In the recent development of tourism trends in Uganda and Africa at large, Gorilla tracking is ranked among one of the flagship product of any trip to Africa for most travelers, and the fascinating feeling that you get being so near to one of our closest relatives with 98% of human DNA.

There are barely three countries in the world that offer an ultimate opportunity of trekking the only surviving Mountain Gorillas on earth; these are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But what is the difference and what should make one choose Uganda rather than any other country?

Mountain Gorillas are the world’s most endangered primate species believed to be numbering approximately 1000 and the only remaining population throughout the world. Almost half of them can be found in Uganda, and populations can also be found in neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tracking in Uganda can be done the whole year through with 98% guaranteed success rate of viewing mountain gorillas in the different seasons. Though during rainy season, the tracks in the rain forest might be a bit muddy and slippery something that can affect movements during tracking since it will be longer/ tougher.

While in Uganda, you can do Gorilla Trekking exercise in two of its national parks namely, Mgahinga National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park both located in south western Uganda, they are home to half of the surviving Mountain Gorilla Species in the world.

Gorilla permits are very rare and not many permits are available (a total of 80 permits per day in Uganda). They are sold months earlier before the actual date of tracking, most especially in the peak season of June – October and December – February. You are therefore advised to book your tour and your permits far in advance.

Gorilla Habituation Experience.

Bwindi impenetrable National park has four sectors where trekking and habituation can be done. Specifically, the Rushaga sector has two gorilla groups that are being habituated. Every visitor is free to join the habituation program! There is an opportunity of tracking both these groups spending 4 hours with each gorilla family. 4 people are permitted to track these semi – habituated apes instead of eight members at a cost of $1.500 USD per permit instead of 600 USD for a normal 1hour trekking permit.

There are over 16 fully habituated gorilla groups that can be trekked in Uganda; 15 in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and 1 in Mgahinga Nation Park. These are estimated to be totaling to about 500 gorillas coming from over 36 gorilla families or social groups of which 16 of them are solitary males that roam the ancient forest.  Also, Mgahinga Gorilla Park has recorded over 80 gorillas alone in Nyakagezi family.

The four regions within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you can track various habituated gorilla families include; Buhoma (4 groups), Ruhija (4 groups), Nkuringo (3 groups) and Rushaga (6 groups). 

Gorilla permit rates.

Depending on the 2018/19 Uganda wildlife authority rating, the official cost for tracking gorillas is at $600 per person.  

A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group (family) of habituated gorillas per day with only 4 visitors to engage in the habituation of Gorilla per-day. It is important to wash your hands before you head out to see the gorillas and leaving rubbish in the park is completely prohibited.

Please always keep your voices low, keep a minimum distance of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas, do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas. Sometimes the gorillas can charge, avoid looking at the gorillas straight in the eyes, wait for the gorilla to pass you by and do not attempt to run away, Flash photography is not permitted; Do not touch the gorillas; maximum time visitors are allowed to spend with the gorillas is one hour. Let Uganda be your next dream destination for Mountain gorilla trekking.