Are there gorillas in Uganda? – Is it safe to visit gorillas in Uganda? – When to see gorillas in Uganda?
Are there gorillas in Uganda? – Yes, Uganda is home to mountain gorillas, with over half of the world’s population living in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks are prime locations for gorilla trekking, offering a chance to see these endangered animals in their natural habitat.
Where to see gorillas in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Located in the southwestern part of the country, this park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a large population of mountain gorillas. It has several sectors where gorilla trekking takes place, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: This is Uganda’s smallest national park and is part of the Virunga Mountain range. It shares a border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and has one habituated, transboundary gorilla group.
Why Uganda is a top destination
Home to over half the world’s mountain gorillas: Uganda protects more than half of the remaining mountain gorilla population, making it a critical conservation area.
Supporting conservation: Visiting the gorillas directly supports conservation efforts and helps to ensure the survival of the species.
A unique experience: Seeing gorillas in their natural environment is considered one of Africa’s most impressive wildlife encounters.
- Planning your trip
Permits: You need a gorilla permit to go trekking.
Best time to visit: The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer drier and less slippery trails, while the wet season can lead to muddier conditions but potentially fewer crowds.
What to bring: Pack light hiking boots, a rain jacket, and insect repellent. Dressing in layers is also recommended, as is a waterproof bag for your gear.
Uganda is home to some of the most fascinating gorilla trekking sites in the world, offering an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts. The country is among the only 3 countries in the world where tourists can embark on a trek to see mountain gorillas. On a gorilla trekking in Uganda, the 2 places to expect to visit to enjoy up close and personal encounters with mountain gorillas for example Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A gorilla trek takes you on the search for mountain gorillas, learning about their unique behaviors, and taking pictures. Each of these spots offers not only the chance to encounter these magnificent creatures but also other attractions to enjoy.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most famous destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. The park is situated in the south western Uganda sharing boarder with Congo, it is one of the only two parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world. Its home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, with roughly 450 individuals living within its dense forests. The park is home to four main gorilla trekking sectors for instance Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo gorilla sectors. Visitors here can trek through lush greenery to find gorilla families, accompanied by experienced guides. Aside from the gorillas, Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest forests in Africa, offering visitors chances to see other 10 of the 11 primate species which include De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Potto, Demidoff’s Galago, Spectacled Galago, Baboons and the Chimpanzee. More so, this park also home to diverse bird species and other wildlife, such as forest elephants, beautiful butterflies’ species and unique plant life.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another fantastic spot, housing about 100 mountain gorillas with two habituated gorilla families namely Nyakagezi and Hirwa. Located in the southwestern part of Uganda, it also provides stunning views of the Virunga Mountain range. This National Park is one of the few places in the World where the Mountain Gorillas live and it attracts travelers from different countries to come to Uganda for Gorilla tracking tours. Along with gorilla sightings, Mgahinga is a great place for hiking to the summit of Mount Sabinyo, where trekkers can enjoy breathtaking views and possibly spot golden monkeys that also call the park home. Besides the primates, visitors can also see variety of wildlife species such as animals like elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush back. Buffalos, leopards. Bird species including 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco. Visitors here can also have the chance to explore the caves and the indigenous Batwa pygmy people.
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an incredible experience that involves going into the forest to observe gorillas in their natural environment. Uganda gorilla safaris normally start at 7:00am with briefing at every park headquarters about the dos and don’ts while moving in the forest and with the gorillas. Once the briefing is complete, a group of skilled park guides, rangers, and trackers will lead you into the lush forest in search of the gorillas. You are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas when found. This is a unique chance to see these magnificent creatures up close and observe their behavior in the wild. After your one hours of viewing, you return to the starting point to receive a certificate for the successful gorilla trekking in either national park.
What is the best time to see the gorillas in Uganda?
Seeing Uganda gorillas can be done at any time of the year, but the most recommended time to see these fascination creatures is during the Uganda dry season which runs from June to early September and then December to February. During these months, Uganda’s forest experience less rainfall though the climate changes every day, making it easier to spot these creatures and other wildlife species seen the forests. This dry season is also marked as a peak tourism season. So, tourists are recommended to book for this thrilling adventure well in advance since there is a high demand of gorilla permits as compared to rainy seasons.
How much is a Uganda gorilla permits?
The cost of a Uganda gorilla permit is UDS 800 for person who are Non-Foreign Residents, USD 700 for Foreign Residents and Shs. 300,000 for East African Citizens. If you’re interested in gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which gives you a longer experience, the permits costs USD 1500 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD 1000 for Foreign Residents and Uganda Shs. 750,000 per person for East African Citizens.
With habituation permits, you can spend four hours with the gorillas after finding them. This longer visit lets you watch how they move around, what they eat, how they rest and the way they live together in groups.
Where to stay on a Uganda gorilla trekking safaris
Visitors while on a Uganda gorilla safari shouldn’t worry about where to stay, Uganda gorilla trekking destinations have a variety of accommodation facilities that caters for every kind of tourist. These range from budget to high end hotels and lodges.
Visitors to Bwindi impenetrable National Park have options to stay in accommodations such as Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany springs Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, and Gorilla Forest camp. While tourist on a Uganda gorilla safari to Mgahinga Gorilla national park can stay in a variety of accommodations in Kisoro town or near the park.