Best gorilla tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park
Best gorilla tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda – Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the south western part of the country the park covers a total area of 321 km/sq and its gorilla trekking areas are divided in to for areas, the first being the northern part of the park known as Buhoma and the second one being the eastern part of the part called Ruhija and the third part is referred to as the lower south called Rushaga and the last one being Nkuringo area.
Over the years the eastern part of the park has proven to be the most successful and easier treks have been recorded in that region however it has limited accommodation options. This is entirely due to the high altitudes which has given the area an upper hand for vegetation growth.
With over 100 gorilla permits available in a day this makes Bwindi a top gorilla trekking area and making it as one of the best areas to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
How to book gorilla permits for your trek?
All gorilla permits in Uganda are sold by Uganda wildlife authority to registered Ugandan tour operators so if you’re planning to a trip to Uganda this agency can book for you the gorilla permits.
How to get to Bwindi impenetrable National Park?
By air
Across all the sectors of the park you can now fly in to the nearby towns to the park and take an hour-2 hour transfers to the park
By road from Kampala/ Entebbe
And a transfer in a 4×4 safari land cruiser is possible and it’s usually a 9-10 hour transfer by road from the capital Kampala or Entebbe.
Via Kigali in Rwanda
With the convenience of the east African multi -entry visa pass you can now fly in the main city of Rwanda in Kigali and take 4-5 hour transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Comparing best gorilla tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking tours are the main things to do in both Uganda and Rwanda and any traveler willing to book a safari to trek gorillas and these are the cost of the gorilla permit and the total cost of the tour. And every traveler should get a gorilla’s permit, the standard price for Uganda gorilla tracking permit is $700 per person per trek, Rwanda increased her gorilla trekking permits to $1500 per person per trek. Seeing mountain gorillas in both countries is 98% as most of the gorilla families are well monitored.
What to expect on the best gorilla tracking tours?
It takes a whole day driver from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, and you will have a special en-route stop at the equator crossing for photography and from here basing on the sector of Bwindi you will be trekking gorillas from, you will continue to four sectors which is Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector,Ruhija sector, and Rushaga sector or Mgahinga gorilla National Park. There you will spend the nights and then the following day, you will set out for gorilla trek and watching, by dawn you wake up enjoy breakfast, have packed lunch and then start on the short drive to the National Park head quarter. You will have a briefing about the dos and don’t’s while in forest and when you meet the gorillas in the natural habitat, then you will start the trek into the jungle. The trek can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day but I cannot explain in words how fascinating is to stand only meters from the amazing creatures and our close relatives but remember mountain gorillas are animals, for them they do not know the rules and regulations mainly the young ones can even come close to you to even an extent of torching the tourists.
What fitness levels are required?
Various gorilla families require different times as some families leave in the higher altitudes, up on the mountain making it difficult to trek and others and others are so easy to trek. If you are not very fit or facing old age, it is better you talk to your driver guide to arrange for you a gorilla family that is easy and doesn’t require a lot of walking and hike but this is arranged on the day of trekking on ground. Great Adventure safaris always advise trekkers to take enough water, parked lunch, a porter to help you carry the backpacker, give you a pull or push during the trek. Walking stick, for the old travelers, we can arrange to be carried on a sedan chair to and from the gorillas.Read more about gorilla trekking fitness in Uganda
What to eat during the gorilla trek?
As you enjoy an early heavy breakfast before your trek, the lodge will provide you with packed lunch, and they are enough for your trip up to Bwindi forest.
Best gorilla trekking tours with Kids
Children/kids below the age of 15 years are not allowed to trek the gorillas in the forest, but Great Adventure Safaris with the lodge can arrange a special program for your children with a care giver, games at the lodge, nature walks and community walks around the lodge or if possible you can carry some games with you as you travel to Uganda or Rwanda.
What to wear and pack list?
This is one of the frequently asked questions. Your list of gorilla trekking gear should have trekking boots or hiking shoes, because Bwindi is a tropical rain forest and it can rain at any time of the day, rainy jacket or poncho, long sleeved shirt and gloves, read more about the pack list for gorilla trekking. Contact Great Adventure Safaris to book the best gorilla tracking tours in Uganda and Rwanda.