Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
Fifty percent of the global population of mountain gorillas is in Uganda. Gorilla trekking Safaris in Uganda occurs in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park, in southwestern Uganda, forming international border with Rwanda. Uganda houses 18 gorilla families or groups, allowing you to track one gorilla family per day.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 17 mountain gorilla families/groups, making it a remarkable habitat for watching the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural home. Besides Mountain Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also houses 90 mammals and 11 primates species, including black and white colobus monkeys.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has Four trekking sectors of Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma. Ruhija features Mukiza Family, Oruzogo Family, Bitukur Familya, and Kyaguliro Family; Buhoma includes Habinyanja family, Katwe family, Mubare family, and Rushegura Family; Nkuringo has Christmas family, Nkuringo family, Bushaho family; Rushaga covers Kutu family, Bikingi family, Mishaya family, Bushigye family, Kahungye family, Rwigi family, Bweza Family, Nshongi family, and Mucunguzi Family; While Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one and only Nyakagezi family group, found on the Slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, including Mt. Muhavura (4,127m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645m);
The cost gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is $800 per person per day to trek one spacific gorilla family
Best Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris Itineraries & Packages
1 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking
1 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Safari
2 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
3 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience
5 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
4 Days Uganda Gorilla & Lake Bunyonyi
7 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife
8 Days Uganda Gorillas & Rafting
5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife
9 Days Gorillas, Chimps, Wildlife
6 Days Bwindi, Kibale & Queen
10 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife
12 Days Uganda Gorillas & Rwenzori
5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimps
13 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari
14 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates & Wildlife
10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari
5 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari
7 Days Rwanda Uganda Primates & Wildlife
10 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps, Masai Mara
Where To Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are two renowned gorilla trekking spots in Uganda.
Bwindi is the preferred park for most visitors due to its substantial gorilla population, accessible location for fly-in safaris, and many accommodation options.
Which park you visit will depend on your gorilla trekking safari itinerary and available time intervals. There are no differences between the two parks in terms of permit costs or sighting probabilities.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are situated in southwestern Uganda, adjacent to the borders of Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
The southern part of Uganda hosts numerous safari attractions. This makes it easy to combine gorilla trekking safari, wildlife safari, Chimpanzee tracking among other once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Most visitors to Uganda go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Habituated gorilla families can be accessed from the four trailheads at Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each trailhead possesses distinct features, families, and levels of difficulty.
Commence a guided gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda, venturing into the forest to seek one of the eleven habituated gorilla families, departing from one of four trailheads situated around the forest’s perimeter. The maximum participant limit per group is eight.
While en route going for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, informed representatives from the Uganda Wildlife Authority will provide insights about the forest’s ecosystem and how its changing overtime. The team of trackers monitoring the gorillas since sunrise maintains continuous communication with your guides. The trackers will instruct your guides on the route to the gorillas.
Bwindi Gorillas, Kibale Chimps, Lake Bunyoni, masai mara
Bwindi Gorillas, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison, Volcanoes
Bwindi Gorillas Vs Masai Mara Vs Serengeti Vs Ngorongo
10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
12 Days UGanda Gorillas & Wildlife
2 Weeks Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife
Gorilla Trekking In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
A lot of tourists decide to make a stop at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is near the Rwandan border, on their way to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Furthermore, golden monkey trekking is unique to Uganda and cannot be found elsewhere. People frequently choose to combine a gorilla trek in Nkuringo (Bwindi) with one at Mgahinga.
Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National park is easier and less congested than in Bwindi Impenetrable. This area has limited gorilla trekking permits. Only one habituated gorilla family exists in Mgahinga gorilla National park, despite the numerous border crossings of gorilla families into Uganda. The Nyakagazi family group comprises five silverbacks, two adult females, and three juveniles.
Mgahinga is no longer used as a “overflow” location for gorilla trekking in Bwindi for two reasons.Â
Tourists are bypassing Rwanda to trek in nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where the cost is $800 per person, due to the increase in Rwanda gorilla licenses to $1,500 per person.The second reason is Mgahinga’s breathtaking beauty. The southwestern region, around Mutanda and Bunyoni lakes, could easily hold your attention for a week; the remainder of Uganda would necessitate a return trip! Moreover, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park encompasses multiple volcanoes that are accessible for climbing. These walks are hard, lasting 8 to 9 hours and covering terrain that exceeds 4,000 meters, but they are well worth the effort.
Best Time to Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
Due to its tropical position, temperatures in Uganda remain rather stable year-round. Rainfall is a common feature across all four seasons. The months with the highest rainfall are March to May, whilst the months with the least rainfall are October to November. You can visit the gorillas at any time of year.
Regrettably, the policy of modifying the cost of gorilla permits in accordance with seasonal variations has been terminated. Permit prices don’t change throughout the year, so when choosing when to visit, you should take into account your availability, the availability of permits, and any other travel plans you may have outside of gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla Trekking Permits & Cost
The prevailing cost for a gorilla permit is $800 USD. Permits are no longer less expensive during the wet months; nevertheless, they can be obtained promptly if you intend to visit during the extended (March–May) or short (October–November) rainy seasons in Uganda.
Permits may be fully booked up to a year in advance during the peak travel months (June–August and January–February). Due to the limited number of permits, we recommend beginning the planning process as soon as possible. In contrast to Uganda, Rwanda charges exorbitant permit fees ($1500 USD per person), which is a huge benefit for gorilla tourists.
If an hour-long encounter isn’t enough, or if you’re a wildlife photographer or simply fascinated by the behavior of these amazing animals, you can join the habituation team in the Rushaga area of southern Bwindi. For $1,500 per individual, you may spend a maximum of four hours observing the family and their interactions.
Although gorilla permits are non-refundable, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will refund fifty percent of the price if you undertake a hike and do not observe any gorillas. This occurs infrequently.
Parking List For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
Clothing: A well prepared attire is essential for traversing the dense vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Because of your equatorial location, you should always prepare for the possibility of rain. You’ll want to stay cool during the two to six hours of trekking, so having lightweight, comfortable gear and weatherproofing are essential.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to protect yourself from the forest’s poisonous plants and insects, particularly fire ants. Maintaining dryness, comfort, and coolness is essential.
The necessary clothing:
- Â Â Â High-quality, durable, waterproof trekking footwear.
- Â Â Â Lightweight waterproof trekking trousers.
- Â Â Â Longer socks designed to be worn over trousers to safeguard the skin. Waterproof Gaiters are an even better choice.
- Â Â Â Waterproof jacket, raincoat, windbreaker
- Â Â Â Long-sleeve trekking T-shirt (preferably Dri-FIT or equivalent)
 Gloves: You can push through the more challenging portions of the trail without worrying about what you’re holding onto by wearing gardening or outdoor gloves that will shield you from thorns.
Additionally, bring a few sachets of rehydration salts. Water is provided by the hikers, of course, but you may feel thirsty after a strenuous day of hiking; the salts may help you rehydrate more rapidly.
There are walking sticks available for you.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Guidelines
Your guide will provide a briefing on the regulations for monitoring gorillas prior to the commencement of any excursion. This briefing is essential; thus, please concentrate and adhere to the directives.
Here are the headlines:
   You will spend an hour with the gorillas upon meeting up with them. An hour might not seem like much time, but trekkers say it’s more than enough to enjoy the event to the fullest. If you want a longer experience, you can join the gorilla habituation team and spend up to four hours with the primates. Participating in two gorilla treks in different areas of the park is a prevalent option. Get in touch with us to find out more.
- Â Â Â Maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters at all times.
- Â Â Â Flash photography is prohibited under all circumstances.
- Â Â Â If you become ill before the gorilla trek, you will not be able to participate.
Despite the fact that sightings are not guaranteed, the knowledgeable trekking guide and the growing number of gorilla populations in Uganda make it very likely that you will see them in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
The problem is that it may take six hours of Stranous effort  before you encounter a habituated gorilla group.
In the case that you do not observe the gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will return fifty percent of your permit money. In all the years that we have worked in Uganda, no one has failed to see the gorillas.
Are you prepared to begin your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?
Encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a profoundly moving and humbling wildlife experience. Upon returning, even the most reserved backpackers are beaming and babbling like birds, making it easy to identify those who have spent time with the gorillas.
The critically endangered status of gorillas necessitates stringent regulations regarding trekking in Africa’s gorilla parks. Getting a permit is a difficult process because it is not only costly but also cannot be held in a temporary basis. An Africa Safari Expert can offer the kind of first-hand experience and local knowledge that is necessary if you want to visit such remote locations and have the best chance of gorilla trekking in Uganda. Get in touch with someone who has gone through this:
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