10 frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking in Uganda : Some of the questions which are asked about gorilla trekking in Uganda include the following;
- What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an activity during which individuals visit the gorillas in their natural habitats and spend time watching the gorillas closely.
The activity involves a briefing at the park headquarters, grouping of tourists and assigning ranger guides and gorilla families to visit around the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda.
Depending on the location of the gorillas in the forests, tourists can spend a few hours in the forests or a longer period of time looking for the habituated gorillas.
- Which destination is gorilla trekking done in Uganda?
When visiting Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in 2 destinations located in the south western part of the country and they include Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Bwindi national park is made up of a dense tropical rainforest where the gorilla trekking tours are done across its different sectors which include Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Ruhija. Each of the sectors offers exciting gorilla treks with the habituated gorilla families and many other activities to engage in including community tours, hiking and nature walks and also bird watching excursions.
In Mgahinga national park, tourists can enjoy gorilla trekking experiences in the forests with the Nyakagezi gorilla group. This national park is also home to golden monkeys and other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys among others and the Virunga volcanoes can also be visited in Mgahinga national park and they include Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura.
The two destinations for gorilla trekking in Uganda can be accessed by flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip or Kihihi airstrip or by driving from Kampala or Entebbe.
- What is the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The gorilla trekking cost in Uganda is mainly affected by the permit fee which is 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for citizens from other African countries and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens.
The gorilla permit fee applies to individuals above the age of 15 years who are allowed to engage in gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park during tours in Uganda.
Other costs of gorilla trekking in Uganda include transport costs, accommodation costs for luxury, midrange or budget lodges in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park and personal expenses.
- How are gorilla trekking permits in Uganda got?
Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and can be obtained through licensed tour operators in Uganda.
A limited number of gorilla permits are issued by UWA for gorilla trekking experiences daily in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park. The availability of these permits varies from one sector to another for Bwindi national park and it is important to check availability before booking the tour to Uganda.
- How safe is gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is safe and there are many safety precautions put in place to be followed during the activity around Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Some of the safety precautions to be followed during gorilla trekking in Uganda include keeping a distance of about 7 meters from the gorillas, moving with ranger guides in the forests, having a briefing before the gorilla trek, limiting the number of individuals visiting the gorillas daily among others.
- What are the rules or guidelines to follow during gorilla trekking in Uganda?
There are different rules and regulations put in place to be followed during gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and they include no use of flash photography to record the gorillas, not making noise in the presence of the gorillas, not eating in the presence of the gorillas, not feeding the gorillas, keeping a distance of about 7 meters form the gorillas and only allowing individuals above 15 years of age to visit the gorillas in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
- What should I pack for a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda?
Packing the right items for the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is important to ensure a successful tour and some of the things to pack include insect repellant, sunscreen, hiking shoes, long sleeved shirts, jackets, cameras, a day pack, sun hat, sunglasses, garden gloves.
It is important to keep in mind that even during the dry season around June to October which is considered the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda, tourists should consider packing rain clothes since it can rain at anytime in the forests during the search for the gorillas.
- What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done both during the rainy season and also in the dry season which is the best time to visit the gorillas of Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
The dry season is experienced during the months of January and February and also around June to October when many tourists visit Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park for gorilla trekking.
- What is the amount for tips during gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Tipping is a form of appreciation for the services offered during the gorilla trekking tour in Uganda and as much as it is not compulsory, these tips which can be given to guides, rangers or porters around Bwindi national park or Mgahinga national park can range from 15 USD to 30 USD or more.
- How can gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda be booked?
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda can be booked through licensed tour operators who plan for the safari and book the gorilla permits and ensure everything is in order including transport, accommodation, activities, meals and other trip details.
Booking the gorilla safari through a tour operator also makes it easy to get information about gorilla trekking in Uganda including how to get there, activities to do, other destinations in Uganda to visit, additional activities, what to pack among other things.
