
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda; Gorilla trekking is an adventurous and the most famous activity where visitors move on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the habituated mountain gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is the major activity that attracts big numbers of tourists in Uganda and its carried out in two destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla trekking is also done in other destinations like Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwndi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district and it’s the most visited gorilla destination due to the fact that it harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of more than 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Rushaga sector in the south, Ruhijja sector in the East and Nkuringo sector in the south.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is another gorilla destination located in southwestern Uganda in Kisoro district. The park harbors one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi which is available for trekking daily.
Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be sub divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a gorilla family to trek which is done according to different factors like age, physical fitness and personal preference. Trekking of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. During trekking you will be able to view other primates like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different bird species, mammals among others. Once the mountain gorilla is located you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which helps you to learn about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments.

Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience an exciting and incredible activity where the mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence. Gorilla habituation experience takes a period of 2 to 3 years to be complete and involves a team of researchers, scientist, gorilla doctors, park guides among others. The habituation experience is only carried out in Rushaga sector southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and it allows visitors to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas in their environment.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February because that’s the best period when there is less rainfall in the tropical rainforest therefore vegetation will be thin which helps you to enjoy clear views of the mountain gorillas. The dry season is also the best period for gorilla trekking in Uganda in that the gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal card or document that is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit any habituated gorilla family in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 700 USD per person for foreign non residents, 600 USD per person for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. A gorilla habituation permit in Bwindi impenetrable national park costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non residents, 1,000 USD per person for foreign residents and 750,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. The gorilla habituation permit allows visitors to spend 4 hours with the mountain gorillas.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda can either be booked through a tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris by contacting us through email or telephone with the dates and gorilla destination you wish to visit. We will later check for permit availability and if there are permits that match with your dates, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. When we receive the payment we will purchase the permit on your behalf and send you a scanned receipt as confirmation. Booking through a tour operator is the best option in that it’s fast, less tiresome and we will not only purchase the permit on your behalf but also plan for your entire safari.

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda can also be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by contacting them via telephone calls or email.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
There are several accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park where you will stay during your gorilla trekking safari including Mount Gahinga lodge, Mucha hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Kisoro Travelers lodge, Montana Guest House, Ichumbi Gorilla lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge, Four Gorillas lodge, Cuckoo Tented lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge, Chameleon Hill lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma lodge Bwindi, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs lodge, Engage lodge, Silverback lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Lake Mulehe Safari lodge, Bwindi Jungle View lodge among others.
For more information about gorilla trekking in Uganda do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for luxury and budget gorilla trekking packages.
