Gorilla trekking tops all other tourist activities in Uganda. Basing on 2018 census, Uganda hosts almost half of the world’s existing mountain gorillas found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). The rest of Mountain Gorillas are kept in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park (VNP) and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo – both parks are situated in Virunga crescent.
Gorilla trekking is a daily activity which starts at 8am after 30 minutes briefing at the park headquarters. Briefing is done at 7:30am by the ranger guides who also lead the entire gorilla safari experience.
The cost of Uganda Gorilla permits now cost US$700 compared to Rwanda’s US$1500 and US$400 for DRC.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
BINP promotes 18 habituated Gorilla families in Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Ruhija sector and Rushaga sector. Each sector protects different gorilla families from which tourist choose a family to trek. Bwindi Impenetrable is a tropical rain forest which is ever green and characterized by the canopies.
The Rushaga sector is known for keeping the majority of the habituated gorilla families and thus the majority gorilla permits available per day. The sector also has a comparative advantage of Gorilla habituation which is not done in other sectors.
Some of the habituated gorilla families in BINP include: Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Nyakagezi and the research group Kyaguriro among others.
Each gorilla group is maximumly trekked by 8 people, but travelers are most advised to plan their gorilla trekking trip during the dry season that runs in the months of June-September and mid-December to February during which time the ground is firmer that the trails are not slippery.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
MGNP protects only one Gorilla family known as Nyakagezi which is mobile and sometimes cross the boarder to Rwanda’s volcanoes National Park. The relief in Mgahinga is mountainous thus requires high level of fitness so, if you are not sure of your fitness, book Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector or Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park due to friendly relief.
After Gorilla trekking, you can supplement it with Mountaineering, Golden Monkey trekking, Batwa cultural tour, birding among others.
Uganda is pearl of Africa gifted by nature. The country is endowed with Ten National Parks which are well stocked with a variety of tourist attractions. Some of the tourist attractions include Chimpanzees, Lions, Elephants, Mountains, rivers and Lakes, Vegetation, Valleys and waterfalls among others.