Gorilla Trekking experience
Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable national park is an out-door activity where tourists are allowed to see mountain gorillas for one hour after booking a gorilla permit in with xavier safaris in Uganda
Gorilla permit
The Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700 per person for non foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents of East African countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania) and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens throught the year. And Gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person for foreign nonresidents and $900 for foreign residents of East African countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania)
who are foreign nonresidents?
A non-resident is an individual who mainly resides in one region but has interests in another region.
who are foreign residents?
individuals living abroad for one year or more who are not employed by the East African countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic republic of Congo
Is Gorilla trekking worth the money?
Yes! The gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is worth all the money you’ll spend because once you sit a few meters from a four-hundred-pound silverback and his whole family, the world comes alive, and your view of the natural world is changed forever.
How old do you have to be to see gorillas in Uganda?
Minimum Age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years.
Gorilla groups or families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park population is divided into 50 gorilla families and 13 solitary individuals however, only 21 of families are habituated and can be accessed by visitors in 4 tracking regions like;
(1) Buhoma north of of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
(2)Ruhija gorilla trekking sector, east of bwindi,
(3) Rushaga gorilla trekking sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
(4) Nkuringo south west of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
What is the best time of year to trek gorillas in Uganda?
The best time to trek Mountain gorillas in Uganda is during its two dry seasons: between December and February, and between June and August, when conditions are particularly good for trekking to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Game spotting in national parks is also good at this time, as well as between February and March.
How to book a gorilla permit in Uganda?
In order to visit the mountain gorillas, every guest must have a permit. Permits can be obtained through xavier safaris a tour Operator, the company will purchase them from the Uganda Wildlife Authority at a cost of $ 1500 per person per one time trekking in Uganda Or at Rwanda Development Board at a cost of $ 1500 per person per one time trekking in Rwanda. The cost of a gorilla permit is $700 in Uganda and in Rwanda.
is it your first time to experience to trek the Mountain gorillas?
Setting off in to the forest after gorilla briefing from the forest guide is a great experience to walk through the jungle looking at the nature and listening to the birds tweeting different sounds and continuous melodies will take your breath away . At this stage it is an easy walk since there are paths to follow and not that steep. After walking for around for some time, the forest ranger guide will be communicating and will brief you the whereabouts of the gorilla family you will be trekking. So as you approach the area where the gorillas are feeding, resting, your forest guide will ask you to be quiet and follow him or her to the exact area to stop and view Mountain Gorillas, some will be up i the trees above you resting on a branches and others will be on the ground, you will have a goo good view of them as your ranger guide will be informing you where it is best and clear to see them. Finally your longtime bucket list dream will come true. you will see them play groom with each other maybe others will be swinging back and forth on tree branches.
The hike was a bit more demanding in some areas, there was no path and the guide uses a machete to cut the way. Despite this there was no problem to manage it, the park ranger guide will always be there to help and make way for you. you might see the females with their young ones on their backs, some of them quite close up. time to head down the hill towards the path since we only have one hour allowed to to view them .It is an amazing experience to see the big silverback just sitting there watching you to make sure his females and babies are safe and have a clear way to lead the family. After this highlight you will feel glad and happy that you have had an opportunity the see the mighty giants in the their natural habitat.
