Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Costs for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
A Gorilla Trek is a highlight of all visits done in Uganda and Rwanda and certainly, Mountain gorillas are the major reasons why very many people visit Uganda or these two destinations on that matter. Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda are defined as; a hike to the tropical forests of Africa to the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat
When can one go for Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda?
Gorilla tours in Uganda can be conducted all year round in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. The best time to go gorilla trekking In Uganda is during the months of June, July, August, September, and December. This is because there are fewer rains and the parks are drier, making it simple to hike and see the gorillas. In Bwindi, the average temperature throughout the year is 11cand in the morning and 23c in the afternoon.
- January and February are low seasons offering fewer huge crowds. Very little or no rain
- March, April, and May are usually rainy seasons. Lots of rain. Most challenging during the trek, the slopes are slippery
- June, July, and August: peak season, it’s important to buy your permits early since they run out. Best time for the gorilla safari in Uganda.
Trending Gorilla Trekking Tours to Uganda – Kitagata Safaris Uganda
Where to go for Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda
There are two national parks where you can see the habituated gorillas. The main attraction is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is located on the very southwestern tip of Uganda. Bwindi homes approximately half of the mountain gorillas left in the world (Bwindi has around 400 gorillas).
Gorilla Tours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
There are 11 habituated groups of gorillas in Bwindi that you can trek to and see. These groups vary in size, family relationships, and location. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located on the very southwestern tip of Uganda. Bwindi homes approximately half of the mountain gorillas left in the world (Bwindi has around 400 gorillas).
At the headquarters before the trek, the park rangers and guides will assign each group to a gorilla family in the park. The trek usually varies between 2-6 hours and this will all depend on which family you have been assigned (some are much closer to the park headquarters and others are much further into the forest).
You will be able to have some say in it (especially if you are less/more fit than others), but the guides will be able to gauge the group’s fitness and enthusiasm quite quickly.
Maghinga Gorilla National Park
One other place to see the habituated gorillas, although much less visited, is the Maghinga Gorilla National Park. This park is south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is Uganda’s smallest national park, with a size of 33.7km2. The park protects a variety of rare and distinctive flora and fauna, including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on the Ugandan slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The park has one habituated group of gorillas which are transboundary.
‘Gahinga’ is the local word for piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes. As well as the protection of the landscape and the endangered species, the park has a huge cultural significance. The Batwa Pygmies were the first tribe of hunter-gatherers in the forest. They were self-sufficient and you can go on a tour with a Batwa guide to learn the history and the secrets of the forest.
There is one habituated gorilla group that you can see in the Maghinga Gorilla National Park which is, for obvious reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Safaris to Uganda
What is the Cost of Gorilla Trekking Tours to Uganda?
To see the mountain gorillas in Uganda, you will need a gorilla permit. Uganda sells 88 gorilla permits per day for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for 11 gorilla groups, which works out to be a maximum of 8 people trekking to see one gorilla family at a time, accompanied by UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) guides. You must be over 15 years old to do a gorilla trekking trip in Africa.
The gorilla permits are currently selling for $700 per person (US dollars). This is almost half the price of the neighboring country Rwanda, which charge $1,500 per person for a single gorilla permit.
How do you choose where to stay while planning for Gorilla trekking?
Choosing the best safari lodge or accommodation will depend on how much you can afford. Some lodges charge as high as, $2500 while the budget one can pocket as low as $50 for a double room. It’s about the facilities, location, food, services and so much more
Sample lodges billing
- $50 to $100 for budget accommodation
- $150 to $300 for midrange
- $300 to $2500 per night for Luxury
It’s always advisable to book for accommodation close to your tracking point, our tour operator always advice
How much does a Gorilla Safari cost in Uganda 2022/23
- 1-day Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda costs $1100
- 2 days of Gorilla Safari costs about $1280
- 3 Day Gorilla tour costs about $1450
This should be emphasized that Kitagata Safaris Uganda will give you quotes. roughly the cheapest gorilla tours to Uganda should have a price of about $1100 of course depending on the number of people. The super luxury Gorilla safari costs you between $4000 to $6000 per person
You may wonder why Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda is expensive and whether it is worth the money?
Let me break this down for you:
A Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $ 700 and 75% of the money raised is to conserve the Gorilla surviving population. The government pockets 15% while 10% is meant for the local communities around the parks. As you purchase a permit, note that the costs include park entrance fees, gorilla watching for an hour, advance trackers, and ranger fees.