Choosing the best Gorilla trekking destination in Uganda : Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda include Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. In Uganda, tourists can encounter over half the world’s population of mountain gorillas in the dense forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga national park. Of the two destinations, Bwindi national park is popular for gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda.
When comparing gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, it is important to note that both national parks offer unique experiences of encounters with the gorillas in the forests and the gorilla permit prices are also the same.
Both national parks are also located in the south western part of Uganda and can be visited during fly in safaris and also by driving from Entebbe or from Rwanda during tours to Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Different factors can influence the choice of the gorilla trekking destination to visit in Uganda and they include interests of the traveler, availability of gorilla permits and budget of the traveler among others.
The interests of the traveler affect the choice of where to engage in the gorilla trekking tour in a way that apart from seeing the gorillas, tourists can also be interested in engaging in other activities such as golden monkey trekking among others which makes Mgahinga national park. for activities like gorilla habituation, Bwindi impenetrable national park is a better option for tourists to visit during their tour in Uganda.
Availability of gorilla permits is another factor to consider when choosing the gorilla trekking destination in Uganda. These permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and can be booked through licensed tour operators. The permit availability determines the location for the gorilla trek and also the dates when the tourists can take part in the gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla permits for trekking in Uganda cost 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African citizens visiting Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park. These gorilla permits are issued to individuals above the age of 15 years who are allowed to engage in the gorilla trekking experience.
Visiting Bwindi national park
Bwindi national park is a popular gorilla trekking destination in Uganda and has 4 sectors where the gorillas can be seen.
Gorillas in Bwindi national park can be seen in Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector. There are different habituated gorilla families in each of these sectors which are also located in different parts of the park.
Gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi national park start with briefing at the park headquarters in the different sectors of the park. During the briefing, tourists are told about the rules and regulations to follow during the search for the gorillas.
The search for the gorillas in Bwindi national park is done in groups of 8 and tourists are accompanied by ranger guides during this experience. Each of these groups is assigned a gorilla family to track through the Bwindi forest.
Apart from the ranger guides, tourists searching for the mountain gorillas in Bwindi national park are also assisted by trackers who know their way around the forest. The trackers inform the ranger guides of the location of the gorillas.
Porters also assist the tourists with their luggage and can also carry the tourists who are unable to trek through the forest during their gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park. These porters can be hired at a small fee before engaging in the search for the gorillas.
There are about 20 gorilla families which tourists can visit during their tours in Bwindi national park and they include Oruzogo, Habiyanja, Nkuringo, Mishaya, Bweza, Nshongi, Bitukura, Kyaguriro among others.
To access the Buhoma sector in the north and Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi national park, tourists can fly to Kihihi airstrip or drive for a period of about 8 to 9 hours from Kampala via the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale route.
Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector in the southern part of Bwindi national park can be accessed by driving for about 9 to 10 hours from Kampala via the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route or by booking scheduled or charter domestic flights from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip.
One of the advantages that Bwindi national park has over gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park is that tourists have options of where to find the mountain gorillas in the forest. there are also higher chances of seeing the gorillas when trekking in Bwindi.
Visiting Mgahinga national park
Another gorilla trekking destination in Uganda is Mgahinga national park which is home to 1 habituated gorilla family.
Mgahinga national park is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family which is known for its tendencies to move between Uganda and cross to Rwanda and also the Democratic Republic of Congo since it is located in the Virunga conservation area.
Gorillas in Mgahinga national park can be seen during gorilla trekking experiences around the steep slopes of the national park in the bamboo forest where various primates such as golden monkeys can also be seen as tourists explore the destination.
Briefing for gorilla trekking is done at the Ntebeko park headquarters where tourists are also assigned ranger guides to accompany them for the search for the mountain gorillas through the bamboo forests at the destination.
The advantage of taking part in gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park is that tourists can enjoy an exclusive gorilla trek since only 1 gorilla family is found at the destination making it private since a few tourists engage in the activity.
Tourists visiting Mgahinga national park during their gorilla trekking tours can also encounter the golden monkeys in the bamboo forests. They can also enjoy views of the Virunga mountains at the destination which include Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo which are known for being hiking destinations.
Mgahinga national park can be accessed by driving for about 10 hours from Kampala via the Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route or flying from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip.
