Uganda Gorilla Trekking for a Solo Traveler
Gorilla trekking for a solo traveler has become common in recent years in Uganda and Rwanda. Unlike many African safari destinations with many group tours, Uganda gorilla destinations attract more solo travelers. Taking on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari as a solo traveler is such a rewarding experience. This does not mean that gorilla safaris for groups are not beautiful. It means you do not have to worry about a Uganda gorilla trekking trip if you are a solo traveler. This article will delve into getting the most out of your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda as a solo traveler. Could you just read ahead?
I think planning a solo mountain gorilla trekking vacation to Uganda is 100% possible, but interested visitors need to take note of some factors/travel tips. Here is a complete guide to Uganda gorilla trekking for a solo traveler.
Where to go for solo gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Are you a primate lover looking for the best gorilla trekking destination? Uganda is one of those destinations where you should look for the best gorilla trekking encounter. When you think about a solo gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, first, you need to know which destination to visit. Uganda has two major gorilla trekking destinations. These include: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks give travelers the best gorilla trekking tours. Walking through the lush green thick forests searching for giant apes is a moment turned into a memory.
Gorilla safari to Bwindi for solo travelers
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in Southwestern Uganda, and this gorilla park was gazetted in 1991 primarily to offer refuge to mountain gorillas. The park is officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spans over 331 sq km. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 26 habituated mountain gorilla families, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. These are available for visitors to explore starting from any of the four sectors: Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Rushaga. The gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest include, among others, the Mubare gorilla group, the Rwigi family, Kyaguriro, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Busingye, Mishaya, Oruzongo, Bitukura, Bweza, Nshongi, Rushegura, and Christmas.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Located in Kisoro district, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is most popular for its rewarding mountain gorilla trekking adventures. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated mountain gorilla family. This family is open to travelers on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour or a Uganda solo gorilla trekking trip.
On a solo gorilla tour to Mgahinga, the treks begin at the Ntebeko area with a briefing about mountain gorilla trekking regulations. Mgahinga was gazetted in 1991 and is the smallest national park in Uganda, extending up to 33.9 sq. km. With Bwindi, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers refuge to half the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.
How many days do I need for a gorilla trekking tour as a solo traveler?
Gorilla trekking expeditions are flexible in that solo travelers can spend as many days as possible. Spending more days in a destination puts you at an added advantage as you get a chance to have a deep understanding of the mountain gorillas. You can opt for a short gorilla trekking tour of 2-4 days or a 5 days gorilla trek safari for a better experience. Taking the more extended trip allows you to engage in other experiences in Uganda, and the Pearl of Africa, especially chimpanzee tracking, game viewing/game drives, boat cruises, cultural encounters, and more.
How much is a Uganda gorilla trekking safari for a solo traveler
The cost of a Uganda gorilla trekking safari for a solo traveler varies significantly depending on various factors. Essential factors such as length of stay, the kind of safari (budget, midrange, and luxury options), accommodation type, transportation, cost of purchasing the packing list items, flight ticket, gorilla permits, and others impact the overall cost of a Uganda gorilla trekking tour.
The cost of a gorilla permit
Uganda issues gorilla permits depending on three visitor categories. These include: foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and East African citizens. Each category has a set rate to pay to obtain a valid gorilla permit for trekking in either Bwindi or Mgahinga. The foreign non-residents intending to go gorilla trekking in Uganda as solo travelers can book a gorilla permit at USD 800 per person; the foreign residents pay USD 700, the Africans living outside East Africa USD 500, and East African citizens, including Ugandans, plus those within the East African Community member states, pay shs—300,000 per person.
Obtaining a valid gorilla permit in Uganda is straightforward, especially when working with a reliable and trusted tour operator. I think it’s highly recommended to book your permit at least 2-6 months before your planned visit to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. This early booking ensures you secure your permit and can focus on other aspects of your trip. Remember, gorilla permits are available for booking for individuals above 15 years, so you can confidently plan your adventure.
Things to consider while planning a Uganda gorilla tour as a solo traveler
The transportation
This is a key component one must note when planning a trip to see mountain gorillas in Uganda, and it does influence the overall cost of the gorilla tour. The cost of hiring a car varies from tour operator to tour operator, depending on the kind of rental car you desire—budget, midrange, or luxury. The cost of fuel and other factors are among the key elements that impact the overall cost of a gorilla trekking safari.
Accommodation
Accommodation facilities in Uganda are categorized into budget, mid-range, and luxury. Each choice has its price and significantly affects the overall cost of the gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
Packing list
When preparing for a solo gorilla trekking trip in Uganda, packing right is essential. The cost of obtaining items such as cameras, safari clothes, waterproof walking/hiking boots, first aid kits, and other essentials is an investment in your comfort and safety during your gorilla trek. By packing right, you’ll be fully prepared for the adventure that awaits, and you can focus on Uganda’s incredible experiences.
When should I travel solo for a Uganda gorilla trekking tour?
Gorilla trekking trips in Uganda are not static. Thanks to the favorable weather conditions in Uganda, visitors can travel to a destination of their choice at any time of the year. But to have a successful Uganda gorilla tour as a solo traveler, we recommend that you plan your trip around the dry months of the year. Each year, the gorilla safari parks in Uganda experience two critical phases of dry spells: long and short.
The long dry months of the year are June, July, August, and September, and the short months fall around December, January, and February. Very low or no rains are recorded during these months, and the gorilla habitats are usually kept drier, making them the most favorable for gorilla trekking.
How do you prepare for a Uganda gorilla trekking tour as a solo tourist?
Early preparation is essential for a successful gorilla road trip in Uganda, including adequate exercise to keep you fit. Trekking to see mountain gorillas in Uganda, like in Rwanda, involves walking through the natural rainforest for hours. Your fitness level determines how long you will spend in the wild before you come across a family of mountain gorillas.
Early preparation also lets you secure every essential for your gorilla trekking vacation. Overall, a solo traveler has adequate time to plan for everything early, rather than having a rush hour or last-minute thing to put things together.
What would you like to carry for a Uganda gorilla trekking trip?
Many items are required on a trip, but a solo traveler should first consider essentials for a gorilla trek tour. These include among others a good camera which is free of the flashlight, a pair of gardening gloves, a rain jacket, a tin of insect repellent, a backpack, enough drinking water, a torch, long trousers, a pair of socks, waterproof walking/hiking boots, a safari hat, energy giving snacks, toiletries, first aid kit or medical kit, extra batteries for the camera and additional storage.
Where to stay?
Uganda offers many accommodation choices for solo travelers on a gorilla tour. These include Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Heights, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Bakiga Lodge, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge. The existing lodges in and around Mgahinga National Park include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga Rest Camp, Mucha Riverside Lodge, and more.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to your preferred destination for gorilla trekking as a solo traveler is by road or air. By road, you can use a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, which you can hire from the tour operator, and expect to spend about 8-9 hours driving. This involves navigating via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route or crossing from Rwanda via the Katuna or Chanika border to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park for your gorilla trekking adventures. By air, take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi Airfield up to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip, where you can easily connect to Bwindi/Mgahinga by road.
