Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga during the high season
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga during the high season: Gorilla trekking is the most thrilling adventure travel experience one would get on a safari in Uganda. The gorilla trekking activity is carried out in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park all located in the southwestern part of the country.
The high season falls in the months June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. The high season happens during the dry months with little rainfall which is the period when Mgahinga national park is experiencing little or no rainfall. During the dry season, it’s when other countries from the western part of the world are experiencing winter therefore, they come to enjoy summer in our country.
There is no time better than the high season when it comes to gorilla trekking. The high season gives the best gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga national park because tourists expect little or no rainfall at all. When the rainfall is less in Mgahinga national park, the vegetation keeps short giving clear views and shots of wildlife, and roads more so the marram ones stay in good conditions.
Gorilla permits for Mgahinga national park during the high season
Only 8 gorilla trekking permits are available in Mgahinga national park a day and the fact that during the high season, tourists flock to the park means that there will be a need to book the gorilla permits early in advance. Tourists need to secure themselves gorilla permits of Mgahinga national park 3 to 4 months or more in advance before they sell out. The gorilla permits do sell out in the high season because a lot of travelers visit the park because of good weather conditions.
Gorilla permit booking can always be done directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority but again it can be done by a local tour operator organizing your safari. A gorilla permit for Mgahinga national park is purchased from UWA at a fee of $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 citizens of East African member states.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park during the high season
The high season is when Mgahinga national park is visited by a high number of tourists. On the morning of gorilla trekking, expect the tourists to be 8 which is the maximum number of people allowed to trek. The activity does start with a briefing where trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of the activity.
The available trekkers do head into the jungle where they are led by armed ranger guides. The ranger guides do take trekkers through different trails to different spots where the mountain gorillas like to be. The rangers also follow footprints of the mountain gorillas as well as the food they left behind. Searching takes 2 to 7 hours and while doing so one is able to meet different wildlife species and vegetation.
When the mountain gorillas are found, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the members and this gives them an opportunity to learn about their habits, take photos and watch the members carry out day to day activities like nesting, hunting, playing, coupling, eating, and breastfeeding among others.
After spending 1 hour around mountain gorillas, trekkers get out of the jungle and drive to Ntebeko Visitors Centre where they get their gorilla trekking certificates. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park is not that difficult and at the end of activity tourists will be happy talking about how they finally met their close relatives.
Is the high season the best time to go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga?
Yes, the high season is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park because it does happen in the dry season months. The high season occurs from June to September and December to February when the park is receiving little or no rainfall. During the high season, the trekking trails are dry and easy to go through, vegetation is short and thin with good views of wildlife and photography. The roads leading to the park are a bit dusty but easily passable.