Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is a remarkable experience, bringing visitors face to face with the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Located within the lush forests and mountains of Uganda, gorilla trekking is an adventure that provides a sense of exploration mixed with conservation efforts of the mountain gorillas. Visitors are offered an opportunity to witness the behavior, social interaction, and ways of the gentle giants up close. Delve into a unique opportunity where you will discover more about gorilla trekking in detail as we unleash the details about gorillas, their habitat, threats, the best time to trek, and the cost of gorilla trekking to aid you in planning a successful gorilla trekking safari.
A Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Our Popular Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris
About Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla , scientifically named Gorilla beringei beringei. They are a critically endangered species that have few individuals left, most of which reside in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, former Virunga massifs that stretch across Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorillas have thick fur that ensures their survival in high-altitude and cold environments. Gorillas are social animals and live in family groups with a dominant male leading the whole family, and it’s called a silverback. The silverback is responsible for protecting and directing the movement within the family while in the forest. The gorilla family comprises the alpha, which is the silverback; the females; juveniles, who are the gorilla babies; and the blackbacks, who are young males. Gorillas are herbivorous and feed on leaves, stems, fruits, and sometimes on small insects. The adult male can weigh up to 220 kilograms, about 485 pounds, and they are incredibly strong , yet they display gentle and calm behavior within themselves. Uganda is home to half of the world’s remaining gorilla population, making it the ideal destination to go for gorilla trekking with a 100% success rate of seeing them.
The Process of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a guided nature walk through the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park to encounter the magnificent creatures in the wild. The gorilla trekking process is a detailed set of steps that starts with buying a gorilla permit until you find yourself receiving your gorilla trekking certificate after walking through misty trails of steep terrains that have muddy paths and thick vegetation . On arrival at the park headquarters, you are registered with the park authorities . They will take you through a briefing telling you the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking . After a well-narrated explanation about the guidelines to follow in the forest , you will be divided into small groups of 8 people for every gorilla family. You will be led by a well-experienced ranger through the trail until you reach the gorilla family in the dense forest. Spending time, about one hour, in the presence of the gorillas is a magical experience, witnessing them as they go about their daily routines , interacting with each other, feeding, and caring for their young ones. Rangers will be reminding you about the guidelines to follow, especially remaining calm after encountering the gorillas , maintaining silence, and limiting movements to ensure the gorillas are not stressed, as well as maintaining the 7-meter distance among the many. Before embarking on this trek, be sure to be fit, as the trail can be physically demanding at times, walking for long hours to locate gorillas, who are always moving . As you head back after the trek, you can share experiences with fellow trekkers, and upon arrival at the park headquarters, you will receive a gorilla trekking certificate, a confirmation that you have trekked gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks .
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in the southern part of Uganda, Bwindi is the leading gorilla trekking destination , known for its abundance of gorilla population, with half the remaining gorilla population living in these dense forests. Bwindi’s impenetrable national park covers 331 kilometers and is a UNESCO World Heritage site with over four gorilla trekking sectors, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors. Each sector has different gorilla families that are habituated, and each offers a unique gorilla trekking experience, taking trekkers through varying terrains of the dense forest.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro District, Mgahinga National Park is part of the Virunga ranges that extend through the neighboring Rwanda and Congo in the former Virunga massifs. Mgahinga National Park is quite a bit smaller than Bwindi Forest, with only one gorilla family, but it equally offers a unique trekking experience. The park is home to only one famous gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group, and is known for its movement around the borders of Rwanda and Congo. The terrain in Mgahinga National Park is quite similar to that of Volcanoes National Park, with the same vegetation, the bamboo trees, and volcanic landscapes. Mgahinga National Park is very prominent with golden monkeys that make the park a perfect destination to see both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The gorilla permits in Mgahinga are always in high demand because they are only limited to 8 permits, therefore requiring them to be secured early enough, even six months before the trekking date.
Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is an adventure that requires prior planning, and this involves inquiring about the best time to embark on gorilla trekking. Uganda’s climate is favorable for gorilla trekking throughout the year, although the dry season is most preferred by visitors who want to see gorillas. From December to February and June to September, gorilla trekking is at its peak with optimal weather conditions, dry trails, and no rains making it an ideal time for the trek. During this time of the year, there is high competition for gorilla permits; therefore, as you plan, you book permits and accommodation in advance.
The wet season, or rainy season, which are the months of April to May and October to November, the trails are muddy , with heavy rainfall making walking more challenging. However, gorilla trekking is still possible, but with sudden rains, therefore ensure you have rain gear during the trek. The season is less crowded with fewer visitors embarking on gorilla trekking, making it a more personalized experience. The permits are not in competition, and accommodation is always available .
Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
The cost of gorilla trekking involves several expenses, with the primary cost being the gorilla permit that costs only $800 for a foreign non-resident, $700 for a foreign resident, and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens. The permit is valid for only one hour with the gorillas to ensure the conservation efforts and support the protection and monitoring of the gorillas. Other costs involved for a gorilla trek in Uganda vary from transportation to the park, meals, accommodation, and other costs that may vary from visa , flight ticket , trekking gear, among the many, and any other activities to do on your trip in Uganda .
Planning a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Planning a gorilla trekking safari is a process that involves prior preparation and planning with several steps involved.
- Booking a gorilla trekking permit.
Before traveling, ensure you secure yourself a gorilla permit in advance . With high competition, it’s very advisable to inquire and purchase the permits in time to ensure a smooth trek . You can book your gorilla permit through a reliable tour operator in Uganda .
- Choosing the location
With over 4 sectors in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park, each sector offering a unique experience, it’s very important to choose the location you want to trek. It’s either Maghinga or one of the four from Buhoma , Ruhija , Rushaga, and Nkuringo sectors.
- Physical preparation.
Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding adventure that requires trekkers to be fit enough for the challenging terrain . Regular hiking or exercising a few months before the hike will ensure you walk through the forest with ease. Ensure to get a trekking pole, as some trails can be slippery yet steep.
- Packing list
Gorilla trekking requires appropriate gear for gorilla trekking that includes comfortable hiking boots , waterproof trousers , gloves , insect repellents, gaiters , a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
Both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks have a wide range of accommodation options that vary from budget lodges to luxury camps. Most accommodations are located close to the trekking sectors or trailheads, and many lodges provide packed lunches for gorilla trekking .
The rules of gorilla trekking have been established to minimize human impact on the gorillas. the rules that include maintaining a safe distance; this is for both your safety as well as the safety of the gorilla, no eating or drinking near the gorillas, and many others.
Supporting Mountain Gorilla Conservation
Gorilla trekking is an activity that also ensures the sustainability of the gorillas, with the fees collected used in protecting the mountain gorillas in their habitat. By embarking on gorilla trekking, you are supporting the control systems that have been established to ensure that the environmental habitat for the gorillas is well protected from all kinds of threats, including poaching and bush fires, and several programs like habitat conservation and community development as well as research initiatives are established to execute the conservation process.
In conclusion, Uganda offers an extraordinary experience on a gorilla trekking experience where trekkers have an opportunity to witness face to face the gentle giants. Ensure to carefully plan and prepare not only with the gorilla booking process but also preparing physically to ensure you have a smooth gorilla trekking process. By opting for gorilla trekking, you not only experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure but also contribute to conservation efforts to ensure the survival of the majestic mountain gorilla.