How long does gorilla trekking take in Bwindi?

How long does gorilla trekking take in Bwindi?: Bwindi is one of the places to find mountain gorillas in the whole world. The national park has the highest population of mountain gorillas in the whole world living in four sectors of the park- Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Buhoma. Trekking gorillas in Bwindi is an activity that takes trekkers through different trails of the park with a help of a guide until they meet the mountain gorilla family assigned.

To trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, you need a gorilla trekking permit which is obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority at a fee of $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 foreign residents, and UGX250,000 citizens of East Africa. To habituate gorillas in Bwindi, you need a permit of $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 citizens of East Africa

Trekkers travel from different countries to trek gorillas in Bwindi and it might take you 2-7 hours and when you meet the gorilla family, you will be allowed to be around the members for 1 hour or 4 hours depending on the permits you bought. During this time, you will be able to learn about their habits, take photos and watch the members do daily activities such as hunting, nesting, eating, breastfeeding, and much more. Later you will trek out of the jungle and collect your trekking certificates.

How long does gorilla trekking take in Bwindi?

The time taken by trekkers to meet mountain gorillas is unpredictable.  The estimated time is 2-7 hours before meeting an allocated mountain gorilla family. The time taken to meet a gorilla family depends on a number of factors and some of them include the location of the mountain gorilla family like where they slept the previous night. The location and movement of mountain gorillas depend on the amount of food in the jungle, when there is too much food everywhere in the park the mountain gorillas don’t move too far because there is food is much and this reduces the time of trekking but in the dry season when the food is scarce the mountain gorillas move to high altitudes and this increases the time taken to locate the gorillas.

Encounter giants of the Ape family in Bwindi Forest

The speed of trekkers also determines the time taken to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The speed of trekkers changes according to the season or the nature of the day. During the dry season, when there is no rainfall, the trekking speed is a bit faster because the trails are dry and in the rainy season the speed of trekkers is very slow and this is because there is too much rainfall which makes the trails muddy and slippery. We conclude by saying the time taken to trek gorillas in Bwindi depends on the location of the gorilla family assigned, and the speed of trekkers.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done by those that are 15 years and above because those are the ones qualified to get gorilla trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority. They are believed to be understanding and can follow the rules and regulations of the trekking activity. They are believed to be physically fit so they can complete the trekking. They can trek at the speed of the trekkers and so they won’t delay the activity because you must move in the group. Children that are not yet 15 years old are believed to have unpredictable behaviors they might fail to follow the rules and regulations of the activity

How difficult is trekking gorillas in Bwindi?

Unlike Mgahinga national park, volcanoes national park, and Virunga national park where mountain gorillas do live on high altitudes on the slopes of Virunga ranges, mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park live in the lowland areas. The park doesn’t have mountains, all you go through are the thick vegetation, rivers, and streams to locate the gorillas. Trekking is not that difficult in Bwindi compared to other gorilla parks but you need to go prepared with the right shoes and clothing to have the best trekking.

Older travelers and those with a disability must book in advance and inform their tour operators to book for them sedan chairs so that they are carried throughout the whole trek. Those that think they are not physically fit can inform the wardens so that they give them the easiest family to trek. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi requires one to come when they are fit enough to pass through the thick forest, hills, and valleys when searching for gorillas. Travelers can improve their fitness by doing small walks and hikes back home before coming to the country.

Trekkers being briefed about the DOs and DON’Ts of Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Bwindi

Trekkers with the transmitted diseases such as flu and cough are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi is done by those that have valid gorilla trekking permits issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority

Trekkers must wash their hands and sanitize before heading to the jungle to trek mountain gorillas

Trekkers must follow their ranger guides and keep in the group while in the jungle looking for mountain gorillas

While in the jungle, trekkers must keep their voices very low and follow the ranger guide’s instructions.

Trekkers are not allowed to throw rubbish anywhere in the park, they must keep it with them until they leave the jungle

While in the jungle and you want to go to the toilet, you need to ask your guide to dig a hole with a panga for you, and after you will cover

When you meet the mountain gorilla, you will be asked to keep your voice low

Trekkers must keep a distance of 7 members away from the mountain gorillas.

Eating or smoking around mountain gorillas is not allowed.

Trekkers should be around mountain gorillas for 1 hour

Gorilla photography is done using cameras that have no flashlight

Trekkers with sunglasses that have reflectors will take them off when they meet the gorilla group.

After an hour with mountain gorillas, trekkers must keep their voices low until they move about 200 meters away from the mountain gorillas.

What to carry for gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

What to carry for gorilla trekking in Bwindi includes waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, a rain jacket, sweater, gardening gloves, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellents, a camera, a pair of binoculars, sunscreen, a hat, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, facemask, and sanitizer.