Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda
Uganda Gorilla Safaris is a captivating and unforgettable experience. Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda are done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration on Dec 16, 2019, announced an increase in the gorilla population to 459 individuals, from 400 at the last census.
The overall total of mountain gorillas is now 1,063. Gorilla Trekking Safaris take place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
What are the gorilla trekking groups in Uganda?
There are about 20 habituated gorilla groups in the park split into 4 accessible regions.
Buhoma, the park’s headquarters in the north has 5 Gorilla Families, Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Muyambi, and Rushegura.
Ruhija is the highest gorilla-tracking trailhead and lies east of the park. The Ruhija Gorilla Families are 4 and include, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Mukiza, and Oruzogo.
Nkuringo covers the southwestern area of Bwindi Forest—furthermore, the most challenging of all gorilla tracking locations. Gorilla groups are 2, Nkuringo and Bushaho.
Rushaga covers the southern edge of Bwindi Forest and, most of all became a gorilla site in 2009. The Rushaga Gorilla Families are 9, Nshongi, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Kutu, Busingye, Bikingi, Bweza, and Rwigi.
Nyakagezi in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
How to get to Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda are located in southwestern Uganda and are accessed by road and air. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a 10-hour drive from Entebbe and a 1-hour and 45-minute flight out of Entebbe and it’s a 4-hour drive to Bwindi from Kigali.
It is a 10-hour drive from Entebbe, a 1-hour and 10-minute flight out of Entebbe, and a 3-hour drive from Kigali to Mgahinga. If you are looking for a cost-effective gorilla safari and would prefer to travel for a short distance, it is recommended to fly into Kigali to avoid the high internal flight costs to and fro Bwindi or Mgahinga through Entebbe.
You can then fly out of Entebbe after visiting other add-on parks to the Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda.
The Gorilla Trekking Safaris Experience in Uganda
After an early breakfast, you transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 people and a gorilla tracking guide.
A pre-tracking briefing at 07: 30hrs about gorilla rules and regulations, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions are done.
Thereafter you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure, the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!
Expect to walk between 2 to 8 hours in steep and slippery conditions at times with rain overhead, which can be quite challenging. You need to be reasonably fit as the treks depend on how far the families move in search of food and where they were last sighted the day before.
Upon the gorilla sighting, get your cameras ready, deactivate the flash mode though! You will spend 1 hour with these amazing and captivating apes.
If 1 hour is not enough, you can always trek twice or have a gorilla habituation experience. After heading back to the trailhead, you will receive a Gorilla Trekking Certificate, a document given to tourists after successfully trekking mountain gorillas.
It will indicate your name, your gorilla group trekked as well as the park and country. The gorilla trekking permit is for USD 700 per person till July 2024. From July the Permit is USD 800 per person valid for 24 hours.
Gorilla and Wellness Tour
The Gorilla Habituation Experience.
The habituation experience follows one of the families that are in the process of being accustomed to tourist visits. The habituation experience takes a maximum of 4 tourists to spend more time with the family of gorillas (a total of 4 hours is allowed).
You are accompanied by a team of rangers and researchers to perform their daily tasks of grooming and taking records of a wild gorilla group so that it can be habituated for future visits.
There are 2 gorilla groups for the habituation experience in the Nkuringo and Rushaga areas. The gorilla habituation permit is for USD 1500 per person valid for 24 hours.
What to carry and wear on your gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.
You need a small backpack for the gorilla trekking, this is where you will pack your water and packed lunch provided by the lodge.
Get comfortable long loose pants to keep bugs away accompanied with long thick socks that you can easily tuck the bottom of pants into.
Long-sleeved thin top as temperatures keep changing from warm to cold during the hikes and a hooded raincoat as chances of a downpour are high.
Good steady hiking boots (no trainers please), it is muddy, wet, and slippery most times.
Gloves come in handy for splinters you may get from gripping onto branches or your walking stick.
Insect-repellent, wipes are recommended as well. Don’t forget your camera and extra batteries.
Where to stay in Bwindi Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda offers a selection of lodges for your gorilla trekking experience depending on the sector for the gorilla trailhead and below are the recommendations.
Buhoma Sector – Ride 4 a Woman Guest House, The Haven Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, and Volcanoes Lodge Bwindi.
Ruhija Sector – Bakiga Lodge and Gorilla Mist Camp
Rushaga Sector – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge.
Nkuringo Sector – Nkuringo Safari Lodge and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mgahinga Gorilla Park – only one lodge – Mount Gahinga Lodge
Travelers Link Africa offers the best value-priced gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. We will book your gorilla permit and make accommodation reservations for your gorilla trekking in Uganda.
When is the best time for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda?
The best time is during the dry seasons: January to February and June to September. During these months, rainfall is minimal, and the weather is relatively dry and sunny, making trekking conditions more comfortable and the trails less muddy and slippery.
Our gorilla trekking safaris range from 3 days onwards depending on how much time you prefer to spend in Uganda and your travel expectations. Book your ultimate gorilla experience in Uganda with Travelers Link Africa. Request for a Bwindi gorilla trekking discounted offer 2024 on info@travelerslinkafrica.com
