Uganda gorilla safari destinations

The Uganda gorilla trekking safari experience enjoyed by those on Uganda gorilla safaris is in 2 safari parks of Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. All in western Uganda, these two safari parks are natural habitats to the steadily increasing mountain gorillas. Altogether, Uganda has of 17 habituated gorilla families open to gorilla trekking tourists, 16 in Bwindi impenetrable national park and 1 in Mgahinga gorilla national park. With more than 1000 mountain gorillas still existent in the world, Uganda hosts over half of the remaining mountain gorillas. The other population of mountain gorillas are sighted on Rwanda gorilla safaris and Congo gorilla trekking safari tours in Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park respectively.

About gorilla trekking in Uganda

Mountain gorillas are wild animals but there’s no way you can fail to see the gorillas in Uganda because even with the big numbers, the park rangers go to the jungle by dawn therefore they identify where the gorillas spent the previous night.

Gorilla trekking starts at with briefing at 8:00am each single day with the park rangers. You are allocated a gorilla family to trek in accordance to your physical strength though the gorilla trekking sector is allocated at the time of gorilla permit booking.

If you have difficulties with hiking, porters can be hired to help you through your gorilla safari Uganda experience with a carrier.

You spend about 2-8 hours in the forest searching for the mountain gorillas and only 1 hour in the sight of the gentle giants.

After trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda, you are recognized with a gorilla trekking certificate that you go with home.

How to plan for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari experience

Just like any other Uganda safari, remember to plan well before even setting off for your trip.

First of all, start with planning with the right Uganda gorilla tour operator for all prior bookings. Uganda gorilla trekking tour permits cost $600 which you pay a couple of months before the real safari and your tour operator will perfectly do this for you.

Make sure the tour operator does for you all bookings and preparations since they are more knowledgeable about the weather, accessibility and lodging options.

Early arrival, preparation and enough night rest are key before you go for gorilla trekking the next day. Gorilla trekking involves hiking in a dense misty forest, therefore you need to rest enough and gather enough strength to take you through the steep trails the next day.

Pack the right clothes ranging from a rain coat, hand gloves, hiking boats, long sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat since the park area receives heavy rains. Other things to pack include insect repellent, camera, bottled drinking water and packed lunch.

Gorilla trekking is one of the most memorable and mesmerizing activities you can ever do in Africa, visit Uganda and have a lifetime moment in the natural world.