Is the cost of the gorilla trekking in Uganda worth it? Uganda is located in the East African region, with neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The country is home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas which are located in southwestern Uganda. The area is in the Virunga region, which the three countries share.

In Uganda, gorillas are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It’s only the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with only one transboundary habituated family for travelers to track. The Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to various habituated mountain gorilla families found in the park’s different sectors, such as the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each gorilla sector has a number of the habituated gorilla families set for the gorilla trekking. The habituated gorilla families are made familiar for the human appearance.

The habituated gorillas take 2 years under the habituation process to get used to human interference.  The gorilla permits in Uganda cost 800 dollars for the foreign nonresidents, 700 dollars for the foreign residents,500 dollars for the rest of Africa, and 300000 Ugandan shillings for the East African Citizens.

Where to do mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Mountain gorillas are one of the endemic species in Uganda and the country is believed to be hosting more than half of the world’s population of the mountain gorillas. The destinations to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda include;

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro district and the park is found in the Virunga conservation area. The park is home to several mountain gorillas. While in this park, you will see a number of the volcanic features lying within the mountain including the Gahinga, sabyinyo, and Muhabura mountains. The park has one transboundary habituated family and also several mountain gorillas that are not habituated. During the gorilla trekking in the park, the travelers will see other small primates within the park during the gorilla trekking.

Bwindi impenetrable national park

The park is also located in southwestern Uganda near the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is one of the largest primate gazette areas in Uganda where travelers can visit to see the mountain gorillas.

The park is divided into four sectors that is to say Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. Each sector has several gorilla families that travelers on a Uganda safari can visit to see them.  Each gorilla family is visited by a group of 8 people per day.

What are the requirements for travelers to acquire a gorilla permit during a Uganda safari?

A gorilla permit is one of the key essential pieces of equipment that allows travelers on a Uganda safari to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The gorilla permits are provided to travelers by the tour operators who purchase them via the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

  • A copy of the traveler’s passport or identification card to ensure the permit is indicated for travelers.
  • Payment is one of the essentials to ensure permit availability.
  • Travelers are advised to book through the licensed tour operators in the country since the permits are only sold to them.
  • Travelers are advised to remember the rules and regulations followed during the gorilla trekking.
  • They should plan the dates and the sector from which they wish to track the gorillas.

How fit should travelers be for a gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Travelers on gorilla trekking safaris take several kilometers to see the mountain gorillas and this requires fitness, efficiency, and stability. Though the activity is available for everyone. Travelers who aren’t physically fit or elderly are recommended to plan accordingly for the gorilla trekking. The tour operator is advised to arrange an easy family of the gorillas to track.

The disabled can also track gorillas where they will hire porters who will transport them using the African helicopters. The process will cost for traveler about 500 dollars.  During the gorilla trekking, the travelers who are usually not fit enough are required to hire porters, and walking sticks to help them in the trekking gorillas.

Travelers are advised to plan to be physically fit for the gorilla trekking and they are required to take long walks, stretching, jogging, and continuous training.

What is the best time to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda?

In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be seen all year round. The dry season is the best time June to September and December to February when the tracks in the park are dry and this eases the tracking of the gorillas in the parks.  In the wet season, travelers can also see the gorillas but they are required to plan accordingly since the area is usually too muddy and slippery. During this, they are required to have walking sticks, porters, and waterproof equipment. The advantage of the wet season is that travelers have more time to encounter the gorillas since there is less traffic in the park.