Is Uganda good for Gorilla trekking safaris? Since Africa adventure vacations started way back, we have carried out different safari packages / trips in various parts of Uganda and East Africa including gorilla trekking trips. Gorilla trekking safari is our most selling packages in Uganda and East Africa. Basing on how we have conducted these gorilla trips in Uganda, we are confident to recommend gorilla trekking in Uganda. Uganda dubbed the pearl of Africa is a leading gorilla destination in the whole world harboring more than half of the mountain gorillas remaining in the whole World. Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are found in the hilly tropical forested areas located in southwestern Uganda and a trip to these forests will enable you to see these gorillas in their natural habitat.it is very hard to go on a Ugandan gorilla trekking tour and you fail to see endangered mountain gorillas. The chances of seeing gorillas in Uganda is over 97% since most of these remaining apes are found in Uganda. As of now, Uganda has got 19 habituated gorilla families that are available for trekking. These mountain gorilla families are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National park and Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Each gorilla family is allowed to be visited by a group of 8 people per day and seeing the gorilla is limited to only 1-hour.

Uganda is one of the countries in East Africa and the world as well where tourism especially gorilla tourism is taken an important economic activity. Gorilla tourism and its associated activities such as gorilla trekking and habituation are run and managed by a government body in charge of all protected areas in Uganda in the name of Uganda Wildlife Authority. The safety and security of the visitors and their property on gorilla trekking trips in Uganda are guaranteed since without safety and security then tourism would not exist and thus safety and security of the visitors are the top priority. There is a lot to see when in Uganda for gorilla trekking and gorilla trekking is done every day in Uganda, Africa adventure Vacations helps you to plan for you a vacation including gorilla trekking and other key areas of and highlights of the safaris in Uganda.

About Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves people walking into the forest to see gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking begins early at 7:00 am with instructions about what you’re supposed to while you’re moving into the forest searching for the gorillas. Immediately after your brief, you will be led by a group of rangers, guides, and trackers deep into the jungle to trek gorillas. Once you see the habituated mountain gorilla family, you will be allowed only one hour to see the gorillas, and after you return to where you have started from to receive your certificate of successfully participating in gorilla trekking in Uganda. Uganda mountain gorillas are unique in that they share 95% of the DNA with that of human beings. Only 8 visitors who are aged 15 and above are allowed to trek and see each habituated gorilla family per day according to the gorilla trekking rules set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority a Ugandan body in charge of conserving all the national park and other conservation areas. Uganda is one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking and indeed good for gorilla trekking since all the rules and guidelines are set for safety gorilla trekking and Africa Adventure Vacations we ensure we let you know of these guidelines and where possible share them with you to ensure you effectively plan your trip.

Where to do/to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

It is only in Uganda where gorilla trekking is done in two national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park.  The presence of gorillas in these two national parks makes Uganda a good leading destination for gorilla trekking in the whole of East Africa. The two national parks where gorilla trekking is done in Uganda are detailed here below;

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The history of gorilla tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National started way back in 1993 for the people who trek the gorillas first. Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Southwestern Uganda sharing the border of Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. Trekking and viewing gorillas in their natural environment in  Uganda is done in two parks and Mgahinga National Park harbors half of the only remaining mountain gorillas and this makes it one of the best places to go for gorilla trekking. Visitors do gorilla trekking in Bwindi in all four sectors of the park that include Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga and Nkuringo sector. Trekking gorillas in each of these sectors is the same and so fantastic and entertaining and thus you don’t need to miss doing your gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga national park is also another destination park in Uganda where you can go, trek, and see mountain gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National park forms the Virungas volcanic mountain chain that includes Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. This chain is popular for mountain gorillas and specifically for Mgahinga National Park, it is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the district of Kisoro and is bounded by Virunga national park in Congo and Volcanoes National park in the Republic of Rwanda. Mgahinga Gorilla National park boasts 3 volcanic mountain ranges which included Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabinyo. These volcanic ranges form part of the big block of 6 Virunga mountains. Mountain Mgahinga is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda, however, it shelters the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, Golden monkeys amidst other wildlife species. Nyakagezi gorilla family group is the only one habituated gorilla family that is found in Mgahinga National Park and thus it is available for gorilla trekking. You can as well engage in golden monkey habituation in Mgahinga gorilla National Park.

How many gorilla Habituated families are found in Uganda for gorilla trekking?

There are19 nineteen well-habituated gorilla families found in Uganda as gorilla parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park itself has got 18 habituated gorilla families leaving Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with only one habituated gorilla family. All the 19 habituated gorilla families are available for the gorilla. Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park has got 4 sectors and each sector receives visitors on daily basis for gorilla trekking. The sectors are Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. For those trekking gorillas in the Ruhija sector, they will be trekking habituated gorilla families such as the Orugoza gorilla family, Bitura gorilla family, Mukiza gorilla family, and Kyanguriro gorilla family. In the Buhoma gorilla trekking sector, there are Rushegura Gorilla family, Habiyanja gorilla family, Katwe Gorilla family, and Mubare gorilla family group. Rushaga Gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi has got gorilla families such as Bweza gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Nshongi Gorilla family, Kahungye Gorilla family group, Bikyingi Gorilla family, Mucunguzi gorilla Family and Busingye gorilla Family and lastly, in Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector, the habituated gorilla families include Bushaho, Christmas Gorilla Family, and Nkuringo gorilla family. Nyakagezi is the only habituated gorilla family group that is found in Mgahinga Gorilla national park and that is available for gorilla trekking.

What is the cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?

From 19 habituated gorilla families, it means that Uganda has about 176 gorilla trekking permits are available per day. The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is cheap as compared to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and this itself makes Uganda a good and best gorilla trekking destination. The Mountain gorilla in Uganda are many as compared to those in Rwanda and this is the reason why the cost of gorilla trekking is cheaper in Uganda as compared to Rwanda’s gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs united stated dollars 700 for foreign-Nonresidents and United States dollars 600 for foreign residents. While east African citizens pay Uganda shillings 250, 000. The gorilla trekking permit grants you 1-hour viewing of mountain gorillas and believes me, this is one of the memories activity that you can ever have in Africa’s wildness. This price is the same for both gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. . In peak season that comes in the dry season in January, February, July, Augusts, September, and December, the gorilla trekking permits tent to sell out, and thus we recommend you to book with us and confirm your intending dates of travel and then we check the availability of the gorilla permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority and once we find availability then we shall give you the feedback by sending you the invoice to start making the payment for gorilla trekking permit and still if they are not available you can revisit and choose other dates that have the availability. We can as well advise otherwise.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s parks of  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park is best-done s during the dry season of the year however trekking gorillas is open daily throughout the year. The months that present the best time for gorilla trekking include January February and from June to early September. These months experience less or little rainfall but because of the tropical climate anytime weather /climate can change so it’s good that when you’re going gorilla trekking you when you’re prepared for any weather changes. It is also important to note that sometimes the rainy season is considered goof for seeing gorillas the fact that rains come with a lot of food for the gorillas all over the park and thus gorillas can easily be seen during the rainy season. There is also a tendency of gorilla trekking permits being sold out quickly in Uganda especially in the drier months of the year as indicated which are regarded as peak/high season in Uganda and therefore you must book your gorilla trekking permit in advance or in time in order not to miss an opportunity to trek and see the engendered mountain Gorillas.

How get to Uganda for gorilla trekking?

Visitors can get to Uganda through Entebbe international airport and start an 8-9 hours road trip journey to western Uganda for gorilla trekking. As you move, you can make a stopover at the equator for some snacks and breakfast or you can directly fly to Bwindi or Mgahinga for gorilla trekking via Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrips. Though using the road is long, the journey is entertaining and enjoyable as there is a lot to see on your way on the road. Visitors can as well drive from Kigali international airport to cross the Katuna or Cyanika borders of Rwanda and Uganda to access the Rushaga gorilla trekking trail heal of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. While accessing Uganda, you can also fly to Kigali international airport and then cross to Uganda via Katuna or Cyanika Border points and you will access Uganda’s parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga for about 4-5hours to drive from Kigali Rwanda to Uganda.  This journey through Kigali international airport becomes very easy when you acquire an East African visa what will enable you to cross the East African countries of Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. A multiple Visa is available at United States dollars 100 and you can get it on your arrival at Airport. Still, single-entry visas are available for Uganda, a single entry visa is at USD50 and USD30 for Rwanda single entry Visa. Uganda is one of the very accessible countries and whose security is maximum to ensure the safety and security of the tourism activities and the people consuming these activities.

Where can you stay on a gorilla trekking trip in Uganda?

Both Ugandan gorilla parks Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parka have got various accommodation facilities in form of lodges, hotels, and camps where you can stay based on your interests and budget. There are budget accommodation facilities, midrange accommodation facilities, and upmarket or luxury accommodation facilities. In Mgahinga National park, visitors for gorilla trekking can stay at Lake Mulele Safari Lodge, Gahinga lodge, and Lake Chahafi resort. In Bwindi, there a variety of accommodation facilities which include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, gorilla forest camp, Trekkers tavern lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Four Gorilla Lodge, you can as well stay at Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla, Bwindi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge and Buhoma lodge among others. Accommodation facilities in Rushaga are very many and you need to make you’re booking as early enough to ensure you get a better accommodation facility to stay at during your gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi starting from Rushaga Gorilla trail Head. These accommodation facilities can be fully booked especially during the peak season calling you to book in advance.