After obtaining a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda, guests participating in gorilla trekking are granted one hour to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Going gorilla climbing in Uganda’s and Rwanda’s tropical woods is a dream come true for any East African safari traveler. Verdant Safaris has led the way in producing priceless memories of viewing mountain gorillas, and we still lead our guests through the dense, foggy, damp, and impenetrable jungles of Bwindi and the Volcanoes of Rwanda to spend those priceless sixty minutes with the powerful cousin and his family.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Any traveler travelling on a Uganda Safari should not miss out on the exhilarating experience of gorilla tracking in Uganda. Beautiful scenery, deep lakes, towering mountains, and possibly the greatest natural treasure of all, half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population make Uganda a true gem. Enter the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to get a closer look at these amazing, endangered animals than you could have ever imagined.
Where to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.
Uganda mountain gorillas can be found in two great locations for gorilla trekking:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: More than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population finds refuge at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the four sectors of Bwindi’s dense rainforest: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. To accommodate hikers of different skill levels, each sector features distinctive pathways with differing degrees of difficulty.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: One habituated gorilla family resides in Mgahinga, a smaller but no less fascinating place. The volcanic terrain of the park offers a gorgeous setting for your walk, with chances to scale the peaks and see gregarious golden monkeys.
What to Expect During Your Uganda Gorilla Trek
An early-morning briefing at the park headquarters kicks off your gorilla trekking trip in Uganda. Here, knowledgeable guides will provide you vital information about safety precautions, gorilla behaviour, and what to expect on the walk. The actual walk is an exciting adventure through the thick rainforests of Mgahinga or Bwindi, with paths winding through verdant flora and over a variety of topography. The trip may take anything from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on where the gorilla family you will be visiting is located. Get ready to be enthralled when you see the gorillas. You will enjoy one very special hour to witness these amazing animals in their native environment. Observe the African gorillas as they play, groom, and search for food. Observe the lively antics of the children and the gentle guidance of the silverback. You’ll treasure this experience for the rest of your life.
How to Get a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda
In Uganda, one can go gorilla trekking in either Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi National Park. However, most of the sold permits are for Bwindi National Park due of the inconsistent gorilla population in Mgahinga. Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$800. It used to cost US$ 450 in April, May, and November of previous years.Please be aware that these deals are no longer available. Only eight people are permitted to witness a family of gorillas out of the almost 72 people who visit Bwindi on a given day.
Making a reservation for a gorilla family that is distant from your ideal lodging is the most frequent mistake. This is why we highly recommend that you obtain your gorilla permit via a safari agent! Since this is a remote location, the routes to Bwindi and its numerous districts are frequently challenging. If you choose to go on the gorilla climb by yourself in an effort to save money, you can end up spending more. The Uganda Safari Guides are the right people to help you with this.
Best Time to Go For Gorilla Tracking in Uganda
In Uganda, tracking gorillas is possible throughout the year. The dry and wet seasons are the two distinct seasons of Uganda. When planning a mountain gorilla hike, visitors should keep in mind that tracking gorillas can take up to a full day. While guiding you through the gorilla’s habitat, the guide explains several facets of their ecology and behaviour. When the terrain is dry, the dry season is the ideal period for gorilla tracking in Uganda. June, July, August, September, December, January, and February are the starting months. As a result of the habitat being kept drier during the dry season, trekking through thick forest and up steep slopes in pursuit of mountain gorillas is easier than it is during the wet/rainy season, when there is a lot of rainfall and the ground becomes muddy and treacherous. The months of March through November mark the beginning of the wet season, which is also referred to as the low season. The benefit of hiking mountain gorillas in the rainy or wet season is that there is an abundance of food for these amazing primates to rely on, and visitors may spend less time because they don’t have to travel far to get food throughout the day.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
The Volcanoes National Park is a popular destination for gorilla trekking since Rwanda is regarded by some as the best spot in Africa to view gorillas. The fascinating yet critically endangered mountain gorillas live in this park. There are only three nations where mountain gorillas can be found: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The northwest region of Rwanda is home to the about 16,000 hectare Volcanoes National Park. It is made up of five volcanoes (Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Karisimbi), savanna grassland, bamboo forests, and large wetlands. Among Africa’s four highest peaks is Mount Karisimbi. Among many other mammals, the Volcanoes National Park is home to spotted hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks, duikers, and golden monkeys.
The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a popular destination for gorilla tourism, with a high probability of encountering mountain gorillas. Hiking through dense bamboo forests and up steep mountain slopes in pursuit of one of Rwanda’s gorilla families is known as “gorilla trekking” in the Volcanoes National Park. One of the most thrilling and unforgettable wildlife experiences in Africa is thought to have occurred during the last interaction with the primates. Double gorilla trekking is another option for travellers who want to see gorillas in Uganda and have the best of both worlds. Some travellers even choose to do triple gorilla trekking, which includes a visit to the gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park. Seeing Eastern Lowland and Mountain Gorillas in the Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park is an even more thrilling experience. Although tracking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park can be difficult, many people believe that the final encounter with the gorillas is the pinnacle of animal experiences.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
To guarantee a position for gorilla trekking on a specific date, a Rwandan gorilla permit must be reserved in advance. Obtaining a gorilla permit can be quite challenging during busy times such as June through September and December through March. Currently, gorilla licenses in Rwanda cost $1,500. That represents a very small portion of the total cost of gorilla trekking. It is significant to remember that a portion of the fees associated with gorilla licenses are used to fund community initiatives and efforts to conserve gorillas. You can purchase permits directly from the Rwanda Development Board or through your tour operator. The Rwanda Development Board must receive the passport details in order to schedule the permit. There are ten gorilla families that can be visited for trekking, and each group can only have eight visitors each day. This suggests that the several habituated gorilla groups have a daily limit of 80 gorilla licenses available.