Best Time to go Gorilla trekking
Best Time to go Gorilla trekking is that time when the tracks are easily penetrable and when a traveler can feel convenient to engage in the activity. It is a magical experience of a lifetime when you get to view the endangered mountain gorillas that leave in the dense tropic montane rainforests of Africa. Visiting the mountain gorillas is done every day throughout the year but knowing the perfect time to visit the gorillas is very essential. The fact that trekking is done all year round, a trekker needs to know the perfect season. You can trek either in the low season to save yourself costs or high seasons to enjoy the expedition.
In Uganda, the climate is conducive to the fact that the pearl of Africa has two rainy seasons such as the long rainy season from mid-March to May and the short one in October and November. The rest of the months are recorded to be dry but it is always a challenge to tell or to predict the weather forecast during that time of the year.
Low season: This is not always the best time to go for gorilla trekking activity. During the low seasons, the areas experience heavy rains that disrupt the trekking activity. In the months of March, May, April and November are recorded to have the heavy rains and this discourages a great number of travelers. On the other hand, the low seasons are the times of the budget travelers. In this season the prices are on discount because of the low counts of travelers in the region. The accommodation facilities in this low season are very favorable since the occupancy rate is low.
Additionally, in the low season, it is quite challenging to trek the mountain gorillas because of the steep muddy forest trails that are used to track the mountain gorillas deep in the montane forests. However, the sun still shines after the rains and you can still continue with the trekking experience in the national parks and also the parks are not crowded giving you that pleasant atmosphere during your gorilla trekking.
High season: In the high seasons, the rains are less making it favorable to tourists to trek the mountain gorillas. The high seasons occur in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December where there are less or no rains at all. During traveling in the high season, travelers are not affected by the weather making gorilla trekking beautiful experience. Most importantly, you should know that the demand for gorilla trekking permits is high and you are advised to book prior to arrival on your African safari.
Additionally, the large numbers of these travelers attracts the expensive prices of accommodation facilities and luxurious for the budget travelers. Trekking in high seasons gives travelers opportunities to carry out a variety of tourism activities such as community tours, cycling, forest walks which is quite challenging in the low season.
Importantly, travelers should know that the mountain gorilla permits have no discounts either in Uganda or Rwanda. The prices remain the same despite the season and they are not canceled once bought. All you have to do is pick a suitable season for you and book with any tour operator in the region.
Where to find the mountain gorillas
In Africa, the mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga Massif that consists of 3 national parks that is to say; Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. However, Uganda has another national park that is home to half of the population of the mountain gorillas known as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Rwanda- Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National Des Volcans (PNV) is one of the tourists’ favorite national park when they visit Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is home for the endangered mountain gorillas that are only found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Apart from the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park consists of other wildlife such as the charting golden monkeys, the tremendous bird species, and Forest elephants, spotted hyenas, Bushbucks, Giant forest Hog, and Buffalos among others. Some of the tourist activities in Volcanoes National Park include; hiking the dormant volcanoes, golden monkey trekking, mountain gorilla trekking, bird watching, forest walks inside the montane forests and bamboo forests and game drives among others.
Uganda-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famously known for mountain gorilla trekking because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the two sites in the world that you will find the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a great number of activities such as mountain gorilla trekking about 19 groups of mountain gorillas to trek, forest walks, cultural sites, game drives, and golden monkey trekking among others. The diverse eco-system in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has made visitors have memorable, exciting and adventurous experiences during their stay in Uganda.
Uganda- Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park, widely known as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the Kisoro district in the south western part of Uganda. Mgahinga National Park is among the three parks in the Virunga conservation area and it is the smallest national park in Uganda. The main tourism activity done in Mgahinga National Park is mountain gorilla trekking but Mgahinga has other activities like golden monkey trekking, bird watching, hiking the volcanoes, game drives, and nature walks among others.
Democratic Republic of Congo- Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park features a great number of tourism activities that will give tourists a memorable experience once they step into the country. Some of the activities in Virunga National Park include the famous mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in the Tongo forests, bird watching in the tropical forests, monkey trekking, hiking Mount Nyiragongo to view the crater, nature walks, and game drives.
Accommodation
When you choose your best time to go gorilla trekking, you will need to know some of the accommodation facilities that are available to any national park you are to visit. The accommodation facilities range from luxury, mid-range and budget facilities. Basing on your time of the safari, these places are always open all year round.
- Volcanoes National Park: Volcanoes National Park’s great lodges that are available and can be used by the visitors include; 5 Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, and Le Bambou Gorilla Village.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park places to try out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Travelers Motel Butogota, Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsite, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, and Buhoma Homestead among others.
- Mgahinga National Park: Some of the accommodation places you will find when you visit Mgahinga National Park include; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Muhabura Motel, Silverback Lodge, and Golden Monkey Guesthouse.
- Virunga National Park: Other lodges to try out when you visit Virunga National Park are such as Orchids Safari Club, Lodge coco, hotel Begonias, Exodus Bukavu, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu, Mount Kahuzi Hotel, Tchegera Island Camp, and Mount Nyiragongo summit shelter.
Conclusion
In general, mountain gorilla trekking is a fascinating experience that can be done any time of the year either in a high season or low season the services are the same and the mountain gorillas are always available. Depending on the national park you choose to carry out your African safari, you will still view these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
