How to Select a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

Are you thinking of undertaking your first-time Uganda gorilla trekking Tour? Well, this post will bring you information on what to expect during the trek, the perfect time to go for the adventure, the rates, and definitely how to select the ideal Uganda Gorilla trekking tour. Also included in this post are the best gorilla trekking Companies as well as what to carry on your Uganda gorilla trekking tour.

Almost 95% of Uganda’s gorilla trekking tours are undertaken in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while a smaller percentage is given to the gorilla treks within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The former brings up pictures of verdant and densely forested mountain slopes as well as low-lying mists that signal closeness to one of the most outstanding gorilla families on the Planet.

You are not far from the truth because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the two incredible havens to Uganda’s popular gorilla treks. Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour shouldn’t miss on your travel bucket list. It is undebatable that Uganda has gone through a fair share of political instabilities in the past, but it’s several years down the road and the country is on the road to recovery. This, therefore, means that gorilla trekking tours are very safe and have for years contributed to the country’s infrastructural development, foreign exchange earnings as well as improved the income of local communities.

Interestingly, the secluded haven to exceptional gorilla groups is one of the main driving factors in Uganda. While the mountain gorilla trekking tours are not the cheapest or simplest of excursions to venture into, they are worth the experience and money.

Tips on How to Select a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

The best Uganda Gorilla Trekking Companies

There is a wide array of wonderful and credible gorilla trekking Companies in Uganda, but Maranatha Tours and Travel stands out from the rest for a number of reasons. We apply a decade-long experience of organizing gorilla tours to craft some of the most thrilling tailor-made gorilla packages. When it comes to credibility, we are second to none and are members of the “Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO)” thus our clients are provided value for their money.

Not only that, our packages are affordable and part of the money you pay goes into community support programs and development by offering assistance to religious projects, helping orphans and poor children, and many others.

What to expect during a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour

One thing you need to keep in your mind is that the Undertaking Uganda gorilla Trekking tour doesn’t 100% guarantee seeing the Giant Apes in their natural habitat, much as Park Rangers work hand in hand with trackers to ensure that the day never ends without seeing them.

When the day of trekking mountain gorillas reaches, it will begin with a gathering at the Park Headquarters, although some tours start directly from this point while others have trailheads at distant locations. Your group will first receive a short briefing from Park Rangers about expectations, things to do or not to do followed by diving into groups of 8 visitors. Bwindi Gorilla families are known for living in different sectors/regions of the Park and gorilla treks are don’t in one of these trailheads. For each group of 8 visitors, there is an armed Ranger for safety in case you encounter unruly animals and an experienced guide to provide the necessary information to make the trek interesting.

To locate the mountain gorillas, treks take 1-5 hours, sometimes shorter or longer because their movement can’t be predicted. The movement of these Giant Apes is followed by expert guides who follow instructions from the trackers who move ahead and use walkie-talkies. When found, visitors spend only 60 minutes observing and taking pictures while maintaining a safe distance of 7 meters. Sometimes the 60 minutes are cut short, especially when these primates get agitated and also avoid flash photography.

If the guidelines are followed to book, then one hour is all you have to interact with the Giant Apes, then get back to the Park Headquarters or other activities. To be safer, no activities should be planned on this day because the duration of the activity is unpredictable.

What does the Uganda Gorilla Trek encompass?

Protocols and procedures have to be followed for Uganda Gorilla Treks to become successful because you can just turn up at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and expect to join gorilla tours. One, the mountain gorillas and their natural habitats are protected thus it is detrimental to allow anyone to roam around the forest without permission. For this, a typical gorilla trek encompasses;

Securing valid gorilla trekking permits

Gorilla permits limit the number of people spending time with the Giant Apes because only 8 permits are issued to a particular gorilla group. For this reason, secure your place via a credible Tour Operator or directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority. A permit is simply a document and costs $800 for the foreign non-residents, $700 for the foreign residents and Shs. 300,000 for the East African residents. Book at least 3-4 months before the trekking date to be safer than sorry.

Access to iconic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Travelers take 9-10 hours (including en-route stops) to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from the Capital (Kampala) for a distance of 342 miles. If you plan to take a self-drive trip, it is important to plan early enough. Chartered flights are arranged by smaller airlines like Aerolink from Entebbe Airport to the nearby Kihihi Airstrip. For travelers that book with tour operators, transport costs are included on the package and therefore the details might not be provided.

Bwindi Accommodation Facilities

There are many accommodation facilities in three categories-budget, midrange, and luxury, offering clean and cozy bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms as well as dazzling views of the lush, dense and impenetrable forest. Luxury stay is at Mahogany Springs Camp, Lake Kitandara Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge among others. The budget and mid-range options include Engagi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Nshongi Camp, and Rushaga Safari Lodge among others.

When to go Uganda Gorilla Trekking

The months of March, April, May, October, and November are the wettest, and fewer tourists go Uganda Gorilla Trekking because trails become muddy and messier and this is the reason why most travelers avoid them. However, those that make it to the forest have the jungle to themselves but expect uncomfortable treks. The rest of the months are dry and favorable for Uganda Gorilla Trekking.

In Conclusion, Uganda Gorilla Trekking is one of the most promising wildlife experiences on Earth but there is a lot that travelers still don’t know about selecting the best tours and achieving unforgettable experiences.