Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is among the most notable activities for travelers interested in primate safaris in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda will lead you to both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, where you will find the mountain gorillas in Africa. For your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will make your way to the misty impenetrable forests, where you will access the habituated gorilla families. For gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, you will hike the Virunga Mountains in Uganda, that is Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Gahinga, where you will access the habituated families along the slopes in the bamboo trees.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda will give you an hour’s access to the gentle giants in their natural habitat as they go about their daily activities in the wild. Before you hike through the forests to access the gorilla families, you will go through a briefing session to understand the rules and regulations to follow for a rewarding safari experience. After the session, you will be assigned to a guide and a ranger to make your safari quite remarkable. The guide will ensure you remain on track and also give you all the relevant information about the gorillas in their natural habitat. The ranger, on the other hand, will make sure you have a safe safari experience to avoid wild animal attacks.
A gorilla trekking permit is obtained through a trusted tour operator who will book it through the Uganda Wildlife Authority website. Residents pay 700usd, 800usd for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX for the East Africans. A gorilla trekking permit is valid for only the day of gorilla trekking and gives you one hour to spend with the species. On the other hand, in case of an emergency, one can reschedule and participate in the activity on a later date.
Packing list for gorilla trekking
- A camera to capture beautiful moments of the primates in their natural habitat
- Hiking boots to ensure you hike smoothly through the impenetrable forests
- Insect repellent to avoid being bitten by bugs
- Rain jackets cause it can rain at any given time of the year
- Gardening gloves to avoid being pierced by nettles and so on
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Sunscreen for when you participate in the activity during the dry season
- Snacks can cause the whole experience to last between 2 and 8 hours
- Plenty of water to hydrate while you hike in the park.
- Thick socks to avoid blisters after the long hikes.
Best time for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an all-year-round activity, but for travelers who would like to travel and participate in the activity at a specific time, it should be noted that from June- September and December to February, which is the dry season in Uganda, the trails are drier, making it easy to spot the species. Travelers can also participate in the activity during the rainy season from March to May and the short rains from September to November because food is readily available, which limits the movements of the gorillas, making it easier for one to access them.
