Gorilla trekking Uganda experience : Visiting wild mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park

 

Gorilla trekking Uganda experience : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a popular gorilla trekking destination and a perfect place to visit, this blog gives you all the information you need to know about visiting gorillas in Bwindi from how to book it and where to stay?, the cost among other important information you might need.

Mountain Gorillas in the wild: Gorilla Trekking in East Africa

Mountain gorillas were formerly critically endangered species but now endangered species with about 1,006 individuals living in the wild, mountain gorillas are found in two populations. Uganda has the most number of mountain gorillas and the rest live in groups in neighboring countries of Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Mountain gorillas scientifically known as (Gorilla Beringei Beringei) live in tropical rainforests and are vegetarians, their daily bites mainly consist of berries, bamboo, leaves, stems and fruits. Male mountain gorillas also known as the silverback can grow up to 190 cm in length and can easily weigh more than 150 kg, reproduction in mountain gorillas is slow in that a female gorilla produces 1 young in 4 or more years.

Why are gorillas endangered: Threats to the mountain gorillas

The major threats to gorillas are deforestation, habitat loss and climate change. Also, poaching on the gorillas still occur. The locals like to eat gorilla meat, the meat “bush meat” is of great demand on the black market. People seem to like to eat meat from endangered species including gorillas and other great apes.

Fortunately, the population of mountain gorilla is steadily increasing again thanks to tremendous conservation efforts.

Experience Gorilla Trekking: What to expect from a gorilla safari?

Spotting gorillas in the wild is perhaps the most important reason for visiting East Africa for many travelers, as you are planning a gorilla safari is it safe to know that this experience is everything but cheap and you have to book your gorilla permits in advance.

When you arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will be welcomed by the misty jungle and mountains surrounding you. This sight will make your urge to see the mountain gorillas even stronger and at this point, you will realize how special it is to see these primates in the wild.

On the morning of your gorilla trek, you will head to the ranger station early in the morning for briefing about gorilla trekking rules and regulations and what to expect.

Next, the rangers determine which group you are and each group is assigned a gorilla family to trek. The ranger take your physical condition into account when diving the visitors into groups, with ranger and armed guide you will head to the starting point. Enter into the forests of Bwindi in search for mountain gorillas.

The chance of spotting a gorilla family inUganda is very high!

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are monitored 24 hours a day, day and night there are 2 rangers protecting the gorillas from poachers and sharing their location. In this way, the gorilla visitor centre knows where the gorillas are situated.

Therefore the chance of seeing mountain gorillas is almost 100%

Because the rangers know where the gorillas are located, the family that is situated near the visitor center is assigned to tourists who cannot walk that far. If you are lucky, they only have to walk 10 minutes for a wonderful experience with gorillas. The duration of a trek and the distance you have to walk offers from day to day, sometimes a gorilla trek lasts as short as 2 hours but it can also take 8 hours.

Is gorilla trekking safe: Safety and rules for visiting gorillas in Uganda

There is a limit of 8 visitors per day per gorilla family, besides you have to stay with the mountain gorillas for more than 1 hour and also keep a distance of 7 meters. This is to prevent tourists from transmitting diseases to the already vulnerable gorilla family, you can also observe the gorillas from much closer. This depends on where the gorillas are seem, if they are located in an open spot, keeping a distance of 7 meters is easy.

If gorillas are among the thick bushes, then youBwindi Forest will not see them if you keep 7 meter distance. So the rangers allow you to get closer to the primates.

The rangers walking behind the group are carrying a gun, in  you can also encounter elephants and these do not get out of the way for anyone. In such a case, the ranger fires a bullet into the air as a way of scaring them away and keep the visitors safe.

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Bwindi is 15 years

After hours of walking through the rainforest with rangers who are in communication with trackers who normally leave early into the forest, you ranger will tell you when the gorilla family is close. Rangers clear the way with machete, this necessary because there are not permanent trails.

 Out of the blue, you will see a large black fur appearing among all the greenery. You will be advised to keep your voices low, refrain from any unnecessary movement and stay for one hour watching the gorillas going on with their life in the forest.

How difficult is a gorilla trekking in Uganda

Mountain gorillas live in dense rainforests in the mountainous regions, this means that a gorilla tour can be tough especially if you climb and scramble along muddy paths after a rain shower.

There is an option to hire a porter to help you with your luggage, the porter also helps you with the sometimes heavy hike up.

Do you really need a porter? No, but it does make the hike easier. Often porters are people who come from a nearby village, by hiring a porter you support the local community.

How much does a gorilla safari cost in Uganda?

Watching wild mountain gorillas in their natural habitat costs a lot of money, in Uganda the cost of gorilla trek is determine by several factors. A mountain gorilla is a must have to take part in gorilla trek in Uganda, a gorilla permit is a legal document that allows you to visit a gorilla family. By issuing these permits, the government of Uganda through Uganda Wildlife Authority has insight into the number of tourists who visit the mountain gorillas.

The price of the gorilla trekking includes park fee, conservation fee, and ranger and government taxes.

In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $ 800. On a daily, 180 gorilla permits are available daily in Uganda, the only way to purchase a gorilla permit is through an authorized local operator.

How to book a gorilla trekking in Uganda?

To watch gorillas in Uganda, you need to have a gorilla permit which costs $ 800 per person. Make sure you book your gorilla permits via the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you can purchase your gorilla permit 2 years in advance.

Be aware that you can only purchase a gorilla permit through an authorized tour operator

Where in Uganda can you spot wild mountain gorillas?

In Uganda, mountain gorillas can only be see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: a hotspot for gorilla trekking

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most safari gorilla trekking destination located in Southwestern Uganda, the park protects an ancient forest covering more than 330 square kilometers and is one of the most beautiful and wild rainforests in Africa.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four sectors which are Buhoma in the northwest, Ruhija in the northeast, Rushaga in the Southeast and Nkuringo in the Southwest of the park.

When purchasing your gorilla permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you should take note of the sector you will be doing your gorilla trekking.

Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the easiest hike for spotting gorillas and is very accessible therefore it is perfect for visitors with a less physical condition.

Buhoma Sector is also the place with the most luxurious and expensive accommodations.

Ruhija Sector

Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the most budget accommodation and tough hikes, the sector is situated close to Kabale (55 km) a drive 2-3 hours’ drive. Also it is easy to access Ruhija Sector from Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Other sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are Nkuringo and Rushaga Sector, these sectors have fewer accommodation options.

Where to stay in Bwindi Forest National Park?

Where to stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park depends on the sector you are intending to do gorilla trekking, there are a range of accommodation in all the four sectors of Bwindi from Budget, midrange to luxury.

Accommodation options in Buhoma Sector include

• Bwindi Forest Lodge
• Silverback Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
• Trackers Lodge
• Buhoma Haven Lodge
• Mahogany Springs Lodge
• Gorilla Forest Camp

Accommodation options in Ruhija Sector include

• Agandi Eco lodge
• Ruhija Community Camp
• Ruhija Gorilla Lodge
• Bwindi Panorama Resort
• Broad Forest Camp
• Chameleon Hill Lodge

Accommodation options in Nkuringo Sector

• Gorilla Heights Lodge
• Albertine Gorilla Campsite
• Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
• Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
• Virunga Campsite
• Nkuringo Guest House

Accommodation options in Rushaga Sector

• Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
• Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
• Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Bwindi Guest House

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla trekking destination in Uganda also located in South western Uganda, the park is the smallest park in Uganda at a size of 34 square kilometers.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated gorilla family – Nyakagezi gorilla family which is open for gorilla trekking.

Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

There are several accommodation options in Mgahinga ranging from luxury, midrange to budget and they include

• Chameleon Hill Lodge
• Mount Gahinga Rest Camp
• Mount Gahinga Lodge
• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Virunga Hotel
• Traveler’s Nest Hotel

What is the best time to go for a gorilla trekking?

It is possible to do gorilla tracking in Uganda all year round , however the best time is during the dry seasons that is December to February and June to September.

Packing list for Gorilla trekking: what to bring with you on a safari?

To have an amazing mountain gorilla trekking experience, you need to be well prepared and the following are the items you should include in your packing list

• garden gloves
• Sunglasses
• Regenjas of poncho
• Walking sticks
• Long pants
• T-shirt with long sleeves
• Hiking boots
• High socks
• Lunch and snacks!
• 2-litre water
• Mosquito spray
• Camera gear