Gorilla Trekking in Uganda; Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
With about 1004 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth today, Uganda is a home to half of all these massive creatures “Gentle Giants” making it one of the only three countries in the world where mountain is done.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks, 21 habituated gorilla families that have been habituated and already set for tourism purposes, 20 of which are tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 is found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley is home to almost half of the world’s population of the mountain gorillas. This ancient rainforest is one of the few forests in Africa that have flourished throughout the last Ice Age. The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black and white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail is prominent.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking starts from anyone of its 4 major trekking regions.
- Ruhija Sector in the east which comprises of gorilla families such as Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguliro.
- Buhoma Sector in the north and consists of gorilla groups like like Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare and Rushegura.
- Nkuringo Sector in the southern part has groups such as Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho
- Rushaga Sector has habituated families such as Kutu, Bikingi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi and Mucunguzi gorilla group.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is set in the extreme southwestern side of the country about 8-10 hours’ drive from Entebbe or Kampala. The park stretches the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m).
Mgahinga is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tourists can join a gorilla trekking safari any time of the year.
Within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group is the only habituated gorilla family set for visitors to trek.
Best Time to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done any time of the year. Uganda experiences two significant seasons, the dry and wet season. Visitors intending to trek mountain gorillas should bear in mind that gorilla tracking is an intensive experience that can take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way.
The dry season is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda when the group is dry. It starts in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. During the dry season, the habitat is kept drier and makes it easier for trekkers to hike through dense vegetation and steep slopes to watch to search for mountain gorillas unlike during the wet/rainy season when there is plenty of rainfall which makes the ground muddy and slippery.
The wet season is also considered as low season and starts in March, April and October, November. The advantage with trekking mountain gorillas during the wet or rainy season is that there is plenty of forage for these great apes to depend on visitors can take fewer hours since they do not move to further distances to search for what to feed on in the course of the day.
Obtain your Gorilla Permit early enough
With the high demand for gorilla permits, you are advised to secure your gorilla trekking permit at least 6 months before you set off for your actual trek most especially if you are looking at taking a Uganda Gorilla Safari during the peak months of June – September. In Uganda, gorilla permit costs $ 800 per person for foreign residents, $700 per person for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African residents.
You can secure one through a trustworthy, reliable ground tour operator in Uganda. It is no longer possible to get a gorilla permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority as a visitor. In case you wish to embark on gorilla habituation experience, you need $ 1500 to secure your permit which gets you the whole day and 4 hours of magical encounter with a semi-habituated gorilla family.
Pack appropriately but light
When packing for gorilla trekking in Uganda, consider essential items first. What shouldn’t miss out in your packing list are
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof day pack
- Insect repellents
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Camera with no flash light and should be good to help you capture clear pictures
- Pair of binoculars
- Long sleeved shirt/t-shirt
- Trousers
- Sweaters
- Sun glasses, hat, bottled water and energy giving snacks
- First aid kit and many others
While planning a Uganda Gorilla Safari, the above guide comes in handy as you will be viewing lots of other wildlife.
Physical fitness
A trek to see mountain gorillas requires you to be physically well and most importantly, maintain your physical fitness before embarking on the actual trek. A gorilla trek in Uganda can last you about 2-6 hours and it involves hiking through the dense vegetation and steep slopes while in search for mountain gorillas.
Know that the mountain gorillas live in high elevation and because of this, you need adequate drinking water and some energy giving snacks as energy boosters and do not forget hiking stick to help you while on hike. Walking sticks can be got at the park headquarters or safari lodge. Besides, hiring a porter is not bad if you do have heavy luggage. They can help carry luggage and let you enjoy your adventure.
Porters are around the park headquarters and can be hired at $10 – $20.
Dressing Code
When considered what to wear during gorilla trek, it is better if you have environmentally friendly clothes. Avoid shouting colors and most importantly, have long sleeved shirts or t-shirts, trousers, rain jacket-to protect you in case it rains.
Pay Keep Attention during Briefing
Before embarking on actual trek, you will be briefed on the set rules and regulations that you have observe while on gorilla trek. These include
- Keep a distance of about 7 meters away from gorillas at all times. Mountain gorillas share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans making them our closest relative and also to be very susceptible to human infectious diseases.
- Stand still in case the gorilla charges and avoid direct eye contact with gorillas
- Do not use flashlight camera and in case your camera has, please turn it off before you begin taking photos of these creatures
- Only persons above 15 years are allowed to trek gorillas
- Only one hour is given to you to have magical encounter with gorillas
- Do not go to trek mountain gorillas if you are sick-please cover your mouth in case you are coughing and nose when sneezing
- Leave the habitat the way you found-in case you wish to help yourself please burry human wastes at 30 centimeters deep.
In conclusions: with the above tips, we wish you a memorable visit to see gorillas in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. It is important to put these tips in mind during the time of planning your next trip so that you can enjoy a truly African Experience not to be found anywhere else in the world.