Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, situated in the Bwindi Impenetrable Conservation Area, and mountain gorillas have been listed and considered endangered by the IUCN. With a larger group in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and another group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ecological significance. It has gained worldwide recognition through gorilla trekking, especially since mountain gorillas are declared endangered and at risk of extinction. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, is a stunning and rare gem, and the smallest park in Uganda, offering the thrill and adventure of trekking deep into the forests. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which stretches across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary wildlife experience that allows you to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the forest with experienced guides and trackers to locate habituated gorilla families. The terrain can be challenging, with steep slopes, dense vegetation, and muddy trails. The duration of the trek can vary depending on the location of the gorilla group and how fit the group of trekkers is, ranging from a few hours to a full day. Once the gorillas are located, one will have the rare opportunity of spending an hour in their presence, observing their behavior, social interactions, and feeding habits in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is strictly regulated to ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas. Visitors are accompanied by trained guides and park rangers who provide information about the gorillas and ensure that trekking guidelines are followed.
Yes, you can go gorilla trekking in Uganda from Rwanda, and many visitors do so because the gorillas are located southwest of Uganda, near the Rwanda border. Depending on the visitor’s preference, they can choose between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with Mgahinga offering a shorter travel time. To fully enjoy the experience, visitors should plan ahead by paying for the gorilla trekking permit in advance. Rwandan or East African visitors pay 300,000 shillings, a foreign non-resident pay $800, and foreign residents pay $700. The permit grants one hour with the mountain gorillas once the family is located, and permits can be booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a licensed tour operator. Permits are limited to a certain number of people per day to minimize disturbance to the gorillas and their habitat, and it’s recommended to book permits well in advance for proper planning, especially during peak seasons.
Visitors must consider crossing or border points and have the necessary documents to ensure a smooth crossover. The most commonly used points are Katuna near Kabale with closer access to Bwindi Impenetrable and Cyanika near Kisoro, making it close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. One will need their travel documents and visas ready as needed, depending on the nationality, and as tour operators, we can help with some of the details that are practical.
The best time for trekking in either of the three countries is during the dry seasons of June-September and December-February, as these months have better trekking conditions with less rain or muddy trails. A tourist should be in good shape to enjoy the trek, as some trails can be strenuous depending on the gorilla family’s location, and be healthy, as gorillas can also easily get sick as humans, and they must be protected from any kind of ailments caused by humans.
