Trekking Gorillas in Uganda on a Budget Plan

Whereas gorilla trekking is described as a life time experience, most trekkers have been left think that it is only for affluent class and yet it is not right! A trek to sight a group of magnificent mountain gorillas in the thick tropical rain forests in Uganda is the most humbling and thrilling experience that comes once in a life time. Mountain gorillas are classified as the critically endangered apes by IUCN and not more than 900 individuals still thrive in the whole world with half of them being inhabited in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. To see these magnificent species, there are about twelve habituated groups that always assigned to eight visitors per day all of which belong to specific trailhead. They include Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare group in Buhoma area, Nkuringo group in Nkuringo region; Oruzogo, Bitukura group as well as Kyaguriro group which is set for research purposes in Ruhija and Mishaya, Busingye, Nshongi, Kahungye and Bweza family in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Nyakagezi group in Mgahinga National Park.

For tourists who interested in budget safaris in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park usually experience the low season from the months of March to May and then November. These are regarded as the rainy months; but this doesn’t mean that there is no gorilla trekking taking place in Uganda. These large primates are confined within the thick tropical rain-forests where rain is expected at any time of the day without necessarily looking at the season, meaning whether you travel during the dry or wet season, you have to expect some rain showers in the course of the day. This also offers opportunity to budget travelers to strike their imaginations with these exceptional species while on budget safaris in Uganda.

Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is one of the breathtaking adventures that reward trekkers with unforgettable experiences. Just like any adventures, trekking these Giant Apes is costly but despite the cost, backpackers and other visitors with small budget are also able to encounter these majestic wild creatures in Uganda. Unlike Rwanda, tourists who are interested in tracking gorillas on small budget save some money even when they can not manage to pay $600 in Uganda.

Budget gorilla trekking safaris are intended to allow those visitors who can not make it during the peak season to also spark imaginations with these great apes at a reduced price. In order for you to achieve your dreams, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offers discounted permits to visitors especially in the month of April, May and November at $450 per person for foreign non residents, $400 for foreign residents and shs.150000 for East African residents. For this year, you are left with only one month to achieve your dream in November using discounted trekking permits.

You are advised to book for your permits in advance. Most tourists on a budget safari in Uganda usually prefer traveling in a group of 4 to 6 people-friends or families which also comes with excitement and memorable experiences as you all enjoy these charismatic creatures together in their natural habitat. This favors budget travelers as they may decide to share the cost of vehicle and transport costs which is not the case for visitors who decide to travel as an individual. There are many cars for you to hire that accommodate big group travelers and their prices are pocket friendly and all of which is intended to make you realize your dreams in Uganda.

Budget Lodging facilities for you to book while on safari in Uganda

Accommodation is very paramount when it comes to any safaris not only in gorilla destinations but also across wildlife national parks in Uganda. When it comes to budget gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, visitors are able to cut down the costs by spending a night in one of the best and comfortable budget or moderately priced lodges around the park. The cost for lodging facilities tends to be high during peak season but when the low season approaches some of the lodges and other accommodation facilities may also be forced to offer discounted prices during the low season. Therefore in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park each features a wide range of good and comfortable budget lodging facilities for you to choose. In Buhoma sector which features lodges like Buhoma Community Campsite and Buhoma View Bandas, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp; Ruhija sector features accommodation most of which concentrate around Lake Bunyonyi and they include Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Crater Bay Cottages, Bushara Island and Bunyonyi backpacker hostel and in Rushaga sector you will find Nshongi Campsite, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Kisoro travelers Rest Inn.

Why track gorillas on budget safaris in Uganda?

Most visitors tend to avoid the wet season and preferably the budget or backpackers take the advantage of this it. It comes with less congestion in that few visitors travel during this season, offering budget travelers and backpackers an up close encounter with the Giant Apes in the wild. Usually, the low season comes with heavy rainfall and the gorilla habitat remains wet-muddy and slippery for tourists to trek to sight the group of these endangered primates in wild and this means most travelers run away from this season. But it is advantageous in that it is a period when there is plenty of food for the critically endangered mountain gorillas in the wild and usually visitors who travel during this period have an upper hand of encountering them at the base of the park while they are feeding compared to the dry/peak season when most of them are forced to wander around looking for food. If you prefer traveling during this period, you will need a waterproof hiking boots that are light to help you hike through the thick forest and steep slopes, long sleeved shirts/T-shirts, rain jackets or poncho, gloves and others.

What else will you see while on budget safari in Uganda?

While on your budget gorilla trekking safari, you will also strike your imaginations with unique forest birds, the rare golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park where over 1500 individuals are conserved together with other 12 distinct primate species, make a stopover in Queen Elizabeth National Park for photo taking at the Equator or sight at the unique tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector.

In conclusion, budget gorilla trekking safaris is a great opportunity for budget travelers and backpackers across the globe to also have magical encounters with the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Enjoy our customized and tailor made safaris and you won’t regret taking a trip with us in Uganda!!