Chances of Seeing Gorillas on Your Trekking in Uganda

There are higher chances of seeing Gorillas on your trekking in Uganda than any other destination in the Virunga Massif. This is because Uganda is a one-stop center for incredible gorilla trekking safaris and you stand a 99% chance of spotting Mountain Gorillas in the wilderness.

Embarking on a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda assures you of spotting and interacting with the endangered mountain gorillas. The country has over 559 mountain gorillas, which totals up to more than half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas.

Gifted by nature, Uganda lies in the tropical escarpments of East Africa. It is part of the very few places where one can encounter endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. These primate species are endangered and are only present in one destination or area of the Virunga massif.

The Virunga mountain ranges that make up the Virunga conservation area encircle the southwestern region of Uganda. In the entire world, this Virunga conservation area holds the remaining population of mountain gorillas.

In Uganda, the conservation area crosses through Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Mountain Gorillas can be spotted in these two national parks.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

With over 34 years in existence, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has all it takes to shape a great gorilla trekking safari experience. The park assures visitors of an intimate time with the endangered mountain gorillas.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park stands tall from all other gorilla destinations in the world as the best. The park gained UNESCO recognition 3 years after its establishment in 1994. The park covers over 331 square kilometers of land mass that harbors over half of the world’s population.

The history of Bwindi dates back to over 1932 when it was first gazetted as a forest reserve. This reserve was divided into two parts with the first being on the northern side and named Kayonza Crown Forest Reserve. The southern part was called Kasatora Crown Forest Reserve and both of these areas covered over 207 square kilometers. This reserve in 1942 was added and turned into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve as it hosted some of the oldest flora species that date to over 25,000 years back. In 1964, this forest reserve was changed to an animal sanctuary after gorillas were sighted.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts over 459 mountain gorillas that are scattered across the four sectors. These gorilla sectors include the Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. These sectors help in the trekking process of the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas are social beings that stay in groups known as gorilla families. Just like how it is with humans, each family is protected and headed by a dominant male called a silverback. While on a trekking experience, visitors can spend quality time of 1 full hour with the gorilla family.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second gorilla destination in the country and is located in the south-western region of Uganda. It borders with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in the south and the west Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established in 1991 with its counterpart Bwindi. It doubles its gorilla activities with incredible adventures like hikes as it hosts 3 volcanoes of the Virunga massif.

Adding to the trekking excitement, the park also hosts the rare golden monkeys that can also be trekked. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park houses more than 100 mountain gorilla individuals. However, the park has one Habituated Gorilla family called the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga assures one a chance with this great family.

Costs for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and Ugandan Shillings 300,000 for East African citizens. Like any other activity in Uganda, gorilla trekking comes at a given cost. This cost is paid according to the nationality and region where the visitor is coming from.

A gorilla permit is a document that allows visitors to access the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla permits are acquired through a trusted tour operator who buys the permits on your behalf from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The collected money from the gorilla permits helps in the conservation efforts and running of the park activities. A certain percentage goes to developing the communities around the parks.

Best time to trek gorillas in Uganda

The best time to have great chances of seeing Gorillas on your trekking in Uganda is during the dry season. This season is characterized by dry and humid temperatures that help in keeping the trails dry. It also helps in navigation as you trek the gorilla since the vegetation is sparse. The sparse vegetation also eases the visibility of the primates. The dry season runs from June to September and December to February.

Packing list for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

As you seek a chance to encounter mountain gorillas in Uganda, a good packing list is quite important for a profitable gorilla trekking experience. Dive through some of the items that should be on your packing list below.