Gorilla Hiking

Gorilla Hiking Experience in Uganda

The activity of gorilla tracking is conducted year-round to observe the endangered mountain gorillas. This takes place in the forested areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, as well as in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and within the Virunga ranges in Congo. Gorilla hiking therefore involves a spontaneous process of searching for these endangered primates in the forest for a close encounter and to learn their behaviors and how they survive.  One population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the other in the Virunga Mountains in three adjacent national parks, namely Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo

How to get to gorilla hiking?

Gorilla hiking takes you through tracking in the dense mountainous vegetation in Bwindi’s impenetrable forest but first of all their requirements that all visitors who would love to have this experience have to follow which include gorilla trekking permits.

You can obtain gorilla permits, the initial requirement for participating in the gorilla tracking experience, either online or through a reputable local tour operator. These permits are exclusively issued by wildlife conservation bodies in the respective countries where the activity takes place. This includes the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda, the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda, and ICCN in Congo.

The gorilla hiking experience involves an hour’s encounter with the gorillas in their natural habitat. Tourists can have daily encounters with several habituated gorilla families.  Additionally, Rwanda boasts 10 habituated gorilla families.

This therefore assures you that your chances of having an encounter with these great Apes are 99%. You will therefore be able to be accompanied by an armed ranger, or guide who will give you directives while in the jungle. You will be able to observe the primates playing, eating, their sleeping nets, and protection from the family head silverback. This is the most memorable moment for every visitor having an eye-to-eye glance with the primates wondering what both parties (visitors and gorillas) are thinking about each other internally with gestures of the primates without any jazz.

Best time for Gorilla Hiking.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is conducted throughout the year, gorillas live in high-altitude places that are subjected to different seasons characterized by dry and wet seasons. This however does not stop you from undertaking the exploration as everyone may have personal preferences, time for the holiday, and cost efficiency regarding the peak of the season.

The rainy season starts in April, May, the Beginning of August, and September though the amount of rain varies.

Global warming has made it challenging to predict specific months for this season. However, it comes with both advantages and disadvantages, commonly referred to as the low season. During this period, tour operators often offer permits at discounted rates and accommodations are available at subsidized costs, making it an ideal time for photography. However, challenges are present in this season, including continuous rain, slippery terrain, and damp forests while trekking to reach the mountain gorillas. Despite these challenges, the likelihood of encountering gorillas in their natural habitat during gorilla hiking remains unaffected.

The dry season includes months of; January and February, June, July, August, September, and December Even when you think it is the dry season, you can have night or morning rains – that is why we tell our clients to bring a rain jacket or waterproof boots.

Gorilla hiking involves movements that will take 30 minutes to a quarter of a day in search of the movements of gorillas in the forest. The mountainous landscape may be slippery and require you to be extra strong.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. Also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish with other services like car hire services.

For inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organize transport and accommodation, get in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after landing for the safari.