For Uganda Gorilla safaris, this a special gorilla destination in the world, and a home to the known population of mountain gorillas, harboring more than half of the total number of these species in the world. The south western based national parks, Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga are the proud shelters of the mountain gorillas, and other 2 national parks in East Africa, that is Virunga national park in D.R. Congo and Volcanoes National park in Rwanda.
Of all, Bwindi is the most famous park with huge population of endangered mountain gorillas, about 640 individuals dwelling in its 4 sectors; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. The other half is accommodated by the remaining three parks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the best Africa’s mountain gorilla trekking destinations. Trekking mountain gorillas in the wild is incredibly the most sought-after wildlife encounter by majority of visitors on a safari in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi entirely involves a trek through the dense vegetation and steep slopes in search for a habituated gorilla family. An estimate of 459 mountain gorillas of the 1063 that still exist on earth are all surviving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park protects the biggest population of these endangered species and the rest are concentrated in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park.
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Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
Location and accessibility of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is shared among three districts; Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro districts in the Southwestern corner where Uganda meets the D.R. Congo. This stunning gorilla park is reachable within 8-10 hours of driving from Kampala capital city and 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali, capital city of Rwanda. It extends up-to 331sq.kms of land area comprising largely of a dense rain-forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a composition of 4 major mountain gorilla trekking sectors and they include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija.
How many habituated gorilla group families are in Bwindi?. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the largest number of habituated gorilla families about 20 and they can be trekked in any of the park’s 4 regions. The existing gorilla groups to track in this park include Kutu, Rwingi, Katwe, Mubare, Christmas, Oruzongo, Mukiza, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Busingye, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bweza, Mishaya, Nshongi, Bikingi, Bushaho and Nkuringo. Each of them is trekked by only 8 visitors per day.
The best time to visit Bwindi national park for a gorilla trekking safari. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is open to tourists all-year round. But the dry season is undoubtedly the best time to trek gorillas and this is usually from June to September and December to February. There is relatively less or no rain fall received during the dry season and the trails remain drier making it easier to navigate through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest while on a trek to view gorillas. The wet or rainy season is incredibly significant for gorilla trekking but the disadvantage of it is that it is when heavy rainfall is recorded. The trails and steep slopes become muddy or slippery. However, plenty of forage is available during this period for gorillas to feed on. The wet or rainy months to take note include March-May and October-November.
What is the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda? Gorilla permits in Uganda can be purchased at US Dollars 700 if you are a foreign non-resident, 600 US Dollars for foreign residents and UG.Shs. 250,000 for East African Community citizens. These rates apply to visitors on gorilla tour to Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The simplest way to book a gorilla permit in Uganda is through a reliable ground tour operator. We encourage all travelers intending to come to Uganda to ensure they secure their permits at least 2 or 4 months before the actual date of gorilla trekking, to avoid disappointments, because permits are highly demanded.
The dos and don’ts to observe during a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi
Maintain a physical distance of 7 meters from gorillas at all times.
You will have only 1 hour of a close interaction with gorillas upon finding them.
Taking photos using a camera with a flashlight is prohibited.
Only visitors above 15 years are eligible to purchase gorilla permits and visit the gorillas.
It is not allowed for you to go track gorillas when sick or ill.
Every gorilla group is strictly trekked by only 8 visitors.
Do not smoke or drink before gorillas.
Items / requirements for gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi national park. The list of items you need to have on gorilla trek include sun hat, rain jacket, insect repellents, waterproof hiking boots, trousers, a valid gorilla permit, visa, daypack, snacks, sweaters, long sleeved shirt, first aid kit, camera without flashlight, bottled drinking water, sun glasses.
Accommodation for your stay during gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a wide range of accommodation options and there is possibility to choose from budget, mid-range to luxury lodges. The lodges to have overnight stay here include among others Gorilla Forest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp and many more.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second safari park after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where mountain gorilla trekking is only carried out in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga provides tourists an opportunity to draw close to mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat and it is an experience of lifetime! Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is remarkable and unlike other gorilla parks - Bwindi, Volcanoes National Park or Virunga National Park, visitors enjoy trekking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga without worries of overcrowding. Only one habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi gorilla group) exists and open for trekking in this park making it an exceptional gorilla trekking safari park.
Location and accessibility of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the stunning gorilla destinations in Africa and also the smallest among the 10 national parks in Uganda. It is perched in the extreme side of Uganda, Kisoro district in the southwest. Compared to the rest of mountain gorilla parks, Mgahinga occupies only 33.7 Sq. Kms of land area and its establishment in 1991, was purposely to protect a section of mountain gorillas. This protected area sprawls within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) that also covers the Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is named after Gahinga Volcano, one of the 3 magnificent volcanoes within this park. Others include Muhabura (4,127m) and Sabinyo (3,634m) thus making it also one of the best volcano hiking destinations.
When to visit Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking experience. When it comes to gorilla safaris, Mgahinga is open to tourists all year through. But the dry season is the best time for visitors to track mountain gorillas in this park. The dry months of the year in Mgahinga National Park start in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. Compared to other months of the year, the dry months register low rainfall and the trails remain drier making it simpler for you to trek mountain gorillas.
How much do gorilla permits cost in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? The rates for gorilla permits in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are similar to those for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is overall organ in charge of issuing permits. Over 80% of these permits are issued to tour operators and 20% remain in UWA, each costs US Dollars 700 for non-foreign residents, US Dollars 600 foreign residents and Shs. 250,000 East African citizens.
The dos and don’ts to observe during gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga national park. Each day, gorilla treks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park start from Ntebeko offices with briefing on existing gorilla trekking rules. They include keeping a social distance of 7m from gorillas, gorilla trekking strictly for persons above 15 years, keep the gorilla habitat clean, wash your hands, strictly 8 visitors are accepted to track one gorilla group per day, an hour of face to face encounter, no use of flashing camera, no drinking, eating or smoking in the presence of gorillas.
Essential requirement to carry on a Uganda gorilla tour in Mgahinga national park. Some of the things to expect to have on gorilla trek in Mgahinga include sun hat, daypack which is waterproof, rain-jackets or poncho, gorilla permits, camera with no flashlight, socks, hat, water proof hiking boots, energy giving snacks, sunscreen, gardening gloves, hat, long sleeved shirt, insect repellents, first aid kit and gorilla permits.
Where to stay during and after gorilla trek in Mgahinga national park? Mgahinga Gorilla National Park features fewer lodges compared to Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks but you can spend a night in anyone of the following; Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Amajambere Iwachu Camp, Nkuringo Lodge, Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge and Traveler’s Nest Hotel.
Getting to Mgahinga National Park through Entebbe and Kigali. By road: From Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is accessible 8-10 hours’ drive. Trips to this park begin from Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara city via Kisoro route. Via Kigali airport, undertake 3-4 hours’ drive trip through Cyanika/Katuna border crossing between Rwanda and Uganda. By air: It is easier to fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip. From anyone of these airstrips, you can easily connect to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in a full-size 4x4 drive vehicle.
