Proclaimed “The Pearl of Africa”, Uganda offers unimaginable wildlife encounters, not to leave its gorilla trekking adventures. The Uganda gorilla trekking adventure provides an unforgettable experience that allows visitors to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, one of the world’s most sought-after Great Apes.
The country’s population of mountain gorillas is in two national parks, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are situated in the southwestern part of the country.
Here are some vital things to know about gorilla trekking in Uganda:
Gorilla trekking permits
Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires purchasing a permit well in advance at least 3months before. The permit allows one to see the gorillas and spend one hour with them, and as of July 2024 the cost is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. The permit price includes park entry fees, a guide and park ranger. For every Gorilla family, tracking is limited to a maximum of 8 visitors in one group per day.
Physical fitness and health requirements
Trekking the Gorillas requires a certain level of physical fitness. The trek can be challenging and can usually go up to 6 hours or even more, depending on the location and movements of the gorilla group you’re assigned and other factors such a pace of the visitors, conditions of the forest which is sometimes slippery due to the chilly weather among other factors. One must be able to hike through dense forests and uneven/rugged terrain. It is advisable to undertake some physical training before the trek.
Be in good health before embarking on a gorilla trek. Anyone with a contagious disease, like flu or cold, may not participate. A pre-trek medical check-up is advisable to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions which may hinder you from trekking.
So on meeting with the gorillas after the trek, you stand about 7-meters away from them.
When to go?
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is possible all throughout the year. However, the best time would be during the dry bout, from June to September and December to February. During this season, the terrain is less muddy and slippery to trek through the forest. The rainy season (March to May and October to November) makes trekking more challenging. It can make the gorillas harder to spot since they tend to move to lower elevations.
However sometimes the weather conditions vary as the forest also receives rainfall during dry season so tracking can be possible throughout the year.
During the low season, accommodations offer some discounts and visitors may end up saving on their gorilla package.
What to wear and pack?
For convenience during your Uganda Gorilla trekking experience, it requires some particular clothing and equipment i.e., long waterproof pants, and long-sleeved shirts are vital. The terrain can be slippery so sturdy hiking boots with good traction are necessary. Carry a rain jacket, hat, insect repellant and sunscreen, as the weather can be unpredictable the forest most times becomes chilly.
It is vital to pack light, porters are available at the park headquarters to help carry equipment incase of heavy packs but at a fee. Have with you a backpack it helps to keep water, snacks, a camera, and other essentials like passport. As such we advise you have a waterproof cover or it must be quite small to fit in your waterproof jacket just incase it rains.
Gorilla groups and tracking
Uganda has over 21 Gorilla groups, 20 located in Bwindi Impenetrable’s four sectors; 5 in Buhoma, 4 in Ruhija, 8 Rushaga and 3 in Nkuringo sector while 1 is in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The gorilla trek begins early morning with registration and briefing at the park headquarters from the ranger/guide. You will be assigned a family to track in any of the sectors you will be according to your tracking permit. The briefing covers essential information about the gorilla trekking etiquette, such as safety rules and regulations.
During the trek you will have a guide moving a head of you and a ranger behind. As you approach a gorilla group, the guide will notify you and tells you the dos and don’ts before you encounter them. Once you meet the group of gorillas, you will watch them for about 1hour to witness their behavior.
Note: you have to maintain a low voice when in the forest and with the gorillas. You do not need to use flash photography in presence of the gorillas.
Gorilla conservation
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a tourist activity and a conservation effort. The proceeds from the gorilla trekking permit go towards conservation efforts for;
Habitat protection
Anti-poaching patrols
Community development projects.
By booking a gorilla trekking tour, you support conservation efforts ensure the survival of mountain gorillas.
Do you dream of seeing Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat? Make your dream a reality by booking our well-planned Uganda Gorilla trekking safari programs. We can help you craft gorilla trekking only program or couple with lots of other experiences.
If you want to learn more about luxury Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, contact us to get the best help! Our experts can provide the best information about booking Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla trekking tours.
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