Quick gorilla trekking safaris from Kampala – Fly in Gorilla safaris – Bwindi gorilla permits booking – Driving gorilla safaris from Kampala.
Are you in Entebbe and you are interested in quick gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi from Kampala to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, are you trying to find out how far is Bwindi from Kampala, the distance from Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable National Park is approximately 540km and the drive time is approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive? You can as well get to Bwindi by flight which is approximately 1-2 hours the flight departs from Entebbe Airport starting at 7am to airstrips of Kisoro and Kihihi and from here you can be picked up by your driver guide or the hotel shuttle where you plan to stay for the nights in Bwindi.
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the only 4 national parks home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the world, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest forests with a diverse biodiversity with various species which include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals, the park is also home to several primates including chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey and the major one the Mountain Gorillas. The global population of mountain gorillas is 1064 individuals and half of these can be found in Bwindi Forest, the park has over 22 habituated gorilla family groups open for gorilla tracking with 8 gorilla permits allocated to each group per day.
Where is Gorilla Trekking done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done in 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi and Ruhija sector in the North Eastern part of Bwindi both sectors are located close to Queen Elizabeth National Park making it easy to combine gorilla trekking with game viewing if you are trekking at these sectors. In the southern Part of Bwindi, it is where Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors are located close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking and Golden monkey tracking. Each sector has different habituated mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking with Rushaga sector having many families compared to other sectors.
How much is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
A Gorilla Permit costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for East African Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa citizens, and USD80 for East African Citizens. This Gorilla permit gives you an opportunity to spend one-hour encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest once you find them on your trek, now you can get discounted gorilla permits during the low season months of April, May and November at USD600 per person.
How to purchase a Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi
Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), this can be done at their headquarters in Kampala for tourists arriving in Uganda through Entebbe it is recommended to purchase their gorilla permits from Kampala. Great Adventure Safaris is one of the best gorilla safari companies which can purchase for you your gorilla permit in advance and on short notice, once you confirm your dates and share them with us via email or WhatsApp we will first tentatively reserve the gorilla permits for you online and then send you an invoice for you to make payment and once money comes through on our account we will purchase your gorilla permits immediately and send you scanned copies of your permits for your records and perusal and this will confirm you have purchased your gorilla permits for your gorilla trek in Bwindi forest for a given date.
What is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
The best time to do a quick gorilla trekking safaris from Kampala is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown
What to pack for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?
During gorilla tracking, you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi include;
Insect Repellent, Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries, Wet Wipes, Water Bottle, Camera, lenses etc, Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks, Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking, Sandals/strops/walking shoes, Hat and Sunscreen, Rain Jacket, Sweater/fleece, Swimwear, Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Where to stay during gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others