Time spent with gorillas during a trek
Gorillas are endemic to the African continent and Uganda being one of the three most popular destinations for gorilla trekking in the world. Uganda is a paradise to over half of the Gorillas in the whole world offering unique and extraordinary gorilla trekking expeditions in the region. The country is ranked as the best and safest one can see gorillas in Africa after Rwanda and DR Congo.
Gorilla trekking is one of the outstanding reasons why Uganda receives a wealth of tourists from different parts of the World. The activity involves moving in a group following the permanently established trails heading to the Jungle with interest to meet Gorillas in the wild. Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes you to bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National Park which are the only two spots where visitors can trek the gorillas in the wilderness of Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Spanning three districts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers a total area of 331 square kilometers. The park is occupied by the thick Bwindi impenetrable forest and it is inhabited by over 450 individual mountain gorillas which makes up almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world. Meeting in the wild for an up close look with these giants is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling moments that take place in this park.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable park is offered in its four sectors including Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga which have several habituated gorilla groups(over 17 families) where gorilla trekking can be done.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park also offers gorilla habituation which is an exciting activity similar to Gorilla trekking but it differs in the time spent with the apes in the wild. Visitors are allowed to stay with the Gorillas for a period of four hours or full day in the wild during habituation which grants them a chance to follow movements of these apes while taking photos and videos in different localities. This remarkable experience is only done in the Rushaga sector.
Mgahinga National Park
Located in the South western part of Uganda, Mgahinga National park is one of the prominent parks in Uganda. It is home to the three volcanic mountains mount Sabyinyo, Gahinga and mount Muhabura that are also shared with other two parks such as Virunga National Park of DR Congo and Volcanoes of Rwanda.
Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists can also see Gorillas in Mgahinga. The park is a home to 80 mountain gorillas, with only one gorilla group being inhabited and open to tourists, the Nyakagyezi family. This group has settled in Uganda for three years and it attracts fewer crowds because only 8 gorilla permits can be sold in a day giving visitors a great trekking experience.
Hours spent with gorillas during a trek
Before the trekking journey, visitors are briefed and highlighted on how to behave while in the wild and only eight trekkers in a group are allowed to trek one Gorilla family per day in order to limit overcrowding.
Visitors are strictly allowed to be in the presence of these great Apes for only one hour. Time taken and distance moved depends on the location of the Gorilla family you are searching for. You are advised to come with your packed food and drinking water from the lodge as the search might take up a few hours before locating the Gorillas.
Gorilla permits in Uganda cost US$800 per person and can be purchased at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is open year-round, the best times being in the Dry seasons (December to February and June to September) beecause dry seasons make tracking and viewing wildlife easier. There are also fewer trekkers so less competition for gorilla permits.