Uganda Gorilla Trekking Trip

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Trip – Your Ultimate Guide

Planning a gorilla trekking trip in Uganda? To visit the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you’ll need to secure your gorilla trekking permit well in advance. Many travelers ask how to book these permits, where to purchase them and the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda. This guide answers all your questions and helps you navigate the booking process.

Where Can You Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These two parks are home to Uganda’s mountain gorillas. Uganda, along with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the few places in the world where you can trek for these magnificent creatures.

Gorilla trekking permits are required to enter any of these parks. For peak seasons like June to September, we advise booking your permits at least 5 months ahead to ensure availability. You can book your trip directly or through a trusted tour operator like Trek Africa Gorillas.

How to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda

Once you’ve confirmed your travel dates, send us an email to check the availability of gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Once we confirm availability, we will send you an invoice for payment. After receiving your payment, we will purchase the permits on your behalf and send you a scanned copy for your records.

We recommend booking your permits 2-3 months in advance, as permits are limited and tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda varies depending on your residency:

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person per trek
• Residents: $700 per person
• East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan): $80 per person

A permit allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Uganda is home to 18 habituated gorilla families (17 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga), meaning 136 permits are available daily for trekking. For a more immersive experience, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience, available in Bwindi Forest. This experience costs $1500 per person and allows you to spend 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas under the supervision of researchers and trackers.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a year-round activity but the best time to visit is during the dry months from January to February and June to early September. These months offer the best trekking conditions, with drier weather making travel to the parks easier and providing clearer views of the gorillas due to less dense vegetation.

Age Limits for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years and the maximum is 85 years, depending on fitness levels. Elders who feel unfit for the trek can make use of sedan chair carriers, which are available for hire at Bwindi Forest. These chairs are carried by potters to and from the forest during the trek. The cost for hiring a sedan chair is between $400–500 and can be arranged in advance or on the day of the trek.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

When preparing for your gorilla trek, it’s important to pack the right gear for a comfortable and safe experience. The forest can be muddy and challenging, especially after rain, so you’ll need sturdy footwear and protective clothing. Here’s a suggested packing list for your gorilla trekking adventure:

• Insect repellent
• Torch/flashlight with spare batteries
• Wet wipes
• Water bottle
• Camera (with extra lenses and batteries)
• Comfortable hiking boots and socks
• Gardening gloves (for protection from branches and stinging nettles)
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Hat and sunscreen
• Rain jacket
• Sweater or fleece
• Swimwear (for any relaxation after trekking)
• Binoculars (for bird or wildlife watching)

How to Get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

By Road:
The southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by road from Entebbe/Kampala. It’s about an 8-9 hour drive to the park. You’ll need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road, where you’ll follow the signs to Rushaga or Nkuringo sector, depending on your accommodation.

By Air:
You can also fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip, which is closest to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of the park. Both scheduled and chartered flights are available from domestic airlines like Aero link and Fly Uganda. Once you land, you’ll need a transfer to the park, which your tour operator can arrange.

Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policies

Once you’ve booked your gorilla permit, it is crucial to be able to attend the trek on the designated date. Cancellation penalties apply if you fail to show up, with no refund available within 0–8 days of the trekking date.

For more details on cancellation policies or if you need help with booking or rescheduling, contact us today!

Why Book Your Gorilla Permits with Trek Africa Gorillas

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we are dedicated to providing personalized services that prioritize your safety and enjoyment. Our team is committed to sustainable travel, ensuring that our activities benefit local communities and contribute to the conservation of wild places. We also embrace the environmental ethic of “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.”

Ready to book your Uganda gorilla trekking trip? Contact us today to learn more about how to book your gorilla permits, purchase permits and plan your unforgettable trek in Uganda. Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on making memories.