Can I track Uganda gorillas in march? Gorilla trekking in Uganda in March is a fantastic safari that will drive you to South-western Uganda, to explore and spend time in the rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park with the mighty mountain gorillas, the giant of all apes. March is the beginning rainy season all over Uganda, but a lot more occasionally in Bwindi and Mgahinga since they are rainforest zones with several trees and vegetation, receiving less sunshine during the day.
Gorilla trekking in March is audacious for the weather is pretty difficult to forecast as it may rain in the morning and shine in the afternoon then rain again in the evening, or even shine in the morning and rain the rest of the day, not forgetting to keep misty throughout some days. March is an exclusive month for trekking the mountain gorillas besides being wet and muddy, the vegetation is bright, colorful, and green covering the whole area, among which is food and fruits for the mountain gorillas to gather adequately beyond what they can consume.
Mountain gorillas usually move shorter distances during March, for they always gather together to keep warm most especially the females and the infants as males provide security and gather fruits. It is so magnificent down in the rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park in March where you enter the magical forests with strong boots, and warm and waterproof clothes that will have you sweat on a freezing day, and that is how astonishing it is in the rainforests of south-western Uganda.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda in March?
Uganda is open for gorilla trekking only in two National parks which provide the perfect habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are found in South-western Uganda and are the only Ugandan national parks permitted for gorilla trekking by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) since 1992 when Uganda received its first habituated gorilla family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
The two national parks are home to over 462 gorilla individuals, organized into 52 gorilla families of which 24 gorilla families are habituated, 23 gorilla families for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in its four gorilla sectors of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga gorilla sectors, and 1 habituated gorilla family for Mgahinga national park all together with 152 gorilla trekking permits available in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for trekking in March
On an area of 331km2, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies, rising at an altitude of 1900m above sea level, a perfect foot for the mountain gorillas to survive in the rainforests since they are less interrupted by other wildlife accustomed to lowland areas.
The month of March is the starter month of the rainy season in Bwindi, a happy moment for the mountain gorillas as it is an assurance of adequate food and fruits all over the park. During this month, the gorillas are hectic to find due to the muddy ground and thick vegetation, and yet easy to find since they move shorter distances.
Mgahinga National Park for trekking in March
Mgahinga National Park is a land of primates which are breathtaking as the motto of the park “Where gold meets with silver”, Mgahinga has both golden monkeys and mountain gorillas which are true cousins of man. With 98% of man’s DNA, the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park stand strong and healthy in the misty rain forests ready to welcome man in the jungle in the misty month of March.
The coldness in March makes the rainforests of Mgahinga very misty and audacious to track for the mountain gorillas which may take up to 1 hour to 7 hours due to the nature of the ground and the movement of the mountain gorillas.
Weather conditions in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park in March.
The month of March has an outstanding feel of nature all tourists ought to experience. Bwindi and Mgahinga in March have morning temperatures around 120C (540F), and day temperatures around 230C (730F), however, they are less constant since it is a rainforest zone.
The weather is so frigid which contributes to the adaptation of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park, all moments with the mountain gorillas become impressive in March as gorillas gather together to keep themselves warm.
When is the best time to book for gorilla trekking in Uganda in March?
Gorilla trekking permits are available in Uganda for about 152 permits, requiring bookings in advance for at least 3-6 months before the actual trekking day. The trekking permits allocate the different gorilla families to trek in groups of 8 people per group since the gorillas are delicate creatures to any human action. All gorilla permits are authorized by UWA and the money is used by UWA for the conservation of wildlife.
