Gorilla trekking in Uganda is undoubtedly one of Africa’s iconic wildlife encounters, something we consider a bucket list adventure. Compared to the rest of African safari experiences, trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is a life-changing experience the fact that it draws you close to a group of these rare primate species while in their natural habitat.
Mountain gorillas are scientifically known as Gorilla beringei beringei and with only 1004 individuals still thriving, a magical encounter with them is only possible in 3 African countries; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda hosts nearly half of all the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and Uganda gorilla trekking safaris are only carried out in any one of its two spectacular national parks-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These national parks are situated in Southwestern Uganda, approximately 8-10 hours’ drive from Kampala and 4 hours’ drive from Kigali.
Gorilla families in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only conducted in habituated gorilla groups and interestingly, about 21 of them are available for visitors to trek. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was gazetted in 1991 and sits in an area of about 331sq.kms. It is comprised of 20 habituated gorilla families and they are distributed within its four main gorilla trekking regions; Ruhija in the East, Buhoma in the North, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the South.
In the Ruhija region, the habituated gorilla families to trek while on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda include Bitukura, Mukiza, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro. Buhoma area consists of Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe, and Mubare gorilla families; Rushaga region features the Nshongi group, Bweza, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Kutu and Rwingi while Nkuringo region is comprised of Bushaho group, Nkuringo and Christmas family.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is second after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where treks to view mountain gorillas are done in Uganda. It also features as Uganda’s smallest national park with an area coverage of 33.7sq.kms and its establishment in 1991 was primarily to offer refuge to a section of mountain gorillas thus making it an essential destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Mgahinga National Park consists of only the Nyakagezi group, a habituated family that is open for visitors to trek.
How is gorilla trek in Uganda like?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves trekkers immersing themselves into the tropical rain-forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to search for the rare mountain gorillas. Treks start with an early morning breakfast and followed by a briefing on the set gorilla trekking etiquette. The length of the gorilla trek varies significantly depending on visitor speed of hiking, nature of the habitat and where these unique apes are found. However, this primate adventure may take you about 2-6 hours which also covers an hour of face to face encounters, exploring their behaviors, body gestures and photography.
Gorilla trekking etiquette
Before setting off on the actual trek, visitors go through a briefing on different gorilla trekking etiquette. They include among others; one hour of a face to face encounter, only persons above 15 years are considered eligible to trek or book a gorilla permit, 7 meters should be kept away from mountain gorillas, trekkers should keep their voices low at all times to avoid scare away these creatures, in case you are not feeling well, you are advised not to go trekking mountain gorillas, flashlight cameras are never accepted.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits are essential tools every eco-tourist on Uganda gorilla trekking safari should have. It is what lets you trek one of the habituated families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. With about 21 gorilla groups, approximately 168 gorilla permits are available for booking. Each gorilla trekking permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African Citizens. However, beginning 1st July 2020 gorilla permits in Uganda will be booked at $700 by foreign nonresidents, $600 by foreign residents and shs.250000 by East African Citizens.
How to book a gorilla permit in Uganda
You can book a gorilla permit in Uganda through reservation team at Maranatha Tours and Travel or reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). To ease the process, Maranatha Tours and Travel is your trusted, reliable ground tour operator in Uganda to make your dreams come into reality.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are open to trekkers on gorilla safari all-year-round. However, for excellent gorilla treks, the dry season is considered to be the best period and it occurs in two phases, the first in the months of June, July, August, September and the second phase begins in December, January, February.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda during the dry season is better because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park remain drier, vegetation is not dense and steep slopes are not slippery. The rainy or wet season is also good but the challenge with it is that the steep slopes become slippery due to heavy rainfall. On the other hand, there is plenty of forage for mountain gorillas to feed on and they don’t move to long distances. The rainy or wet season begins in March, April, May, and October, November.
What to pack on gorilla trekking in Uganda?
To get the best of your gorilla trek in Uganda, what you pack does matter a lot. Your packing list should, however, include essential items like waterproof hiking boots, waterproof daypack, camera with no flashlight, long-sleeved shirts/t-shirt, insect repellents, sun hat, sunglasses, bottled drinking water, energy-giving snacks, first aid kit, socks, rain jacket, sweater, walking stick-but this can be got at the park headquarters or ask for one at the lodge.
Where to stay in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park
There are many accommodation options for visitors to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. They range from luxury to basic. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, they include Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury); Mid-range lodges include Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge Bwindi, Engagi Lodge Bwindi; Budget lodges include Broadbill Forest, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp.
Accommodation options at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Mount Gahinga Lodge (Luxury); Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro (Mid-range); Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel (Budget).
How to get to Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are reachable by road or by air. By road, you will spend about 8 to 10 hours driving depending on the route. You will begin your journey from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale or Kisoro. Alternatively, drive from Kigali through Chanika or Katuna border to Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and this may take you about 4 hours.
To save time, fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.