Gorilla Safari Destinations in Uganda
Gorilla Safari Destinations in Uganda: One of the few countries with a wealth of natural beauty and varied wildlife, including the endangered mountain gorillas, is Uganda. There are two gorilla safari destinations in Uganda: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Park. Some of the world’s last mountain gorillas can be found in the two conservation reserves. The southwestern region of the nation, which borders Rwanda and Uganda, is home to Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. These gentle giants share 98% of human DNA; mountain gorillas are classified as endangered apes by the ICUN. Over 10,180 mountain gorillas may be found in several national parks across the world, but most of them are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while the least number is in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, specifically in the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area.
The most popular activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is gorilla trekking, which offers visitors an hour-long chance to see fully habituated mountain gorillas. Through a process known as “gorilla habituation,” which is exclusive to Bwindi Gorilla Park, visitors can spend four hours with mountain gorillas and help them become accustomed to human presence, which enables visitors to come close to these gentle giants as they study their behaviours. A valid gorilla trekking permit is required to enter Uganda’s gorilla parks, which are open throughout the year.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
In Uganda, the top renowned destination for mountain gorilla trekking is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Covering 331 square kilometres of tropical rainforest, the park is tucked away in southwestern Uganda. The largest population of mountain gorillas in Uganda and the entire globe may be found in Bwindi Gorilla Park, which was gazetted in 1992. There are two semi-habituated mountain gorilla families and 23 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking is carried out in the four sectors, including Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija, where mountain gorillas can be found. Today, there are 2 gorilla families reserved for habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Ruhija region of Bwindi is home to Habinyanja, Rushengura, Katwe, Muyambi, and Mubare gorilla families. In the Buhoma region, the Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Oruzogo, and Mukiza families are gorillas. The Nkuringo, Bushaho, and Christmas gorilla families are located in the Nkuringp district of Bwindi. The Rushaga region of Bwindi is home to the Nshongi, Bikingi, Rwigi, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Kutu, Mucunguzi, and Kahunggye gorilla families.
Mgahinga gorilla park
The smallest park in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park, is situated in the southwest of the country. The park is among the world’s four luckiest locations to see mountain gorillas. With a total size of 33.7 square kilometers, Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the world’s smallest gorilla park. There is only one mountain gorilla family accessible for trekking in Mgahinga National Park, which has the smallest population of any gorilla park.
The only mountain gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla Park that has been tapped for tourism is the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group. In a single day, just eight individuals can trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The habituation procedure for the Nyakagezi gorilla family began in 1991, and hiking was permitted in 1994. Originally relocating to parts of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the ten-member gorilla family now resides in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is conducted in the two gorilla parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks. The southwestern region of Uganda is home to both gorilla parks, and visiting gorillas in either area offers the same experience. Those who are at least 15 years old and who possess valid trekking permits issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority are permitted to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda.
Early in the morning, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks begins at several park offices. Trekkers must get up early for breakfast at their lodges because trekking in all parks begins at 8:00 pm. Early in the morning, the driver guides will take you to the briefing points.
At the briefing site, park wardens check for gorilla trekking cards, instruct trekkers on the rules and regulations of the activity, and assign groups of not more than eight persons. These 8 people are allocated to different gorilla families depending on the given sector in Bwindi Gorilla Park, to trek with a somewhat accustomed family. To keep the trekkers safe from potentially harmful wild animals, armed ranger guides guided them the entire way.
It takes 2–7 hours to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mghinga Gorilla Park, where you may see many park mammals, birds, and primates along several trekking pathways. The speed of trekkers and the kind of terrain determine how long it takes to find a family of mountain gorillas. After identifying the designated mountain gorilla family, the trekkers are allowed to spend an hour with the group, observe daily activities, take pictures, and discover more about the behaviours of the members.
How much is gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park require a valid gorilla trekking permit. With a gorilla trekking permit and a card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, visitors can trek a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. In Mgahinga and Bwindi gorilla parks, gorilla trekking permits cost $800 for foreign visitors, $700 for foreign residents, and Shs300,000 for East African citizens.
Gorilla habituation permits are exclusively available in Bwindi Gorilla Park and cost UGX750,000 for East African nationals, $1500 for foreign visitors, and $1000 for foreign residents. The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells gorilla permits, which may be purchased for the same amount from a trustworthy local tour operator. A visitor needs to reserve a gorilla permit in advance before starting a gorilla trekking excursion.
Number of gorilla families in Uganda
Uganda has the largest number of gorilla families among countries having mountain gorilla national parks. There are 23 habituated mountain gorilla families in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks, and two semi-habituated gorilla families can be found in Bwindi Gorilla Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority offers 800 gorilla trekking permits and 8 gorilla habituation permits every day to people who want to reserve and walk the endangered mountain gorillas.
Booking gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Gorilla Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park
Travellers can reserve trekking permits directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a registered local tour operator. When tourists email the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) with the national park, travel dates, and the year they want to visit, the reservation office will check if permits are available. Your banking details will be sent to you by email as gorilla permits become available. Your permit will be booked after you have finished paying and it has been received.
To secure permits for gorilla trekking, tourists need to look for a reputable local tour operator like Journeys Uganda. Travellers must contact us via email about the gorilla park, the month, and the year they wish to visit to begin the process. Our experienced staff will enquire with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to see whether the permits are available. We will email you with the banking details as soon as they are available. As soon as we get the payment, we will arrange the permit for you and send you a scanned copy via email.
When to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking?
In Uganda’s gorilla parks, trekking mountain gorillas is possible all year round, but certain months are better than others. During the dry months of June through September and December through February, gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are at their most entertaining. These months are characterized by little to no rainfall, which dries out the hiking trails; passable roads connect the parks; and the park’s sparse vegetation permits superb photography and unhindered mountain gorilla views.
Visitors can still benefit from substantial discounts on accommodations in Bwindi Gorilla Parks during the rainy season. During the rainy seasons (March to May and October to November), trekking mountain gorillas is challenging. This is due to the difficult roads that lead to the park, the heavy vegetation that blocks the mountain gorillas’ view, and the frequent rains that cause the hiking trails to become muddy and slippery. This is no longer an issue, though, thanks to our skilled drivers and 4×4 safari vehicles.
Accommodation in Bwindi Mgahinga Gorilla Parks
Accommodation options in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks include Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge. Among them are the following: Virunga Campsite, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Mutanda Eco Community Centre.