Planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
Organizing a safari for gorilla trekking in Uganda: Gorilla trekking is a unique activity that draws a lot of tourists to Uganda. It entails traveling far into the tropical rainforest to find habituated mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them in their natural habitat.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is conducted in two national parks: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. One of the most popular activities in Uganda is gorilla trekking, and this article will outline some factors to take into account while organizing your gorilla trekking safari, such as
Ugandan locations for gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The most popular gorilla location is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is situated in the Kanungu area in the southwest of Uganda. With approximately 22 habituated gorilla families spread throughout four sectors—Buhoma in the north, Rushaga in the south, Ruhija in the east, and Nkuringo in the south—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is renowned for housing half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Another gorilla trekking option is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is situated in the Kisoro area in the southwest of Uganda. One habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi, may be found at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where daily hiking is possible.
The price of a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit
Any tourist over the age of 15 who wants to visit a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment must get a gorilla trekking permit, which is a legal document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD per person for non-resident foreigners, 700 USD per person for locals, and 300,000 UGX per person for inhabitants of East Africa.
How to reserve a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit
Through a reputable tour operator like Maseke Adventure Co.Ltd, you may reserve a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Simply email us with the day, month, year, and gorilla location you would like to visit.
After getting in touch with us, we will see whether there are any permits available on the days you have selected. whether so, you will be required to pay a deposit. We will get the permission on your behalf as soon as the monies are received, and we will confirm this with a scanned copy of the receipt.
The ideal time of year to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking
The greatest time to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is during the dry season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
However, you may go gorilla trekking at any time of year. In contrast to the rainy season, when the routes are muddy and slippery, making gorilla trekking challenging, access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and accessible during the dry season since there is little or no rainfall in the national parks.
What to bring on your safari that involves gorilla trekking
Insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants, hiking shoes, garden gloves, a waterproof rain jacket, energy snacks and drinking water, a camera and extra batteries, a warm sweater, a pair of binoculars, face masks, a walking stick, a hat, and a backpack are some of the things that visitors should bring on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
How to go to Uganda’s gorilla trekking locations
Both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are accessible by plane or road. Using road transportation, you will go from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (about 8 to 9 hours’ drive) or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (approximately 9 to 10 hours’ drive), passing through Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale.
In order to go to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips and subsequently link to the park headquarters, you will need to organize or charter aircraft from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
It takes around four to five hours to travel from Kigali, Rwanda, to the park headquarters via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale. From Kigali, Rwanda, you can also reach both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Accommodations for your Ugandan gorilla trekking expedition
During their gorilla trekking safari, visitors may stay at a variety of lodging options in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, and more are among the affordable, midrange, and luxury lodging options.
After gorilla trekking, there are other things to do.
After gorilla trekking, visitors can partake in wildlife viewing and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park; chimpanzee trekking and habituation in Kibale Forest National Park; guided nature walks; bird watching; Batwa cultural tours; mountain climbing; golden monkey trekking; and more.
