Gorilla Trekking Tour (Before/After A Conference in Uganda)

Should I go for a gorilla trekking tour before or after a conference in Uganda? A gorilla trekking tour before or after a conference in Uganda all present lifetime opportunity for you to immerse yourself into African jungles to see the rare mountain gorillas in the wild. Whether you opt to travel to track gorillas before or after your meeting or event in Kampala or any city in Uganda, you stand a chance to interact with the great apes in their natural habitat.

Where to go for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda?

In Uganda, there are specifically 2 locations to consider for a gorilla trekking holiday that is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These 2 Uganda parks are home to about half the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Still, not more than 1063 of these unique apes live on planet earth with over 21 habituated gorilla families all open to gorilla tourism in Uganda alone.

Mountain gorillas survive only in the 4 parks in Africa that is Bwindi, Mgahinga in Uganda, then rest occupy Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo. Embarking on a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda is a remarkable opportunity for you to have a family to trek. You can choose to be in Bwindi with 20 habituated gorilla families or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with only one family group.

Mountain gorillas are some of our closest relatives that live in the wild and they share up to 98 percent of their genetic DNA with man. While interacting with them, a distance of 8-10m must be kept away from these apes so as to prevent any chances of spreading infectious human diseases to them. The long day gorilla trek with mountain gorillas lasts for 2-6 hours and is inclusive of an hour for up close and personal with these large apes.

What do you need to track Uganda gorillas? A gorilla permit

Yes, a valid gorilla trekking permit is a must-have document for anyone intending to interact with a family of mountain gorillas in Uganda. What is interesting is that

Uganda gorilla permits are within visitors’ pocket range. A single permit is obtainable at USD 700 per visitor applying to foreign non-residents, USD 600 per visitor for all foreign residents and Ugandans or East African citizens can get it at shs. 250,000.

Other than normal gorilla treks, there is an option of visiting a family of mountain gorillas on mountain gorilla habituation experience. Guests who opt for gorilla habituation can secure their gorilla permits at USD 1500 per person and what is amazing is that you have up to 4 hours to interact with gorillas in the wild. This adventure is only enjoyable while in Rushaga region in Bwindi National Park.

Other essential items to carry besides gorilla permits; waterproof hiking boots, a camera, waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a sweater, sunglasses, insect repellents, first aid kit, a pair of socks, gardening gloves, a pair of binoculars, snacks, bottled water and more.

How to get your gorilla permit in Uganda

There are 2 options of obtaining a valid gorilla permit in Uganda but the easiest and non-stressing one is dealing with a local tour operator such as Maranatha Tours and Travel (info@silverbackgorillatour.com | info@adventureugandasafaris.com). The second option is booking your permit directly with the reservation at Uganda Wildlife Authority –(UWA), which means you go through the process yourself to have a permit reserved. The process at times involves physical presence, a reason it is advisable to arrange everything through the tour operator to save time and other resources.

Gorilla trekking guidelines/regulations to follow

A lot of gorilla trekking regulations have been set for visitors to observe and they apply before the trek, when interacting with gorillas and after the trek. They include;

· Keep a distance of 8-10 meters away from a family of gorillas that you are visiting. The space between you and gorillas is intended to reduce any chances of spreading infectious human diseases to these apes and also maintain their normal behaviors in the wild.

· To track gorillas, a visitor must be above 15 years. This guideline applies to other destination including Rwanda and Congo.

· Strictly, the park authorities accept a maximum of 8 visitors to track a single gorilla family each day.

· All gorilla treks must be conducted with the lead of an experienced guide.

· No one can be allowed to visit gorillas when sick or feeling ill.

· When taking pictures, only non-flashlight cameras are accepted but you can also turn your flashlight before you take photos.

· Always observe your park official’s guidelines/instructions.

· Eating, smoking or drinking is unacceptable behavior when it comes to gorilla trekking.

· Always keep your voices low to avoid disrupting the normal behaviors of gorillas and also reduce any chances of making them irritated.

When to visit gorillas in Uganda?

Gorillas in Uganda are best trekked during the dry season that is from June, July, August, September, December, January to February. These months come with limited rainfall and the park’s ground is kept relatively drier making it a little easier to go on a search for a gorilla group. This is more favorable than trekking gorillas during the wet or rainy season –March, April, May, October and November when heavy rains are experienced.

Where to stay

While on gorilla safaris in Bwindi or Mgahinga, your overnight stay options revolve around budget, midrange and luxury accommodation. They include Gorilla Heights, Bakiga Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Ntebeko Homestay, Mount Gahinga Lodge and Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, etc.

Getting there

From Kampala/Entebbe, your drive time to Bwindi or Mgahinga is about 8-9 hours in a good mechanical condition vehicle. You drive via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and alternatively, you can connect from Kigali which is about 4-5 hours’ drive. The quickest option is by air –take a chartered or scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.