Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Uganda is among the landlocked countries situated in East Africa. It is west of Kenya, south of South Sudan, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and north of Rwanda and Tanzania. Uganda is by far among the top emerging tourist destinations in Africa.

Gorilla safaris remain on top in Uganda safaris and mountain Gorillas the top tourist attraction.  In 1993, gorilla trekking was officially launched in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. BINP gorilla trekking history can be traced from the 90s when the park was first gazetted in Uganda.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

The first habituated gorilla family was mubare found in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After realizing that the number of Gorilla trekkers was increasing, more three gorilla families Rushegura, Habinyanja and Nkuringo in the south were later habituated to make four families by 2004.

Uganda’s Gorilla safaris are conducted in two gorilla parks namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) and both parks are found in southwestern Uganda. BINP offers a Gorilla safari in the Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector and Buhoma sector.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

If you drive to southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the Rift Valley is Bwindi impenetrable national park. The park hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.

It is estimated that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects over 459 mountain gorillas; roughly half of the world’s population, including 19 habituated gorilla families which can be trekked.

BINP has rich biodiversity which shelters other 120 mammals, including several primate species such as olive baboons and chimpanzees, forest elephants and antelopes among others. Birders can see a variety of birds because the forest protects around 350 species of birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also hosts 200 butterfly species including the eight Albertine rift endemics. Also, home to many reptiles.

Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy cultures through performances, workshops, and village walks.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers chances for tourists to choose their gorilla trekking sector based on availability and schedule.  Tourists on a tight schedule can go gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector – It’s situated in the southern part of Bwindi’s Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla Safaris in the Rushaga sector

Rushaga gorilla centre is known for hosting the majority of the habituated gorilla families such as the Bushingye family, Nshongi, Bweza, Mishaya, and kahungye family among others. Having the largest number of habituated families makes Rushaga the best and most reliable centre. A long-side gorilla trekking, Rushaga is the only sector offering Gorilla habituation for visitors.

Gorilla safaris in the Ruhija sector

Situated in the east of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The sector is easily accessible from Buhoma and Kabale, sitting at just an altitude just above 2,500m, Ruhija has unmatched views of forest ridge after forest ridge, all the way to the Virunga mountains.

Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma sector

It’s part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in the northern western region and it’s the oldest sector. Official Uganda Gorilla safari was launched in the Buhoma sector in 1993.  The sector has the oldest habituated gorilla family known as Mubare. Although Buhoma isn’t the one with the highest number of gorilla families, it still remains the busiest of all the four sectors of Bwindi due to the various attractions that it has besides gorilla trekking.

Nkuringo Gorilla trekking centre

It’s situated in the southern sector of BINP. Nkuringo sector offers incredible and unique experiences to tourists with clear views of Virunga volcanoes, the wonder and beautiful crater lakes as well as the rolling hills of the forest.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another home for mountain Gorillas and does conduct Gorilla safaris on daily basis. MGNP is currently hosting only one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi so, eight gorilla permits are available on a daily basis.

The fact that Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest in Uganda, The Gahinga has a beautiful swamp at the top, Muhavura has a crater lake and the Sabinyo gives you the best and most amazing experience ever whereby climbing to its summit you set a foot in 3 countries; Uganda DRC and Rwanda. Also, along the slopes, there are great scenic views of vegetation.

Important Documents For Your Gorilla Safari

While planning for the Uganda Gorilla safari, below are the following important documents:

Gorilla permits

It’s advisable to book your gorilla permits at least six months prior to the trekking date. Deal with a local tour operator to do all the logistics on your behalf. Ask for availability and the current cost of gorilla permits to be able to plan adequately. The current cost of the Uganda gorilla permit is US$700 (FNR), US$600 (FR) and UGX 250000 for East Africans.

Visa

Know the rules and regulations governing Ugandan visas. Is it easy or difficult to get? In most cases, Ugandan visas are applied in advance but payment and receiving are on arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at the ground border post.

Flight ticket

Make consultations with different airlines to be able to get one with fair flight fares. Choose your convenient flights based on your travel dates.

Save big

When planning for the Uganda Gorilla safari, move with enough money to cater for other things like ground transport, accommodation and meals among others.

How to reach Uganda Gorilla parks

You can reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by air or road transport.  Flying Gorilla safari starts from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip (1hrs flight) and from there, the tourist is driven to the gorilla park.

By road, you can drive from Entebbe Airport or Kampala city to western Uganda via Masaka- Mbarara and then to Gorilla Park (8-9hrs drive).  Tourists from Rwanda can also reach Uganda Gorilla parks in southwestern Uganda by road (3-4hrs).

Uganda Gorilla safaris can be arranged by local tour operators based on your budget, schedule and interest. Tourists can choose a long or a short gorilla safari.