Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Gorilla trekking is ranked among the most memorable safari experiences in the world as it offers travelers a chance to come face to face with the most fascinating creatures on earth, the mountain gorillas. These creatures are endangered and rare with only 1000 individuals left in the world, mountain gorillas are human’s closest relatives only found in two populations in the Central Africa Region.
One population of mountain gorillas is found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and another one of found in the forests of Virunga Volcanoes comprising of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR. Congo.
Uganda hosts the largest population of mountain gorillas found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Where to See Mountain Gorilla
In Uganda Mountain Gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park, both having 5 gorilla trekking sectors where mountain gorilla trekking takes place and gorillas can be seen.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world as it hosts the largest gorilla population, the park is home to over 400 mountain gorilla individuals with 21 habituated gorilla families open for both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the South Western Uganda, dominated by one of the oldest and unspoilt tropical forests dating back 25,000 years. It is from this the meaninick forest that the park gets its name “Omubwindi” a local Kikyiga word meaning impassable or impenetrable.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its importance in protecting biodiversity including mountain gorillas. The park sits on the altitude range between 1,106 to 2,607 with the highest point being in Rushaga the Southern Sector and Nkuringo and the lowest point being in the North – Buhoma.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into 4 gorilla trekking sectors that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Each of these sectors hosts its own habituated gorilla families visited on Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 21 habituated mountain gorilla families found in the 4 gorilla trekking sectors of the park, these include
Buhoma Sector
- Mubare Gorilla Family
- Habinyanja Gorilla Family
- Rushegura Gorilla Family
- Katwe Gorilla Family
- Muyambi Gorilla Family
Rushaga Sector
- Nshongi Gorilla Family
- Mishaya Gorilla Family
- Kahungye Gorilla Family
- Bweza Gorilla Family
- Busingye Gorilla Family
- Bikingi Gorilla Family
- Kutu Family Gorilla Family
- Mucunguzi gorilla Family
- Rwigi Gorilla Family
Nkuringo Sector
- Nkuringo Gorilla Family
- Bushaho Gorilla Family
Ruhija Sector
- Bitukura Gorilla Family
- Oruzogo Gorilla Family
- Kyaguriro Gorilla Family
- Mukiza Gorilla Family
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the Southwestern Uganda and can be accessed by road and air means of transport.
By Air – there are scheduled and charted flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to several airstrips serving different sectors of the park. Kihihi Airstrip serves Buhoma and Ruhija sectors and Kisoro airstrip serving the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.
From these airstrips you continue to the park on a drive of approximately 2 hours covering 40 kilometers.
By Road – From Kampala the capital of Uganda or Entebbe International Airport, it is drive of approximately 9 – 10 hours of drive. Bwindi can also be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park on a drive of approximately 2 to 3 hours, a drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park takes you through the Ishasha Sector where you will have a chance to see the tree climbing lions.
Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
During your Uganda gorilla safari holiday, here are some of the best accommodation facilities you can stay at. These include
- Gorilla Forest Camp
- Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs
- Gorilla Resort
- Engagi Lodge
- Silverback Lodge
- Lake Kitandara Tented Camp
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Mist Camp
- Ruhija Community Rest Camp
- Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge
- Nkuringo gorilla Camp
- Chameleon hill camp
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Valley lodge
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla park and the smallest national park in Uganda, the park is located in the Great Virunga ranges which are shared between Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and is found in Kisoro district.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area comprising of other two gorilla parks that is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR. Congo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers a size of 33.9 square kilometers stretching around 3 Virunga volcanoes of Mgahinga, Sabinyo and Muhavura. These volcanoes are forested providing a perfect home for mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one gorilla family by the name of Nyakagezi gorilla family, this family currently comprises of 10 members including 5 silverbacks namely Mark, Mafia, Rukundo, Ndugutse and Bugingo, 2 adult females namely Nshuti and Mutagamba.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed by road and air means of transport.
By road : to get to Mgahinga, it is a drive of approximately 9 – 10 hours of drive from Kampala – the capital of Uganda or Entebbe International Park airport to the park’s headquarters through towns of Mbarara, Kabale to Kisoro.
By Air – there are domestic and chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip then connect to the park by road.
Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation facilities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are categorized as budget, midrange and luxury. These include
- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Mount Gahinga Rest Camp
- Virunga Hotel
- Kisoro Tourist Hotel
- Kisoro Travelers Lodge
- Mgahinga Safari Lodge
- Virunga Hotel
Gorilla Permit
A gorilla permit refers to a card that allows any traveler to take part in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in Uganda gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
A gorilla permit costs
| CATEGORY | FEES |
| Non – Foreign Residents | USD 700 |
| Foreign Residents | USD 600 |
| East African Community Citizens | UGX 250,000 |
Best Time For Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is possible throughout the year. However, the best time to encounter mountain gorillas is during the dry season running from June to September. In the dry season, the paths in the jungle used during gorilla trekking are less slippery and the vegetation cover is a bit less thick. However, note that it can rain any time of the day in Bwindi and Mgahinga forests.
Visiting the gorillas during the rainy season that is around March to May and October to November, is one of the best times of the year for photographing gorillas. Following the downpours, the air is clear of dust resulting in the perfect atmosphere for taking pictures of mountain gorillas.