Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – A Guide to see Gorillas in Uganda
Are you considering going to Uganda to go gorilla trekking? You may have a fantastic time on your gorilla trek tour in Uganda by using Monumental Expeditions and Safaris‘ guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda. The only two national parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is permitted are Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both of which are located in the country’s southwest. Gorilla trekking is one of the main attractions that draws many tourists to Uganda, and many of them incorporate it into their travel plans.
Gorilla trekking: what is it?
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is hiking and strolling through the forest in search of gorillas in their natural habitat. Once you locate the gorillas, you spend an hour with them, capturing photos and films and learning more about their daily routine.
Concerning the Impenetrable Forest National Park in Bwindi
Among the four national parks in the world that are home to endangered mountain gorillas are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. One of Africa’s oldest forests, Bwindi Forest National Park is home to a wide variety of species, including 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 months, and 120 mammals.
A number of primates, including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and the most important, mountain gorillas, can be found there. The park includes more than 15 habituated gorilla family groups available for gorilla tracking, with eight permits allotted to each group each day. Of the 1064 mountain gorillas in the world, half are found in Bwindi Forest.
About the Gorilla National Park in Mgahinga
The only other national park in Uganda where gorilla trekking is permitted is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; the other being Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. One gorilla family, the Nyakagezi, may be found at Mgahinga National Park, which is accessible for gorilla trekking.
The park shares borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is home to mountain gorillas, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is also home to three of the six extinct volcanoes found in the Virunga ranges: Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura. The only national park in Uganda where gorillas and golden monkeys can be seen is Mgahinga National Park, which is the smallest at only 38 km² and is most famous for golden monkey trekking.
76 animal species, including the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, can be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Although they are extremely uncommon to witness, other huge mammals include enormous forest pigs, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. With more than 115 bird species, including several endemics of the Albertine Rift, the park is also an excellent place to observe birds.
Where in the Bwindi Forest can one go gorilla trekking?
Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga are the four sectors in the Bwindi forest where gorilla trekking is conducted. It is simple to combine gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing if you are trekking in the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, which are situated in the northern and northeastern regions of Bwindi, respectively, and are both near to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, which are near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking, are situated in the southern portion of Bwindi. Different habituated mountain gorilla families are available for gorilla trekking in each sector; the Rushaga sector has more families than other sectors.
In Uganda, how much does gorilla trekking cost?
In Uganda, the cost of a gorilla permit is USD 800 for foreign non-residents each trip, USD 700 for East African residents, and USD 80 for East African citizens. If you come across mountain gorillas on your journey in the Bwindi forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you can spend an hour with them thanks to this gorilla permit.
How to buy a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which has offices in Kampala and Kisoro. For visitors arriving in Uganda via Entebbe, it is advised that they purchase their permits from Kampala, while visitors arriving in Kigali can do so at the Uganda Wildlife Authority branch office in Kisoro town, which is 1-2 hours’ drive from Bwindi.
One of the best gorilla safari companies, Monumental Expeditions and Safaris, can buy your gorilla permits for you in advance and on short notice. Once you confirm your dates and share them with us via WhatsApp or email, we will first tentatively reserve your gorilla permits online. After you pay the invoice, we will buy your gorilla permits right away and send you scanned copies of your permits for your records and review. This will confirm that you have bought your gorilla permits for your gorilla trek in Bwindi forest for a specific date.
Where in Bwindi Forest is the Gorilla Habituation Experience held?
In the southern region of Bwindi, in the Rushaga sector and the spaces between Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors, gorilla habitat is established. This means that you must stay at lodges in the south at Rushaga or Nkuringo if you want to experience gorilla habituation in Bwindi.
The gorilla habituation experience entails walking or hiking through the Bwindi forest in search of semi-habituated mountain gorillas. Once you locate them, you will spend four hours with them while engaging in activities designed to help the gorillas become accustomed to humans so that, eventually, they can trek normally.
You can spend four hours with mountain gorillas instead of just one hour during regular tracking thanks to the gorilla habituation experience. Because there are only four permits available each day and only four persons can track gorillas at a time, gorilla habituation is always in high demand, so it is advised that you reserve your permit at least two to three months in advance. The cost of a Gorilla Habituation permit is USD 220 for East African citizens, USD 1000 for international residents, and USD 1500 for non-native trekkers.
What distinguishes gorilla habitat experience from gorilla trekking?
The main distinction is that while gorilla trekking involves an hour-long encounter with mountain gorillas once you locate them in Bwindi forest, gorilla habituation involves a four-hour encounter with mountain gorillas in the same forest. While gorilla habitation involves four tourists tracking a particular semi-habituated gorilla family, gorilla trekking involves eight tourists tracking each gorilla family.
Both activities take place in Bwindi Forest National Park and begin early in the morning. Because some of the activities can be quite demanding, particularly when hiking through Bwindi Forest, you must be in good physical condition to be able to participate in one of them.
Which time of year is ideal for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The dry months of mid-December, January, February, June, and early September are the ideal times of year to go gorilla trekking in Uganda since they are easy to get to and get a clear view of the gorillas because the plant cover isn’t too high. However, you have the same possibility of seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitats at any time of year when you go gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Things to Bring for Ugandan Gorilla Trekking
You will need a pair of boots or comfortable, durable walking shoes for gorilla tracking. When it rains, the conditions are usually extremely muddy. There are some steep and challenging uphill stretches. Wearing lightweight long pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt is also advised to protect you from biting ants, stinging nettles, and weeds. The following are recommended items to bring for gorilla trekking in Bwindi:
Repellent for Insects
Flashlight/Torch with Extra Batteries
Wet Wipes
A bottle of water
Lenses, cameras, etc.
Comfortable socks and footwear for trekking and walking
Gloves for gardening to track gorillas
Walking shoes, sandals, or strops
Sunscreen and a hat
A raincoat
Sweater or fleece
Swimwear
Binoculars for watching birds or games
How difficult and demanding is Ugandan gorilla trekking?
Due to the gorillas’ constant movement through the rain forest, gorilla trekking conditions and timings fluctuate greatly in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Being ready is a good idea, and keep in mind that the weather can change suddenly. Frequently, the terrain is steep and passes through unmarked regions. It can be extremely taxing; it could be a few hours or a whole day of hiking in hot, high-altitude circumstances, lasting up to eight hours or longer. For this reason, please be as fit as you can.
Accommodations for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
In Bwindi Forest National Park, gorilla trekking is conducted in the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo and in the northern ones of Buhoma and Ruhija. Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Karungi Camp are among the Rushaga lodges where you can stay. You can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, or Lake Mutanda Resort, all of which are near the beginning of gorilla habitat and trekking.
In Ruhija, you can stay at places like Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp. In the northern section, you can stay at places like Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Ride 4 a Woman.
Which area of Bwindi Forest is ideal for gorilla trekking?
But according to the nature/elevation, Buhoma is the best sector for gorilla trekking because sometimes you can only spend 3–4 hours on your trek and some trackers are already done by 11 am. Many tour operators and tourists choose the Rushaga sector as the best sector for gorilla tracking in Bwindi because there are many habituated gorilla families here and it is easier to get the gorilla tracking permit here compared to other sectors.
The hikes in the Nkuringo sector are particularly difficult due to its higher elevation than the others. Given that gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Forest is a highly organized activity, you have a 99% probability of encountering mountain gorillas on your walk, regardless of which sector you have reserved.
How to Travel to Bwindi Forest to Trek Gorillas
By Road: Depending on where area of the Bwindi Forest you are going on your gorilla trek, this will vary. Bwindi is accessible from Entebbe/Kampala via the main highway road, which takes about eight to nine hours to travel there.
By turning off along the Kabale-Kisoro road, you may reach the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma. You will see a sign for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which you will follow to the sector where your hike is scheduled. The road that branches out at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro Highway leads to the southern sectors of the Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads.
flight to observe gorillas in Bwindi
By Air: To reach the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo, you can travel from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airport to Kisoro airstrip. From there, you can fly to Kihihi airstrip to reach the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma. Domestic airline carriers Aero Link and Fly Uganda offer both scheduled and chartered flights. A transfer from the airport to the lodge where you have a reservation for your stay must be arranged with your tour operator.
Where else in Africa can I go for Gorilla Trekking?
The four national parks in Rwanda and Congo, which are home to the last four mountain gorillas, are also popular destinations for gorilla trekking in Africa. You may also observe the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Congo, which are located in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. One of the once-in-a-lifetime activities that many tourists choose to partake in while in Africa is gorilla trekking.
Seeing gorillas in their native habitat in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo is one of the best wildlife experiences any traveler can have on a safari, despite the high costs, time commitment, and pain involved in making the reservation and hiking through the forest to look for these endangered creatures.
The price of gorilla trekking permits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Congo offers gorilla trekking at a significantly lower cost than Rwanda and Uganda. The price disparity between these three nations—Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda—is mostly a result of policy differences. Uganda seeks to sell itself as an inexpensive travel destination, whereas Rwanda wants to position itself as a luxury travel destination.
Following a protracted period of unrest in the area that led to a great deal of insecurity, Congo is attempting to advertise its gorilla tourism in order to draw in more tourists. Uganda, on the other hand, is marketing itself as the most popular and reasonably priced of the three gorilla trekking destinations.
You can spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park by purchasing a gorilla permit in Rwanda, which costs $1500 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $500 per person for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan).
For the high season months of mid-December to mid-March and June to October, gorilla permits in the Congo cost $400 per person per trek. The low season months of mid-march to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December cost $200 each year. In Kahuzi Beiga National Park, a gorilla permit costs $400 for non-resident foreigners, $200 for inhabitants of East Africa, and $20 for residents. The cost of a lowland gorilla trekking permit in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park is $400 for non-residents, $200 for East African residents, and $20 for Congolese citizens.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is more accessible than those in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is justified by the fact that Volcanoes National Park is two to three hours’ drive from Kigali and that gorillas can be seen there in a single day.
This is undoubtedly true, and nobody can deny it. Due to the 9–10 hour trip from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi, people used to avoid gorilla trekking there. However, these days, we provide tours to Bwindi via Kigali, which reduces the drive time to just 4-5 hours. With this, you arrive in Kigali, use the East African Tourist Visa (which enables you to travel to both countries simultaneously), and then go on an inexpensive gorilla trek in Uganda. As a result, even travel companies in Rwanda are marketing Bwindi rather than their own nation.
There are affordable, mid-range, and upscale lodges in both countries where you can stay while trekking. Compared to Bwindi, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers the best gorilla trekking experience for individuals who want to stay in ultra-luxurious lodges that meet international standards. Some of these lodges, including Bisate Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, are considered to be among the greatest in Africa and the entire nation.
They provide excellent and luxurious services. Nonetheless, Uganda and Congo are the greatest choices for individuals seeking extremely low prices because there are numerous lodging options available, with prices ranging from $30 to $100 depending on the package you have reserved.
More gorilla families are available for trekking in Uganda than in Volcanoes National Park. There are 160 permits available daily for gorilla trekking in Bwindi due to the fact that there are 20 habituated gorilla family groups there. Congo has 10 gorilla families, including 2 in Kahuzi Beiga National Park and 8 in Virunga National Park. Because Volcanoes National Park contains 12 gorilla families, 96 gorilla permits are available daily for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Because of this, obtaining gorilla trekking permits in Uganda is more flexible than in Rwanda and the Congo, particularly during the busiest times of the year.
Actually, there isn’t much of a difference in the experience you get at the end of your journey between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo when it comes to the finest gorilla trekking experience. There is a 98% chance of encountering gorillas in every country, so you can see these magnificent primates in their natural habitat anywhere you travel.
Uganda is special, though, because it offers the opportunity to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through a Gorilla Habituation Experience, which is only available in Bwindi Forest. For $1500 per person, you can spend four hours with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas under the supervision of researchers and trackers, as opposed to an hour for regular trekking. You have the exceptional chance to visit the Eastern Lowland gorillas, who are located in Kahuzi Beiga National Park, in Congo as well.
The gorilla family assigned to you on the day of trekking at the national park in the country you select to travel for gorilla trekking determines how far you have to walk to observe gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gorilla families are assigned according on an individual’s interest and level of physical fitness in each of the three countries.
On the day of the journey, for instance, you must notify the park officials if you would want a shorter trek so that you can be assigned to a family. You follow the same procedure if you desire a medium-length or longer excursion. It should be mentioned that although they will attempt to provide you with a family that needs shorter travels, the experience may be impacted by the gorillas’ behavior. For instance, if the gorillas decide to go farther as you search for them, you will have to travel an even greater distance.
Why Choose Monumental Expeditions and Safaris to Arrange Your Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
For trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi, Monumental Expeditions and Safaris will assist you in obtaining your gorilla trekking permits. Get advice on the booking procedure by getting in touch with us. We may also arrange for you to have gorilla permits included in any of our several gorilla trekking safari packages, which vary from low-cost to high-end alternatives.
Please feel free to peruse our trip advisor evaluations, which are written by a community of pleased customers. You may be sure that your gorilla trek will be unforgettable when you work with us. We are committed to offering top-notch customer service and satisfaction. If you have any queries about safari, our staff of knowledgeable tour coordinators is always happy to assist. We promise that your gorilla tour in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be fantastic.