When is it Better to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
When is it Better to go gorilla trekking in Uganda
The best time for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible throughout the year. However, the best time is during the dry season (June to September and December to February) and this is because the gorilla track routes during the dry season are easier to use because they are dry and the thinned-out vegetation makes it easy to see the Mountain gorillas. The rainy season on the other hand is not impossible but harder because of the heavy rains, and slippery and muddy trek trails. Note that Bwindi and Mgahinga tropical rainforest destinations and rains can be received at any time of the year including the dry season.
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Where to go for gorilla trekking
Gorilla tracking in Uganda takes place in two destinations and these are Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The two national parks are in southwestern Uganda. They’re two of the three gorilla trekking destinations in the world. Ever since gorilla tracking started, there has not been any incident of not seeing Mountain gorillas. This is the case even during heavy rain downpours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the top gorilla trekking safari destination in Uganda. It has four sections where gorilla trekking takes place. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place in the Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector, and Rushaga sector. These four sectors are open throughout the year, and you not only get to see Mountain gorillas. Rather, there is a chance to see over 350 bird species, 120 mammal species, 51 reptiles, and other primate species. Other primates include L’hoest monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Bwindi has over 1080 Mountain gorillas and 23 habituated gorilla families. These are open throughout the year for trekking. This is also the only national park where gorilla habituation takes place. The activity involves studying and training gorillas so that they get used to the presence of humans.
Mgahinga National Park: Mgahinga National Park, sharing a border with Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is also a good gorilla trekking destination in Uganda in southwestern Uganda. This is the smallest national park in Uganda. It has one habituated gorilla family that tourists get to trek all year round popular as the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Led by a dominant male, the Nyakagezi family, which used to migrate to Rwanda and sometimes DRC, is now permanently living in Mgahinga and a maximum of 8 people per day track it.
The trekking experience
After breakfast, the trekkers head to the park headquarters, where guides will be waiting for them to take them through the rules that are to be followed during the trek and when with the gorillas. Trekking gorillas in Uganda starts with an early morning briefing at the park headquarters. A guide with experience leads the briefing. This is also the time when trekkers are divided into groups of 8 to track each available habituated gorilla family.
After the briefing, the groups of 8 head down to the start of the trek trail, and trekking begins. The time visitors spend tracking gorillas depends on the location of the gorilla family they’re tracking. It also depends on the physical fitness of trackers and this can range from 30 minutes to 6 hours. After locating the gorilla family, each group gets to spend an hour with the primates. The group then treks back to the park headquarters where each person is rewarded with a certificate of participation in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. For more information, please contact us.
What Happens if I Don’t See Gorillas on the Day of Trekking in Uganda?
When we talk about gorilla trekking, many tourists are left with a lot of questions one of them being what happens in case they don’t get to see Mountain gorillas during a trek. This is not likely to happen and has not happened before from the time trekking gorillas started in Uganda. There is a 99% chance of seeing gorillas on a trek day in Uganda. Hypothetically, if you don’t get to see gorillas in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is ready for such instances. It gives tourists an extra day to trek gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most organized safari activities in Uganda and all tourists get a chance to see the endangered species on the trek day all year round. In this article, we are going to look at the chances of seeing gorillas in Uganda. We’ll also discuss where to go for gorilla trekking and what you need for gorilla trekking. Lastly, we’ll see the cost of gorilla trekking, and what to expect.
How to Book a Gorilla Tracking 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.
Season of travel
There are two seasons of travel; the dry/peak season (June to September) and the rainy/low season (March to May and late October to November). The season that you choose to travel determines the cost of the safari. If you are planning on traveling during the dry season, note that it is more expensive as compared to the rainy season.
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
What to Pack for a Gorilla Safari
This is one of the things that you need to take into consideration. Below is a list of the essential things to pack.
- Two pairs of lightweight trousers
- Long-sleeved shirts and note that all clothes should come in neutral colors
- Garden gloves
- A hat and sunglasses
- Strong ankle-length hike boots and if possible, they should be waterproof and well-fitting to avoid bruises.
- Socks, these are used during the cold weather and the trek, trousers are tucked in socks for protection from bug bites
- Warm sweaters, ponchos, or any warm jacket
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Camera with extra lenses, batteries, memory cards, and a waterproof camera bag.
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Gaiters
- Blue clothes are a danger because they attract tsetse flies.
- Sunscreen
- Refillable if possible foldable water bottle
- Snacks
Where to stay during a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Accommodation can be seen in three categories which are budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation facilities. When choosing accommodation, make sure that it is not far away from the trekking destination. Below are some of the accommodation facilities that you can use when trekking gorillas in Uganda.
Bwindi accommodation: Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Agandi Eco Lodge, Broadbill Tented Camp, Trekkers Tavern Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge among others.
Mgahinga accommodation: Lake Mulehe Lodge, Gahinga Lodge, and Lake Chahafi Lodge among others. Because of the small nature of the national park, all the accommodation facilities are in the neighboring district of Kisoro and around the National park. You can also use accommodation near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when gorilla trekking in Mgahinga.
Accommodation is a key to having the best gorilla tracking safari in Uganda. This means that it needs you need to book it in advance for better options especially if you are travelling during the dry/peak season. Talk to your tour operator to help you get the best options with your budget being put into consideration.
Conclusion
It is impossible not to see gorillas in Uganda during a gorilla trekking safari because the government of Uganda has done its best to ensure that gorilla trekking is one of the most organized activities in the country. Get in touch with our travel guides to help you plan your gorilla trekking safari to not only Uganda but also Rwanda and other safari destinations on the African continent.
