Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an adventure where visitors trek and hike through the lush vegetation in search of mountain gorillas in their wilderness, spending the stipulated time with gorillas under the supervision and guidance of experienced and skilled ranger guides. This allows nature lovers to keep their dream come true, since gorilla trekking is almost the top adventure activity any traveller would not miss on his or her bucket list.
Gorilla trekking is Uganda’s leading tourist adventure activity that offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty. This means that mountain gorillas in Uganda stand out as the major reason why travellers all over the world visit Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa.” In Uganda, gorilla trekking is conducted in the southwestern part of the country, in the dense, misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda primarily takes place in two gorilla parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These two destinations are renowned for offering exceptional gorilla trekking experiences. However, Bwindi attracts more visitors due to its higher concentration of mountain gorillas than Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi boasts over 459 individuals, contributing 50% of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
More still, Bwindi alone is home to over 22 habituated mountain gorilla families and 1 semi-habituated family reserved for habituation. This semi-habituated gorilla family is located in the southern sector of the park, and it is open to visitors who prefer spending more time with these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
How Many Sectors Does Bwindi Have?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is gifted with only four major gorilla trekking sectors, and these include Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. The Buhoma sector and Ruhija sector are located in the northern sector of the park, while the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located in the southern part of the park.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The trekking activity begins with a briefing at the park information centre about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations, including the expectations during the trekking process and how to behave, among others. In groups of 8, you will be allocated a particular gorilla family for tracking with two armed ranger guides for security and a tracker/guide to lead your way during the forest walk while searching for these gentle giants.
After the briefing, embark on your forest walk to search for your mountain gorilla family. Searching for these gentle giants may range from 45 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the location and movements of your assigned gorilla family. However, you need to be mentally and physically sound and also prepared for multiple hours of jungle walking over steep and uneven terrain. To those who are not fit to spend multiple hours in the forest, it’s better to ask and get assigned a nearer gorilla family.
If you consider yourself fit, choose a challenging family that is filled with more fun and excitement because you will have a chance to encounter several other wildlife species within the forest, and the longer you stay in the forest, the more you will enjoy it and have a better chance to see a variety of nature’s marvels.
Some of the wildlife species to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, duikers, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, and several birds. You will also get more information from the ranger guide about the experience and the forest.
Upon seeing these mountain gorillas, you will spend a maximum of one hour interacting with these creatures. You will have to follow the instructions as per the briefing, such as keeping a low tone, as you take memorable photos and videos. You will also have a chance to meet the alpha male gorilla (silverback), who heads the family and determines the movement of the family.
You will witness the mothers nursing their young ones as juveniles entertain the family, making the interaction more amazing. However, it’s advisable to avoid direct eye contact with these gorillas and keep calm and quiet, since all these may disrupt these gorillas, causing them to behave wildly. Therefore, the chances of seeing Uganda’s mountain gorillas stand at 99% on any particular day.
After spending an hour with these magical mountain gorillas, return to the starting point and meet your driver guide, as you will also receive your trekking certificate as a sign of appreciation for your tremendous contribution towards the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda.
Best Time to do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is a unique activity that is done throughout the year. However, the best time to do gorilla trekking is during the months of June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little rainfall, and generally parks are dry, making it easier to access these mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
- The months of January and February are always dry, and it’s a high season, offering huge crowds. These months receive little to no rainfall.
- The months of March, April, and May often receive excessive rainfall, making them the most challenging times for gorilla trekking. This comes as a result of slick and slippery trails that may be impassable.
- The months of June, July, and August mark the high peak season, and travelers are advised to purchase trekking permits in advance to avoid disappointment, as they often sell out early.
- In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the average temperature throughout the year is around 11°C/52°F and 23°C/73°F in the afternoon hours.
