Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda? Gorilla trekking is the most well-known and daring activity that draws people to Uganda. In Uganda, gorilla trekking entails walking through the tropical jungle to find endangered mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural environment.
Two locations in the southwest of Uganda are used for gorilla trekking: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda is the most popular gorilla destination since it is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. In addition to Uganda, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park are other popular destinations for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking in the dry season
Although gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible at any time of year, the ideal time to go is during the peak season, which is the dry season, which falls in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
Because there is little or no rainfall in the gorilla areas during the dry season, the foliage will be sparse, making it easier to see mountain gorillas and other animals. Additionally, access roads and gorilla trekking paths will be dry and accessible, making hiking simple.
The greatest time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season, sometimes referred to as the peak season. However, there are some drawbacks, such as a shortage of permits because of the increased number of visitors and the high cost of lodging at upscale lodges.
Ugandan gorilla hiking in the rainy/low season
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is also possible during the wet season, which is sometimes referred to as the low season, which runs from March to May and October to November. Because it doesn’t rain all day, visitors may still go gorilla trekking during the rainy season, despite the fact that it is marked by severe rainfall.
The availability of numerous gorilla trekking permits, which favor last-minute travelers, the fact that there are fewer tourists at gorilla destinations, which allows you to enjoy the park with fewer crowds, and the fact that the majority of luxury lodges offer discounts, which favor budget-conscious guests, are just a few of the benefits for tourists who wish to see the mountain gorillas during the wet season.
Experience with Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
In both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing at park headquarters about the guidelines to be followed. Following the briefing, you will be split up into groups of eight, and each group will be paired with a park guide who is familiar with the gorilla trekking paths and a gorilla family to trek.
Because gorilla families like to roam about in search of food, gorilla trekking may take anything from thirty minutes to six hours, depending on the location. You will be able to see many bird species, vegetation, animals, and other primate species while hiking. After locating the mountain gorillas, you will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural environment, where you may see their feeding, playing, nursing, and grooming of young, snap pictures, and document the moments.
A gorilla trekking permit, which costs 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens, is necessary for tourists who want to see the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking permits may be booked directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or via a reputable travel agency such as Maseke Adventure Co.Ltd. However, because gorilla trekking permits are competitive and tend to sell out quickly, particularly during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February, it is best to book three to six months before the trekking date to avoid last-minute disappointments.
