Gorilla Trekking is one of the most thrilling adventures you can enjoy while in Uganda. This rare wildlife experience can be carried out in two national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular thing to do in Uganda attracting thousands of travelers year after year! Uganda is blessed to have nearly a half of the remaining world population of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park.
Of the dozens of wildlife viewing experiences you can have in Africa and the rest of the world, encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat takes the cake. On my first gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 2018, I felt as if I had been invited to a reunion of distant, hairy relatives. When I first saw the gorillas I took photos for a while, but then put my camera away so I could just watch. I stood mere feet from these powerful animals and they calmly let me be a part of their world. No glass, no bars, no rumbling safari car engine, no squinting through binoculars, just humans and gorillas together in the forest.
Anyone going on Uganda safari in East Africa should consider adding on a few days to see the mountain gorillas in nearby Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking requires more active participation than traditional safaris, so it’s important to plan ahead so you are prepared for the challenge. Once you book a tour (I recommend many tour companies for trekking in Rwanda and Uganda) but the most important points to keep in mind is to have a great time at whatever cost.
Why you should go to Uganda for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla tracking in Uganda has become more famous and the most liked activity to participate in while in Uganda. This is because gorilla tracking has been highly marketed compared to other activities. However much the Uganda Tours are interesting, gorilla tracking in Uganda is with no doubt the best option especially to those interested in a real adventure. With an estimate of 400 mammals hosted in this country, a breathtaking atmosphere with the primates is guaranteed. Much as gorilla trekking is the best adventure one can ever have, there have to be reasons as to why you should go to Uganda for gorilla tracking. By traveling to Uganda for a gorilla trek, will help you get to know the difference in gorilla tracking as you compare it among the three countries that is; The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
Firstly, the pearl of Africa is known for harboring the highest number of these rare primate species in the whole world. They are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National parks. More so Uganda’s Gorilla tracking Permit is cheaper; before a tourist is allowed to go gorilla tracking, he or she is expected to obtain a permit that accepts him/her to view the gorillas in the jungle. Uganda charges a fairly lower price for its permits (USD 800) compared to Rwanda’s permits of (USD 1500).This makes a gorilla safari to Uganda friendly and affordable by most of tourists who prefer adventure tourism.
Finally, Uganda’s mountain gorillas are well organized in groups. The country has a total of 12 habituated and well demarcated gorilla groups in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and Mgahinga National Parks. Gorillas are situated in a way that tourists find it easier and interesting to find a gorilla family in the thick tropical forests. This makes a gorilla safari to this country better compared to other countries where one has to hustle to find a single gorilla. When it comes to climatic conditions, Uganda has the best climate that favors the activity to be successful since it’s done year round as long as you get to know clearly the wet and dry months to visit these two parks.
All in all, Uganda offers the best gorilla tracking experience with full of amazing wonders including nature view, primate watch, hiking experience and other breathtaking adventures one can never miss out thus the name by Churchill “the Pearl of Africa”.
Where to Go Gorilla Trekking
Imagine visiting Uganda for gorilla tracking and you are probably wondering where best you can go gorilla trekking as well as combining it with your favorite tour activities like wildlife viewing, golden monkey trekking and volcano hikes. Uganda is blessed with lush thick forests, fauna flora, multiple tree species, primates which make the country one of the top safari travel destination in Africa full of multiple tour adventures that make your travel experience one in a million for your Africa safari tour.
From the famous islands ,lakes, rivers, mountains, landscape and vegetation, Uganda ‘s beauty is one you can easily combine for a thrilling gorilla safari with one extra day chilling on the beautiful Islands, hiking volcanoes, exploring the ancient traditional culture , golden monkey trek or walk through the beautiful forest on a nature walk trip. The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla tracking is all year January – December with no disappointment but only memorable safari tours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable forest is perhaps the most famous gorilla trekking destination known for superb gorilla safari experience and excellent for cultural excisions, bird watching and community retreat programs. Are you looking for a Uganda safari to see gorillas, chimpanzee and wildlife?.Bwindi forest is your perfect choice destination combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park in a duration of only 4-5 days. The park offers great opportunities of seeing mountain gorillas, traditional cultural trends of Batwa, other primates, and many forest habitants. Being a home to the largest mountain gorilla population living in the four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, its beyond doubt that Bwindi forest is the best gorilla tracking destination in Africa. Despite the highest demand of gorilla tourism in Uganda, travelers hardly miss gorilla tracking due to gorilla permit availability. However, prior booking is always the best thing to do if you want to track gorillas soon in Africa.
There are now several habituated groups of gorillas where gorilla trekking is taken. Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: there are ten habituated gorilla groups; three of these groups are located within a walking distance of Buhoma, three in Ruhija and one in Nkuringo group and four from Rushaga within the south of the park and accessible only from Kisoro.
Gorilla Groups
Buhoma
- Mubare group
- Habinyanja group
- Rushegura group
Ruhija
- Oruzogo
- Bitukura
- Kyaguliro
Nkuringo
- Nkuringo
Rushaga
- Busingye
- Mishaya
- Kahungye
- Nshongi
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
For the ultimate gorilla safari combined with volcano hiking tour, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also known for golden monkey trekking and exciting Batwa cultural trail, is a perfect place to be for your upcoming Uganda gorilla tracking safari. The park is well conserved and a home to five volcanoes . Imagine yourself tracking mountain gorillas in their home as well as hiking the lovely rewarding volcanoes of Mgahinga in just 4 days. If time permits, its not bad to explore the twenty nine islands of Lake Bunyonyi before embarking on the return journey back to Kampala OR Entebbe international airport for your flight back home. There is a wide range of incredible lodges and campsites just in case you want to stay a little longer. For amazing gorilla and volcanoes’ hike safaris, we do recommend Mgahinga National park in Uganda.
When to Go Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking can be done any time of the year. This is due to the fact that Uganda is an all year tourism destination.
The Gorilla Trekking Etiquette
Before Gorilla Tracking
It’s a must in all gorilla trekking parks that visitors gather at the park head quarters early morning for briefing from the park rangers .Its during this session that they are grouped in groups of eight a maximum number allowed to visit a particular habituated gorilla family. Age verification is done with presentation of valid passports and gorilla permits for the day followed by washing hands before heading into the forest to search for the gorillas.
During Gorilla Search
While in the forest on a nature walk and hiking adventure in search of the giant rare creatures, every tourist must speak in a low tone voice in order not to scare other amazing forest habitants that you may come across. Keep in touch with others all through the trek and carry all your rubbish back to your lodge after the trek because they may contaminate the forest .Remember every trek starts from where gorillas spent a night before your trek and park all the forest hikes and walks depend on the walking trail that rangers pave to where the gorillas are. As you get close to the gorilla encounter point the park ranger’s alert you to get ready for the 60 minutes duration of photography and observation.
With the Gorillas
Tourists must keep a seven meter distance while with gorillas, be close to other gorilla visitors, the voice tone must be low, eating and drinking is prohibited, look at gorillas but dodge the silver back eyes, don’t touch them because they are wild animals. Taking photos is a must but move slowly and careful after putting off the flash light of your camera. Make the best use of the full hour with the gorillas and move quietly or in a low voice tone for a few meters before returning back to the park head quarters for your certificates that marks the end of the trek.
What to bring for Africa Gorilla Safari Tours
Better to head out for your gorilla safari tour adventure smart and ready and then put all the rules and regulations in consideration. Wear long sleeved T-shirts, and trousers, comfortable walking boots good for steep muddy slopes, drinking water and packed lunch is a must since the trek may take between 2-8 hours. I highly recommend a good camera to capture memories and amazing moments with the gorillas.
GUIDELINES FOR TRACKING GORILLA
- You are requested to Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas; don’t surround them since they are animals they can charge on you.
- Ounce you are with gorillas don’t get closer than five meters to them this may put both your lives in danger
- Don’t make any loud noises or sudden movements, they may feel an secure or they may charge on you
- In case you feel like coughing or sneezing, turn away from the gorillas as this may put their life ian danger of getting the same disease.
- Don’t use a flash camera when taking photography you may scare away these animals
- Don’t eat or smoke near the gorillas you may charge on you
- Don’t litter
- Don’t split on ground in the park
- In case you feel like defecating, inform your guide he will dig you a hole and then after bury any excrement deep and cover properly.
- Once you meet gorillas you are strictly allowed a Maximum of one hour per gorilla tracking
- No one with a communicable disease can visit the gorillas
- Only people from 15 years age and above are allowed to track gorillas
What to pack on a gorilla safari
Here is the essential packing list for travelers;
• Come with strong/ sturdy pair of comfortable shoes, since hiking is done in the forest expect to meet very may steep and muddy slopes however these comfortable shoes will enable you to pass through the forest with a lot of easy.
• come with long sleeved shirts or blouses to protect you from stinging plants or small insect that can bit while in the forest during the search of our cousins
• If you are not ok with the forest sounds that can make un comfortable during the search of gorillas, don’t forget to come with ear plugs. Bwindi impenetrable national park is to home to very many forest dwellers including chimpanzee, colobus monkeys, baboons and various species of birds all make different sound
• Bring a photo of film camera good at shooting. Using flashlight is not permitted so we recommend using films of 400-800 ASA Camera and extra lenses
• Don’t forget to pack Capsule, malaria regiment and insect repellant to prevent mosquito bites while in the jungle.
• go with packed lunch and enough drinking water while heading to the forest , gorilla tracking/trekking time is unpredictable it can go from a half to full day while in the jungle as meeting them depend on where they spent their last night from
• Carry rain gears like rain jacket since it rain at any time when in the forest, sunscreen lotion, a hat with a brim for sun protection and insect repellent.