Gorilla Safaris in Uganda from USA

Wondering if it is possible to organize gorilla safaris in Uganda from USA? Uganda gorilla safaris and tours can be safely planned even if you are in the United States of America (USA). Regardless of the city you are in whether Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C, San Diego, California or Texas, you can plan and book a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda with ease.

Here, we have provided a simple guide on how you can successfully plan your gorilla safaris in Uganda from USA (United States of America). Inclusive are also essential travel tips on how to book your Uganda gorilla safari from USA with Maranatha Tours and Travel.

Facts About Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda offer thrilling on foot walking expedition where you search for already habituated gorilla families. The unique gorilla safaris in Uganda is that tourists embark on a search for mountain gorillas with an experienced park ranger guide.

About 50% of the world’s mountain gorilla population reside in Uganda. When planning and booking your gorilla safari adventure, you can choose to visit any of the two parks to begin your gorilla trek. They include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 331 sq. km and like Mgahinga, they are all situated in Southwestern Uganda. About 5 sectors are available for gorilla trekking 4 of which are in Bwindi and include Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. At Mgahinga, Ntebeko is the key area or region where gorilla treks begin from.

Overall, about 24 habituated gorilla families are open for tracking in Uganda. They include Mubare, Katwe, Christmas, Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Rwigi, Kutu, Mucunguzi, Bweza, and Mukiza. Other gorilla families to track on Uganda gorilla safaris include Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Nshongi group, Bushaho, Bikingi, Mishaya, and others.

What you need to Know when planning Gorilla Safaris in Uganda from USA

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Cost

There is no standard cost for a Uganda gorilla trekking tour. Like other destinations, the cost of gorilla trekking safari does vary depending on the key factors such as cost of gorilla permits, accommodation, transportation, and other activities visitors add on to spice the gorilla trekking experience.

Cost of Gorilla Permit

A valid gorilla permit is essential for anyone with plans to track mountain gorillas in Uganda. Currently, the cost of permits for mountain gorilla trekking stands at USD 800 per person (for foreign nonresidents), USD 700 per guest under foreign resident category, USD 500 per visitor when you fall under the Rest of Africa and lastly, Ugandans or East African citizens are charged UGX 300,000 per visitor.

How to book a gorilla permit in Uganda from United States of America. A valid gorilla permit in Uganda can be booked even when you are still in the United States of America. Just contact our reservation team and the rest of the processes can be completed without you needing to walk into park authorities to purchase the permit.

Booking gorilla permits is part of the services we offer to our guests regardless of their country of origin. Consider booking your permit or gorilla trip early and we recommend you do so at least 2-6 months before the actual date you plan to visit mountain gorillas.

Flight to Uganda from United States of America

To ease your connectivity to Uganda for you to start your gorilla adventure safari, you can use any of the flight services to Entebbe International Airport. To be on a safer side, we recommend that you fly into Uganda at least 2 days earlier before the actual date of visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla tracking.

Arriving into Uganda early can give you ample time to rest before you connect to your preferred gorilla safari destination.

Best time to go for gorilla safaris in Uganda from USA

The best time to go for gorilla safaris in Uganda from USA is during the peak dry months/seasons. The dry season in Bwindi/Mgahinga run from June to September then December to February. It is around these months when the heavy rains are low and the ground remains relatively drier making it a little easier for tourists to navigate through the park in search for mountain gorillas.

What to pack for your Uganda gorilla safari tour

A successful gorilla safari in Uganda requires you to pack appropriately. When packing, better to begin with essentials first and they include long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, waterproof daypack, a camera, long trousers, first aid kit, waterproof hiking boots, snacks, adequate energy giving snacks, a safari hat, insect repellent, and others.

Best gorilla safaris and tour packages

Choose the favorable gorilla safari itinerary. Connecting from the USA to Uganda for gorilla trekking holiday requires at least more days and the best shortest gorilla safari package can be 3 days gorilla trekking in Bwindi, 3 Days gorilla tour to Mgahinga or 6 days, 10 days Uganda safari and more. The beauty about taking the long trips is that you can have a combination of gorilla trekking and other experiences.

Book your accommodation early

Bwindi and Mgahinga have multiple lodging options for overnight stays ranging from budget to luxury. Available accommodation choices to consider booking include Gorilla Heights Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodges, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge.

Accommodation options in Mgahinga include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mount Gahinga Rest Camp, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mutanda Lake Resort, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and Lake Chahafi Resort.

How to connect to Bwindi and Mgahinga to enjoy your gorilla safari

Road and air transportation are the two options available for visitor connectivity to and from Bwindi or Mgahinga. Road travel takes about 8-9 hours’ drive starting from Kampala or Entebbe city and as short as 4-5 hours starting from Kigali capital.

By air, you can spend about 1-2 hours to fly up to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip where you can drive about half an hour to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park.