The Ultimate Guide To Gorilla Trekking In Uganda: Everything You Need To Know.

Approximately 900 mountain gorillas live in the shared-border forests that extend into Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After decades of decline due to poachers, civil war and diminishing forests, gorilla populations have begun to pick up in the last couple of years. In some respects, the growth of gorilla tourism may have helped protect these animals as the government receives funding for conservation and sees the economic benefit of protecting the animals and the national parks that serve as their homes.

Approximately 900 mountain gorillas live in the shared-border forests that extend into Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After decades of decline due to poachers, civil war and diminishing forests, gorilla populations have begun to pick up in the last couple of years. In some respects, the growth of gorilla tourism may have helped protect these animals as the government receives funding for conservation and sees the economic benefit of protecting the animals and the national parks that serve as their homes.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla Trekking is an experience where a group of people get to hike/trek throught the thick forests in order for them to capture a glimpse of what gorillas look like and be able to view the environment in which gorillas stay.

Gorilla Trekking in Africa takes place in 4 national parks in the world which are located in 3 countries in Africa which include Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Forest), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and in Congo (Virunga National Park).

Located in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park has the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world and is arguably the best place to see mountain gorillas. 

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

To trek the mountain Gorillas you must contact first a tour operator who will be in charge of purchasing a Gorilla permit, accommodation and organize the rest of you trip to trek the mountain Gorillas. A gorilla permit is an identity that is issued and allows you to trek the mountain Gorillas from the Authorities that are in charge of Wildlife in every country.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park where Gorilla tracking is done covers 321 Sq.Km of montane and lowland rain forest. The Forest is a home to the worldly admired giant endangered mountain Gorillas accommodating over 400 individuals which is half of the world’s population and this makes it a must for you to include Bwindi National park your list of places to visit so that you get an amazing time with our cousins from another world.

Gorilla tracking officially started in October 1993 with Mubare as the first habituated group in Buhoma sector. Gorilla Tracking can now be done in 5 different places after fully habituating more groups Buhoma alone has 5 different Gorilla Families available for tracking daily. A group of Gorillas is called a Troop / Band or Whoop. This can have between 5 -50 individual members with only 1 dominate male called a silverback.

Gorillas are primarily vegetarians, adding insects and invertebrates to supplement on their diet. Their life span in 35-40 years old with a gestation period on 9 months and the female with always remain submissive & loyal to the same silverback who impregnates her with the first baby until he dies. A female matures at 8 years old, male silverback matures at 13years the same age at which the males back turns silver.

While enjoying the beautiful Mountain Gorillas you will also get a chance to see the black and white colobus monkeys, unique Lhotse’s monkey and baboons as they entertain you jumping over the trees and making interesting calls.

From Trackers Safari Lodge you can easily access Buhoma tracking area which just 5 mins drive to the briefing area and Ruhija which 1 hrs. drive to the tracking area. Gorilla Tracking takes 2 -10 hours.

The cost of a gorilla trekking permit

A gorilla permit in Bwindi costs $600 which is less than the $1500 charged in Rwanda. Congo gorilla permits are the cheapest at $400 each but the instability in DR Congo has made gorilla tours to Uganda more budget friendly and convenient. It is important to note that the price of a gorilla permit doesn’t include expenses on accommodation, Visas, transport, food and flights. The overall price of a gorilla tour can go up to $5000 for a luxury traveler.

Buying a gorilla permit

If you are going to buy a gorilla permit then you have to pay in U.S.$, Ugandan Shillings, Euro or GBP (you will be stung on the exchange rate if you don't pay in U.S.$), this can be cash, or travellers cheques for a 1% fee. No credit cards are accepted by the UWA.

For any travel, safari and adventure enthusiast who intends to undertake gorilla trekking, he or she has to be well aware of the rules  that entail gorilla trekking, irrespective  where they intend to track gorillas from.  to mention some of the tracking areas are bwindi forest national park uganda and Mgahinga gorilla national park Uganda.

Below are a set of guidelines that have to be followed while gorilla trekking.

• One should be clean and always wash their hands before heading for Gorilla trekking.
• Always keep your voices low during the trek and always observe or keep an eye on the park habitants such as bird life, primates, mammals, geckos, reptiles and many more in the forest.
• You’re not supposed to live rubbish in the park and therefore keep rubbish in your bag & whatever you carry should be taken back with you.
• Early morning you will be briefed about Gorilla trekking rules and regulations and will after be put in groups of 8 people and set off to the forest with a ranger.
• When you approach the mountain Gorillas, the rangers and guides will inform you about them or you will hear the noise in the forest. However do not make noise out of excitement, remember their friendly primates but also wild animals and they can changer anytime.
• Stand 7 meters away from the mountain Gorillas. When you come into contact with the gorillas observe them but do not look straight into their eyes. The further you stand the more relaxed they are.
• Do not live the group as you are advised to stay together so that you don’t look harmful to the mountain Gorillas.
• Keep your voices as low as possible and remember you’re in the jungle and not at home, though you might ask questions if you must but at a low voice tone.
• Do not smoke, drink or eat in the forest. When anything drops this might increase the risk of transmitting diseases. When it’s time to eat your packed lunch the rangers will direct you where to have your picnic lunch in the forest.
• When the Gorilla charges, try your best not to run away and when you run, this increases the risk of attacking.
• Flash photographs are not permitted so please take very carefully.
• You’re not allowed to play with the mountain Gorillas or touch them remember these are wild animals.
• Your allowed to spend only one hour with their mountain Gorillas as you watch them play, feed, groom each other and many more to see. However take note incase the gorillas seam very nervous the guide will command to finish early the trek.
• You should keep your voices low after the encounter not until your 200 meters away from the Gorillas.
• Respect the mountain Gorillas
• Respect the limit of number of visitors that are allowed per day in order to minimize the risk of diseases.
• You’re not allowed to trek the mountain Gorillas in case you have a contagious disease, you can volunteer in community around the park or another visit to be arranged by the Wildlife Authority or refunded your money.
• In case you want to cough or sneezing, do not do it near the Gorillas, turn your head away and cover your mouth and nose to minimize the spread of bacteria or virus.
• Always stay 7 meters away from the Gorillas and protect yourself from catching human diseases.
• Do not leave any rubbish in the park, foreign items, and harbor diseases.
• If you need to ease yourself ask the ranger to dig a hole with a panga .Make sure its 30 cm deep and fill it with soil after.

What is the best time to go gorilla trekking

Gorilla watching in Bwindi is done throughout the year but the peak season is the  best time to visit gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The peak season falls in the dry months of December to February and between June and August. The wet season is in March to May and October to November. Tracking gorillas during the rainy season is more challenging because of the overgrown forest vegetation and muddy trails. However visitors shouldn’t be discouraged coming in the rainy season. Bwindi is a rain forest – some rain should be expected throughout the year. The rainy /low season attracts discounts for gorilla permits and less crowds in the park giving visitors a more intimate time with the gorillas and guides.