Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Uganda
Gorilla Trekking a Wildlife activity that involves hiking through the dense Forests in search for Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families you have been assigned to. This activity done with the help of a ranger guide who takes you through the trek.
Uganda has a unique responsibility of conserving these endangered Mountain Gorillas and they are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and also Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest rainforests with more than 25000 years of age. The park is home to almost half of the World’s population of Mountain Gorillas which gives a great opportunity for Gorilla Trekking and Habituation in the park’s sectors like Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. The park harbors 120 mammal species like Elephants, duikers, yellow-backed duiker, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet, numerous bats, rodents and 350 bird species like handsome francolin, purple sunbird, red headed blue bill, African blue cuckoo, regal sunbird, breasted sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson among other bird species.
You can access Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by road from Kampala and it’s about 508km and from Kigali it’s about 164km. By Air, access is through Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest National park in Uganda with an approximate area of 33.7 sq.km. It forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is located in the extreme boarder between Uganda and Rwanda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boosts of being the only park in Uganda where one can trek the Golden monkeys and also the Silverback Gorillas. The park boosts of about 76 mammal species including forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden cats, bush pigs, rodents, bats and also various bird species like handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson-wing, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collard sunbird, blue headed sunbird, regal sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler among others.
Mgahinga National Park is about 48km southwest of Bwindi and it can reached by both road using the same route as Bwindi and also by air.
During a gorilla trek, visitors are accompanied by professional ranger guides who take them through the search for these Gorilla Families. After the gorillas have been located, a maximum of 1 hour is allowed to observe and photograph these gentle giants while maintaining a safe distance to minimize any potential threat on the wellbeing of gorillas and their environment.
Gorilla Trekking not only provides an ultimate wildlife experience but also contributes to the conservation of these endangered species by generating revenue for conservation efforts and also raising awareness about the importance of protecting their natural habitats.
Best time for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is best done in the dry months of June to September and also December to February. During this period, trekking is very enjoyable since it’s very easy to navigate through the dense Impenetrable Forest.
Guidelines followed during Gorilla Trekking
- Ensure to carry with you your payment receipts and Permits.
- Do not visit the gorillas in case you have a cold or other infectious illness.
- Minimum age for Gorilla tracking is 15 years.
- Human waste buried at least 30cm (12inches) deep.
- Maximum number of visitors is 8 persons per Gorilla group.
- Maintain a 7metre (21ft) distance from the gorillas.
- Smoking, eating and drinking prohibited on the tour.
- If you must sneeze or cough, ensure to cover your face and turn away from the Gorillas because they can easily catch coughs and colds from humans.
- Maximum time allowed is 1 hour per gorilla group per day.
- Do not use flash cameras when taking Pictures of the Gorillas.
What to carry for your Gorilla Trekking Safari
- Rain gear and hat
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Solid Hiking boots
- Cap
- Sunscreen
- Drinks and snacks
- Porters available at a small cost