Uganda Gorilla Trekking: In Uganda, tourists can only get to track mountain gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which are all located in the southwestern part of the country.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is totally and absolutely safe for any visitors planning to partake in the exciting, thrilling, and adventurous activity. Most national parks in Uganda are safe and while on your gorilla trekking adventure, visitors are always accompanied by experienced guides and armed park rangers for extra security.
before trekking gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks, trekkers are briefed and given a set of guidelines to follow while tracking the gorillas.
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is during June- September and December- February when it is the dry season. During this time of the year, it is much easier for visitors to trek through the forest while locating the gorilla groups. However, gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done all year round.
Obtaining a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is quite simple with visitors having the option of acquiring a Uganda gorilla permit from a trusted tour operator or directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, whether you are using a tour operator or the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you will need to present a copy of your valid ID or passport.
It is recommended that tourists visiting Uganda on a gorilla trekking safari, pack light clothing for warm weather when temperatures in the park are high. However, also pack with you a raincoat for emergency purposes, as you will be in a forest where it can rain at any given time. Also pack with you a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen cream and a water bottle/mineral water to keep hydrated as you trek.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is located in southwestern Uganda. The park covers a surface area of 34km² making it Uganda’s smallest national park.
The national park has one habituated transboundary mountain gorilla group named the Nyakagezi gorilla group and visitors can track this group. Transboundary mountain gorillas are basically mountain gorillas that are shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. These gorillas are always moving and crossing into the boundaries of the three countries, with the most recent migration in early November 2019, when about 20 gorillas crossed over from the Democratic Republic of Congo into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park is easy compared to Bwindi National Park because the gorillas of Mgahinga are easy to locate and see in their natural habitat.
Other activities that visitors can take part in while on a visit to Mgahinga National Park include; cultural tours/ community walks where visitors can get to visit Batwa village communities within the park, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, hiking, and nature walks.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Visitors who choose to trek mountain gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda can be well assured that they are going to have the experience of a lifetime. The national park is located in Kanungu district in the southwestern part of Uganda. The park covers an area of 321 km² and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 348 species of birds, 120 mammal species, and 220 butterfly species.
Gorilla trekkers in Bwindi National Park should know that the national park is a habitat for an estimated 400 gorilla individuals. There are 19 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi and these can be tracked from four sectors namely; the Ruhija sector located east of the park, the Buhoma sector in the of the park, the Rushaga sector situated of Bwindi National Park, and finally Nkuringo sector located in the southern part of the park.
Where to stay
Visitors on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi National Park in Uganda, have a number of accommodation facilities that provide guests with decent and comfortable lodging, ranging from budget to mid-range and luxury suites. These include; Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Bwindi Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Resort Bwindi, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mantana Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp among others.
Tourists visiting Mgahinga National Park to trek mountain gorillas can book accommodation in the following lodging facilities; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mt. Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp, and Lake Mutanda Resort to mention but a few.
How to Get There.
Tourists intending to travel to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking can opt to travel by road. Visitors can drive about 460 km from Kampala to get to the park’s headquarters in Buhoma. This journey will take you about 8½ hours.
Alternatively, visitors can access the park by air. You can opt to fly from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi and drive for about 1½ hours to Buhoma.
Visitors traveling to Mgahinga National Park can access the park either by road or by Air. The national park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, about 494 km from Kampala City. The journey is approximately 8½ hour’s drive to the national park via the Kabale- Mbarara highway. Alternatively, visitors have the option of flying to Kisoro from Entebbe International Airport. Once you land in Kisoro town, drive 11km to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is a 30-minute journey.
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