If you are thinking of travelling to Africa, then gorilla trekking should certainly be on your bucket list. Mountain gorillas live in the wild, so trekking into their natural habitat is the only way to catch a peek. There are less than 900 mountain gorillas in existence, and gorilla trekking offers you a rare opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their everyday routine and interaction.
Gorilla Tours in Uganda
Mountain gorillas can only live in the dense forests of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and along with the dormant volcanic Virunga mountain range that stretches across Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. 18 families habituate the parks, and 17 of them are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – all set up for tourism. In this park, gorilla trekking starts from any one of its four peaks.
Best Time to Plan Gorilla Tours in Uganda
The good news is that gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year. Uganda experiences two main seasons throughout the year – the wet and dry seasons. If you plan to trek mountain gorillas, you should know that it is an intense experience and can take an entire day. It is led by a guide who explains the ecology and behaviour of the gorillas along the way. The dry season is the best time for gorilla tours in Uganda. It starts in June, July, August, September, and December, January, and February.
Gorilla Permit
Gorilla permits are always in high demand, so it is recommended that you obtain yours six months before setting off for your actual trek, especially during the peak months of the dry season. If you want to embark on a gorilla habituation experience, you will need $1500 to secure your license, which gets you a whole day and 4 hours of encounter with the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Pack Light but Appropriate
Consider only essential items when packing for gorilla tours in Uganda, for example, waterproof hiking boots, insect repellent, and a camera with no flash.
Physical Fitness
It is essential to know that trekking to high altitudes is a feat for the physically fit. A trek can last about 4-6 hours, and you will need adequate drinking water and energy snacks and boosters.
Uganda Tours
To add excitement to your Uganda experience, there are a lot of other attractions that might appeal to you, such as safaris in savanna national parks, chimpanzee tracking, mountaineering, bird watching, and simply enjoying the richness of natural beauty that is Uganda.
Laced with the above information, your trip to Uganda will be a memorable one. Uganda, the pearl of Africa, has much to offer, and if you plan thoroughly, you can enrich your visit with the captivating adventures it has to offer. Here’s to wanderlust and the adventurer in you!
