GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA

These mountain gorillas can only be found in the wild in the mountains of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.

1. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
2. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
3. Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

I decide to do gorilla trekking experience at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, possibly the greatest name for a gorilla trekking site ever. The forest is about a two-hour rocky drive from Uganda’s nearest hub of Kabale.

You should book your gorilla trekking permit with Devine African Safaris or book online through the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and in Rwanda, you can book online through Rwanda Development Board if you are doing the gorilla trek independently, but Devine African Safaris will arrange the whole package for you including the gorilla trekking permit, accommodation, transportation with ease.

When you go gorilla trekking there is no set or marked path, meaning you will be walking through the unmarked forest. The forest will be wet and things may get damp, with the wet trees and ground.

During gorilla trekking, you will be walking up and down changing altitudes, due to this it is advisable to wear layers and bring an additional outfit to change into. So you can take a layer off when you get hot and add one when you get cold.

• Lightweight waterproof clothing
• Clothing in greens, khakis, and dark colors to blend in with the forest
• Layers long
• Long-sleeve top (wear one and bring a spare)
• Long bottoms
• Long hiking socks or Gaiters
• Hiking boots

When gorilla trekking you should bring with you a small day pack with the following items:

• A walking stick
• Binoculars
• Gardening gloves (these are useful if you are grabbing trees)
• Insect repellent with high DEET
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Basic first aid kit
• Packed lunch or high energy snacks
• Water bottle

The guides will brief you prior to your trek to ensure you are safe and comfortable and will advise on how to behave on the very slim chance that one should become aggressive. For example, if a gorilla is advancing towards you, you are to avoid eye contact and move slowly backward.

Of course, the gorillas are wild animals, so their behavior can be unpredictable. Make sure to keep a safe distance at all times, let them control any interaction, and do not, by any means, touch them.

You can purchase permits to go gorilla trekking all year round, permits are available for every day of the year. The best time to go gorilla trekking, however, is in the dry season, between January and February and from June to September. During these months the weather is sunny and bright, with less chance of rain. 

Uganda is the “pearl of Africa” Uganda is fantastic compared to any other gorilla trekking experience in Africa. Uganda’s environment of the jungle trek is unbelievable.

With each movement one’s expectations rewarded sights with the remaining world’s few mountain gorillas is amazing. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is confirmed as one of the most fascinating national parks in Africa.

 Bwindi impenetrable national park was gazetted in 1991 with the mubare mountain gorilla group as the first group, there is a reduction in the number of mountain gorillas all over the world. According to the 2018 population census, there are over 1000 mountain gorillas in the world and Uganda holds 50% of the total mountain gorilla population.

Travelers should aim at seeing these gorilla’s spectacular in their natural environment, get an opportunity to trek mountain gorillas with the largest population in Uganda. 

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda makes travelers take a long walk in the thick forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while they look for mountain gorillas.

The trek involves hiking, moving in the bush, getting tired, and getting a bit untidy in the impenetrable forest with a professional local guide in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. 

Mountain gorillas can trek in the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. Uganda contains 50% of the mountain gorilla population left worldwide living in Bwindi Impenetrable National park.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is divided into four different sectors such as Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, and Ruhija sector. All these sectors have an impressive array of luxury lodges,mid-range lodges, Budget lodges, and campsites with restaurants, craft stalls, and guiding services.