Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in December
Embarking on Bwindi gorilla trekking in December is a perfect option to begin your festive holiday. December falls in the Christmas festive season and also marks the start of the short peak dry season on the Ugandan calendar. It is one of the busiest months of the year and also an ideal time for nature lovers to consider trekking with mountain gorillas. The long dry conditions experienced in Bwindi make December an ideal month for trekking gorillas.
In December, Bwindi records average rainfall of 50 to 100mm with low humidity. The low rainfall amount with long sunny days makes the forest paths more passable. The temperatures rise to about 23 degrees Celsius, and the higher altitudes remain cooler. Bwindi’s lower altitudes experience warmer temperatures.
The normal gorilla treks begin with orientation at the park offices, where you meet the park officials. They are a team from Uganda Wildlife Authority and expect to be introduced to the various guidelines for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking sectors to explore in Bwindi
The December gorilla treks are best done from the Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija sectors. These make up the compact 331 sq. km Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also home to other wildlife. In the 4 regions or sectors present in Bwindi, each has habituated gorilla groups. The Buhoma region gorilla groups comprise mainly the Katwe group, Mubare family, Habinyanja, and others.
Rushaga is the region with the largest gorilla group members, including the Nshongi gorilla family, the Tindatine group, Bikingi, Bweza, Mucunguzi gorilla group, Kutu group, Busingye, Mishaya gorilla family, and Rwigi.
The Ruhija gorilla sector comprises families such as the Bitukura group, Kyaguriro B, Mukiza, Happy gorilla group, and Oruzogo. In the Nkuringo sector, expect to track gorilla families such as the Posho group, Nkuringo family, Bushaho, and Christmas families. On a gorilla tour in December, expect to explore one group as a group of 8 guests. The park official is in charge allocation of gorilla groups, and you should ensure that you are present at the orientation site.
Considerations for Planning a Successful Bwindi Gorilla Trek in December
Valid gorilla permits. Obtaining the Bwindi permits offers you a chance to enjoy a gorilla trek in the park’s lush impenetrable forest. A single permit costs US Dollars 800 per person for foreign non-residents. The East Africans (Ugandans) are charged UGX 300,000 per person to secure a valid permit. The Rest of the African residents on the Bwindi gorilla tour book permits at US Dollars 500 per person. The foreign residents are charged USD 700 per person to book a gorilla permit for Bwindi. Note, these rates are valid up to the end of June 2026, and in case of any update from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), we shall share. Booking for a December gorilla permit for Bwindi National Park is safer with the reliable tour company –Native Africa Tours.
Book the available accommodation choices for your December stay.
Bwindi National Park has a composition of budget, midrange, and luxury accommodations, which you can choose for your December overnight stay. They include Gorilla Close Up Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Forest Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, and Bwindi Lodge. The park is also known for accommodation options such as Silverback Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Bwindi Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman, and Engagi Lodge.
How to pack for the December gorilla trek tour
Even if you are visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking in December, packing right is ideal. On your packing list, expect to have waterproof hiking/walking boots, a daypack, light gardening gloves, a rain jacket, a safari hat, and a first aid kit. The complete gorilla packing list should also include insect repellents, a camera, insect repellent (get DEET most preferably), sunscreen, a face mask, and many others.
The Sensational December Gorilla Experience
The adventure in the jungle of Bwindi National Park starts with an early morning orientation at the park offices. During the morning orientation, expect to assemble at the offices of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for you to clear with the officers, and after that, you can join the rest of the guests. At the orientation centre, you can be briefed on the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking –these are the essential safety measures or guidelines to observe.
The normal trek with Bwindi gorilla starts at around 8:00, and the adventure extends for 2-6 hours. The gorilla trekking adventure focuses on visiting gorillas in their respective hideouts in the sectors/trailheads of Bwindi National Park.
After the mesmerising trek with Bwindi mountain gorillas, there is a chance to settle and enjoy an absolute one hour with these distinct apes. This is the moment for you to have a close view of gorillas in the jungle. Learn more about their daily behaviours. Observe them as they display their body gestures.
Plan for your December access to Bwindi.
Getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is possible by road or air. Expect to spend at least 8-9 hours when driving a 4×4 safari car from Kampala to Bwindi National Park. Visitors around Kigali who wish to transfer to Bwindi can cross via the Chanika or Katuna border crossing. This journey takes 4 to 5 hours. Guests also have the alternative of taking a flight from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). This option involves landing at Kisoro Airport or Kihihi Airstrip. A pick-up and transfer can be conducted. Here, you can drive to the respective regions or sectors in Bwindi National Park.
Visit Bwindi gorillas & other wildlife in December
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi come with abundant opportunities to explore other wildlife and birds. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park safaris can be done together with wildlife tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and chimpanzee tracking tours in Kibale National Park.
Mountain gorilla habituation –this is an excellent alternative experience that is worth adding to the usual gorilla trek safaris. With habituation, you get a chance to interact mainly with the semi-habituated gorilla groups.
Birding; Birds of interest in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest include Kivu ground thrush, Bar-tailed trogons, Doherty’s bushshrike, Black bee-eaters, red-faced woodland warblers, Dwarf honey guide, Rwenzori nightjar, Grauer’s rush warblers, fine-banded woodpeckers, Western green tinkerbirds, African wood owl, Handsome francolins, black-faced rufous warblers, Archer’s robin chat, and short tailed warblers, Mountain yellow warblers, and Grey cuckoo-shrikes.
Other species of birds in this park include Lagden’s bush shrikes, chestnut-throated apalis, Chapin’s flycatchers, Montane oriole, Tit hylia, Strip-breasted tit, Dusky twin spot, and Dusky crimsonwing, to mention but a few.
Hiking experiences. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is recognised for its excellent hiking adventures. The Park is popular for its unmatched walking or hiking trails that are of nature lovers’ interest including Habinyanja trail, Munyanga Waterfall, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Ivy River trails, Bamboo hiking trail, Rushura hiking trails, Muzubijiro Loop, Kashasha River, and Mubwindi swamp trail. The available trails offer excellent hiking experiences with a higher possibility of spotting primates, birds, and flora.
Best December Gorilla Safari Packages
The exciting Bwindi safari packages to consider booking in December include: 3-Day Bwindi gorilla tour with Lake Bunyonyi, a 4-Day gorillas and Kyambura chimpanzee tracking, a 5-Day double gorilla safari, and others. Book your gorilla safari with Native Africa Tours when slots are still available. Contact our experts and let us take you through the magical encounter with mountain gorillas.
