Gorilla Trekking from Nairobi
Gorilla trekking from Nairobi –Embarking on a gorilla trek tour from Nairobi isn’t a journey. It is the ticket to experience an extraordinary adventure accompanied by magical encounters in the wild and breathtaking landscapes. Gorilla trekking brings you to the reality of the wild –enjoy a complete immersion into the jungles to interact with nature and catch a close encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
With this ultimate guide to gorilla trekking from Nairobi, expect to have deep insight into everything to help you have an unforgettable experience. Explore why you should choose Nairobi as your starting point, the best time for gorilla trekking, what to expect, how to prepare for your adventure, the essential packing list, and where to track gorillas.
Why would you choose Nairobi as your starting point for a Gorilla Trekking Tour to Uganda?
Is it possible to track mountain gorillas in Uganda starting from Nairobi? Absolutely. Organizing a Gorilla Tour to Uganda and beginning it from Nairobi City is possible. The beauty is combining wildlife tours in Kenya with gorilla trekking in Uganda or even Rwanda.
A wildlife tour in Kenya’s finest destinations, such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo National Park, and Amboseli National Park, is excellent for encountering the Big Five game in the wild. Combining wildlife tours from Kenya with gorilla safaris in Uganda/Rwanda guarantees captivating encounters.
Nairobi is close to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), making visitor connectivity easier when proceeding to your dream gorilla safari destination. You can easily connect to Entebbe or Kigali in Rwanda by flight. Luckily, there are national airlines and other airlines that offer flights to Nairobi.
Flights from Nairobi to Bwindi or Mgahinga
Due to the availability of flights serving Nairobi and Entebbe, visitor connectivity is faster. You can take off from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and go to the Entebbe International Airport. At the Entebbe Airport in Uganda, you can connect to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip, which takes between 1 and 2 hours. From Kisoro/Kihihi Airstrip, expect to embark on a road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. The prominent airline offering flights to Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrips is Aero Link Uganda.
Due to departure flight schedules, you will first fly to Entebbe International Airport and spend a night there. The following day, you can connect to Bwindi or Mgahinga. Besides flights, visitors can also travel on the road using a 4×4 safari vehicle. When you take the flights, I would like to let you know that the airstrips are positioned where you can safely connect to the park or sector where you intend to begin your gorilla trek.
If you want to track gorilla families in the Rushaga, Nkuringo, or Ntebeko regions, Kisoro Airstrip is the best place to land. Then, you can meet the safari guide who will transfer you. Gorilla trekking in Buhoma or Ruhija is best for visitors connecting with Kihihi Airstrip.
Driving from Entebbe or Kampala/Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga National Park
After spending the night in Entebbe or Kampala, you can drive up to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park the following day. Visitors from Nairobi to Kigali can connect to Bwindi/Mgahinga via the Chanika or Katuna border crossing.
Driving from Entebbe city or Kampala to Bwindi/Mgahinga can take at least 8 to 9 hours. Road travel to Bwindi/Mgahinga has multiple benefits, including a stopover at the Equator crossing. Tourists on an extended safari can have an addition of other wildlife tour destinations, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Gorilla Trekking Destinations near Nairobi
To track mountain gorillas in East Africa, visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga and Bwindi are situated in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi National Park is a UNESCO site created in 1991. Mgahinga is in the Kisoro district and southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla trekking is conducted in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s oldest park, which was created in 1925 and covers 160 sq. km. The habituated gorilla families to explore in Rwanda include, among others, Hirwa, Agashya, Karisimbi, Amahoro, the Umubano group, Susa A, the Kwitonda gorilla family, Ugenda, Bwenge, and Pablo.
Gorilla Groups to Track in Bwindi & Mgahinga
With knowledge about where you intend to track gorillas, the gorilla families to track in Bwindi include Busingye, Katwe, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Nshongi, Mishaya, Rwigyi, Christmas, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, Mucunguzi, Mubare, Bushaho, Bikini, Rushegura, and Mukiza. Travelers on a gorilla tour to Mgahinga should expect to track the Nyakagezi gorilla family.
Best Time to go for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda can be done at any time of the year. However, the best time to travel to enjoy gorilla trekking in Uganda/Rwanda from Nairobi is during the dry season. There are two phases of dry seasons: the longest occurs from June to September, and the short dry months begin from December to February.
Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round adventure, but travelers can also visit Uganda during the wet or rainy season. The long rainy months run from March to May, and October to November marks the short rainy or wet season.
Obtaining Valid Gorilla Trekking Permits
A valid gorilla permit should also be secured when planning a tour. Each valid gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per person under the category of foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for all foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for Ugandans plus other East African citizens. If you plan to track gorillas in Rwanda, a valid permit is issued at USD 1500 per person.
Preparing for Gorilla Trekking Adventure – What to Pack
Essential gear and packing lists for your gorilla trekking adventure include long-sleeved shirts, gorilla permits, sunscreen, gardening gloves, insect repellents, a camera without a flashlight, long trousers, a waterproof daypack, gardening gloves, valid visas and passports, a safari hat, first aid kits, and many more.
Besides packing right, expect to practice early to keep fit. When you are fit enough, making a round gorilla trek in Bwindi, Mgahinga National Park, and Volcanoes National Park is possible. So that you know, a trek with mountain gorillas can take between 2 and 6 hours.
What is the Acceptable Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking?
You can participate in the trek to see gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, provided you fall within the age bracket. Visitors should be 15 years and above to be permitted to track gorillas. Persons above 15 years are eligible to track gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda.
Where to Stay During Gorilla Trekking?
Bwindi and Mgahinga feature different safari lodges for visitors’ overnight stays. They include budget, midrange, and luxury options in all the parks. The gorilla safari lodges to stay in Uganda include Buhoma Lodge and Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Bwindi Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Gift of Nature Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
At Mgahinga National Park, places to stay include Mutanda Island Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort, Mucha Hotel, and Traveler’s Rest Hotel.
