Where To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

Where To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

Where To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda? Famously known as the pearl of Africa, Uganda is one of the best safari destinations within the world for gorilla trekking. tourists searching for a truly captivating african safari a few experiences compare to coming face to face with the mountain gorillas within their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda take you deep into the rainforests where mist covered hills and the dense vegetation form a charming setting for the most unique wildlife encounters. Gorilla trekking in Uganda basically takes place in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi impenetrable national park is the major treasure of any african safari that offers one of the most intense wildlife encounter for mountain gorilla trekking safaris. Situated in the southwestern Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is not only popular for the endangered mountain gorillas but also its biodiversity hence making it a foundation of a well rounded Uganda safari.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to nearly half of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas hence making it one of the significant conservation areas worldwide. Therefore, tourists searching for a genuine african safari experience which goes beyond the traditional savannah game drive, Bwindi provides a unique chance to enter into the forest and connect with the mountain gorillas on a personal level.

Bwindi national park is divided into four major trekking sectors that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each sector provides a rare perspective of the national park.

1. Buhoma sector

The Buhoma sector is situated in the northern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park and is the most famous and historically important sector for the gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. Within this sector is where the first gorilla family was habituated for tourism hence marking the start of Uganda’s gorilla trekking safaris in 1993. The gorilla families include Mubare gorilla family, Habinyanja gorilla family and Rushegura gorilla family

2. Ruhija sector

Located in the eastern highlands of the national park, the sector offers a more calm and quiet gorilla trekking experience. Located at a high altitude, the region offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and forest. The region has 3 gorilla families and these include Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo gorilla family and Kyaguliro gorilla family.

3. Rushaga sector

Situated in the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park, the rushaga sector is the most diverse sector in terms of gorilla families. The sector has the most number of the habituated gorilla families thus making it the best place to acquire the trekking permits. The gorilla families include; Nshongi gorilla family, kahungye gorilla family, Busingye gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family and bweza gorilla family.

4. Nkuringo sector

Nkuringo sector is located in the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. the sector is famous for its rugged terrain and a physically demanding treks. Although the terrains are rugged, the sector is one of the most rewarding experiences for the adventurous tourists. The sector has 3 gorilla families and these include Nkuringo gorilla family, Bikingi gorilla family and Bushaho gorilla family.

MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda in Kisoro district and it borders Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo and volcanoes national park in Rwanda. The national park boosts with two habituated families that is Nyakagezi and hirwa which is the newly created family.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family

The Nyakagezi gorilla family is the major habituated gorilla family within Mgahinga national park. The name Nyakagezi is a place within the national park where the gorilla family was first sighted by the trackers. The Nyakagezi gorilla family used to migrate to the neighbouring destinations of Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo and because of its behaviour of moving from one place to another, this made tourists to be scared of booking a gorilla trekking permit. This was because they were not sure of observing the gorilla family but as of now it stabilised and no longer makes such movements.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family was habituated in 1991 after the forest was gazetted as a national park and it was fully open for tourism in 1994. Before the gorilla family was led by bugingo who was succeeded by mark after taking on leadership. Bugingo who still exists within the group and was named mzee which means elder. Today Nyakagezi family is led by mark and his brother mafia who acts as the assistant and the family has 10 members including 5 silverbacks that is mark, mafia, Rukundo, Ndungutse and bugingo, 2 adult females namely Nyiramwiza and Nshuti and 3 youngsters namely Fred, baby Nshuti and Mutagamba.

Hirwa gorilla family

Hirwa is the second gorilla family found in Mgahinga gorilla national park. the gorilla family separated from the Susa gorilla family which lives in the volcanoes national park in Rwanda. This was because they had a misunderstanding between the Munyinga silverback and Susa, this forced munyaga to break away with 2 adult females and start his own family called Hirwa.

The gorilla family had over 17 individuals but 3 adult females and 1 infant silverback were struck by lighting and the group remained with only 13 members. These can be visited by tourists while on a Uganda safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Mountain Gorilla

In Mgahinga there are only 16 gorilla trekking permits that are available to tourists every day since only 8 individuals are allowed to trek a particular gorilla family.

The trekking experience

The gorilla trekking starts with a briefing at the park headquarters either Ntebeko in Mgahinga or Buhoma in Bwindi where tourists are told about the rules and regulations. After briefing, you will be divided into 8 individuals each group assigned a habituated gorilla family. the trekking takes 30 to 7 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas.

Once these gorillas are located, you will spend an hour with them as you watch them feed, breastfeed, juveniles jumping from one branch to another, mother gorillas nurturing their young ones and as well carry out their day to day activities. The trekking experience is really thrilling and it offers an unforgettable safari experience.

In Uganda, the gorilla trekking permit in both national parks is 800 dollars for the foreign non residents, 700 usd for foreign residents and east african citizens 300,000 Ugandan shillings. Uganda gorilla permits can be booked directly through the Uganda wildlife authority or through a reputable tour operator. Tourists are advised to book their gorilla trekking permits 3 to 6 months before their date of coming into Uganda so as to avoid disappointments while on their Uganda safari.