Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

December 19, 2024

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country – home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi is the best gorilla trekking National Park in Africa with almost half of the remaining mountain gorilla population living here. The tropical rainforest of Bwindi offers exceptional gorilla encounters all year. However, some months are preferable to others. Here is all you need to know about the Best time to visit Bwindi for Gorilla trekking

The jungles of Bwindi experience a tropical climate and therefore regular weather patterns are hard to predict. You should expect some mist and short downpours even during the dry season. This cannot however stop you from experiencing the world’s celebrated wildlife experience – “Mountain Gorilla trekking” in Bwindi.

It is important to note that Uganda is one of the countries where the Equator crosses. This means temperatures are generally mild and constant throughout the year. Generally, temperatures in Uganda hover at around 23°C during the day and drop to roughly 11°C at night. There is no need to worry since Uganda’s climate is one of the best for African Safaris. Usually at the higher altitude regions, temperatures are generally low compared to the low altitude regions. The rains are usually consistent all year. They are however considerably less intense from June to August and again between December and February.

The Best Time

The Best time to visit Gorilla trekking is usually during the dry season. The dry season makes the trekking experience more interesting as the trails become more passable. Also, the vegetation is less thick and the weather is generally favorable for safaris in Bwindi. The dry season can also allow you to combine your gorilla trekking with other experiences in the other National Parks. This is because the dry season in Uganda generally is a perfect time for most tourist activities and experiences in most National Parks. These include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park, among others

The rainy seasons in Uganda run from March to May and then again from Late September to November. This is a less recommended time to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking however, the best time for photography in the park.

The dust is settled and the lush greenery offers the best backgrounds for photography. It is important to note that during this rainy period, the forest trails can be slippery and harder to pass. There are also more mosquitoes, and the misty and wet conditions may cloud some of the spectacular views. This is also a popular time to go bird watching as the rains bring migratory birds to the park.

Some lodges may be closed during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists in the country; however, many remain open and provide low-season discounts. Although the cost of a gorilla permit remains the same year-round, you’ll probably trek in smaller groups in the off-season. No matter when you visit, you must reserve gorilla permits well in advance.

What to Pack for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi- What to pack. To be able to have the best gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, there are essential items that need to be packed to have the best experience and we have the best list of essentials for your safari. The clothes packed should be of neutral color because there are colors that should be avoided, like blue, which attracts tsetse flies, bright colors that are not good for blending in, and black, which absorbs heat. Meals are provided throughout the safari but you can still carry your favorite snacks if possible.

Long-sleeved shirts are a necessity to keep you warm during the morning and late evenings, protect your skin from bug bites, and sun protection at the same time.
Lightweight trousers are important to keep scratches off your skin and protect you from bites.
Waterproof rain jacket to keep dry through the trek during a gorilla trek
Ponchos and sweaters or your preference to keep warm during the cold weather
Socks to keep warm and to keep crawling insects from your trousers
Gaiters to keep the dust and mud off your trousers
Strong and comfortable hiking boots to use during the trek. If possible, get waterproof ankle-length boots.
Camera and this should come with extra lenses, memory cards, and extra batterie.s
A pair of binoculars
Gardening gloves. Hiking through the forest is not for the weak and you need to be ready to protect all parts of your body including your hands from scratches and blisters.

Waterproof backpack to help you carry your day-to-day safari essential items, and these include insect repellent, refillable water bottles, sunscreen, snacks, personal first aid kit, toiletries, and other personal items.

How to Book a Gorilla Tracking Safari

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi- how to book a gorilla safari. The chance of seeing Mountain gorillas in Uganda entirely depends on when one books the safari. So, the earlier, the better. The first step in seeing gorillas in Uganda is by purchasing a gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla trekking permits are in high demand and you need to book them 6 months before the trekking date. You do so through a trusted tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services.

Gorilla permits are legal documents that the Uganda Wildlife Authority issues. It issues them to trekkers of legal age (15 years and above) to trek gorillas in Uganda. The easiest way of purchasing permits is through a tour operator. However, you can still purchase them directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority website, though involves red tape. Get in touch with the tour operator with details of your name, passport, the number of permits you wish to purchase, and the trek dates. Our travel advisors will then check for the availability of the permits on your trek dates. He will then get back to you with an answer.

If the permits are available on the trek dates, you are then requested to make payments for the permits before they are purchased. After receiving the payments, we’ll purchase the permits on your behalf, and we’ll send a copy to you for records.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Several factors affect the cost of gorilla tracking in Uganda. These include the cost of the gorilla trekking permit and habituation permit, and the season of travel. Accommodation, size of travel group, means of transport, and additional safari activities also affect the cost.

Cost of gorilla permit

The cost of the gorilla permit is set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Foreign non-residents pay $800, foreign residents $700, $500 for African citizens, and UX300,000 for East African citizens. The cost of the habituation permit on the other hand is more expensive. Foreign non-residents pay $1500, $1000 for foreign residents and African citizens, and UGX750,000 for East African citizens. Note that Uganda does not offer gorilla permit discounts during the low and dry seasons.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Uganda during a gorilla trekking safari is categorized into three categories budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities. With our help, you will be able to choose an accommodation facility that fits your budget.

Transport

Two ways in which you can get to Bwindi and Mgahinga for gorilla trekking. These are; by use of either road or air transport. Road transport is the most common mode of transport. By road, you can choose to land in Kigali and drive for 4 hours to the gorilla parks. If you land in Entebbe, you’ll embark on an 8-9 scenic drive to gorilla parks in Uganda. This is because it is a cheaper option and offers better scenery. Air transport, on the other hand, is better and faster to use. It is, however, an expensive way to travel.

Size of travel group

Traveling solo is a lot more expensive as compared to traveling in large groups where some of the service costs can be shared like transport and accommodation costs.

Other safari activities: Besides gorilla trekking, there are several safari activities that you can combine with gorilla tracking. The more activities you combine with tracking like bird watching, game drives, and cultural trips among others, the more money you are to spend on a safari.

The gorilla trekking rules in Uganda

When you visit Uganda for gorilla trekking, you will have to follow rules that were set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and conservationists to protect not only the endangered Mountain gorillas but also the trekkers. These rules and regulations are a must to follow. Failure to do so has consequences for all those that are involved like being stopped from trekking and banned. Below are the rules to follow by all trekkers in Uganda.

The trekking age limit in Uganda is 15 years and above
A maximum of 8 people are to trek a gorilla family per day
All groups of trekkers spend a maximum of an hour with the primates
Trekkers have to keep low tones while communicating so as not to distract the Mountain gorillas
Flashes on a camera have to be turned off before taking photos
Keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas When you find them
All sick tourists are not allowed to trek gorillas
When sneezing or coughing, turn away from the gorillas to avoid infecting the primates
Touching, feeding, and eating are prohibited when in close contact with the gorillas
Never run away from the gorillas but follow the instructions that the guides give you in such a scenario

Safari Vacations and Travel Services is the best tour operator. We’ll help you craft your Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. Our experience in planning gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda is surely unbeatable. We have been planning gorilla trekking safaris for over 10 years. We also offer extended tours to Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Plan your life-changing safari to Africa with us and have lifelong memories.