Gorilla Trekking Uganda-Gorilla Safaris Africa

All travelers can book a safari to go Gorilla trekking Uganda to experience the best Gorilla encounters in Uganda's Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Parks.

Gorilla Trekking Uganda involves transferring through the thick forest vegetation fro one point to another for a period of 4-5 hours depending on where the Gorillas are located.

When you meet them, an hour is allowed to stay in their presence taking photos to keep for memories. You will trek in groups of 8 people with the company of an experienced guide who will inform you of the differences in groups and behavioral traits of each Gorilla individual.

Gorilla Family Groups in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Uganda  takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which has 12 different habituated Gorilla groups and these are distributed in various sectors of the forest where as Mgahinga has one Gorilla Group with other 2 habituated ones and these include;

• Buhoma Sector; with Mubare, Rushegura, Habinyanja groups
• Ruhija Sector; with Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro groups
• Rushaga Sector; with Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Bweza groups
• Nkuringo Sector; with the Nkuringo Gorilla group
• Nyakagezi Gorilla group in Mgahinga

Gorilla Trekking Permit

The Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda Costs US $600-(Peak Season) & US $450-(low season) per person interested in tracking the Gorillas and these can be obtained straight from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a valid Tour Operator Agency who will help you book the permits before you date of arrival.

Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations

The rules & regulations to follow while tracking the endangered species of Mountain Gorillas and these include;

• keep a distance of 7 meters from the Gorillas
• Children of 12 years and above are allowed to track the Gorillas.
• You must carry a valid Gorilla trekking permit to track the Gorillas.
• You will be distributed in groups of 8 to track the Gorillas.
• In case you are ill, you should cancel the trekking and in case you sneeze while around the Gorillas, you should turn your head and nose on the sides for the Gorillas are vulnerable to catching human illnesses.
• When approached by a silverback, scot while facing down and don’t look straight into the eyes of the silverback for this is provocative and may lead to trouble/ danger.
• Make sure to use a camera with no flash to take the photos of the Gorillas i.e flashes distort the peace of the Gorillas and may provocative.
• Do not litter rubbish in the forest and in case you want to help yourself, dig a hole of 5 meters aside and then later, cover it up with soil.
• Do not eat in front of the Gorillas.
• Keep calm and quiet around the rare primates for a lot of noise distorts their peace.
• Ensure to move with a skilled guide/ ranger through the forest.

What to Carry for Gorilla Trekking

• Trekking ankle boots & woolen socks to enable you navigate through rough slippery surface in the forest while searching for the Gorillas. The socks will keep you warm.
• A rain jacket to protect you from getting wet by the rain that usually falls due to the location of the country near the equator.
• Long pants that are not jeans to help you move easily through the thick forest vegetation as well as the bushes.
• Long sleeved shirts/ t-shirts that are not hard so as to track through the forest.
• Leather gardening gloves to protect your hands from getting pierced when you touch the tree branches that have sharp thorns.
• A guide book/ map to help you get to your certain destination while searching for the Gorillas.
• A sweater to keep you warm in the evenings.
• A camera with no flash to take photographs.
• A cap/ hat to cover your head.