Where as the total number of mountain gorillas in the world is estimated to be fewer than 900 individuals, Uganda boasts of hosting nearly half of these primates. Uganda hosts mountain gorillas in two of its national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts of hosting more than half of the mountain gorillas. Bwindi Forest was one of the few places to embrace gorilla tourism and for over two decades, tourists have been hiking through the park to see the mountain gorillas. Bwindi has been the main place of seeing these giant apes during Rwanda’s troubled years though these days Parc National des Volcanoes (PNV) is also drawing visitors in numbers again most especially those looking for short gorilla treks. There are several local tour operators taking a good number of visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla Tourism
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has 14 habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists.
- Mgahinga National park of Uganda has only one gorilla family habituated gorillas but this family is not reliable given that it often crosses to Rwanda.
Safaris
There are several tour operators offering gorilla safaris to Uganda’s national parks. If you intend to go gorilla tracking you can book a fully inclusive gorilla safari with a local tour operator or opt for an independent tour!
For all gorilla safaris in Uganda, a minimum of three days are required to visit and track the endangered gorillas. The first day is of driving and the second day is the day for gorilla tracking and the third day is for driving again back to Kampala or Entebbe. You can check out tour itineraries and trip ideas for visiting these surviving mountain gorillas from local tour operators.
Gorilla Permits
There are a few gorilla permits available for tourists looking to gorilla watching. Currently the gorilla permits cost USD600 per person. The cost includes park entrance fees and guides fees by the UWA guides.
At times Uganda Wildlife Authority offers promotional gorilla permits at USD450 per permit. These promo gorilla permits are available during the off-peak season – April, May and November.
Its strongly advisable to book gorilla permits several months prior to your visit. In Peak months – June – September and December – January, most days are fully booked. Therefore if you are looking to taking a gorilla trekking trip during these months, you are advised to reserve your gorilla permits as early as possible.
Gorilla Permits can be booked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in person or via a local tour operator.
Gorilla Trekking Locations
There are currently four gorilla families habituated for tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and these are Mubare(M),Habiyanja(H),Rushegura® and Nkuringo(N)
Only 32 tourists per day are allowed to track gorillas. 24 in Bwindi and 8 in Nkuringo gorillas family on the side of Kisoro.
Gorilla trekking is the most memorable experience you will ever experience in a life time!! By visiting these wonderful primates,you are giving them a chance to live and you are also supporting the surrounding community.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park still functions as an important base for international research; biologists come and go, some studying the gorillas, and some focusing on other aspects of the environment and its wildlife. Bwindi is still funded by the “Digit” fund, although it has recently been re-named “The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund”.and also by International Gorilla Conservation Program.
- Read about Gorilla tracking Rules Here
To inquire on the availability of a gorilla permit contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority or contact the local Tour operators doing Gorilla Safaris in Uganda,Rwanda and congo