What to know before booking a Uganda fly in Safari to Bwindi? – Gorilla trekking Safaris to Bwindi by air – With Gorilla permits
What to know before booking a Uganda fly in safari to Bwindi? – Before booking in any gorilla safari in Uganda, be it in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park you must understand some of the aspects that make up a gorilla trek in Uganda – Gorilla trekking is an expensive undertaking and therefore, and there is need for adequate preparation.
Mountain gorilla permits at USD 700 per person
As you plan to visit Uganda in 2022-2022, there is need to know that the price of gorilla permits is at USD 700 per person per trek. and we always advise our client’s to book their gorilla permits in advance like 6 months to the travel dates as gorilla permits are always on a high demand. But we do last minute travels and this will highly depend on the availability of Gorilla permits.
Price of a gorilla habituation permit
This price is still maintained at USD1,500. It is only in Uganda where a visitor can spend four hours with Mountain gorillas still under habituation. This activity was introduced to give visitors more time with the great Apes in a day. This experience goes beyond seeing and photographing the gorillas but seeing what it takes to habituate these animals.
Uganda remains the cheapest gorilla trekking destination in Uganda.
The Democratic Republic of Congo still remains insecure and not trusted by many travelers on issues of security and therefore, not a preferred destination to trek mountain gorillas. Uganda remains the more competitive of the two countries trusted by travelers. USD 700 for a gorilla permit is still relatively cheap and affordable compared to Rwanda whose permits cost USD 1,500 per person per trek.
Uganda has the highest number of gorillas in the world
What to know before booking a Uganda fly in safari to Bwindi – According to the recent Mountain gorilla census that was conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Virunga National Parks, it puts Bwindi in the number one position with more than half the world population of Mountain gorillas. This therefore, makes Uganda the preferred destination to trek mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has four Gorilla trekking Sectors
Unlike other National Parks, Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park has four major gorilla trekking sectors of Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the East, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the south. Each of the four regions has different gorilla families and lodges. It is therefore, crucial before you book any lodge, allow us first book your gorilla permit which will determine your overnight accommodation.
Gorilla permit allocation is based on regions, not gorilla families.
One can only get to know the gorilla family to trek on the actual day. When booking gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, they are booked per region. In other words one can book gorilla groups of Nkuringa and Rushaga without knowing which families they will trek. Once the region is known to you, you will then be free to request a family of your choice in that region. However, this request is NOT always guaranteed.
Older persons or people with disabilities
What to know before booking a Uganda fly in safari to Bwindi – In Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, there is no maximum age limit to trek gorillas. The older persons of 100 plus years can still achieve their dreams of trekking gorillas. As mentioned in most literatures about gorilla trekking, one is supposed to be physically fit to be able to make it to the gorillas. It is also believed that persons with disabilities do not suit this activity however, with the use of, “Sedan chairs and porters” it is now possible. Please contact us for more information.
Always book your gorilla permit in advance
Gorilla trekking being one of the most sought after activities in Uganda, it is advised to book you gorilla permit in advance since they sell out quickly. To avoid missing out, it is advised for you to book your tour 4-5 months in advance.
Flight options to Bwindi and Mgahinga
Driving from Entebbe to Bwindi or Maringa National Parks takes between 9-10 hours and this can be quite cumbersome for most travelers. There are scheduled and chattered flights to the above destinations from Entebbe International airport of Kihansi airstrip. These flights land at Khiri and Kisoro airstrips respectively and there after drive by road for 2 hours and 3 hours respectively to get to your final destination.
Access from Kigali Rwanda
It is now possible to drive from Kigali and trek Mountain gorillas in Uganda from Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla National Parks. This will allow you to spend between 4-5 hours on road as compared to between 9 and 10 hours of driving from Entebbe. From Kigali airport, you could choose to cross the border to Uganda via Chanika or Katuna points, and then drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga.
Age limit for trekking gorillas in Uganda
It is important to note that before you start to think of your gorilla trekking in Uganda, you need to be 15 years of age and above. This is because Uganda and Rwanda have an initial age limit. If you are 14 and about to make 15, you are eligible but with proof by a birth certificate. Please for more information, contact us.
