Make it a goal to have a gorilla trekking experience when you plan to have an off-road safari in Uganda in both Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks. These semi-human species attract masses of people from around Africa and the world at large.
Having a gorilla trek in Uganda is very wise because our national parks famous for mountain gorillas harbor more than half of the of the world’s remaining population of gorillas. Uganda’s parks further provide the widest range of trekking routes in Africa.
A gorilla trekking experience is an enjoyable and achievable activity you can undertake for a cost of $800 in Uganda. There is a lot to expect as you undertake the activity such as having a face to face encounter with a silver back, walking down the trails of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park to spot the mountain gorillas.
What to pack for a gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi or Mgahinga-Uganda
Hiking boots- This is for walking the trails of the bush in comfort and for safety of the feet in case you trip.
Good camera: This will be good for you to snap the silver back, other gorillas and yourself in the wilderness.
Rain coat: Gorilla trekking can be a fun activity but with unexpected weather changes of rain at any time amidst your trek.
Ensure to be fit for walking as the trails are not for the weak. Therefore, one should be very prepared for the trek, exercising before walking. Walking to spot the gorillas can be tedious as it takes long hours 2-3 hours.
For you to have a glamorous experience while gorilla trekking in Uganda, you need to book the gorilla trekking permits in advance, such as 6-8 months before you set foot in Uganda. Permits are always limited because there is need to conserve and preserve the endangered species. This can be done through booking from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), or trusted car rental and tourism companies such as Your Drive Uganda that will ensure availability of permits in the different sectors
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
It has many gorillas that attract a large number of people. It has 4 sectors such as Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga.
Rushaga: This is in the southern part of the park and has the largest number of gorillas to give a better gorilla habituation process.
Nkuringo: This is a great sector for those looking for more and extra ordinary gorilla trek. It is a challenging trek here because of the nature of the trails that are mountainous. It is a sectore reserved for only gorilla trekking.
Ruhija: The sector is re-known for having dense rain-forest and is situated on a higher elevation point. It is a paradise for bird enthusiasts because numerous bird species are all found here. It is a sector reserved for gorilla trekking and bird watching.
Buhoma: If you want to hit two birds with one stone (have a cultural visit and gorilla trek), Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest is your ideal place. This is known for its easy access, cultural visits and those seeking of kind of smooth trek. It is the most developed sector with a good number of gorilla families and you can have a Batwa cultural experience here.
Trekking in this park can take 2-7 hours while spot the gorillas. Once they are in sight, expect to observe their feeding habits, sight the dominant silver back, mother gorillas nursing their infants and gorilla social interactions.
To carry out this activity, one has to acquire permits that allow them spend an hour with the gorilla families. Only 8 persons are allowed to visit the gorillas and this is done for conservation and preservation.
It is wise to note that gorilla trekking permits easily sell out because of the large number of tourists that come to engage in this activity.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
This is located in the southern part of Uganda, closet to Kisoro district town. It mostly has habituated gorilla families such as the Nyakagezi gorilla group. This group is famous for being calm and photo genic.
The hiking experience in Mgahinga is 2-6 hours with an eight people group. Visitor always have one hour to thoroughly study and photograph the gorillas. This park is known for being less crowded compared to Bwindi.
Best times for a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda
The best times for gorilla trekking in Uganda is the dry season (July to August and December to February). This is the ideal time for walking on the trails as they are dry and less slippery and you can have an interrupted face to face interaction with the gorillas.
The rainy season is also a good time to trek for gorillas because you will the full sight of Uganda’s full and lush vegetation based in the game parks, and still having the gorillas in sight. There is always chances of you enjoy the trails in less crowded groups, as people are fewer. Adventure will be at its peak with the muddy trail that give who another realm of enjoyment.
What to expect during a gorilla trekking experience
Unique experience: When you have a gorilla safari in Bwindi or Mgahinga of Uganda, there will be an automatic shift in some opinions and attitudes as you engage with these endangered animal species. It is another experience on the Pearl’s soil, with
Comfortable lodges: You will be surprised at how organized and beautiful the lodging areas of these parks are. These are often situated in areas with beautiful view, allowing you to sight animals, birds, lands capes in safety and comfort.
Wildlife conservation: The money paid for gorilla trekking and habituation contributes a lot to the resource mobilization to protect the gorillas in the parks and also the local community near these reserved places. The money can contribute to societal wellbeing such as construction of school infrastructure.
Closeness with gorillas. This is done through a small group size allowed to participate in any gorilla activity, which is eight persons per gorilla family. This is provide a more intimate experience with the gorillas and also protect them. Protection of the gorillas is ensured through the visitors not using flash photography, leaving seven meters away from the gorillas.
Observation of gorillas. Since there are a few persons at go hat visit the gorillas, one gets to have an up close observation of the creatures. This detailed observation will be at least for an hour as you sight gorillas in their natural habitat, observing their feeding style, expressions and other social behaviors.
Beautiful rain forests: As you trek in the prestigious Bwindi and Mgahinga parks, you will get a live experience of nature, with different tree species. The muddy or dry trails make the experience even more interesting.
Knowledgeable guides: The guides in the parks are very wise ad knowledgeable about the maps of these forests, the trails, and the way of life of the gorillas. They also all safety precautions that keep the gorillas and visitors safe during the adventure.