Gorilla trekking in the world known UNESCO heritage site of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a unique opportunity for primate enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the jungles to enjoy up close with the rare mountain gorillas. The trek in Bwindi Forest involves observing how mountain gorillas behave, and their unique body gestures, taking photos and learning about conservation. Bwindi National Park is one of the only four beautiful parks in Africa where mountain gorillas live.
Located in South Western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest protects over 460 mountain gorillas and gorilla treks are conducted in the four sectors that are located far from each other. In each of the gorilla sectors in Bwindi, there are fully habituated gorilla groups that are visited by tourists who would like to meet the great apes in their natural home. Overall, there are approximately 24 habituated gorilla groups to explore in Bwindi National Park.
The four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. The Ruhija sector is found in the Eastern part of Bwindi and is comprised of gorilla families like Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kyaguriro. Buhoma gorilla families include the Katwe group, Muyambi, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Mubare gorilla family group.
Gorilla families to explore in the Nkuringo sector include Bushaho, Christmas, Nkuringo, and Posho. Rushaga sector also in the Southern part of Bwindi with Nkuringo features the highest concentration of habituated gorilla groups. The gorilla groups in Rushaga include Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye gorilla group, Busingye gorilla family, Bikingi, Mucunguzi gorilla family, Rwigi, and Kutu gorilla family.
What is Bwindi mountain gorilla trekking adventure like?
Guided gorilla tours takes visitors on an actual trek through the jungles of Bwindi National Park with the expert. The day begins with the first briefing about gorilla trekking rules and the allocation of gorilla groups. The entire gorilla trekking excursion can go for about 2-6 hours inclusive of an hour for a close interaction with a family of mountain gorillas. After the one hour with a gorilla group, visitors can walk back and gorilla trekking certificates are provided to them.
Cost of Bwindi gorilla permits
To trek Bwindi mountain gorillas, visitors must have a valid gorilla permit. Each gorilla permit is issued to visitors on Uganda gorilla safari at USD 800 per person applying to foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for all foreign residents, USD 500 for visitors under the new category of the Rest of Africa and Ugandans plus the rest of the East African citizens.
Gorilla permits for Bwindi National Park must be booked in advance at least 2-6 months before the actual date when you intend to visit mountain gorillas. The process of booking is a little tedious and the best is for you to deal with the local tour operator/company on the group.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations to be followed
Multiple gorilla trekking regulations must be observed by all trekkers including;
- Visitors are advised to always keep low their voices during the gorilla trek to avoid disrupting the normal behavior of gorillas in the wild.
- When taking pictures, the camera should be free of the flashlight and if it has, it is better to turn it off before you begin photographing mountain gorillas.
- Each of the habituated gorilla groups must be trekked by a maximum of 8 (eight) visitors.
- While in the jungles, a distance of 7-8 meters must be kept away from mountain gorillas.
- A maximum of only one hour is given to all visitors to enjoy a close encounter with mountain gorillas and also taking pictures.
- Visitors shouldn’t proceed to trek mountain gorillas when sick or ill.
- The acceptable age limit must be respected which is 15 years and above.
- The park should be kept clean more than you found and any rubbish or used material during the gorilla trek in the jungles should be brought and dumped to designated dustbins.
- Do not cough or sneeze directly to gorillas. A visitor can cover his/her mouse when coughing or noise when sneezing.
- When a gorilla charges, please always observe what your guide tells you to do. For starters, do not run but rather stay calm and avoid direct contact. You can lower down your face and this shows how submissive you are.
Where to stay on gorilla trekking holiday in Bwindi
Before or after engaging in the trek to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park, visitors can have a night in one of the finest safari lodges. The park features budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation alternatives and includes among others Bwindi Lodge, Ruhija Friends Resort & Campsite, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Bakiga Lodge.
Additional lodges include Gorilla Heights Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Eco Marvels Gorilla Resort, and Gift of Nature Lodge, etc.
The best time to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park can be visited at any time of the year but the dry season is the best time to experience the most of your gorilla trekking adventure. There are two peak dry seasons to mark on the travel calendar and the longest falls around June, July, August, and September. The shortest dry months are experienced around December, January, and February. The rest of the months are the off-months of the year or low season and that is March to May and October to November.
Things to pack for Bwindi gorilla trekking
A list of essentials to consider packing for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park includes long-sleeved shirts, a pair of binoculars, a daypack, a good camera, energy-giving snacks, bottled drinking water, gardening gloves, a rain jacket, long trousers, waterproof hiking boots, a sweater, extra battery, and more.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking
Bwindi National Park is lying in the Southwestern part of Uganda and getting there is possible by road or air. When you consider road transportation, you can drive from Entebbe or Kampala City via Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale and expect to spend about 8-9 hours. Visitors can also cross from Kigali via Katuna or Chanika border to Kabale or Kisoro town and you proceed to Bwindi National Park which can take between 4 and 5 hours.
By air, you can leave Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield on a flight to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrips. You can spend between 1 and 2 hours driving from the Kisoro/Kihihi Airfield to Bwindi National Park.
Image: Unsplash, 2H Media
