Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga National Park is part of the Congo which is part of the Virunga’s National Park and Volcanoes National Park. It has only one habituated Gorilla family. The rest of Gorilla groups are inhabited in Bwindi impenetrable National Park with a maximum of 500 mountain Gorillas that are split into 37 social groups, the 36 are in Bwindi, the 11 habituated Gorilla groups are visited every day and 1 group is kept for research and habituation process.
The park has four Gorilla sectors including Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma, a maximum of eight people is allowed to trek each Gorilla family and permits is charged at a cost of 800 USD per each person.
It takes a maximum of 9 hours to reach the park and 11 hours depending on the traffic jam on the road however up countries there is no traffic jam to you will drive smoothly as you spot a number of things including the rolling hills, of Kigezi, cattle grazing, the area is normally referred to as the Switzerland of Africa.
Uganda is the only country where trekkers can decide to go for a habituation process and the ticket costs 1500 USD. Habituation takes place only in Uganda Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
A gorilla trekking safari in Uganda always starts at least 3 months in advance by booking a gorilla permit through a tour operator.
A day before your trekking safari, we shall make sure you sleep near or within mountain gorilla park so that you are able to get up early to join the trekking crew. On your day of trekking in the morning take your breakfast and pack a trekking snack and water if you want and then head to the trekking headquarters for a briefing.
The briefing starts a trekking experience and it usually gives you a glimpse of what you expect in the jungle. The briefing may take about 30 minutes and when its done you will be divided into small groups of 8 members and then the assigned ranger will lead into this trek.
You will then set off for a trek into the jungle/forest. Depending on which park you are trekking, you may spend about 4-7 hours in the forest with only 1 hour spent with the gorillas. During this trekking experience you may be lucky to see a variety of bird species, vegetation, mammals and other primates.
When you get up close to the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide will tell you on what to do and you will use one hour enjoying the company of these giants. A group of 8 members visits one gorilla family and so you will spend that hour with one gorilla family.
After that one hour, the ranger will guide you on how to leave the mountain gorilla’s presence without distracting them and then you will go back to the headquarters. Slopping down the mountain is easier than the climbing.
At the headquarters you will share your experience, if you have questions and inquiries also use the opportunity to share them. You will later be given trekking certificates and be dismissed for other activities and that will be the end of your gorilla trekking safari. Below is a sample of a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park.
Depending on your location in Kampala, our company representative will pick you up to transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with an enroute stopover at Equator for some refreshments and also taking videos and pictures to show people you left at home. You will continue to Mbarara at Igongo cultural center for lunch and later proceed to the park. Upon arrival check in the accommodation of your choice according to your budget plan for dinner and overnight stay. Optional lodges include; Gorilla safari lodge (luxury), Rushaga gorilla lodge (mid-range) and Nshongi camp (budget).
The next morning after having breakfast, you will have your packed lunch and meet up with your driver to head to the parks headquarters for briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed while on a trek. After they have divided you into groups of members, you will enter the forest to start the trek.
The hike can take about 4-7 hour depending on where the gorillas are located since they tend to move while searching for food. Once you reach the gorillas, you will be given 1 hour to with them in their natural habitat. After you can return to the lodge for evening relaxation as your waiting for dinner or you can choose to go for a community tour where you will interact with the local people such as the Batwa.
The following morning, wake up on a cup of tea and get ready to transfer to Mgahinga national park via the Kisoro Road. Upon your arrival, you will check in at the lodge of choice for lunch and some refreshments. Optional lodges include Mount Gahinga lodge(luxury), Travelers rest hotel(mid-range) and Amajambere Iwacu camp. After lunch you can go for bird watching along the Sabinyo gorge trail. You will encounter a variety of bird species which include; Rwenzori Turaco, white necked raven, ibis, grey capped warbler, waxbills, pin –tailed whydah, paradise flycatcher and yellow vented bulbul among others. Later return to park for dinner and overnight stay.
After having breakfast, you will head to the trekking starting point for a briefing about your second gorilla trekking and after you will go on a trek of the one habituated group in Mgahinga national park. The hike can take about 4-7 hour depending on where the gorillas are located since they tend to move while searching for food. Once you reach the gorillas, you will be given 1 hour to with them in their natural habitat. After you can return to the lodge for evening relaxation as your waiting for dinner.
The next morning after having breakfast and checking out the lodge, you will embark on your journey to Kampala and you have your enroute lunch on the way depending on where lunch time finds you. Reaching Kampala, you will go to the Airport to catch up with your flight and that will be the end of your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. Nature Adventure Africa Safaris eagerly waits to welcome you to Uganda.
