Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a super safari in Africa. Gorilla trekking starts with booking a gorilla trekking permit. The price for a gorilla tracking permit is $ 700 but you must make sure you have where to spend the night. This is because it is best to spend a night in the forest prior to your gorilla tracking date. CONTACT US

Gorilla Trekking Tour

Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi forest National Park and Mgahinga National park. These parks are some of the survivors of the prehistoric era. These forests are home to unique primates like chimpanzees, grey checked mangabey, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, potos monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys and several others. Birds roam around the forest including the albertine endemics.

You must know that gorilla trekking in Uganda has two option of how to get there. You may decide to drive to Bwindi forest which is about 9 to 10 hours on a scenic road. Drive through the undulating hills of kigezi, enjoy the green vegetation in Western Uganda, meandering rivers, large banana plantations and so much more.

Flying Gorilla Tracking Tour

You may opt for a flying gorilla tracking tour where you can disembark from your international flight and embark on a domestic flight but you must be at the airport by 6:00 am for check in. You need to have atleast 30 kg of free baggage so reduce the weight of your baggage as possible not forgetting the gorilla trekking gear. Flying Gorilla trekking includes booking transfers to the lodge

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is can also be combined with a chimpanzee trekking safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale National Park. The drive from Bwindi forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 4 to 5 hours with views of the iced Rwenzori Ranges. Then the drive to Kibale National Park is 5 to 6 hours. Chimpanzees are the closest cousins to humans so this double opportunity is a life time dream come true. 

Alternatively, you may go for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth and If the weather is good, you may drive in the Ishasha sector which is home to the tree climbing lions, buffaloes, elephants, kobs, antelopes, leopards, duikers, bush bucks and so many others. Enjoy a Launch cruise which is relaxing and rewarding.

 Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the renowned safaris in the world but you must remember to carry the right items for your tour. Book the right accommodation for gorilla tracking and hire the right porter to carry your baggage during gorilla tracking.

Gorilla trekking Safaris to book

3 day gorilla trekking

4 Day gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking

5 Day gorilla trekking and Wildlife Safari

6 Day gorilla tracking Tour

When To Book A Gorilla Trekking Permit In Uganda

How to book gorilla trekking permits, when to book gorilla trekking tour, which accommodation to book for gorilla permit and what is the price of a gorilla trekking permits is all explained in the article below

Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda for a gorilla tracking safari includes paying earlier for your gorilla tour. Gorilla trekking is one of the renowned safaris in Africa that are sought after. Most gorilla trekking permits are sold on first come first serve basis. Each day gorilla tracking starts only at 8.00am with briefing from the ranger guide to a group of only 8 clients per gorilla tracking family. CONTACT US

The right time to book a gorilla trekking permit is atleast 3 months to the date of trekking the gorillas but this also depends on the period. During the months of July, August, September and October, gorilla permits get sold out because they are on a very high demand yet a few are released for tracking and to be booked by numerous people. 

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are sold at $600 for foreign nonresidents and for foreign residents its $ 500. You must purchase you permit in advance. This is accompanied by booking accommodation which is normally sold out too during this period. You must be ready to deposit some money to save yourself panic at the last moment.  Discounted gorilla trekking permits are normally issued by Uganda wildlife Authority each year in April, May and November. 

Enjoy gorilla tracking in Uganda also involves booking a flight seat on the daily domestic flights. They are departing Entebbe Airport early in the morning and afternoon. You may disembark from your early morning g flight and re-embark on the flight transferring you to Kihihi and then a car picks you to take you to your overnight lodge.

You must state the number of people you wish to travel with so that your gorilla permits are secured because gorilla permits are sold according to area. If you wish to travel with other people you have to state them in advance. This is because gorilla permits are sold according to area so finding permits in the same area during the peak time is quite hard. Also each area has different families so in case you wish to trek together, you can do this during briefing.

3 Amazing Launch cruises After Gorilla tracking

Having enjoyed your gorilla trekking tour which is tiresome you need to relax on a cruise to feel the cool breeze from the water. You can organize this by visiting some of the incredible National Parks that Uganda prides of.

Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

The closet Launch cruise after gorilla trekking is the Kazinga Channel Launch cruise in queen Elizabeth National Park. You may decide to drive from Bwindi forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 5 to 6 hours scenic drive.

This normally starts at about 14 hours at the pier. There is the Uganda Wildlife Authority Launch Cruise which is share with other travellers or you may decide to do a private exclusive launch cruise which you can book with the Marasa. You need to make earlier booking because they both have a limit to the number of people to join the cruise.

Kazinga channel is the link between two Lakes that is Lake George and Lake Edward. It is a congregation site for a number of animals and birds that come down to cool off the day’s heat or quench there thirst. You sail through schools of hippos, crocodiles, view a variety of birds including foreign birds, herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, water bucks, warthogs, baboons and so much more.

Murchison Falls Launch Cruise.

This is a dramatic cruise in Murchison Falls National Park where you sail close to the spot where the River Nile water squeezes through the narrow gorge of about 7 meters wide and burst out in a thundering sound forming a cloudy appearance then plunge down the 44 meters high cliff to continue with the course. It is one of the enthralling sites and its picturesque. 

From gorilla trekking, you may travel to Murchison Falls on the road but this is quite a long journey of about 10 to 11 hours however you may break the journey by enjoying a stopover in Masindi or Kibale National Park to see the chimpanzees. 

A flying safari to Murchison Falls is awesome but you must first fly back to Entebbe them continue with your flight to Murchison Falls. This is about 3 hours including the Airport drop offs. You will be transferred to where you are to overnight. You may decide to hike to the top of the falls to enjoy this dramatic appearance of the Nile. 

During the Launch cruise to the Falls, you enjoy the scenic sites along the shores and animals like Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, water bucks, crocodiles, hippos and a number of rare birds that fly around to catch some fish.

You may decide to book the public lunch cruise which you share with other people or a private launch cruise which can be more comfortable and you take your time.

Lake Victoria Launch Cruise

After gorilla trekking, in case you have a late night flight, you may spend your day in Entebbe cruising to Ngamba Island. This Island is home to the orphaned chimpanzees. This cruise gives you the chance to sail on one of the largest fresh water lakes in Africa.

Enjoy the wonderful scenery and incredible surrounding at the shore. Participate in feeding the chimpanzees and return to the land to catch up with your flight back home.

5 Top Uganda Safari Destinations

Uganda is majorly known for being a gorilla tracking destination but the country also hosts a number of other unique destinations with incredible animals and scenery. When you book a road tour in Uganda, you get to see more enroute while flying Uganda tours reduce on the time you take to get to the destination since most are remote. Some of the most renowned destinations include.

Murchison Falls National Park

This park is about 4 to 5 hours drive from Kampala. It is crossed by the River Nile with the most spectacular view of the Murchison Falls. The river Nile squeezes through the 7 meters wide gorge, bursts out to produce a thundering sound and plunge down the 44 meters high cliff to continue with the course.

Enjoy a game drive in the northern sector of the park with chances of seeing animals like lions, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, duikers, a variety of birds and so much more. A boat cruise on the Nile to Murchison Falls is very interesting as you get to drive closer to the Water Falls to enjoy its spectacular view. Fishing in Uganda is super in this park too. In addition, the Kaniyo Pabidi part of this park is this park is endowed with chimpanzees that cab be trekked.

Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking is the commonly known activity in this park. Chimpanzees are the closest neighbors to humans because they have about 98% of human genes.   Chimpanzee trekking has two sessions that is the morning and afternoon session. A number of primates co-exist with the chimps and for keen birders, this is a haven for birding.

They are habituated and live in communities under the leadership of the Alpha male. Just like humans, they democratically vote there leader not based on age but popularity and capability.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This at times called biosphere reserve is home to a variety of animals that can be seen during the game drives especially in the crater lakes area like lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, chimpanzees and so many birds that you pass by.

During the Launch cruise, you get to see a rich avian life where you may get to see birds like greater and lesser flamingos, Egyptian geese, marabou stalk, king fisher and so many birds including the foreign birds that fly from other continents during winter. Chimpanzee trekking in this park is done in Kyambura gorge but you need to hike the gorge to find them.

Bwindi forest National Park

This is home to the mountain gorillas and to get to see them, you must have a gorilla trekking permit. For conservation reasons, only 8 gorilla trekking permits are released each day per gorilla tracking family. Uganda has only 10 gorilla trekking families so the demand for the permits is so high. CONTACT US

You must have booked accommodation in the area where your gorilla permit was booked to avoid waking up so early to drive to the trekking area for briefing. Birding is another renowned activity in this park as a number of unique birds live in this park especially the albertine endemics. The unique visit to the Batwa Pygmies after or before gorilla trekking is rewarding

Ngamba Chimpanzee Island

During your stay in Uganda, you may have the chance of seeing the orphaned, rescued and homeless chimpanzees that live in the Koome Islands. You enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Victoria and the scenic view on the land. Participate in feeding the chimpanzees and watch then play. In case you have a night flight, you may take the chance of spending your day with the chimps

White Water Rafting

White water rafting is an adventurous tour you can be part of while in Uganda. It is done in Jinja on the Itanda falls. There are a variety of packages including family rafting to advance water rafting in Uganda. You beat the water tides as you go through the rafting.

You may also visit the source of the Nile where the River Nile water physically separates from the lake Victoria water. Bungee jumping is another adrenaline stimulating activity that you may be part of. The family can also take part in Quad biking which is very interesting to be part of.

Luxury Accommodations to Book During Gorilla in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking accommodation  can also be booked to make your tour comfortable and memorable.  luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is possible as you have a number of options of accommodation to choose from but remember these are located in different areas. When you book a gorilla trekking permit, you must be careful where you book your accommodation.  Some of the luxury accommodations to book during gorilla trekking according to the area include

Buhoma gorilla trekking accommodations

Gorilla Forest Camp

Gorilla forest camp if a super luxury lodge located within Bwindi forest National Park. This lodge offers specious rooms with appealing décor.  

Each tent is well placed with a great view of the forest. This lodge is placed close to the briefing point of gorilla trekking. On arrival you are welcomed with a drink and briefed on your stay you are offered drinks on the cost on your room cost. The lodge offers massage and has a spa where you can relax after gorilla trekking.

Mahogany springs.

This lodge is situated closer to the forest and at times visited by the gorillas. It overlooks the Bwindi forest and a small water fall can be spotted while at the balcony of the lounge. On several occasions a number of bird are seen relaxing in the vegetation close by.

Monkeys also keep playing from the compound. The rooms are specious, aerated and well positioned to give you a chance of seeing the dense canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The lodge serves a variety of food and on arrival you may be given a welcome drink. In case you book a flying gorilla tracking tour, they offer transfers to the airstrip at an affordable price.

Volcanoes lodge

This is a luxury lodge located a few meters away from the Uganda Wildlife authority headquarters in Bwindi. This lodge offer different options of rooms ranging from singles to double rooms. In case you travel with the family, you will be catered for.

When you go for gorilla trekking, you are offered massage after the hike to freshen up. The Lodge offered a well-stocked bar and restaurant with a variety of options to choose from and there rates are on full Board basis. The rooms are specious, have a great view and have regular housekeeping.

Nkuringo Gorilla trekking area

Clouds Lodge

This luxury lodge is well placed in southern part of Bwindi with super services. In case you have booked a flying gorilla tracking safari, they offer picks ups and drop offs.

It has specious rooms and kept warm by the fire place. It has a well-stocked bar and restaurant which serve a variety of cuisine. Place you order and you will be served what you ordered.

Gorilla Safari Lodge

This lodge is located in the southern part of Bwindi Called Nkuringo. The lodge has spacious self-contained rooms with large beds. It has a super view of the forest, offers bar and restaurant services. There rate is full board too. 

Gorilla trekking tours to book

6 day gorilla trekking and wildlife safari

4 Day gorilla trekking and Ngamba tour

3 day gorilla trekking holiday

7 Day gorilla and wildlife safari