Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Gorilla trekking Uganda; Visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking is quite worth encounter with affordable price quotation, you can visit as a family, a group, friends or as an individual. However, Gorilla trekking Uganda highlights is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park both located in the southwestern region of the country, approximately 9 to 10 hours’ drive each park but on the different travelling routes starting from Kampala or Entebbe to the main safari destinations or travel by domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro ,then be dripped by car to the park .Take note ,mountain gorillas are the major tourist attraction in Uganda that attracts many tourists to visit these famous destinations worldwide and the number of visitors in increasing year by year because of unique and rare creatures ‘’great mountain gorillas .Before you decide to take a plan to visit mountain gorillas/gorilla trekking Uganda safari ,we advise you to first find out right information about gorilla trekking holidays to see gorillas in the wild ,find out how to acquire a permits and fully registered tour companies arranging for you proper itinerary for gorilla trekking. In fact, Gorilla trekking is a unique experience done through hiking to the tropical forest and Virunga mountain of Africa in order to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
According to the global crisis we are still facing ‘UWA’ Uganda Wildlife Authority which is under all Uganda’s national parks updated Covid restrictions of social distance and other guidelines to protect our creatures free from this dead less Covid 19 and other human infections such as cough, flu, diarrhea, malaria because Gorillas share 98% DNA to Humans.
When to Visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda -Africa
Gorilla trekking can be visited all year around in all gorilla trekking destinations that Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The best time to visit gorilla trekking is during the months of June, July, August, September and December, within these months’ trails can be drier and making it easy for hikes because they receive less rains. Throughout the year, Bwindi receives the average temperature of 11 degrees Celsius in the morning and 23 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
Note, list of verify the best time to go for Gorilla trekking Uganda as follows;
January and February; It’s a low season offering less visitors in the park. Very little rain.
March, April and May; Receives heavy rains during these months. Quite challenging during the trek/hikes to locate the mountain gorillas, the slopes are slippery and muddy.
June, July and August; Most peak season and it’s advisable to buy your permits early or in advance since are on quick sell. But are the best time for gorilla trekking &habituation in Uganda and Rwanda.
Which Company Should Be Used for Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Uganda offers very many tourism companies but you should be vigilant some are not registered and beware of fake tour operator, you get in touch with for your trip arrangements. If you don’t hesitate, please can contact us Achieve Global Safaris for your comfortable trip reservations through emailing or calls. Furthermore, choosing a tour company depends on various factors like prices, availability of gorillas permits, online reviews and recommendations on various websites. The same also applies to Rwanda Gorilla safari tour operators.
Where to Stay on Visit to Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Uganda gorilla trekking safari destinations offers comfortable and classic accommodations, choice depends on how much you can afford or your wallet, it’s all about the facilities, location, food, services among others. Accommodations in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla national park ranges from Luxury –Mid range –Budget. And when you’re making a choice of accommodation always consider the lodge your booking is next to the trekking point, ask your tour operator but are all affordable. Some lodges to be booked include; Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Gorilla Height Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge mentioned few.
When you visit in low seasons accommodation costs becomes lower. Whether in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo safaris.
What is the Cost of Uganda Gorilla Trekking Experience?
Most of the travelers may wonder why gorilla trekking is expensive and whether it is worth the money. Here are the highlights;
A Uganda Gorilla trekking permit cost USD700 and 75% of the money raised for conservation, support the locals around the park who take care, built schools among others. The purchased permit you hold includes park entrance fees, gorilla watching for one hour, ranger fees and advance trackers.
A Gorilla habituation experience which can only be done in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest national park in entire Africa and worldwide, costs USD1,500 per person per day
Gorilla trekking permits Rwanda is on high sell much compared to Uganda safari, Rwanda permits costs USD1,500 per individuals to Uganda’s USD700 and East African Citizen pay 250,000 shillings per person per trek.
The permit purchased offers you an hour with the great mountain gorillas in a group of 8 individuals. In case you are scared by the price, note that the money paid for gorilla permits contributes a lot to the conservation of endangered mountain gorillas and as a rewarding an hour in the midst observing and enjoying your great time with them.
Note this, you should always book your permit in advance, just 80 people are allowed to visit the gorillas in their natural habitat each day, because their natural environment is very fragile. End by saying Uganda is the best place to see these unique Mountain gorillas.
Where Can I Go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda has two destinations for gorilla safaris namely, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Hosting 21 habituation gorilla groups /families, on your visit you can trek only one group a day.
Uganda Bwindi Forest national park has 20 gorilla’s families making it the best place to see the rare gorillas in the wild, also a home to over 90 animal species ,11 primates including Red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys many more. However, gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be conducted in one of the four trekking sector such as Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga sector splinted in different region of the park.
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Groups
Buhoma Trek; Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura
Nkuringo Gorilla Sector; Christmas, Nkuringo, Bushaho
Ruhija Gorilla Sector; Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguliro
Rushaga Gorilla Sector; Bikingi, Kutu, Mishaya, Bushigye, Kahungye, Bweza, Rwigi, Nshongi, Mucunguzi among others
Mgahinga Gorilla Family; has only one family here called the Nyakagezi group which is surrounded by the slopes of Virunga Volcanoes in three volcanoes that is;
Mount Muhavura ‘’4,127meter’’, Mount Gahinga ‘’3474 meter’’, Mount Sabinyo ‘’3645 meter’’.
What to consider on your packing list for Gorilla Safari in Uganda /Africa
They include; Day pack, Insect repellents, Light weight rain jacket, Poncho, Waterproof hiking boots, a pair of binoculars, Camera, Long pants or trousers, pair of hand gloves, energy snacks, rain jackets, warm clothes, comfortable hiking boots, hat, enough mineral water bottle.
Gorilla Trekking /Guild line SOP for Covid I9 –Travelers
Mountain gorillas are endangered species that share 98% human DNA, making it human diseases to be easily infected to these great apes such as Corona virus, flu, cough, malaria and so many airborne diseases that can threat gorillas. Guild line SOP are updated by Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’ A body that manages all Ugandan National Parks, include;
Temperature must be taken and recorded on your arrival
Always put on your face mask in and outside the park.
Gorilla trekking experience is only for one hour spend with gorillas
Sneezing near gorillas is not allowed, you have to close your nose or face behind when sneezing
Regular hand sanitizes before and after
Observe a distance of 10 meters away from the gorillas
Gorilla trekking is allowed to only 15 years of age and above
Vehicles are washed every day and regularly sanitized during the day while taking part in game drives or other activities.
You need to be negative of Covid 19 and other SOP guidelines
Facts /Expect on Gorilla trekking /Uganda a Gorilla Safari
Gorilla trekking is an emotional experience, that starts early in the morning after your breakfast from the lodge, be picked up by your professional driver-guide with packed lunch boxes to be dropped to the meeting center where you will find other groups for briefing about dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking. At 8:00am, meet you park ranger to locate you to the gorilla group you’re to trek on that particular day. You will set off for hike accompanied by the guide and the ranger as you begin searching for gorillas. Make sure that you’re physically fit in the body because sometimes trekking trails a bit challenging, Gorilla trekking can take 2 to 8 hours depending on where they were last seen on the previous day. A s you will be trekking or searching for mountain gorillas expect to see other primates the monkey’s species, butterfly species, vegetation’s, plants, mammal’s species many more.
Once you meet gorillas, you will be given one hour for watching learn their behaviors, feed, play and a fantastic time for photography. After head back to the lodge.
Pleases note, Gorilla trekking is not only for people with younger age, not very hard but also possible for people in their 60’s and 70’s.
Facts about Uganda Habituation Experience ‘CHEX
Uganda habituation is a process taken over 2 to 3 hours under training to get used to human contacts, are trained by researches and park ranges. If time comes and they notice that habituated group is completely trained to face human sights for long hours as recommended, then it is opened for trackers. They only allow 4 people to experience in this activity accompanied by the researchers, park rangers, doctors. If you locate the gorilla habituated family in Rushaga sector, you will be given four hours to observe these creatures as you locate their sample for study purposes.
After your Gorilla Safari, you can decide to visit the Unique tree climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth national park that takes few drives from Bwindi Forest national Park to access it, Visit Murchison Falls National Park for Game drive, Birding, viewing of the most powerful waterfall and Primate viewing in Budongo forest, Kidepo Valley National Park for Game viewing and Cultural encounter, and Pian Upe Reserve all are perfect for wildlife safaris in Uganda. Time is now to visit the beauty of the Pearl of Africa –African continent.
