors will be picked up from your hotel in Kigali City and spend the night in Bwindi National Park.

Uganda gorilla trekking activities in Mgahinga Gorilla national park begin from the park’s headquarters in Ntebeko, while in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, gorilla trekking commence in Buhoma. Visitors doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi can track gorillas from any of the four sectors of the national park, and these include; Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

There are currently 2 habituated gorilla groups that are available for tourists to track in Mgahinga national park, and these include the Hirwa and Nyakagezi gorilla families. For visitors trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, there are 19 habituated gorilla families/groups, with 15 of these gorilla groups available for tourists to track. These habituated gorilla families include; the Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahunge, Busingye, Bweza, Bikyingi, Mucunguzi and Rwigi families in the Rushaga sector. The Buhoma sector in Bwindi has 4 habituated gorilla groups which include; Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe and Rushegura gorilla families. The southern part of Bwindi national park has the Nkuringo sector with 3 habituated gorilla groups, and these include; Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho families. Finally, the Ruhija sector in the eastern part of the national park has 4 habituated gorilla families, and these are; Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza and the Kyaguriro gorilla groups.

Uganda gorilla trekking activities commence at exactly 8 am in the morning. Tourists traveling from Kigali city in Rwanda have to make sure that they are at the respective parks’ headquarters by 7 am on the day of trekking. Visitors will be welcomed by the head ranger in the respective national parks and then briefed. During the briefings, visitors are taken through the rules and regulations of the park, as well as guidelines to following before, during and after trekking gorillas in the park.

Visitors traveling from Kigali to do gorilla trekking in Uganda are always placed in trekking groups depending on the gorilla group visitors have chosen to track. Gorilla trekking groups in Uganda consist of a maximum of 8 people per gorilla family/group. Each group of gorilla trekkers is accompanied by an armed UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) ranger to ensure your security, and an experienced UWA guide to help trekkers easily locate a gorilla group.

Uganda gorilla trekking activities usually involve tourists engaging in vigorous trekking and hiking activities. Gorilla trekking activities in Uganda can take between 4-7 hours of tracking. Once trekkers have located a gorilla family/group, visitors are given strictly an hour to spend with the gorillas. Visitors should use this time well, so ensure that you have your cameras ready for this day and specific moment. This one hour that visitors are given to spend amidst the gorillas marks the highlight of any gorilla trekking safari in Uganda from Kigali.

Visitors doing gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali will have to purchase Uganda gorilla trekking permit at a fee of USD 600 dollars per person. However, with effect from 1st July 2020-2022, gorilla trekking permits in Uganda will cost USD 700 dollars per person. Visitors are also required to buy an East African Tourist Visa at a fee of USD 100 dollars, in order to be granted easy entry into both Rwanda and Uganda. Travelers can acquire an East African tourist visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport or online from the Rwanda immigration website. Alternatively, visitors can acquire the services of a trusted and registered tour operator, who will assist you in getting the visa.

What to pack for your Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Kigali.

Visitors traveling from Kigali to do gorilla trekking in Uganda will require to pack the right essentials prior to your day of trekking, and these include; sunscreen, insect repellent, a good pair of hiking boots, long trousers, and long sleeved shirt, a raincoat, mineral water, Uganda gorilla trekking permit, packed lunch/snacks, camera and a pair of binoculars.

Rules and regulations of trekking gorillas in Uganda.

It is important for gorilla trekkers to adhere to the following rules and regulations of gorilla trekking in Uganda;

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done ONLY by visitors aged 15 years and above.
Senior citizens who wish to take part in gorilla trekking activities in Uganda should be both physically and mentally healthy. In cases where a visitor has a health condition e.g. heart conditions, asthma, or acute/high blood pressure; one will have to sign a Release of Liability taking full responsibility for any accident that he/she may get while trekking gorillas.
Do not trek gorillas in case you have a cold, cough or any air-bone diseases.
Uganda gorilla trekking activities take place in groups of a maximum of 8 members only.
Visitors must have a valid passport (at least 6 months valid) and East African tourist visa.
Visitors should wash their hands before and after gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekkers should always stick to your groups. Do not wander away from your trekking group.
Keep your voice down throughout your trekking activities.
Do not litter the national park.
Once the gorillas have been located, maintain a safe distance of 7 meters between you and the gorilla group.
Do not maintain eye contact with the gorillas especially a Silverback.
Visitors should not eat, drink or even smoke when in the presence of the gorillas.
Visitors should avoid unnecessary movement when in the midst of gorillas.
Always stay calm in case a gorilla charges at you, and carefully listen to the instructions given to you by your guide.
Flash photography is prohibited especially when you are with a gorilla group. Visitors should always ensure that your camera’s flash is disabled.

Finally, your Uganda gorilla trekking safari from Kigali will come to an end after your safari guide has dropped you off at your hotel in Kigali City of at Kigali International Airport. This gorilla trekking tour is very convenient for any visitor on a Rwandan safari and wishes to trek gorillas at an affordable price.

Do not hesitate to contact our esteemed team of tour consultants to make an inquiry or book a Uganda gorilla trekking tour from Kigali.