Gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park.
Are you looking for gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park? Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is Uganda’s biggest national park harboring mountain gorillas. The park is located in the southwestern part of the country neighboring Mgahinga national park. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park was gazetted as a national park in 1991 to protect the forest, mountain gorillas, and other wildlife. Another national park that was gazetted to protect mountain gorillas in Uganda is Mgahinga national park also found in southwestern Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is home to the highest population of mountain gorilla population left in the world and these do live in the 4 sectors of the park. The mountain gorillas live in Buhoma region, Ruhija region, Rushaga region and Nkuringo region. The park has 19 fully habituated gorilla families and 2 gorilla families are semi habituated.
Mountain gorilla tracking is the most done activity in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which allows tourists to encounter endangered mountain gorillas for 1 hour in their habitats. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi gorilla park is done by those that have valid gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park will need you to use a local tour operator who will help you to book the permits, accommodation, and transport. Trekking these mountain gorillas in Bwindi can be done at any time of the year and the park is accessed using air transport or road transport in a single day.
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi gorilla park
Gorilla trekking is the most done activity in Bwindi led by armed ranger guides. The activity is done in 4 sectors of the park which are Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning in all sectors of the park where trekkers must wake early morning and have breakfast at their lodge before being transferred to the sector offices. At the sector headquarters is where wardens the trekkers about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity, group the participants, and assign armed ranger guides to lead them in the jungle.
Trekkers move to the starting points of the trekking where they get walking sticks and those with excess luggage can hire porters at an affordable fee. The armed ranger guides lead the trekkers on the different trekking trails looking for the assigned mountain gorilla family. Locating mountain gorillas takes 2-7 hours of going through different trails, meeting different park animals such as forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, side-striped jackals, giant forest hogs, bushpigs, birds, and much more.
When the mountain gorillas are found, the trekkers are given 1 hour to be around these apes, watch them do daily activities like traveling, nesting climbing, hunting, eating, and much more. The trekkers must keep the rules and regulations as taught at the park offices. Later the trekkers trek out of the jungle, get the trekking certificates, and meet the drivers to transfer them to the lodge or next destination.
A mother gorilla carrying her baby
How much is gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park is done by those that have valid gorilla trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and East African citizens cost shs250,000. The gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi gorilla park can be got from Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted local tour operator at the same price. Travelers intending to visit Bwindi gorilla park are advised to book the permits in advance in order to avoid last-minute booking disappointments.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park?
Essential things to pack for gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park include waterproof hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, cotton stocks, gardening gloves, a light backpack, a warm rainy jacket, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, a camera, a pair of binoculars, drinking water bottle, and energy-giving snacks.
When to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi gorilla park?
Gorilla safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be done at all times of the year but there are certain months that are better than the rest. The dry moths that occur from June to September and December to February are the best to have a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi reason being they are characterized by little or no rainfall that leaves the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is short with clear views of the mountain gorillas, and the roads leading to the park are passable.
Travelers can still visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. The rainy season is however characterized by too much rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is thick with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the park are not in good condition.
Silverback Lodge
Accommodation on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi gorilla park
Accommodation in Buhoma sector: Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
Accommodation in Rushaga sector: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
Accommodation in Nkuringo sector: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite
Accommodation in Ruhija sector: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.
