Gorilla trekking in uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of those once-in-a-lifetime activities you always want to do.

A Gorilla Trek is a highlight of all visits done in Uganda and Rwanda and certainly mountain gorillas are the major reason as to why very many people visit these 2 destinations.

Devine African Safaris offer the lowest prices for gorilla safaris to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. We combine gorilla trekking with wildlife viewing, chimpanzee trekking, cultural and community interaction to give you an authentic African holiday experience.

Within Uganda, Gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi National Park or in Mgahinga National Park. But because of the inconsistency of gorillas in Mgahinga, majority of the sold permits are for Bwindi NP. In Uganda, every gorilla permit goes for US $ 600.

Gorilla trekking is guaranteed when you acquire a permit. On a single day, nearly 72 people travel into Bwindi National Park to see gorillas and only 8 people are allowed to see  a gorilla family,  we strongly encourage  you to book gorilla permits 3-4 month in advance. You can book your  gorilla permits through Devine African Safaris.

Although tracking mountain gorillas can be conducted all year round in these two countries (Uganda & Rwanda) due to the somewhat damp seasons experienced by the national parks in which these gorillas stay, the majority of tourists prefer visiting from June to September as well as from December up to February.You can visit Bwindi at any time of the year.

• Wash your hands before setting out
• Do not eat or drink when near the gorillas
• Try to stay at least seven metres from the gorillas; retreat if they approach
• Keep your voice low – but feel free to ask quiet questions of your guide
• Do not trek if suffering from a cold or flu; the gorillas have no immunity

• Light raincoat/waterproof
• Lightweight hiking trousers and long-sleeved top
• Hiking boots, or sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support
• Gardening gloves, for handling nettles on the trail
• Binoculars
• Field guide to birds of East Africa

You’ve been up since the sun rose and it is now glowing calmly on the Virunga Volcanoes, casting a heart-warming light over the rainforest and deep shadows into the mountains. Following the lead of your expert guide, you trudge meaningfully and carefully through dense forest, navigating trails and untrodden land.

Your guide pulls back one last branch, reminiscent of a compare in the theatre, and you find yourself introduced to a creature that appears so unequivocally human, your heart doesn’t know whether to skip a beat or pound twice as hard.

Face to face encounters with gorillas are humbling, emotional and a real privilege. There is a feeling of mutual understanding as you watch them in their own home, going about their daily business. Youngsters will often show off to forest newcomers, literally jumping for joy at having someone fresh to demonstrate their motor skills to.

Silverbacks may beat their chests as a sign of dominance or even charge, an exhilarating experience! They may sit peacefully as a family, chomping on bamboo and grooming each other, watching you with the same intrigue you are showing them. Gorilla trekking is often referred to as ‘the most memorable experience in the world’ and we can honestly say you’ll understand why.

You have one hour with the gorillas each time you track them and it never feels enough. This is why we always recommend two treks. A second time allows you to put the camera down. You can track a different family, trek a different area of the park or cross the border and track them in a different country. No two gorilla experiences are ever the same.

Time to leave comes too early, and you follow the trail back to your cosy mountain lodge. Evenings in the mountains can be spent sharing your stories and photos of the day in front of a camp-fire, drink in hand. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket to protect yourself from the cool mountain air and settle into your seat. No other wildlife encounter can match the awe-inspiring experience that is mountain gorilla tracking and now that you know this, you’ll want nothing more than to talk about it.

With well-versed tour guides at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will hike through the underbrush of the Ugandan rainforests as you track down one of the many groups of gorillas that call the forest home. Guides are key to the experience as they have the expertise to follow the gorilla’s path, leading you to a safe space where you can marvel at these magical creatures in their natural environment. You can expect to find the gorillas when you’re about 2,500 – 4,000 meters above sea level.

Once you encounter the gorillas, your reality will shift as you connect with these magnificent, intelligent beings. You may see the younger gorillas pestering their parents, the older ones relaxing, and they might get a little curious and start observing you.