Best Gorilla Encounter Spots in Uganda
Best Gorilla Encounter Spots in Uganda: Are you looking for the best places to see Uganda’s mountain gorillas? Well, dive into the world of mountain gorillas that are found in the two locations in the southern part of Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The world’s largest concentration of mountain gorillas is found in these two national parks. These gentle giants share 98% DNA with humans, making them man’s close relatives. Because the park is constantly open, visitors can see Uganda’s mountain gorillas at any time of year. It takes 9-10 hours by road to reach these gorilla parks from Kampala and 2 hours by plane to get there in a single day.
The mountain gorillas are the only subspecies of gorillas found in Uganda, and they are restricted to Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks. Gorillas can also be seen in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park. To see mountain gorillas in Uganda, you need a trekking permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and this is sold to people over the age of 15 years.
The first step in trekking or habituating mountain gorillas is a briefing at the sector headquarters, where participants are instructed on the guidelines for the activity. The 2–7-hour trip around the park’s many trails was conducted by armed ranger personnel. The time it takes to find mountain gorillas usually depends on the group’s location and the trekkers’ speed, but once the family has been found, the trekkers are given a set amount of time to spend with the group, observe members going about their daily lives, take pictures, and learn about their habits.
Gorilla Encounter Spots in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One of the best gorilla encounter spots in Uganda to see mountain gorillas is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world. Since the mountain gorillas were in danger of going extinct, the national park was gazetted in 1990 to save the surviving species. More than 21 mountain gorilla groups and more than 600 mountain gorillas can be seen in Bwindi Gorilla Park. The four sectors of Bwindi Gorilla Park are home to the park’s mountain gorillas, each of which has a distinct family. Mountain gorilla families including Kutu, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, and Kahungye may be found in the park’s southern Rushaga area. Nkuringo sector in Bwindi’s southern sector
Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushengura, Muyambi, and Katwe are the gorilla families found in the Buhoma sector, which is situated on the park’s northern edge. On the park’s eastern side is the Ruhija sector, which is home to mountain gorilla families such as Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Oruzogo, and Mukiza. Interacting with mountain gorillas in each of the Bwindi Gorilla Park’s sectors offers the same experience, and there is a 99% chance of encountering them in the wild. The only location where visitors can see mountain gorilla habituation is Bwindi Gorilla Park. The Rushaga and Nkuringo parts of the park, which are both in the southern section, are where the unique experience is conducted. The Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla families are the only two that have been created for habituation.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Following the gorilla encounter spots in Uganda, the second location in Uganda to observe mountain gorillas is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The national park, which spans 33 square kilometres, is situated in the Kisoro district in the southwest of the nation. Some of the Virunga volcanoes, including Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo, are located within the national park. The national park lies on the border between the DR Congo and Rwanda, close to Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Along with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mgahinga National Park is a part of the Virunga conservation region.
The bamboo vegetation and the slopes of Sabyinyo, Mgahinga, and Muhabura are home to a few mountain gorillas in Maghinga National Park. There is only one habituated mountain gorilla family in Maghinga National Park, the Nyakagezi, which has nine members and is headed by a silverback. Only eight people can hike with the gorilla family in a single day.
Uganda’s Gorilla Permits
People over the age of 15 can purchase gorilla trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority for both Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks. The cost of the gorilla permits $800 for non-foreign residents and $700 for foreign residents, and is UGX300,000 for East African citizens. In Bwindi Gorilla Park, gorilla habituation permits cost UGX750,000 for East African citizens, $1500 for foreign non-residents, and $1000 for foreign residents.
Uganda has the highest number of gorilla permits in the whole world. Bwindi Gorilla Park alone has 152 gorilla trekking permits and 8 gorilla habituation permits. Mgahinga National Park has only 8 gorilla permits since it has only one mountain gorilla family habituated. There are 168 mountain gorilla permits in Uganda, but travellers are advised to book the permits in advance in order to avoid last-minute booking disappointments, especially in the dry season.
Booking gorilla permits in Uganda
Since Bwindi Gorilla Park and Mgahinga National Park are the only locations in Uganda where mountain gorillas can be found, gorilla trekking is conducted there. Direct reservations for gorilla permits are made through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reputable regional tour operator. You will email the Uganda Wildlife Authority or your preferred local tour operator to reserve the gorilla trekking permits.
The national park you wish to visit, the month you wish to trek, and the year you wish to trek must all be included in the email. This data will be used to determine whether trekking permits are available, and you will receive an email with your banking information as soon as they are. A scanned copy of your permit will be provided to you for confirmation after the payment has been received. To avoid last-minute booking disappointments, travellers are encouraged to reserve their gorilla permits three to four months in advance.
What to park for a gorilla safari in Uganda?
When planning for a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, ensure that you are equipped with the following: long-sleeved shirts and pants, a camera, binoculars, a sun screen, a backpacker, hiking shoes, insect repellents, a pair of gaiters, a waterproof jacket and shoes, drinking water bottles, and many others.
What is the best time to see gorillas in Uganda?
Bwindi gorilla park and Mgahinga gorilla park have 2 dry seasons and 2 wet seasons. The 2 dry seasons are the best to see gorillas in Uganda, and they happen from June to September and December to February. They are characterised by little or no rainfall that leaves the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is short and scattered with good views of the mountain gorillas, and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Where to stay in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks?
Many lodging options are available in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Gorilla Park for visitors who wish to stay overnight or longer during their safaris. The accommodations available in these parks range from low-cost to mid-range to high-end options, and where you stay will depend on your preferences and financial situation. It is mandatory for visitors to Bwindi Gorilla Park to stay in lodgings located in the areas where they will be trekking mountain gorillas.
Accommodation in Mgahinga gorilla National Park
Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge, Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, Sabyinyo Guest House, Virunga Campsite and Backpackers, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mulehe Lodge, Lake Chahafi Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, and Lake Chahafi Resort are a few of the establishments.
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. Trekkers Tavern, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge. Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 Women Guest House, and Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge.