Gorilla Trekking with Adventure Uganda Safaris

Go gorilla trekking in Uganda, , Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo on our customized Adventure Uganda Safaris. We offer tailor-made Uganda gorilla safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in Kabale and Kisoro districts, respectively. Enjoy a face-to-face encounter with one of the 21 gorilla groups in Uganda. In Bwindi Forest, gorilla trekking can be done in any of the four gorilla regions, which make this impenetrable Forest.  These regions are the Buhoma gorilla sector in the north, Ruhija in the East, Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla regions in the south. Some of the gorilla groups in Bwindi Forest National Park include Mubare group, Kyaguliro Group, Mishaya Group, Nshongi Group, Kwitonda Group, Kahungye Group, Katwe Group, Nkuringo Group, Bushaho Group, Katwe Group, Christmas Group, Rwigi Group, and Bikyingi Group, among others.

Each gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800, allowing one to spend an hour with. the gorillas.  In addition to trekking, Uganda is famous for the experimental gorilla habituation in which travelers spend four hours with gorillas in the wild. Only two gorilla families are currently undergoing habituation; anach habituation permit costs $1500. Adventure Uganda Safaris under Maranatha Tours and Travel help you to secure and reserve gorilla permits in Uganda. For Uganda gorilla tours in Mgahinga, the park shelters only one Nyakagyezi Gorilla Family. Contact Adventure Uganda Safaris to book a gorilla tour at discounted rates

Cost of Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are relatively cheaper than in Rwanda! Uganda gorilla permit costs are categorized into foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. However, in addition to gorilla permits, Uganda gorilla trekking costs entail other expenses such as accommodation, transport, government taxes, and miscellaneous. The Uganda gorilla safaris are categorized as budget, midrange, and luxury depending on several factors such as transport, accommodation and seasons

Book your permit early with Maranatha Tours and Travel. The demand is high and we recommend that you secure your permit at least 2-3 months before the actual visit to Uganda to see mountain gorillas.

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Travelers coming for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo are advised to carry certain things essential for a peaceful and enjoyable gorilla encounter. Some of the things to carry for gorilla trekking include hiking boots/shoes to ease your hiking in the jungle, gardening gloves to protect the hands, Rain jacket for the unpredictable forest weather, long-sleeved shirts, Long pants, a hat, a scarf, long stockings, and insect repellants, among others. Other things to carry include a first aid kit, toiletries, cameras with extra batteries and enough memory, a long-sleeved shirt/top, insect repellent, a rainproof backpack, and energy-giving snacks. You are also reminded to hire a porter and a walking stick to make the experience more fun

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are done all year round, but gorilla permits are usually on high demand during the dry months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December because most tourists prefer trekking during the dry season when trails are drier and less muddy or slippery.

This, however doesn’t mean that the Gorilla trekking destinations are avoided during the wet season but surprisingly, the months of March, April, May, October and November offer easier and faster trekking conditions given the fact that food for the mountain gorillas is in plenty and these primates don’t move to far places.

Gorilla Trekking Trips

Gorilla trekking tips are set guidelines/procedures to be followed by tourists before, during and after trekking mountain gorillas to ensure their protection, given the fact that they are endangered and vulnerable species.

Mountain gorillas are scientifically known as gorilla beringei beringei and are one of the two sub-species of Eastern gorillas with at least 1063 of them occupying the mountainous rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as the Virunga Conservation Area comprising of Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Mountain gorillas are up to 98.2% rated to humans which makes them susceptible to most contagious diseases that also affect human, especially flue/cold, cough, influenza and Ebola (can be transferred from humans to mountain gorillas and vice-versa). Also, giant apes just like other wild animals can be harmful to humans if provoked although they are habituated hence trekkers are always briefed on the dos and don’ts of trekking them.

Therefore, the gorilla trekking tips are categorized into guidelines to follow before trekking, during trekking and when in the presence of the mountain gorillas and they include;

Gorilla trekking tips to follow before setting off

Ensure that you are of reasonable shape, given the fact that mountain gorillas live in areas of high elevation thus making gorilla trekking physically demanding.
Make sure you are over 15 years before trekking the mountain gorillas. This guideline is crucial for reducing the risk of exposing the already endangered primates to childhood diseases such as measles and also to avoid scaring them since children are unpredictable when it comes to responding to fear.
Always wash your hands before trekking the mountain gorillas to avoid spreading disease causing germs to the gorillas.
Maximum of 8 tourists are allowed to trek a habituated gorilla family per day to reduce risk of exposing mountain gorillas to diseases and to avoid behavioral changes.

Gorilla trekking tips to follow while searching for the allocated gorilla family

Practice the principle of “pack it in, pack it out” when dealing with litter and leave the Park exactly the way you found it. The fragile ecosystem of mountain gorillas has to be kept the way it was found so that the generations to come can also enjoy the privilege of meeting face to face with the great apes with their authenticity.
There are no toilets in the middle of the jungles and if you ever desire to answer the call of nature, speak to a ranger who will dig a small pit of 30 centimeters deep to allow you defecate and will be covered after use.
Keep voices low when trekking the mountain gorillas and only ask the guides questions related to mountain gorillas and the activity itself.

Gorilla trekking tips when in the presence of the great apes

Flash cameras are not allowed to taking photos of the mountain gorillas because it scares them and can provoke an aggression.
Trekkers are given only 60 minutes to interact with the mountain gorillas while taking photos as well as learning about their extraordinary behaviors and physical characteristics. This guideline is important to reduce possible risks of spreading diseases and stressing the mountain gorillas.
Do not cough or sneeze in the presence of the mountain gorillas but if you get the urge to cough or sneeze, turn your mouth away and cover it with a handkerchief to avoid spreading germs.
A minimum distance of 7 meters has to be maintained between the mountain gorillas and tourists. This is done to minimize behavioral disturbances and to avoid straining them. Similarly, do not touch the mountain gorillas, and even when they come close to you, slowly move away.

Avoid eating and smoking while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
Remain together with your colleagues while in the presence of mountain gorillas to minimize any possible confusion to the great apes.
Avoid staring directly in the eyes of the mountain gorillas because they will perceive it as a form of provocation and call for aggressiveness. If mountain gorillas charge, submit by crouching down.

Avoid abrupt or swift movement while observing the mountain gorillas because it can scare them.

General Health Rules

Mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, and this makes them vulnerable to several human diseases. Therefore, trekkers are advised to adhere to the following health guidelines;

• A distance of 7 meters must be maintained when watching the mountain gorillas.
  • Respect the time limit (one hour) set for viewing the mountain gorillas.
  • Avoid littering the National Park with rubbish because it act as a breeding ground for disease-causing germs.
• Turn your mouth away from the mountain gorillas when coughing or sneezing.
  • Don’t track the mountain gorillas if you are sick with contagious diseases such as a cough and flue.

Gorilla families to