Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Uganda gorilla trekking is the most sought after activity that travelers who visit Uganda enjoy. Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves a group of 8 persons along with guides and rangers walking through the rainforest in search of the habituated gorilla families to spend up to 1 hour with them.

Uganda gorilla trekking takes place in the 2 gorilla destinations including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These 2 gorilla destinations in Uganda have habituated gorilla groups that travelers get to explore on Uganda gorilla trekking tours all year through. Both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are located in the southwestern region off Uganda. Given the location, travelers are at the liberty of enjoying a Uganda gorilla trekking tour from Kigali for it is nearer, compared to starting in Kampala or Entebbe in Uganda by road.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking groups

Mountain gorillas are identified in groups or families. The habituated gorilla families in Uganda are the ones that travelers are allowed to encounter while on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour. There are 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and only 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Uganda gorilla trekking permits

For one to be able to encounter the gorillas on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour, acquiring gorilla trekking permits is very important for they are your pass to encounter the gorillas. Uganda gorilla permits are currently a $800 per person. Given the demand for gorilla trekking and limited number of permits, booking them in advance is advised lest.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Age Limit

It is not every kind of person that gorilla trekking is available to. Gorilla trekking in Uganda has an age limit of 15 years. This is because children below that age are carries of communicable diseases that mountain gorillas re susceptible to, and it is also considered that persons below 15 years of age are not able to maintain their composure or emotions when they encounter the gorillas, and also successfully hike the rain forested area in search for the gorillas.

Best time to visit for Uganda gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is available all throughout the year. Irrespective however, the best time to go for gorilla trekking is during the supposed dry months of June to September, and January to March, which is a dry season in Uganda. Note however that both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are rain forest areas and as such, rains are expected any time of the year, irrespective of the season in question.

What to pack for Uganda gorilla trekking tours?

When planning for your Uganda gorilla trekking tour, be it a 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking tour, packing right is very important for a successful gorilla trekking experience. There are a number of essential gorilla trekking equipment to consider, including insect repellent, comfortable hiking shoes, garden gloves, long sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof rain racket or poncho, camera, energy giving snacks, waterproof backpack for your gadget safekeeping.

Uganda gorilla trekking Rules

It is important to note that there are rules and guidelines in place for gorilla trekking in Uganda; these shall be read to whilst on your briefing for gorilla trekking. Below are some of the gorilla trekking rules to be follow;

  • Only persons above the age of 15 years are allowed to do gorilla trekking in Uganda.
  • A maximum of 8 persons per gorilla group are allowed to visit a gorilla family/group at a time.
  • Always wash your hands before you embark on starting your Uganda gorilla trek.
  • When you start the trek and see the gorillas, the guides shall indicate you to their direction and take you there, do not do anything that you have not been instructed by your allocated guide or park rangers.
  • Always maintain low voices in the park, for a chance to observe so much more, including birdlife.
  • Do not litter the park; carry all your rubbish back with you, including food wraps.
  • Do not leave your group at any time once in the presence of the gorillas. Do not scatter and do not surround the gorillas as this threatens them.
  • Always maintain a safe distance of 7meters away from the gorillas. This is to protect the gorillas from catching any communicable illnesses. Should inquisitive and curious infants or juveniles come close to you, do not touch them and follow your ranger’s instructions.
  • Do not eat or drink anywhere near the gorillas. This should be done at the very least, 200 meters away from the gorillas.
  • Should the gorillas charge at you, do not panic. Instead follow all the instructions that your guide and rangers shall be giving you, say crouching down slowly with eyes down-cast. Do not run away as the gorillas will out-run you. Do not look into the eyes of the gorillas.
  • Do not touch the gorillas.
  • Do not use flash photography while taking pictures or videos of the gorillas.
  • Spend only up to 1 hour with the gorillas.
  • Should you wake up ill on that day of gorilla trekking with contagious illness that the gorillas are susceptible to, volunteer to stay behind.
  • Should you feel the urge to cough or sneeze while with the gorillas, kindly turn your head away from the gorillas and cover your nose and mouth while at it, in order to minimise the spread of bacteria or viruses.
  • Should you need to use the toilet while gorilla trekking, ask one of the guides to help you dig up a hole of reasonable size and be sure to properly cover it after use. This is to minimise the risk of disease transmission should the gorillas come into contact.

Uganda gorilla trekking is an amazing experience worth experiencing, even if it is once in your lifetime. Reach out to a tour operator to organize a Uganda gorilla trekking tour for you. Note that you can include, say a Serengeti migration safari, lake Manyara National Parks safari, Zanzibar Island stay, or combine your Uganda gorilla trekking tour with a Kenya safari or Tanzania safari.