How is the gorilla trekking day like in Uganda

How is the gorilla trekking day like in Uganda: Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a once in a life time activity for many travelers in the world. These are the species of primates said to be close relatives to human beings, with more than 98% human DNA. Uganda is one of the countries lucky to have these apes in the thick forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park in the south-western part of the country.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has the highest number of gorilla trekking families living in Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Mgahinga National Park, being very small, has only one habituated mountain gorilla family that moves around the park. Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity within these parks, as thousands of tourists travel to meet their relatives in the wild.

Gorilla trekking in all the parks starts early in the morning at the different sector headquarters. We look at what the gorilla trekking day looks like from morning until the end of the activity, which can enable tourists who have never done the activity to get to know what the day is like. For first-time travelers who often wonder what a typical gorilla trekking day looks like, we look at it below.

What to expect on the day of gorilla trekking in Uganda?

On the day of gorilla trekking, tourists wake up very early in the morning at their lodges for breakfast and packed lunches. After breakfast, they are driven to the starting points of the trek where they meet other trekkers of the day. The driver guides submit the trekking permits and the passports for the trekkers to the clerks.

Trekkers are first entertained by groups of local dancers who entertain through dance and drama. After the entertainment, the trekkers are briefed about mountain gorilla trekking by the head rangers. At this point, the driver guides are getting gorilla families for their tourists, depending on health issues and clients’ interests.

When the driver guides have gotten the gorilla families, they stand at the signposts of these families and wait for their clients. The head ranger and two armed ranger guides are assigned to lead each group in the forest. Their role is to protect the trekkers, guide them while searching, and still protect them around the mountain gorillas.

When the trekkers meet their driver guides at the signposts, they are again briefed about the family they are going to trek with. This is done by the head guide, who later asked them to register their names in good handwriting. These names are later used when giving out trekking certificates at the end of the activity. The driver guides are told if the trek will start from there or if they need to drive to another location, depending on the gorilla location.

Still at the headquarters, trekkers are given walking sticks, which help them to balance in the forest. The head guide asked if trekkers had all the trekking gear, and those who lack some can purchase them from the centre. It’s from here that porters can be hired in case one has excess luggage, as they help with carrying throughout the activity.

Trekkers are led in the jungle by the armed ranger guides, and using different trails, the chances of seeing mountain gorillas are more than 95%. The search for mountain gorillas takes 2 to 5 hours, and this comes with an opportunity to meet forest attractions like mammals, primates, and birds. After hours of searching, the mountain gorillas are found, and it’s time for the trekkers to spend time around them.

Trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the mountain gorillas, and this comes with an opportunity to learn about their habits and see if they really match those of human beings. The trekkers get time to take photos, and record videos for future memories as this is a once in a life time activity for many travelers. The mountain gorillas are also watched carrying out daily activities like nesting, hunting, playing, mating, and breastfeeding, among others.

After an hour around the mountain gorillas, the trekkers are asked to trek out of the forest and meet their driver guides. As they get out of the jungle, they still have chances of seeing more of the forest attractions. Outside the forest, trekkers are welcomed back and awarded gorilla trekking certificates for taking part in the gorilla conservation exercise.

Is gorilla trekking in Uganda worth the money?

Yes, the money paid for a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is worth it. It’s very affordable, and trekkers have more than 95% chances of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.  The gorilla trekking permits for Uganda cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for Rest of Africa, and UGX300,000 for citizens of East African Member States.

During the low season months of April, May, and November, tourists get an opportunity to use discounted gorilla permits. The permits are sold at $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents, and Rest of Africa, while Citizens of East African Member States pay UGX300,000. The gorilla rates include guide fees, park entrance fees for the day, and community development contributions.

Uganda has a total of 208 gorilla trekking permits, 200 of which are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and 8 are found in Mgahinga National Park. Given that mountain gorilla permits for Uganda are affordable compared to those of Rwanda, tourists intending to travel are advised to purchase their permits 6 months to a year in advance.

When is the best gorilla trekking time in Uganda?

The driest months of the year, June to September and December to February, are the best for gorilla trekking. The trekking trails in the jungle will be dry and easier to walk through, which will make it easy to locate the mountain gorillas. The vegetation is short and scattered, with clear views of the mountain gorillas and other forest attractions. Roads leading to the park are also in good condition, which makes transport easy.