List of Mountain Gorilla Families in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla Trekking Safari is an amazing experience that will give you plenty of memories. You will be able to take a look at mountain gorillas and explore how they live in their habitat.

Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in the southwestern part of uganda, about 530 km from Kampala the capital city. The park is one of the largest montane low land forests in Africa and it is the main park in Uganda protecting the mountain Gorillas in the wild.

We will assist you in making your gorilla tracking dream in Africa come true. Below is the information to guide you on Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi forest.

  1. Mountain Gorillas they can only be found in the forests and the ones in the zoo are lowland Gorillas.
  2. Mountain Gorillas can only be found in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bwindi has 11 Gorilla families which are located in different gorilla trekking sectors including Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga when buying your gorilla permit you must be careful on where you will trek from.

Mountain Gorillas are worthy of your trip and thousands that go for trekking  will never regret. Gorilla trekking is a priced at USD 600.

Plan your trip in advance

When you have a plan for your gorilla trekking safari, it should be done at least 6 months pro to your trip date. This will help you order / book your permit as their things you can put into consideration and enjoy a successful Gorilla trekking safari.

Purchase a permit

One needs a permit before embarking on this gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi and this permit must be booked through a tour operator. Once you book your permit your in for the gorilla trekking safari. In Uganda they are issued out by the Uganda Wildlife Authority through the tour operators. There might be a shortage of Gorilla permits so first come first serve is the only way out.

Interest before buying a permit

As mentioned, the permit your holding determines where you will be trekking in the sector and the accommodation.

Bwindi has sectors that can determine the kind of gorilla trekking safari you will have for example;

  • For those who need a simple trek i advise to trek in Ruhija or Buhoma.
  • For those who need a challenging trek then trekking through Rushaga sector is better.
  • If one  has a problem with altitude then trekking through the southern sector must be avoided. Therefore contact the Tour operator before booking your permit.

Which sector would you like to trek?

Trekking through Bwindi  depends on where one wants to trek. Bwindi has for regions and also these regions have different families to trek ,Buhoma has 3 families ,Ruhija 3 families,Rushaga 5 families,Nkuringo has 1 family therefore the permit determines where one is to trek in any of the sectors.

How is Gorilla trekking done?

The Gorilla trekking Safari starts early morning where you wake up early morning, prepare and take breakfast. Then go to the restaurant and pick up your packed lunch and then your guide will drive you to the park headquarters. Here you will be engaged in a short briefing about the Gorilla trekking Safari and you will be given a walking stick.

You will start the trail depending on the Gorilla family you want to trekk. You will then be divided into groups of 8 people and every group treks a particular family with a ranger and a guide.

When trekking through the forest one might have a chance to spot out the white Colobus monkeys, Chimpanzees, elephants, birds and other tree species.

The trek takes 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain Gorillas are located.

Finally when you encounter with the mountain Gorillas you are only allowed to spend one hour and one more hour to enjoy your packed lunch. After you will return to the park headquarters for a Gorilla ceremony to receive your certificate.

The guide will be ready to drive you back to the lodge.

gorilla trekking safari

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations

Your visit to the mountain Gorillas should not decrease on their number but rather increase it.  According to the 2013 census their only 800 mountain Gorillas left in the whole world.

Basically you need to know each Gorilla family is visited by 8 people.

One needs to stand 7 meters away from the wild apes.

No dumping of rubbish anyhow as this may cause the Gorillas to eat and die.

One with infectious disease like cough and flu  many more must not visit the mountain Gorillas. Avoid eye contact with the Gorillas and flash cameras. The best thing to do is to follow what your guide and ranger is telling.

Best time to trek mountain Gorillas.

Gorilla trekking Safari can be done throughout the whole year although dry months like june, july, August and september are more preferred to travel in and trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because the forest becomes easier to trekk in.

During dry season the permits are high compared to low season where they are sold at a low cost of  USD 450. The wet season include April, may and  November and clients tend to avoid the steep slopes which are slippery.

Porters and walking stick

One is advised to use a walking stick to help trek on these hills and steep slopes. Walking sticks are provided at the lodges and if you don’t find them then you will get at the park headquarters .

If your not fit for the gorilla treikkng safari your advised to go with a porter with you who will give you a push/pull  when you can’t do it anymore.

This Porter will also help to carry your heavy bags and also things you must not carry. When you approach the mountain Gorillas, there things you must not have. For example packed lunch as Gorillas may approach you and want to test the food.  This may turn into challenging situation which is not good during the trekk

gorilla trekking safari

What to wear or pack for mountain Gorillas.

Since the forest is thick with steep slopes one needs to prepare what to wear.  You will need hiking boots, long sleeved shirts and trousers, you need gloves as some shrubs might itch you, a hut and glasses as well as energy giving foods insect repellent, your camera as you may get a big chance to take pictures.

Transport and Accommodation

Find out first the side/sector which suits your interest then booking of your accommodation will follow. The Tour operator must know the level of accommodation which suites you the lodges range according to Budget, mid-range and luxury.

The same applies to transport. You may choose to travel in land cruisers, super custom, land rovers depending on your budget. One can option to travel using a flight.

Note: Uganda is a country in Africa with friendly people  who respect their culture.

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari

Bwindi Impenetrable national park offers a number of safaris of which 90%m of them are gorilla trekking safari. To book yourself a well prepared and organised gorilla trekking safari, check out these amazing gorilla trekking offers

Gorilla Trekking Safari
Gorilla Trekking Safari With Guides
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