Gorilla trekking tours from Gulu
Gorilla trekking tours from Gulu
Are you in the Gulu area or city and you are interested in gorilla trekking tours starting from Gulu to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, yes it is possible with Safari Vacations and Travel Services to visit gorillas starting your trip from Gulu, this is however a long drive and you will need to break your journey with an overnight in Hoima or at Bugoma Jungle Lodge.
Getting to get to Bwindi on gorilla trekking tours from Gulu
How far is Bwindi from Gulu by Road;
This will depend on which sector you will be doing your gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest; Bwindi can be accessed through the main high-way road from Gulu to Masindi to Hoima Via Kagadi, Kyenjojo, Fort portal through Kasese to Bwindi which is approximately 9-10 hours drive. The northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma accessing it by turning off along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the sign post by Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow up to the designated sector for your trek. The southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using the road turning off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro Highway.
On gorilla trekking tours starting from Gulu, you can also visit other national parks on your way to see the Big 4 animals in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park including the tree-climbing lions as well as Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. You can also charter a flight from Gulu to Kihihi Airstrip to Visit the northern sections of Bwindi that is Buhoma and Ruhija or to Kisoro Airstrip to visit the southern sections of Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the only 4 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the world, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Bwindi Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest forests with a diverse biodiversity with various species which include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 months, and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey and the major one the Mountain Gorillas. The global population of mountain gorillas is 1064 individuals and half of these can be found in the Bwindi forest, the park has over 15 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi and the Ruhija sector is in the North Eastern part of Bwindi both sectors are located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to combine gorilla trekking with game viewing if you are trekking at these sectors. In the southern part of Bwindi, it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking.
How much is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. A Gorilla Permit costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for African Residents, and USD70 for East African Citizens. This Gorilla permit allows you to spend one-hour encountering mountain gorillas in the Bwindi forest once you find them on your trek.
How to purchase a Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi
Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority, this can be done at their headquarters in Kampala or Kisoro for tourists arriving in Uganda it is recommended to purchase their gorilla permits from Kampala and for tourists arriving in Uganda through Kigali they can purchase their permits at the branch headquarter of Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kisoro town which is 1-2 hours drive to Bwindi.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is one of the best gorilla safari companies that can purchase your gorilla permit in advance and on short notice, once you confirm your dates and share them with us via email or WhatsApp we will first tentatively reserve the gorilla permits for you online and then send you an invoice for you to make payment and once money comes through on our account we will purchase your gorilla permits immediately and send you scanned copies of your permits for your records and perusal and this will confirm you have purchased your gorilla permits for your gorilla trek in Bwindi forest for a given date.
What is the difference between Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi?
The major difference is during Gorilla trekking you spend one-hour encountering mountain Gorillas once you find them in Bwindi forest whereas for the Gorilla habitation experiences you spend 4 hours encountering mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest, gorilla trekking is in a group of 8 tourists tracking per gorilla family whereas gorilla habitation is in a group of 4 tourists tracking a given semi habituated gorilla family.
What is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
The best time to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high lush.
How hard and challenging is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest. It is good to prepare and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. It can be very strenuous it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high-altitude conditions therefore please prepare for this by being as fit as possible.
Where to stay during gorilla trekking tours starting from Gulu
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park is in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in the southern part are the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
While n the northern part, in the Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
Packing for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
Insect Repellent
Water Bottle
Camera, lenses, etc
Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
Hat and Sunscreen
Rain Jacket
Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
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