Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda are an amazing tourist attraction that has managed to pull quite a number of travelers from across the world to view the primates. Mountain gorillas belong to the Ape family, subspecies of Eastern lowland gorillas and are the strongest and largest primate species in the world. There are over 1000 mountain gorillas in the world and half of these gorillas are found in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park while others are found in other parks like Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.

The endangered Mountain gorillas in Uganda live in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park where they feed on vegetation such as flowers, leaves, stems, pith, fruits, roots, bamboo, shoots and they move from one area to another every day in search of food. The mountain gorillas live in groups of about 2 to 40 individual members but they are commonly found in groups with 10 individuals headed by a mature male gorilla called a silverback. When a male gorilla becomes mature the hair on its back turns to silver hence referred to as a silverback. The silverback as the dominant gorilla that has many privileges as the head of the family in that it decides where the family is going to sleep, feed and is always the first to feed, offers safety and protection of the group in that it will fight for the group in case of danger.

The male gorillas are bigger than the female gorillas and can weigh about 350 to 500 pounds and can consume about 75 pounds of food. Mountain gorillas have a life span of 40 to 50 years and they live on the grounds in the tropical forests of Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park where they construct nests for the day and for the night using twigs, branches, and leaves. The nests are always 2-5 feet in diameter and are comfortable just like those for human individuals.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is one of the most interesting and popular activities where visitors move in the dense tropical forests of Bwindi forest national park and Mgahinga national park in search of the endangered mountain gorillas.

The endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in two national parks i.e. Mgahinga national park with one habituated gorilla family and Bwindi impenetrable national park which harbors the highest number of gorillas and habituated gorilla families. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in south western Uganda at an altitude of 1190 meters and 2607 meters above sea level. Gorilla trekking is carried out in the four sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector while Mgahinga national park is located in south western Uganda on the border with Rwanda and Congo. Mgahinga National Park lies on the altitude of 2227meters and 4127meters above sea level and gorilla trekking activity is carried out in the Ntebeko area.

There are 20 habituated gorilla families in Uganda which are found in the two national parks of Bwindi national park with 19 gorilla families namely Busingye, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Rwigi, Bikyingi and Mucunguzi families found in Rushaga sector, Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho family found in Nkuringo sector, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro and Mukiza families found in Ruhija sector and Rushegura, Habinyanja, Mubare and Katwe families found in Buhoma sector, the most visited sector in Bwindi national park. In Mgahinga national park there is only one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi. These gorilla families in Uganda are available for trekking on a daily basis where a maximum number of 8 visitors are allowed to trek each gorilla family for a one-hour maximum.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Gorilla habituation experience is an activity that is carried out by the researchers and guides to train gorillas so that they get used to human presence for trekking, the habituation process takes about two years an in Uganda gorilla habituation experience is being conducted in Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park on Kutu family which is composed for eight members. Gorilla habituation experience allows a maximum number of four visitors to take part in the habituation process and will be able to spend four hours with the gorillas in their natural habitat, unlike gorilla trekking which allows a maximum number of 8 people who spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural environment.

Best time to go for Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park in south western Uganda can be done all year round however the best time is during the dry season during the months of June, July, August, December, January and February when the forest grounds are not muddy and slippery than during the wet season in the months of March to May and September to November when there is a lot of rainfall in Mgahinga and Bwindi forests hence making the grounds wet, slippery though gorilla trekking activity can still take place.

Cost of a Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit is a valid document that allows visitors to trek the endangered mountain gorillas hence giving them an opportunity to spend one hour time with the gorillas in their natural habitat taking photos, recording videos among others.

Gorilla trekking activity in Uganda is carried out in Mgahinga national park with one habituated gorilla family and Bwindi national park with 19 gorilla habituated families that are found in Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga sectors. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda costs $600 for Foreign Non-Residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for citizens. The gorilla permits are issued to adults above the age of fifteen and allows visitors only eight visitors to trek each gorilla family where they spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas in Uganda. However the gorilla trekking permits in Uganda have been increased by $100 which will start on 1st July 2020, Foreign Non-Residents will be paying $700 and foreign residents will be paying $600. The gorilla habituation experience permit in Bwindi national park costs $1500 for the Foreign Non-Residents.

There are 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park which is estimated to 160 gorilla trekking permits available on a daily basis and Visitors who are interested in gorilla trekking activity are advised to book the gorilla trekking permits 3 to 6 months in advance because the permits in Uganda are competitive and get sold out quickly especially during the peak season in the months of June, July, August, December, January, and February.

How to get a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

Visitors who want to take part in the exciting and interesting gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park must have a valid gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda can be booked directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority head offices in Kampala where you contact the offices by email or telephone calls. Gorilla trekking permits can also be booked through a trusted tour operator like Achieve Global Safaris which is the best tour company in organizing safari trips in Uganda and East Africa. Contacting a tour company to book a gorilla trekking permit is the best option in that you follow some processes which include

Contacting the company with the date, month and year when you want to trek the gorillas in Bwindi national park or Mgahinga national park.
The company will inform you if there is any available gorilla trekking permit depending on the date and month provided, the company will send the bank details where you will transfer the money for the permit.
When the payments are done the permit will be purchased by the tour company and send scanned copies of the gorilla trekking permit as confirmation to your email.

What to wear and pack when coming to Uganda for gorilla trekking

Bwindi national park is located on an altitude of 1190meters and 2607meters above the sea level while Mgahinga national park is located on an altitude of 2227meters and 4127meters above the sea level hence they are all located on a high altitude which means that the climate is very cold especially during morning, evening and night hours. During to the cold weather in Bwindi and Mgahinga national park the visitors are advised to pack different items for gorilla trekking activity including

Warm sweaters which are used to provide warmth during gorilla trekking or at night while at the lodge since the area is usually very cold during night hours.
Long sleeved shirts and trousers, these are used to give you warmth when you are trekking the mountain gorillas and also protect you from the insects, thorns, tree branches among others.
Hiking boots, the hiking boots are very essential in that they will keep your feet dry while trekking and will protect your ankles from being hurt while trekking in the jungle.
Garden gloves, the gloves will protect your hands from germs, tree branches, and thorns since the forest is always slippery and can touch the grass or braches for support.
Insect repellent, this will protect you from the insects in the jungle for example safari ants, tsetse flies among others.
Energy snacks, these include packed lunch from the lodge and 2 liters of drinking water. The snacks will give you energy when trekking gorillas in case the gorilla family is located in a long area hence trekking for about 3 to 5 hours.
Waterproof rain jacket/poncho, this is used to protect you and the electronic like a camera or smartphone from the rain because in Bwindi national park it can rain any time even if it’s a dry season.
Waterproof backpack, this is used to carry all the items such as food, water, insect repellent in case you are going for gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga where you will spend the whole day with the mountain gorillas in Uganda in their natural habitat.
Camera, this is the most important item to pack on a safari in that you will be able to take pictures and capture the moments during the one hour with the gorillas or four hours in case you go for gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector.

Where to stay

Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park have a wide range of luxury, mid-range and budget accommodations where visitors on a safari can stay during gorilla trekking including Buhoma Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Hammerkop Bunk House, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Haven Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Gorilla Mist Camp, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Rwenzori View Guest House among others. The lodges are unique, designed in African styles, offer comfortable beds, good quality services, prepare both local and international dishes, offer great views of the Virunga volcanoes, Bwindi national park, Mgahinga national park, wildlife species, and allow easy accessibility of the gorilla trekking destinations among others which helps visitors to relax and enjoy their safari in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park offer the best experiences to visitors on a safari in Uganda in that they will spend time with the gorillas in their natural environment, learn about their behaviors and also participate in other activities like bird watching, nature walks, Batwa trails among others which give u magical and unforgettable moments with great experiences on your safari in Uganda.