Uganda gorilla safaris are among the most done travel experiences on Africa Safaris. The pearl of Africa is gifted by nature offering travelers with remarkable and unforgettable gorilla experiences. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is ranked as the number one travel activity which brings the highest number of travelers to the Pearl of Africa. Uganda gorilla tours are a must-do on your Uganda safari without which the safari is claimed incomplete. African Apes Tours offers you guided and affordable Uganda gorilla safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National park to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectations. If you have ample time, our Uganda gorilla safaris can be done along with other travel experiences such as chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, Game viewing in open savannah parks, bird watching, boat safaris and cultural tours to make a complete Uganda safari package.
Where to go for Uganda gorilla safaris?
Are you ready for a Uganda gorilla tour and wondering where to go? Uganda gorilla safaris are done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Kabale/ Rubanda districts and in Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Kisoro district. Both National Parks are located in southwestern Uganda. Altogether, the two-gorilla national park in Uganda shelter over 500 mountain gorillas, which makes half of the world’s total gorilla population. Uganda mountain gorillas have been habituated into 18 gorilla families each visited by a group of eight a day. Reports from the 2018 mountain gorilla census indicate that the world apparently has 1006 gorillas shared between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi forest is the fist stop center for all Uganda gorilla safaris. Shared between Kabale and Rubanda districts, Bwindi Forest National park is home to over 480 mountain gorillas making it home half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Bwindi Park has 17 gorilla families habituated for trekking every day. The gorilla groups in Bwindi forest include Mubare gorilla group, Mishaya gorilla family, Nshongi family, Bweza gorilla family, Nkrungo gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family, Rushegura gorilla group, Kahungye gorilla group, Katwe gorilla family Chritsmas gorilla group, Oruzogo gorilla family, Bitukura gorilla family, Kyagulioro gorilla f gorilla family. Gorilla groups in Bwindi forest are divided into four sectors, which are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.
Gorilla tours to Mgahinag Gorilla National Park
More so, visit Mgahinga gorilla national park, home to Nyakagyexi gorilla family. Nyakagyezi has been the only gorilla family in Mgahinag Gorilla National park until late 2019 when it was joined by Hirwa gorilla family that migrated from Volcanoes National park Rwanda. Apparently, there are two gorilla families available for trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Cost of Uganda gorilla safaris
The cost of Uganda gorilla tours I not static. It varies depending on various factors including the cost of a permit, a number of days on the whole gorilla trip, add on activities, the number of people on the trip and the type of accommodation used (budget, midrange or luxury). Uganda gorilla permits costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. Also, the cost of Uganda gorilla safaris depends on the travel company you book with. Travel agents add a different labor cost. So it’s possible to find different groups of travelers doing the same gorilla itinerary but paying different costs. At African Apes Holidays, we offer you very affordable gorilla tours but with unmatched value.
Gorilla Permit availability in Uganda
Uganda gorilla permit
The availability of gorilla permits in Uganda depends on the number of habituated gorilla families. Each gorilla group is visited by 8 people meaning 8 permits per gorilla group. Altogether, Uganda has 144-gorilla permits available every day. Travelers are advised to book as early as 6 months in advance due to the high demand for Uganda gorilla tours. Gorilla permit bookings in Uganda can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Magical Africa safaris your number one gorilla safari company.
Gorilla habituation experience
Uganda gorilla safaris also involve gorilla habituation experience, which allows you to spend four hours in the company of gorillas. Gorilla habituation is only done in Rushaga sector and 2 families (Bushaho & Bikyingi) are currently undergoing habituation experience. A gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 and can be booked directly with UWA or through African Apes Tours & Travel.
Rules of Uganda gorilla safaris
Before the start of all Uganda gorilla tours, travelers are assembled at the park headquarters and introduced to the rules and regulation o gorilla trekking r habituation. These include:
1. Avoid direct eye contact with the gorillas
2. Do not trek when sick
3. Do not use flashlight cameras
4. Do not shout for gorillas. Speak at a lows tone
5. Keep within your groups
6. Keep a seven-meter distance from gorillas
7. Do not litter in the park
What to pack for a Uganda gorilla safari
What to Carry for gorilla trekking
Make sure you pack the right attire and other essentials if you want your Uganda gorilla safari to be a success. Your gorilla trekking packing list in Uganda should include among others:
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Gardening gloves
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Long pants
• Sun glasses
• Insect repellant
• Energy giving snacks
• Hat
• Scarf
• Bottled drinking water
• First aid kit
Routes to do Uganda gorilla safaris
Uganda gorilla safaris can be done starting from Entebbe international airport or through Kigali Rwanda. Driving from Kampala is a full day drive through Masaka Mbarara Kabale e to Bwindi. This offers you great pre gorilla trekking experience with scenic views of Ankole plains, farms and the beautiful ills of Kigezi. The suitable package or a traveler driving from Kampala to Bwindi is a 3 Days Uganda gorilla safari with 1t day for transferring to Bwindi, 2nd day for gorilla trekking and 3rd day for returning to Kampala. If you have limited time, opt for Rwanda to Uganda gorilla trekking by flying onto Kigali Rwanda and trek gorillas in Bwindi. A 1-Day Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking is a suitable package for you. Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe to Kihihi/kisoro airstrips saving you long driving hours to Bwindi/Mgahinga.
Best time for Uganda gorilla safaris
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is in the dry season between the months of June, July, August, September to mid-October and December, January and February. Rainfall is minimal during this time which eases your trekking through the jungle forests. However, Uganda gorilla tours can be done all year round.
Conclusively, Uganda gorilla safaris are a not miss on your Africa safari. Contact African Apes Tours today, book your Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks and be part of this memorable experience.
