New Gorilla Families for tourists to visit in Bwindi
New Gorilla Families for tourists to visit in Bwindi
Gorilla Families Bwindi
New Gorilla Families for tourists to visit in the impenetrable forest of Bwindi, Following a four-year habituation exercise, UWA opens New Gorilla Families for tourists to visit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This expansion promises a unique and enriching experience for your clients, providing an unmatched opportunity to witness the fascinating behaviors and interactions of these incredible animals.
The newly opened gorilla tracking families are as follows:
Nkuringo Sector: Posho
Rushaga Sector: Rwigi and Tindatine
Buhoma Sector: Binyindo and Muyambi
UWA opens New Gorilla Families for tourists to visit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with this expansion, UWA now offers 194 normal gorilla trekking permits and 4 gorilla habituation experience permits daily.
New Rates for Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Permits:
Simultaneously, UWA has announced changes to the cost of Gorilla and Chimp trekking permits, effective July 1, 2024. The increased fees will contribute directly to the conservation and preservation of Uganda’s mountain gorilla populations.
Increased Prices Per Person Per Trek.
Gorilla permits: from $700 to $800
Kibale Chimp permit: from $200 to $250
Kyambura Chimp permit: from $50 to $100
Chimp Habituation: from $250 to $300
Discounts for African Passport Holders:
Gorilla Permit: $500
Gorilla Habituation Experience: $1000
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Uganda
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These are one of the only 2 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, other national parks include 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 more than 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 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.
Mgahinga forest is located in the far southwestern part of Uganda sharing the Rwanda and Congo border. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is among the Virunga volcanic mountain chains of Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda famous for Mountain gorilla safaris. The park is Uganda’s smallest national park which is boarded by Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three volcanoes: Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Muhabura, all of which are part of the six Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys. The park is a tropical rainforest comprised of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rainforests, and mountain Bamboo.
What are the chances of seeing Gorillas in Uganda?
The chance of seeing gorillas in Uganda is high at more than 99%, are you planning to visit Uganda and you want to first confirm whether you will be able to see the mountain gorillas during your trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
When it comes to gorilla trekking, is one of the most organized tourist activities in Uganda, and on no occasion, for the last 2 decades, trekkers have reported not getting the chance to see the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi starts very early in the morning when advance trackers go into the forest to locate where the gorillas last nested and spent the last night, they then follow them as they feed, interact, and relax in the forest.
These advanced trackers communicate with the guides with tourists during their trekking to find the gorillas, you will follow routes guided by the advanced trackers in the forest this saves time and the hustle to look for the gorillas hence giving you a great chance of seeing the gorillas in Uganda. Gorilla trekking to find the gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda takes about 30 minutes to 5 hours to walk to find them and once you find them you will spend one hour with them encounter them, take photographs, and learn more about them.
What happens if I don’t see the gorillas on my trekking day in Uganda
Many travelers want to know what will happen if he/she misses seeing the gorillas on the booked trekking day to avoid losing out on the money spent. after understanding and putting into consideration by the Uganda Wildlife Authority given the fact mountain gorillas are found in their natural habitat anything can happen and you fail to encounter the gorillas that have natural effects like heavy rains and gorillas getting charges and wild. With this Uganda Wildlife Authority normally compensates you by giving you an extra day for free to go again for gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
How is gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Forest 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 in 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. Each sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with the Rushaga sector having many families compared to other sectors.
What is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda 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 grown
What to wear;
A long-armed sweater since the park gets cold
2 pairs of long trousers
Waterproof hiking boots
A hat and sunglasses
Cameras and long-lasting batteries since photography
A pair of Binoculars.
Gardening Gloves
A raincoat
A mosquito Repellent
A sunscreen
You should not wear very bright colors since this will charge or scare away the gorillas.
We also don’t Black and Blue colors since they attract Tsetse Flies So I would recommend neutral colors.
Where to stay during Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in the southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.
About 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 Nkkuringo lodges
you can stay at Nkuriingo 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.
In 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, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Lodges range from Budget to Luxury and these include; Gahinga Lodge which is a luxury hotel that ranges from USD400 per person per night, Lake Chahafi Lodge, Lake Muhele Lodge which can serve as both Midrange and Budget range from USD100 Per person per night
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 high in reviews on Trip Advisor as well.
