Gorilla trekking in Uganda or a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda is a safari activity that allows travelers or tourists to walk into the forests in search of a particular gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves being guided by an experienced tour guide and following a particular gorilla family. Upon encountering the gorilla family, trekkers are given one hour to spend in the presence of the gorillas. They monitor, observe, and learn the behaviors of mountain gorillas.

It is mandatory that one must obtain a valid gorilla trekking permit before they take on a gorilla trekking tour in any of the parks in Uganda. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are only issued by the Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) – a wildlife and conservation governing body on behalf of the government of Uganda.

Gorilla trekking and habituation sound like similar activities yet there is a difference between the two. Gorilla trekking involves travelers following a gorilla family that is already used to human being (habituated). On the other hand, gorilla habituation involves trekkers following a gorilla family that has not been habituated or not yet used to human beings. It is important to remember that mountain gorillas are wild animals that spend their lifetime in the forests. Making them get used to human beings is a long and consistent process.

The other difference between gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation in Uganda lies in the time spent in the presence of the gorillas. For gorilla trekking, travelers are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of a gorilla family upon meeting it. On the other hand, travelers are given four hours to spend in the presence of a mountain gorilla family upon meeting it during gorilla habituation. This is why gorilla habituation is usually done by researchers.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, unlike gorilla habituation which is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Lastly, there is a difference between the two gorilla activities in terms of price. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda goes for USD 800 per person per day. On the other hand, a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda goes for USD 1500 per person per day.

The bottom line is that both activities give travelers an opportunity to spend time in the presence of the gorillas and create a signature of memories.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is only done in two safari destination namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Each of these parks is crafted to give a unique gorilla trekking experience that make every traveler’s dream come true.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Located in the south western part of Uganda in the Kanungu district, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a famous gorilla trekking destination that should not miss on your Uganda gorilla safaris. The park is home to 26 habituated gorilla families ready for tracking. Some of the gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include, Rwamutwe family, Kyaguriro family, Mukiza family, Rushegura gorilla family, Katwe gorilla family, Rushaga gorilla family, Bikingi gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Nkuringo gorilla family, Habiyanja gorilla family, to mention but a few.

The 26 gorilla families in Bwindi are located in the four sectors of the park. These sectors include; the Ruhija sector, the Nkuringo sector, the Buhoma sector, and Rushaga sector. Each sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a unique gorilla trekking experience. Trekking gorilla in some of these sectors requires a certain degree of experience and physical fitness.

Bwindi impenetrable National Park can be accessed from Kampala Uganda or Kigali – Rwanda. It is therefore a perfect safari destination for a combined Uganda and Rwanda gorilla safaris.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the district of Kisoro. It is near the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park is an extension of the Virunga conservation area running through Rwanda to Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National is a reliable destination for amazing Uganda gorilla trekking tours. The rugged land scape, bamboo forests, and grasslands of the park make it a reliable primate capital of Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is somehow easier compared to that of some sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This makes it a favorite destination for beginners.  

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one habituated gorilla family which is fond of crossing to Rwanda and Congo. The family has many members and tracking it gives a rewarding experience.

Other than mountain gorilla trekking, Mgahinga national park is good for activities like golden monkey trekking, community walks, guided nature walks and birding tours.

A mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda costs USD 800 Per person per day. While gorilla habituation permits go for USD 1500 each.

Mountain gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are authorized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Permits can be booked online or upon arrival at UWA offices in Kampala.

It is important to book your Uganda gorilla permits in advance at least 2 months before arrival especially in high seasons (June to September and December to February).

To ensure conservation of the mountain gorillas in Uganda, there are gorilla trekking rules and regulations to be followed. These include;

BEFORE YOU SET OUT

• Ensure to carry your payment receipts and permits
• Do not visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness
• Minimum age for tracking is 15 years
• Human waste should be buried 30 cm (12) deep
• Maximum number of visitors is eight persons per gorilla group

WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE GORILLAS

• Maintain a 7m (21ft) distance from the gorilla
• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the tour
• If you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the
• gorillas, as they can catch coughs and colds from humans
• Visits are limited to one hour per gorilla group per day
• Do not use flash photography.

• • Steady hiking shoes

• • Water bottle

• • Rain coat

• • Camera

• • Spare batteries

• • Snacks

• • Mosquito repellants

• • Anti-malarial tablets

• • Backpack

• • Sun glasses

• • Cap or hut

Other activities to do in Uganda apart from gorilla trekking.

Other than gorilla trekking, Uganda safaris offer multiple activities that can create a signature of memories on your trip. All these activities can be tailored or combined with a gorilla trekking safari in a single trip.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda 

Chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda can be done in Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kyambura Gorge), Budongo forest, and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary.

Golden monkey trekking in Uganda

Golden monkey tracking in Uganda is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It can easily be combined with your gorilla trekking safari. The activity is more like gorilla trekking, the only difference is that here, you are tracking golden monkeys.

The best time to go for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is the dry season. The seasons runs from June to September and December to February. This is a period of less rain and the trekking terrain is favorable and less challenging. The wet seasons come with reduction in accommodation prices making it the best time for budget gorilla tours in Uganda.

Now that you are everywhere you want to be about Uganda gorilla safaris, book your amazing Uganda tour now and enjoy an exceptional adventure.