Gorilla Trekking Uganda & Rwanda with Rwenzori Experts

With fewer than 1004 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth today, Uganda is a home to half of all these massive creatures making it one of the only three countries in the world where mountain gorilla trekking is conducted. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks. The are 18 gorilla families that have been habituated and already set for tourism purposes, 17 of which are tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 is found in Mgahinga National Park.

Seeing these animals up close in their natural habitat is one of the most impressive wildlife encounters in Africa. Visiting the gorillas directly supports conservation efforts and population growth.

Where to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Uganda mountain gorillas can be found in two great locations for gorilla trekking. You can choose your preferred location for your gorilla tracking depending on your trip arrangements.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a haven for over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Trek through Bwindi’s dense rainforests, divided into four sectors Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.  In Bwindi National Park, gorilla trekking starts from anyone of its 4 major trekking regions; Ruhija sector in the east which comprises of gorilla families such as Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguliro. Buhoma region in the north and consists of gorilla groups like Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare and Rushegura. Nkuringo area in the southern part has groups such as Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho. Rushaga Region which has habituated families such as Kutu, Bikingi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Bweza, Nshongi and Mucunguzi gorilla group.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Smaller but no less captivating, Mgahinga is home to one habituated gorilla family. The park’s volcanic landscape provides a picturesque backdrop for your trek, with opportunities to conquer the peaks or observe playful golden monkeys.

The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this park, tourists can join a 3-day gorilla tour in Mgahinga any time of the year. Within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only habituated gorilla family set for visitors to trek.

What to expect during your Uganda gorilla trek?

Your Uganda gorilla trekking adventure begins with an early morning briefing at the park headquarters. Here, experienced guides will provide essential information about gorilla behavior, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the trek.

The trek itself is an exhilarating journey through the dense rainforests of Bwindi or Mgahinga, following trails that wind through lush vegetation and across varying terrain. The duration of the trek can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family you’ll be visiting.

Once you encounter the gorillas, prepare to be mesmerized. You’ll have one precious hour to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Watch as the gorillas of Africa play, groom each other, and forage for food. Witness the silverback’s gentle leadership and the playful antics of the youngsters. This is an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

How to obtain your gorilla tracking permit?

A gorilla permit is a must-have for trekking. Permits are limited in number and must be booked well in advance, especially during peak seasons. The current cost of a gorilla tracking permit in Uganda is 800USD for foreign non-residents, 700USD for the foreign residents, 300,000UGX for the East African residents and 500USD for the rest of the African residents. Consider booking through a reputable tour operator like Primate Safari Experiences Limited to streamline the process and ensure a smooth experience.

The best to go for gorilla tracking in Uganda

Gorilla Tracking in Uganda can be done any time of the year. Uganda experiences two significant seasons; the dry and wet seasons. Visitors intending to trek mountain gorillas should put in mind that gorilla tracking is an intensive experience that can take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way.

The dry season is the best time for Gorilla Tracking Uganda when the ground is dry. It starts in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During the dry season, the habitat is kept drier which makes it easier for trekkers to hike through dense vegetation and steep slopes to search for mountain gorillas unlike during the wet/rainy season when there is plenty of rainfall which makes the ground muddy and slippery.

The wet season is also considered the low season and starts in March, April, May, October, and November. The advantage of trekking mountain gorillas during the wet or rainy season is that there is plenty of forage for these great apes to depend on and visitors can take fewer hours since they do not move further distances to search for what to feed on in the course of the day.

What to pack for your gorilla tracking in Uganda?

Be prepared for varying weather conditions, as the rainforests can be unpredictable. Pack sturdy hiking boots, waterproof clothing, long-sleeved shirts and pants, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera to capture your unforgettable moments. A comfortable daypack is also essential for carrying your essentials during the trek.

How fit do you need to be for the gorilla tracking in Uganda?

A trek to see mountain gorillas requires you to be physically well and most importantly, maintain your physical fitness before embarking on actual trek.  A gorilla trek in Uganda can last you about 2-6 hours and it involves hiking through the dense vegetation and steep slopes while in search for mountain gorillas.

You need to know that mountain gorillas live in high elevation and because of this; you need adequate drinking water and some energy giving snacks as energy boosters and do not forget hiking stick to help you while on hike. Walking sticks are provided at the park headquarters Besides, hiring a porter is not bad if you do have heavy luggage.

In conclusion

By choosing Uganda for your gorilla trekking adventure, you’re not only embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, but you’re also supporting sustainable tourism and contributing to preserving these magnificent creatures and their habitat. To spice your Uganda safari adventure, there are lot of other interesting attractions to include in your itinerary including traditional game viewing safaris in savanna national parks, chimpanzee tracking, mountaineering, bird watching, sport fishing and simply viewing the rich scenic beauty of Uganda.

 

GUIDE TO GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA’S VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes National Park is a national park in northwestern Rwanda. It covers 160 km2 (62 sq. mi) of rainforest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, and was the base for the primatologist Dian Fossey.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking but the park is also rich with many other exotic activities to engage in. Rwanda hosts almost a third of the world’s estimated population of about 900 mountain gorillas. These great apes are protected in the Volcanoes National Park. The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible.

 

Gorilla Trekking Guidelines in Rwanda are put in place so that travelers abide by them to ensure that at the end of the activity trekkers and gorillas are safe.

1. Gorilla permits

Gorilla trekking permits are a must to have for every trekker intending to trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can obtain their gorilla trekking permits at $1500 per person through a recognized, reliable and trustworthy tour operator or through reservationist at Rwanda Development Board (RDB). A group of eight individuals per day are able to visit each group of gorillas in Rwanda for about one hour.  This means that there are 80 gorilla permits available in Rwanda on a single day.

Please Note: Permits get booked quite early and it’s very necessary to book well in advance.

Gorilla & Chimpanzee permits are confirmed upon payment for the same to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), who will confirm the permits on first come first serve basis. Primate Safaris Ltd shall NOT be held responsible if at the time of receipt of payments the permits will not be available.
Kindly note;
a) Gorilla Permits based on current Government Park Tariffs. Park fees are subject to change without
prior notice.
b) Gorilla permits are non-refundable & non-transferable