Bwindi Gorilla trekking Safari

In Bwindi Forest National Park is the home of gorilla trekking famously known as the African beasts that featured in the famous film “gorillas in the mist”. Mountain gorillas are a special primate specie with a huge size, dark hairy face, walk with a knuckle style and feed on foliage only for there entire life. Mountain gorillas live in 3 parks only that is to say Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Virunga National Park in D.R Congo. 

It is best to take private transport to Bwindi National park because of the several security threats that some tourist have faced while taking public transport which seems cheaper. Ask your tour operator for a guide who will explain to you about Uganda and other places you might like to visit. Most safari guide in Uganda speak  English and  in case you wish to have one that speaks, French, Spanish, Chinese, Deutsch, Kiswahili or any other language of your preference, it is best to advise early enough. 

Gorilla trekking as an activity in Bwindi always starts early in the morning with briefing from the ranger guides. This is only possible if you have a special Card from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Even if you have plenty of money but with no card, you may not be allowed to be part of the gorilla trekkers. This is because only 8 people are permitted to go gorilla trekking a particular family each day. In case there is no availability, it will be hard to join the trekkers although at times you may be lucky and to buy a gorilla tracking permit on ground. This however is not a guarantee. 

Bwindi impenetrable forest is divided into two sectors each having gorilla families that have been habituated for tourism. Each sector has accommodations that are situated close to these gorilla groups and so you need to know which sector you are gorilla trekking in as to choose the right accommodation that will not send you driving so early in the morning for briefing. 

While you track gorillas in the forest, you have a double chance to meet the birds of varies species especially the albertine endemics which are not commonly seen. Primate like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey checked mangabey and several others may cross your way before meeting the gorillas. They are very keen with intruders and although they are known for being serene, they get agitated in case you do what irritates them. When you get to meet the gorillas, you are permitted only an hour in there presence because they are trained to stay in the presence of humans for just that hour. Utilize it profitably and take there pictures, watch them interact and murmur at each other. Only one hour is permitted for your stay in there vicinity.

Gorilla Trekking Tour

Gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda requires you to have a gorilla trekking card. This can only be bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority or work through a Uganda based agent. While preparing for your gorilla tracking safari, you must know that fitness is very vital as mountain gorillas keep roaming through the forest in search of food and other day today facilities. For these reasons, you may have to trek up and down the slopes of the ridges and other highlands to meet them at

While trekking to see the gorillas, you may met other exciting primates like the black and white colobus, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, variety of birds like African green broadbill, white-bellied robin chat, brown-necked parrot, frazer’s eagle owl plus several others and  Natural trees that are in plenty. 

If you have ample time in Africa, you may connect your gorilla trekking tour with a wildlife safari to queen Elizabeth National park which is at times called the biosphere reserve of Uganda. In case you track gorillas in Buhoma side of Bwindi forest. The drive from this sector to Queen Elizabeth is about 4 to 5 hours going through Ishasha sector of the park. Enjoy a game drive where you may have the chance of seeing the tree climbing lions , buffalos, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, antelopes to mention but a few. From this park, you may have the chance of viewing the Rwenzori ranges and there snow capped peak

A game drive early in the morning is rewarding as you get to see the early risers as they get out of there overnight hiding to meet the day. Drive through the crater area where you will enjoy the incredible view of dry and wet craters. Varying vegetation zones that range from forest to semi arid vegetation. The park has the Kazinga channel where a number of animals quench there thirst and cool off the day’s heat. Schools of Hippos and crocodiles swim in the water, herd of buffaloes, elephants, water bucks, all congregate at the shores. A number of birds like the Egyptian geese, cattle egrets, African fish eagle, greater and lesser flamingos to mention but a few all flock the shores.

Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi forest National park 6 Days

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park for 6 days gives you a chance of visiting the chimpanzees too in Kibale National park. These are both thick forest with a number of other attractive primates like the vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, rich avian life, variety of natural tree species and several others.

Day 1: Drive for Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Forest National Park.

Enjoy a drive from where you spent your night to Bwindi forest. The drive may be long but very scenic as you drive through the rolling hills of Kigezi. Meandering rivers rotate the valley of the surrounding highlands. Beautiful forest cover also keeps you mesmerized about how wonderfully it is arranged. This drive is about 8 to 10 hours excluding stopovers. Arrive in the evening ready for dinner and overnight at your reserved lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Early in the morning, you head to the ranger station with your water, packed lunch and other energy bites. After briefing with the company of your ranger guide, trek into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. They are quite mobile so finding them differs in timing that is to say 2hours to 8 hours of searching. Gorillas are huge primates with a black coat that covers there entire body. They have brown eyes that are sunken into the eye ball.  When you get to see them, you have just an hour with them taking there photographs, watching them play and interact with each other freely. You are forbidden to touch or feed them to avoid direct contact with them. Return to your lodge .

Day 4 drive to Kibale forest National park

Having accomplished your gorilla trekking in Bwindi National park, drive to Kibale forest National Park the home of the closet relatives of man. The drive may take about 5 to 6 hours but very scenic as you may get the chance of seeing the iced top of the Rwenzori rangers. Get there and relax.

Day 5 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National park

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. You will be instructed on how to behave while in the presence of the chimpanzees.  They are the closet cousin of humans and have about 97% human genetic composition. They live in families under the leadership of the alpha male who is voted democratically by members of the community. They communicate by hitting the stems of trees. In the cold conditions, they normally hide up in the tree branches.  They will notice your presence before you do see them and start alerting each other as while hooting. Watch they moves and activities and return to the lodge to relax. You may opt to go for a walk to Bigodi wetland where you may have a chance of seeing the shoe bill and other interesting birds. This wetland is rich with primates too. 

Day 6 Return home.

Having enjoyed your gorilla trekking safari and chimpanzee trek, drive back home to catch up with your home bound flight.

Gorilla Trekking Tour Price In Uganda And Rwanda

A price for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda is based on the category of tour you wish to have. Gorilla trek holiday in Uganda or Rwanda is packaged according to Luxury gorilla trek tour, Midrange or budget gorilla tour. Accommodation is the main determinant of which package you prefer. Some clients mix packages especially those taking long days on safari. Amongst all packages, a gorilla trekking permit is universally sold at $ 600 in Uganda and $ 750 in Rwanda.  The difference in price may be determined by the services and facilities while on safari. 

Gorilla trekking is a tour that every one would be excited to share with some one special but at times the holiday timings may differ for you and that person prompting you to travel alone. If you share a gorilla trip, you may not feel the burden  of the safari since things like the vehicle, room, fuel, driver cost are shared. As a solo traveller, you feel the comfort of the car, stay in your own room, enjoy exclusive services but you bare the entire expense of your trip.

Gorilla tracking in Uganda is done in Bwindi forest National park nestled in south western Uganda and in Rwanda trekking gorillas is in volcanoes National park. The two share the volcanic virunga area which is mainly forested and at times gorillas escape and cross borders. 

To confirm your gorilla tour, you must have a pre-purchased gorilla tracking permit and in case you wish to combine it with a chimpanzee trip, you must have its permit too. A chimpanzee permit in Uganda is sold at $ 150 for Kibale National park and $ 50 In Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each of these primate treks require a permit for you to be allowed to participate. In order to avoid back tracking, it is best to have an itinerary showing the flow of your safari. This is because these parks are quite a distance far from each other and so there is need to be organised to reduce on the fuel consumption. 

After gorilla trekking, you may tip your ranger, driver or porter as a token of appreciation for your successful safari. Some of these people earn a living through tips so you support there work too.  However, tipping is not compulsory but a sign of gratitude.

At times you may spot the gorillas in just an hour so to keep your self busy, after gorilla trekking, you may try to get souvenirs or head for other activities like Batwa cultural trail, birding, visit the Bwindi hospital or community walk. Each of these may take between $ 30 and $ 90 but your extra activity creates an impact on the surrounding community since most of these activities were set up by the community and its there source of income. 

 In case you are tired after a gorilla trek, request for massage form your lodge which will help you recover from the day’s fatigue. You may also book a return flight through your agent in case you drove for long hour at the start of your trip but this will be arranged at an extra cost.

Discounted Gorilla Trekking Safari Permits In Uganda

Discounted gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are still being sold in Uganda at $450 per permit saving $150 from the normal gorilla permit price of $ 600 in Uganda. November 2016 is the last chance for these permits to be sold. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has extended this offer to all esteemed customers who have for several years quested for at least a gorilla trek. It is a dream come true offer.

With the discounted gorilla permits selling like hot cake, most of the accommodations also have reduced there rates to match this offer. During the peak seasons, a Uganda safari may be sold at a higher value so you have to grab this chance as it lasts.

How To Book A Discounted Gorilla Permit

This offer doesn’t discriminate where you come from or who you are. Booking a discounted gorilla tracking permit is open to every desiring traveler. On a daily basis, these permits are sold out on first come first serve basis and only 8 permits per gorilla family are issued out for the day. You can contact us to secure for you your gorilla permit before being sold out.

Can I exchange a gorilla permit bought at $ 600 with a discounted gorilla permit

As terms and conditions apply for purchase of the discounted gorilla permits, Uganda Wildlife Authority doesn’t transfer funds for a normal permit to the discounted gorilla permit. You get no refund for this.

How Many Gorilla Treks Can One Make

Discounted gorilla permits are open to any one, you can buy as many gorilla permits as you wish and trek the number of times you want.

Details for obtaining a gorilla trekking permit

You must know your preferred date of tracking gorillas which you must state in your inquiry, our tour safari consultant will immediately inquire from Uganda Wildlife Authority on permit availability and offer you feed back. We advise you to pay for your gorilla trekking permit so that it can be secured. Send through your names, passport number, year of birth and Nationality for the gorilla permit card to be printed. Upon acquiring your gorilla permit, we book your accommodation based on the area where your permit has been bought. This is to avoid long distance driving early in the morning as you head from briefing at ranger station. Remember to pack your gorilla trekking gears and wear so as to have a comfortable gorilla trek safari.  Read more>>>>>>>>>>>

What to Expect on a Gorilla Trek Safari

Fitness before gorilla trekking

To enjoy your gorilla trekking experience, you need to be fairly fit, do some exercises to enable you walk through the forest. The usual safaris normally have a safari car to take you throughout the adventure but with gorilla trekking, you are first briefed at the ranger station and then you start off the search which might last an unpredictable time. 

Clothes to wear during gorilla trekking

Being a unique safari, you need to pack special clothes like long sleeved shirt, long trousers, camera, tracking boots for muddy conditions, equipped for the humid carry rain proof gears, soft stockings, a simple bag to carry your belonging and so much more. 

Health condition during gorilla trekking

You need to remember that mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases so you need to be in good health. Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda as recommended by UNESCO necessitates you to check your health conditions prior to the start of your trek. Even a cold is very dangerous to these apes. Communicable diseases also affect these primates and they may not be able to be resistant.

In case you get to realize that you are unhealthy, you need to advise the guide who will report to the authorities concerned prior to the start of your trek. You will be compensated according the Authorities’ rules and regulations.

Weather conditions during gorilla trekking

Whether trekking gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park Uganda or Volcanoes National Park Rwanda weather changes remain unpredictable in that it may rain at any time while you are in the wilderness without warning. The ground is usually boggy because of the regular rains that keep the ground humid all the time and that explains the reason why you should pack tracking boots

Carry a porter before gorilla trekking

If you are not sure of your fitness and resistance to the long walks, it is very advisable to hire a porter prior to gorilla trekking. This is at the briefing point. He will assist you carry your tracking baggage and give you a push when you are tired