Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a lifetime opportunity for you to have an intimate encounter with a group of large Apes –the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking mountain gorillas is every primate lover’s dream adventure and Bwindi is an exceptional destination to explore for you to enjoy up close with these gentle giants.
Finding these huge apes immersed in the jungle is one of the mesmerizing moments one can’t afford to miss. Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the premier destination to witness the massive mountain gorillas while soaked in the tropical rainforest.
Where is Bwindi found?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is spectacularly set in the extreme Southwestern side of Uganda. Bwindi is a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site and is inhabited by a total of about 459 mountain gorillas. Bwindi is a dream destination for all primate enthusiasts with plans to track mountain gorillas in Africa.
Details of the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi is enjoyed only once each day. Visitors begin their adventure early in the morning with a briefing from any of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which include Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Each of these gorilla trekking sectors has fully habituated gorilla groups to be tracked by visitors.
The trek with mountain gorillas in Bwindi is generally exhilarating and takes you deep in the misty jungles. The length of the trek with Bwindi gorillas varies depending on where these gentle giants are found, the visitor’s hiking speed, and the nature of the habitats. To find mountain gorillas, your journey involves traversing through the thick vegetation, steep slopes, and at times, muddy forest floor, depending on the period of the year (season). It is a challenging adventure but once you have come across a family of gorillas, all efforts get rewarded.
Where to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija are the 4 major sectors where mountain gorilla trekking adventures begin from. Ruhija sector in the eastern end of Bwindi is composed of gorilla groups such as Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguriro group, Mukiza, and Oruzogo groups.
At the Buhoma region, expect to track gorilla groups such as the Muyambi group, Habinyanja gorilla family, Rushegura, Katwe gorilla group, and the Mubare gorilla family. The Nkuringo sector has gorilla groups such as Nkuringo, Posho, and Christmas.
In the Rushaga sector, gorilla groups to visit include Tindatine, Busingye gorilla family, Bushaho group, Nshongi gorilla family, Mishaya group, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Rwigyi, Kahungye, Bweza, and Kutu.
Planning an unforgettable gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi
Here are the key highlights to guide you when planning your memorable gorilla trekking trip to Bwindi National Park;
Secure a valid gorilla permit for Bwindi
Gorilla permits are an essential tool on any gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi. Currently, foreign non-residents or international visitors can book for Bwindi gorilla permits at USD 800 per person for foreign nonresidents, USD 700 per person for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 per tourist when you book as a Ugandan or East African citizen.
The demand for permits often goes high, and at Bujuku Tours, we recommend booking for your permit early. This can be done at least 2-6 months before the actual date of visiting gorillas in Bwindi. Our team can secure a permit for you with ease, and the best part is that you to get in touch with our expert.
Book gorilla trekking in Bwindi through the trusted tour operator
Uganda alone has several tour operators, but very few are licensed or recognized. Book your gorilla tour to Bwindi through Bujuku Tours, your expert planner for epic gorilla safaris in East Africa. We are based in Uganda with a great track record, as represented by the reviews, and we are a responsible tourism company.
Prepare for your Bwindi gorilla trek
Ensure you have all it takes to be part of the exhilarating gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you prepare for your trek with Bwindi gorillas, first, ensure that you pack right for your tour. Among the key things to include on the packing list for Bwindi gorilla trekking tour are; waterproof daypack, sturdy hiking boots, gardening gloves, a safari hat, waterproof rain jacket, insect repellents, a camera with additional batteries, long-sleeved shirts, first-aid kit, energy giving snacks, bottled drinking water, a sunscreen, and a pair of binoculars.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi (season, time/months)
Knowing the ideal time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi shouldn’t be ignored. To guide better, gorilla treks are best done during the dry seasons/months of the year. This can be during the long dry months from June to September or the short dry season from December to February. But there is a possibility of visiting Bwindi gorillas even during the off-months (low season), which occur from April –May; the 2nd phase is recorded from October to November.
Is trekking with gorillas in Bwindi safe?
Yes, gorilla trekking in Bwindi is safe thanks to the numerous measures in place. What makes Bwindi gorilla treks safe includes factors such as;
Professional and experienced park ranger guides. Visitors embark on the trek with a family of mountain gorillas with the company of experienced park ranger guides. The ranger guides assigned to you already underwent thorough training and understands the behaviors of gorillas as well as the safety measures visitor should observe. While in the jungle, the ranger guides take responsibility to ensure everyone is safe, including gorillas. They ensure that you behave in the right way that doesn’t irritate gorillas and you can be reminded of maintaining a safe distance from these gentle giants.
Patrols by park rangers. Bwindi is one of the safest destinations thanks to the great efforts of the UWA trained park rangers. In and the park boundaries are often patrolled by the team from Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers assigned to Bwindi National Park. The continuous patrols are intended to ensure that Bwindi is a safe place for gorilla trekking and also other safari activities.
Safety measures for both visitors & gorillas. Before anyone embarks on the trek to see the Bwindi gorillas, a briefing on safety and health precautions is done. This is to help protect not only guests but also the gorillas with which they interact with.
The key safety measures or rules for gorilla trekking worth observing in Bwindi include maintaining a distance of 8-10 meters from gorillas, avoid body contact with gorillas, maintaining a low voice to reduce any chances of scaring gorillas, visits should be done only to already habituated gorilla groups, and visitors shouldn’t be sick or ill to reduce risk of these apes contracting the same diseases.
Where to stay (safari lodges or camps/guesthouses)
Different safari lodges to consider for overnight in and around Bwindi range, from budget to luxury. Top luxury/upmarket accommodations include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Buhoma Lodge Bwindi, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Bweza, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and others.
Mid-range/standard lodges include Bwindi Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Buhoma Community Haven Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, and more.
Budget accommodation choices include Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman, Nshongi camp, Albertine Gorilla Campsite, and Bwindi Community Guesthouse, Rushaga gorilla lodge.
Getting to Bwindi by both Road and Air options
By road. Travel from Entebbe or Kampala on the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route to Bwindi, a journey that takes about 8-9 hours. Or depart from Kigali to Bwindi via Katuna/Chanika border crossing and expect to spend at least 4-5 hours on the road.
By air. You can also utilize the available domestic flight connections to Bwindi, and this involves setting off from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi/Kisoro Airstrips. Kisoro Airstrip is close to the Southern sectors of Bwindi –that is, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Kihihi Airstrip offers easier connectivity to the Buhoma or Ruhija sector.
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