Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Gorilla Park
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Gorilla Park: Arguably the largest national gorilla park in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Located near Mgahinga National Park in southwest Uganda, the park is a part of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area. After the Batwa were forced to leave the forest in 1991, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1992 to protect and preserve the forest, mountain gorillas, and other animal and plant species.
In an effort to preserve Uganda’s mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park was designated as a national gorilla park. The greatest remaining mountain gorilla population in the world can be found in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. These four sectors of Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo have more than 21 gorilla families, together with two semi-habituated gorilla families for habituation.
Gorilla trekking is the primary activity that attracts many visitors globally to encounter mountain gorillas in Bwindi Gorilla Park. Upon seeing mountain gorillas, you are allocated 1 hour to see these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. A valid gorilla trekking permit that is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority is key to granting you permission to see mountain gorillas. During gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park, it will require you to use a local tour operator like Journeys Uganda, who will help you to book the permits, transport, and accommodation. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Gorilla Park can be done all year round, and the park can be accessed using both road and air transport in a single day.
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi gorilla park
The most popular activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, which is conducted by armed ranger guides. Four areas of the park, including Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga, are used for the activity. In every sector of the park, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning. Before being taken to the sector offices, trekkers must get up early and eat breakfast at their accommodation. The sector headquarters is where the trekkers are grouped, given armed ranger guides to take them through the forest, and informed of the rules and regulations of the trekking activity.
Trekkers head to the starting points, where they are given walking sticks and can hire porters for a reasonable price if they have too much luggage. In search of the designated mountain gorilla family, the trekkers follow the armed ranger guides around the various trekking trails. It takes two to seven hours to find mountain gorillas, during which time you may encounter a variety of park species, including gigantic forest hogs, buffalos, duikers, side-striped jackals, bushpigs, birds, and forest elephants.
Once the mountain gorillas have been located, the hikers are allowed to spend an hour with them and see their daily routines, which include travelling, climbing, nesting, hunting, eating, and many other things. The laws and restrictions that are taught at the park headquarters must be followed by the trekkers. After obtaining their trekking certifications and trekking out of the jungle, the trekkers meet the drivers who will take them to the resort or their next stop.
How much is gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park?
Only individuals with valid gorilla trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are permitted to gorilla trek in Bwindi Gorilla Park. Foreign non-residents must pay $800 and foreign residents must pay $700, while East African citizens must pay Shs300,000 for gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi. For the same amount, you can get gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Gorilla Park via the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reputable local tour operator like Journeys Uganda. It is recommended that visitors planning to visit Bwindi Gorilla Park reserve their permits in advance to prevent last-minute cancellations.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Among the key equipment to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include a first aid kit, a pair of gaiters, cotton stocks, gloves, a light backpack, a warm rainy jacket, energy-giving snacks, long-sleeved pants, waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, a pair of binoculars, and a drinking water bottle.
Accommodation on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi gorilla park
Accommodation in Buhoma sector
Mahogany Springs Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, and Ride 4 Women Guest House.
Accommodation in Rushaga sector
Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.
Accommodation in Nkuringo sector
Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Virunga Campsite, Nshongi Camp, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge.
Accommodation in Ruhija sector
Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Trekkers Tavern, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, and Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge.