Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

GUIDE TO SEE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Gorilla trekking in Uganda : Uganda is popularly known as the best destination to do gorilla trekking in the world, Uganda is one of the few countries where it is possible to have a once – in – a-lifetime journey to see the incredible mountain gorillas which live in the Central Africa’s rainforests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mountain gorillas are endangered and rare species which is why there is no other wildlife encounter in Africa which compares to coming face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural setting.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an incredible wildlife adventure which involves hiking through the mountainous Virunga – Bwindi rainforest jungles in attempts of locating and observing the Africa’s endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. Since mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity, they can only be seen by tourists by trekking into their natural habitats.

The guided trekking tours take tourists through rugged, steep terrain, thick jungles and tall, tangled scrubs reaching up to 14,763 feet (4,500groups of eight pe meters) elevations.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is offered on a daily basis with the daily treks beginning at the visitor center locations at 08:00 am in small controlled groups of 8 people, an expert tracker and two armed rangers. The trekking guides carry a fine-edge machete which they use to clear your path and a walkie – talkie to communicate with other rangers and trackers who normally leave earlier at dawn to track the gorillas before they leave their nests and stay with them through the day.

They send coordinates to your tracker to make your trekking less challenging.

When you finally locate the gorillas, you are allowed to stay with the gorillas for one hour and keep a safe distance of about 32 ft (10 m), during the experience there is less movement.

Mountain gorillas are known to have a very calm demeanor and graciously ignore tourists’ presence unless they get out line and pose a threat to them.

Staying in the presence of mountain gorillas for 60 minutes while observing them in their natural environment is an unforgettable experience only the privileged can enjoy.

Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda

Uganda has two gorilla destinations where you see mountain gorillas in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, these two parks offer gorilla trekking excursions at five trailheads that is Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma and Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Ntebeko in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are all under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

These 5 sectors combined have 20 habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with a total of 160 gorilla trekking permits available daily.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Parkis the best destination to see mountain gorillas, Bwindi Forest is home to half of the world’s total population living in the prehistoric, montane and lowland forest spanning 131 square kilometers.

The park protects an incredible biodiversity and many endangered species protected with in the jungle, thus recognizing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s four gorilla sectors that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija sectors host habituated gorilla families that are

• Mubare Gorilla Family – Buhoma
• Muyambi Gorilla Family – Buhoma
• Katwe Gorilla Family – Buhoma
• Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Buhoma
• Rushegura Gorilla Family – Buhoma
• Bitukura Gorilla Family- Ruhija
• Oruzogo Gorilla Family – Ruhija
• Nkuringo Gorilla Family – Nkuringo
• Nshongi Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Mishaya Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga
• Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Kyaguriro Gorilla Family – Ruhija
• Bushaho Gorilla Family – Nkuringo
• Bikingi Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Kutu Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Mucunguzi Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Rwigi Gorilla Family – Rushaga
• Christmas Gorilla Famil – Nkuringo

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla park in Uganda covering an area of 13 square miles, the park is par of the more extensive Virunga habitat stretching 168 square miles into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is dominated by three forest volcanoes which are part of a chain of 8 Virunga Volcanoes that are Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo.

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

How difficult is gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is quite challenging that is due to the rough terrain, the impenetrable misty jungles and unpredictable weather. Also, the gorilla treks take place at high altitudes of around 2,600 m (8,500ft).

The southwestern Uganda features emerald terraced hills and rugged landscapes and it is clear this part of the country is not for faint hearted. To reach the mountain gorillas, it is a tough work that requires navigating uphill or downhill through thick tangles of jungle vines, roots and thorns.

Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is only on foot, there are no paths, no signs, no directions and no clearings which is a why the park rangers always carry machetes.

However, the reward for all the hard work is fascinating and the whole experience is worth it.

To many travelers, hiking in the high altitude and the challenging terrain while on gorilla trekking in Uganda, provides them an adventure of a lifetime.

If you are not sure if you will manage the trek, hiring a porter is recommended to assist you during the trek. Porters are often former poachers or people who looked to the protected forest for livelihood.

Is it safe to trek gorillas in Uganda

Getting up-close to the giant mountain gorillas who are not in a chance is very terrifying idea, however gorilla trekking is a very safe activity.

All mountain gorillas in Uganda open for gorilla trekking have been habituated by primatologists, the gorillas have been made used to human presence. Also, safety procedures have been put in place to allow travelers to approach them safely.

Even though the mountain gorillas are habituated to human presence, they are still powerful and unpredictable wild creatures. A silverback can rip you into pieces of they detected any harmful intent for you. On gorilla trekking experience in the forests, you are advised to adhere to the gorilla trekking rules to avoid any dangerous encounters.

All trekkers are escorted by two armed rangers into the gorilla jungles that is to ensure the trekkers security from aggressive attacks and any other unknown threats. You are not allowed to wander away from the trekking group.

As a tourist on a gorilla trekking experience in the forests of Uganda, respect that you are just a guest in the wild and gorillas will tolerate your presence for a specified time. For your safety, do not do anything outside the rules of gorilla trekking, follow the orders of your guide while on gorilla trekking expedition.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$ 700 for Non-Foreign Residents, US$ 600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African Citizens.

However, you need more than just a gorilla permit to make it to the gorilla destinations in Uganda that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

On a Uganda gorilla safari, consider transportation (vehicle and driver – guide), accommodation, meals and tour operator fees that is if you are not backpacking.

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round, however the best time for this incredible experience is during the dry season months of June to August and December to February. In these months the trails are relatively dry and the vegetation cover is less, the dry season coincides with the peak season which is why you should book for your gorilla permits in advance.