Are you intending to trek gorillas in Bwindi Forest Park? Uganda’s largest forest national park with mountain gorillas. The park is close to Mgahinga National Park in the southwest region of the nation. In 1991, the national park was designated to safeguard the forest, mountain gorillas, and other species. Mgahinga National Park, which is situated in southwest Uganda too, is another national park that was gazetted to safeguard mountain gorillas in Uganda
The highest number of mountain gorillas in the world still reside in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, in all four of the park’s sectors. The areas of Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija are home to mountain gorillas. There are two semi-habituated gorilla families in the park in addition to the 19 completely habituated gorilla families.
In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, mountain gorilla tracking is the most popular activity that offers visitors a one-hour interaction with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environments. Those with current Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permits are the only ones who can track gorillas in Bwindi Gorilla Park.
Hiking with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Gorilla Park requires using a local tour operator to help arrange transportation, lodging, and permits. You may trek these mountain gorillas in Bwindi year-round, and you can get to the park in a single day by either road or air transportation.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Gorilla Park
The most popular activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, which is guided by armed rangers. The four park areas where the activity is conducted are Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. All park sectors begin gorilla trekking early in the morning, when hikers have to wake up early, enjoy breakfast at their accommodation, and then be transported to the sector headquarters.
The sector headquarters is where the wardens organize the trekkers, brief them on the activity’s laws and regulations, and designate armed ranger guides to escort them through the forest.
Trekkers proceed to the starting points, where they are issued walking sticks and, for a little price, can engage porters to help them carry their extra luggage. Trekkers are led by armed ranger escorts over various trekking trails in search of the designated mountain gorilla family.
It takes two to seven hours to find the mountain gorillas after exploring many trails and seeing a variety of park species, including big forest hogs, bushpigs, birds, buffaloes, duikers, side-striped jackals, and forest elephants.
After finding the mountain gorillas, trekkers enjoy an hour to spend with these primates and see their daily routines, which include trekking, building nests, climbing, hunting, eating, and much more. The guidelines that are provided by the park officials must be followed by hikers. After completing their walk through the forest, the hikers receive their trekking certificates and meet the drivers who will take them to the lodge or their next destination.
How much does gorilla trekking cost?
Only those with official gorilla trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority are permitted to embark on hikes in the Bwindi Gorilla Park. For foreign non-residents, gorilla trekking licenses in Bwindi cost $800; for foreign residents, they cost $700; and for East African citizens, they cost shs 250,000.
For the same cost, gorilla trekking permits for the Bwindi Gorilla Park can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reputable local tour operator. It is recommended that visitors planning to visit Bwindi Gorilla Park reserve their permits in advance to prevent disappointments stemming from last-minute cancellations.
What should I carry to Bwindi Gorilla Park for gorilla trekking?
A light backpack, waterproof hiking shoes, gaiters, cotton stocks, gardening gloves, a warm rainy jacket, long sleeves, long shirts, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, camera, binoculars, drinking water bottle, and energy-boosting snacks are essentials to bring for gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
When is the best time to track gorillas in Bwindi?
Although you may go on a gorilla safari in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park all year round, there are some months that are more favourable than others. The best months to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi are June to September and December to February because of the dry season’s minimal or little or no rainfall, which leaves the trekking trails dry, the park’s short vegetation that provides unobstructed views of the mountain gorillas, and the accessible roads.
Visitors can still take advantage of substantial discounts on lodging options by visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park during the rainy seasons of March through May and October through November. However, the rainy season is marked by excessive rainfall, which muddies and slippery trekking trails, thickens the foliage and obscures views of park animals, and deteriorates the roads that lead to the park.
Lodging options on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Gorilla Park
Lodging options in Buhoma sector: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Silverback Lodge, Ride 4 Women Guest House, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, and Bwindi View Bandas and Bwindi Neck View Lodge.
Lodging options in Rushaga sector: Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
Lodging options Nkuringo sector: Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Mutanda Eco Community Center, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge.
Lodging options in Ruhija sector: Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.