High Season Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

High Season Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: Most tourists go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at the busiest times of the year. Knowing the ideal time of year to go gorilla trekking is crucial for any visitor planning a trip to Bhutan. The best time of year to visit the park is during the high season, when there are thousands of visitors, gorilla permits are available, and lodging is completely booked. Because little to no rainfall marks it, the high season is also known as the dry season. Because the park is made up of tropical rainy forests, which means it can rain at any time of day, we cannot claim that Bwindi does not receive any rainfall during the dry months.

The low and peak seasons are the two seasons of the year that make gorilla trekking possible in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Since it is considered the best time to see mountain gorillas, the park draws many visitors during the high season. Months like June, July, August, September, December, January, and February receive the highest temperatures, leading to little or no rainfall throughout these months.

A large number of park visitors engage in gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Visiting the national park and spending 1 or 4 hours with mountain gorillas is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so do not miss out. More than half of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi reside in four different park sectors. The Nkuringo region in the south, Ruhija in the east, Buhoma in the north, and Rushaga in the south are home to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain gorillas.

Why should one opt for gorilla trekking in Bwindi during the high season?

One of the reasons that supports high-season gorilla trekking in Bwindi is because of the little to no rainfall. Due to the region’s little to no rainfall, the park is typically dry, and visitors will exit the jungle in the same manner because the foliage is not damp. The trekking trails are always dry during the dry season, except during rainy spells, which make trekking less taxing. The pathways are less slick and less muddy, which has no bearing on trekkers’ pace.

During the dry season, when the park receives sunlight, the vegetation usually dries out and becomes sparse, hence the best time to go gorilla trekking. This makes it easier for trekkers to see the mountain gorillas and other park creatures. Photography becomes easier when the foliage allows for unobstructed views of the mountain gorillas since the photographer will have all the greatest angles to capture images. In contrast to the wet season, driving to and inside Bwindi National Park is considerably simpler during the dry season (high season). People can travel easily during the peak season because the roads are dry and passable despite being dusty.

There is only one disadvantage to gorilla trekking in Bwindi during the busiest time of year, and that is cost. In terms of service providers, everything turns out to be pricey during the peak season. Since they are aware of the large number of clients, the transport service providers increase the cost of hiring. The entire gorilla trekking experience is costly during the peak season since the accommodation is more costly than during the low season when they lower prices to draw in fewer visitors.

How much is gorilla trekking in Bwindi during the high season?

The cost of a gorilla trekking permit is the same in both high and low seasons. The standard gorilla trekking permits cost $800 for non-foreign residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX300,000 for East African citizens. The Gorilla habituation permits also cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UCX750,000 for East African citizens. These permits are available to tourists who wish to spend longer time with mountain gorillas.

Travellers are advised to book in advance if they are planning to go for high-season gorilla trekking in Bwindi Gorilla Park during the busiest time of year. The first thing you need to do is get a gorilla trekking permit, which you can reserve directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a local tour operator like Journeys Uganda. Due to the large number of visitors planning to visit the park during the high season gorilla trekking in Bwindi, permits tend to sell out rapidly; thus, reservations are made 3 to 4 months in advance. It is also a good idea to reserve your accommodation in advance if you want to stay at a place that suits your vacation budget and has the amenities you want.

Things to pack for high-season gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Among the belongings visitors planning for high-season gorilla trekking in Bwindi shouldn’t miss out on include a camera, binoculars, energy-boosting snacks, a light backpack, insect repellent, sanitiser, first aid kit, drinking water bottle, long cotton stocks, waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, a hat, and sunscreen, among others.

Accessing Bwindi

When accessing Bwindi during the peak season, road or air transportation can be used to go to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. Air travel is the fastest option to reach Bwindi in one to two hours. Several airlines, including Bar Aviation Uganda, Fly Uganda, and AeroLink Uganda, offer flights to the Bwindi Gorilla Park. For visitors who would wish to access Bwindi via the Buhoma sector, flights to Bwindi Gorilla Park depart from Kajjansi Airport or Entebbe International Airport and proceed to Kihihi Airstrip; for those traveling to the Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija regions, flights depart from Kisoro Airstrip.

When accessing Bwindi in the peak season, the road trip from Kampala or Kigali can also take visitors to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. By entering Uganda via the Katuna border in Kabale and the Cyanika border in Kisoro, visitors from Kigali can reach Bwindi Gorilla Park in 3 to 4 hours. Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro/Kanungu are all accessible by car from Kampala to the northern and southern regions of the park to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation in Bwindi

While on safari, visitors can stay at any of the several lodging options available in Bwindi Gorilla Park. Where you stay depends on your budget, and these lodging alternatives do range from low-cost to mid-range to high-end. Since these accommodations fill up rapidly, it is recommended that visitors planning to go for high-season gorilla trekking in Bwindi during the busiest times of the year make reservations in advance to avoid missing their preferred lodges, and these include:

Accommodation in the Buhoma sector

Volcanoes: Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, and Ride 4 Women Guest House.

Accommodation in the Rushaga sector

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Resort.

Accommodation in the Nkuringo sector

Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, and Mutanda Eco Community Centre

Accommodation in the Ruhija sector

Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.