Bwindi gorilla trekking in July

Bwindi gorilla trekking in July: Bwindi is one of the national parks that harbors mountain gorillas in the world. The national park has the highest number of mountain gorillas living in different sectors namely Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. 19 mountain gorilla families have been habituated while 2 are still going under habituation. These mountain gorilla families can be trekked at any time of the year for the park is ever open.

July is one of the best months to have a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for the month is characterized by little or no rainfall that keeps the trekking trails dry. Gorilla trekking in July comes with good views of the mountain gorillas since the vegetation is short and scattered. The month is one of those that we recommend travelers to visit the park and encounter mountain gorillas.

To encounter the Bwindi mountain gorillas in July, you need to have booked a gorilla permit first which can be done using a local tour operator or Uganda Wildlife Authority. The gorilla permit is a ticket or document that will allow you to be part of the mountain gorilla trekking activity on the day of trekking and failure to have it you can’t encounter mountain gorillas. July is one of the months many travelers visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and therefore book your permit early in advance of 3-4 months.

Cost of Bwindi gorilla trekking permits in July

The price of gorilla permits in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is the same all throughout the year. Each gorilla trekking in July will cost you $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and citizens of east Africa UGX250,000.  Gorilla trekking permits in July tend to sell out quickly and therefore travelers are advised to book their permits in advance of 3-4 months. The gorilla trekking permits can be got from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted local tour operator at the same price.

What are some of the advantages of trekking Bwindi gorillas in July?

The only advantage of trekking mountain gorillas of Bwindi in July is that the weather is so good. There is a lot of sunshine during the day but the national park being a tropical forest you need to expect little or no rainfall at any time of the day. The sunshine dries up most of the vegetation leaving it short and thin with clear views of the park animals. The trekking trails are dry due to little and most of the time no rainfall.

What are the disadvantages of trekking mountain gorillas in July?

There are a lot of disadvantages that come with trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi in July. One of them is gorilla trekking takes longer and this is because the mountain gorillas move far to high altitudes looking for food which is always scarce. The gorilla trekking permits are scarce because a lot of travelers are intending to visit the national park. You might get a gorilla permit but not for the sector you want. The accommodation prices are very high and not negotiable. Lastly, the national park is overcrowded because that is when most travelers visit.

Encounter the Silverback gorilla in Bwindi in July

Bwindi gorilla trekking experience in July

Bwindi gorilla trekking in July might take a bit longer because the mountain gorillas live at high altitudes searching for food. Trekkers should expect little or no rainfall on that day because it’s one of the dry months. Trekkers will wake up early in the morning for breakfast and then head to the briefing center where they will other trekkers. Trekkers will gather and learn about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity from the armed ranger guides. Groups not exceeding 8 people are made and they consider the age and physical ability when allocating mountain gorilla families.

Each group of trekkers is led by armed ranger guides who take them through different park trails searching for the mountain gorilla family assigned. During the search for mountain gorillas, trekkers have opportunities to meet different park animals such as chimpanzees, buffaloes, duikers, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, birds, and plants among others. When mountain gorillas are found, 1 hour is given to trekkers to be around these apes, watch them do daily activities, take photos and learn about their habits.

What to pack for a successful Bwindi gorilla trekking in July

For travelers to have a successful Bwindi gorilla trekking experience in July, they need to pack waterproof hiking shoes, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, first aid kit, insect repellents, sanitizer, facemask, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, sweater, rain jacket, gardening gloves, a hat, sunscreen, energy giving snacks, drinking water bottle, a camera and a pair of binoculars among others.

Getting to Bwindi

Travelers visiting Bwindi for mountain gorilla trekking can access the park within a single day using air transport or road transport. The fastest way to reach the park is using air transport and with this, you need to book your seat in advance. Different airline companies such as Bar Aviation Uganda and Aerolink Uganda have chattered flights to Bwindi every day. Flights start from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport to kKihihi airstrip for those visiting Buhoma region and Kisoro airstrip for those visiting Ruhija, Rushaga, and Buhoma region.

Travelers that are okay with traveling long distances or those that can’t afford flying to the park can use road transport from Kampala/Entebbe or Kigali. From Kigali to Bwindi takes 4-5 hours to cross to Uganda via Katuna birder in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro where you connect to the park for a few hours. Travelers from Kampala/Entebbe will go through Masaka, Mbarara, Rukungiri, Kabale, Kisoro and then connect to the sectors of the park they are going to trek mountain gorillas.