Gorilla trekking is the most popular thing to do in Uganda. Most travelers enjoy gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking can be a challenging activity, therefore ensure physical fitness. Only 8 people are permitted per group per day. Currently, there are 15 gorilla groups that have been habituated for gorilla visits by tourists and a total of 120 gorilla permits are available and therefore only 120 tourists can visit Bwindi and Mgahinga.
With in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are four sectors where tourists go gorilla trekking; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushegura. Most gorilla groups can be accessed in Kisoro. So far, we have four groups for gorilla viewing. There are three groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , (Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura) and one (Nkuringo) in Kisoro.
Uganda is a naturally endowed country with so many natural resources, among which are the endangered species of wildlife – the mountain gorillas. In the world, there are about 900 surviving mountain gorillas with Uganda hosting half of the total number of these creatures. Due to their scarcity in the world, so many tourists set off for Africa specifically Uganda, Rwanda and Congo to grab a sight of the estranged mountain gorillas ,which has made mountain gorilla trekking a major tourist activity in the Virunga countries. In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking can either be taken from Bwindi Impenetrable Tropical Rain forest national park or Mgahinga national park which are all situated in the southwestern part of the country. There are about 13 habituated mountain gorilla family groups in Uganda where 12 groups are found in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and 1 group found in the Mgahinga national park. In that case, a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable national park grantees you with a great chance of seeing these creatures.
The Gorilla Trekking Experience
Mountain gorillas stay within the forested mountain areas and in Uganda,they are around the Rwenzori and Mgahinga regions.
On the fateful day of mountain gorilla trekking, tourists are strictly advised to wake up very early in the morning, take an early morning cup of African coffee and led off to the park headquarters where they are usually allocated to their gorilla trekking groups, briefed on the dos and don’ts while in the proximity of the mountain gorillas. Once all the necessary details have been given, tourists (in their tracking groups), together with their tour guides embark onto their adventurous gorilla tracking activity paying attention to the desired mountain gorilla family group.
Mountain gorillas can be located between 1 to 7 hours depending on the day’s movement of the animals as they look for food, water, and even shelter and protection for their family members. Usually, this process is simplified by the help of the early morning trackers (game keepers) who go into the forest very early in the morning keeping close track of these animals and keep in contact with your tour guide, updating them on the location of the gorillas.
Once the gorillas are located, you are requested to leave your luggage behind remaining with only the cameras which shouldn’t have flashlights for clear video and picture coverage. At this point, tourists are also reminded of some of the important mountain gorilla tracking rules like ; keeping a reasonable distance away from the gorillas , avoiding direct eye contact with the creatures, avoid touching them and even eating / drinking from their vicinity as well as avoiding noise and unnecessary movements within the closeness of these animals. Finally, you get your awaited reward of the mountain gorillas ; viewing them from their natural vicinity – feeding, relaxing, sleeping or even playing in the green bushes of the Bwindi forest. Don’t be surprised by the behavior of the silverback as it’s the family head and therefore always ensuring the safety of its group members, at some point it keeps close attention to the tour guides (trying to communicate with them) and in cases where it feels insecure, it signals its members for a takeoff and the subordinate do as commanded.
Tourists are usually allowed an hour stay with the creatures; watching them in their natural habitat is such an overwhelming experience and not forgetting the wonderful views of other wildlife species and birds that are always enjoyed while on the tracking activity in search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorilla trekking is therefore a unique life time experience that everyone is advised to enjoy at one point!
What to Carry
In order to have a successful gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda, proper preparation is a part of the requirements. When planning your mountain gorilla tracking expedition, it’s important that the necessary tracking gear is carried along that is basically the dressing code suitable for the African Jungle. Visitors are required to carry good hiking shoes (gumboots for example; protection from the muddy and water logged areas of Bwindi Impenetrable forest), long sleeved shirts and trousers (for protection against scratches and insects from the bushes), a pair of gardening gloves (to enable easy gripping on the trees/ scrubs), and a good camera with less or no flash light for proper digital and video coverage. It is also important to include a water proof bag for the package, a water proof trouser and raincoat as the rains often tend to fall.
Note: Mountain gorilla trekking can be taken from anytime of the year (dry or wet season) and the experience got is all satisfactory though dry seasons are most preferable.
Getting There
In Uganda, mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga national park all located in the south western part of the country. These national parks can be reached by both air and road transport though road transport is the most enjoyable means as tourists have a clear view of the country side seeing the green vegetation, wild animals, birds and even the topography of the country. It is usually an 8 / 9 hours’ drive from Kampala to these national parks. During the drive, tourists enjoy exciting stopovers at the Equator in Masaka and Igongo cultural center in Mbarara where they even take their lunch, learning about some of the Uganda local tribes and their culture.
Preferably, tourists can reach the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park by air transport (which is only 45 minutes) taking off from either Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro / Kayonza / or Kihihi and then proceed to the sector where they will be having mountain gorilla treks.
Protecting the Mountain Gorillas
There are several organizations involved in protecting the endangered mountain gorillas;
Non Governmental Organizations involved in the conservation of Gorillas include:
- The Dian Fossey Foundation
- International Gorilla Conservation Program.
- Africa Wildlife Foundation : http://www.awf.org/
You can also check out the different tour operators offering affordable gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.