Mountain gorilla filming tour : Gorilla trekking is an extra ordinary activity that involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Mountain gorilla filming is an adventurous and one of the most expensive activity in Uganda that is done in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park which harbours the highest number of mountain gorillas and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Apart from Uganda, mountain gorilla filming can also be done in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking experience
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning at around 8:00am with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle with an experienced park guide and park rangers in search of the gorilla family which takes about 2 to 7 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species, birds, plant and tree species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their habits, behaviours, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record beautiful videos.
Cost of gorilla trekking permit
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
Mountain gorilla filming fees
Mountain gorilla filming in Uganda is charged at 40% of the activity inclusive of the monitoring fee of 10% per day.
Procedures for mountain gorilla filming
When planning a mountain gorilla filming tours, there are procedures or steps that you need to follow for example, acquiring Media card or media accreditation which is issued by Uganda Media Council where you will fill in a media form with your names, nationality, number of days, purpose of visit, mountain gorilla filming permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, clearing filming equipment’s with customs, booking accommodation where you will be staying during the filming tour, securing transportation to the park and back and acquiring a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park and a copy of the film that will be shared with Uganda Wildlife Authority.
How to acquire a mountain gorilla filming permit
Tourists interested in mountain gorilla filming are require to have a filming permit which can either be secured directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris. After contacting us, we will help you to acquire the official form from Uganda Wildlife Authority with your names, nationality, date, month, year, gorilla destination that you wish to visit, purpose of filming the gorillas, filming company, how Uganda will benefit from your documentary and the tour company. After filling the form, we will forward it to Uganda Wildlife Authority and your filming company will have to write a contract or agreement with Uganda Wildlife Authority before you are issued a filming permit.
Booking a mountain gorilla filming permit through Achieve Global Safaris is the best option to use in that we will not only acquire the gorilla filming permit on your behalf but also acquire your gorilla trekking permit, book accommodation where you will be staying during the safari, organize transportation to the park and back with an experienced driver guide.
Requirements or what to pack for a gorilla filming tour
There are a number of essential items that you should pack when going on a gorilla filming tour in Uganda including hiking shoes, long sleeved shirt and trouser, waterproof rain jacket, garden gloves, insect repellent, camera and extra batteries, energy snacks and drinking water, hat and sunglasses, a pair of binoculars, walking stick, face masks, warm sweater, back pack among others.
Best time for mountain gorilla filming tour
Mountain gorilla filming in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February because during this period, there is less rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Mountain gorilla filming in Uganda can also be done in the low season during the months of March to May and October to November because during this period there are few people traveling therefore purchasing of gorilla trekking permits will be easy.
Where to stay during your mountain gorilla filming tour
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where you can stay during your mountain gorilla filming tour. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bweza Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort, Ikoro Hotel, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, Wagtail Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Cuckooland Tented Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Bwindi Jungle View Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Resort, Silverback Lodge among others.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are located in south western part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and then to the park headquarters which takes about 9 to 10 hours’ drive.
Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book charter or scheduled domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
You can as well access Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali where tourists will fly to Kigali international airport in Rwanda and then cross to the park headquarters via cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
