How Many Miles Do You Walk to See Gorillas in Uganda?

How Many Miles Do You Walk to See Gorillas in Uganda? 

Have you asked yourself the question, “How many miles do you walk to see mountain gorillas in Uganda? A walk to see the gorillas in Uganda is not such a determined distance since there are several gorilla families. The miles taken to find gorillas are usually about 9 miles which are covered within 3 to 4 hours. This distance is covered according to where the mountain gorilla families will be found and located. The travelers will take about 6 to 7 hours of the day to see the gorillas. The seeing of gorillas in Uganda is through gorilla trekking and the gorilla habituation which is within Uganda’s national parks. Uganda is home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.

Travelers to see these gorillas are required to have a gorilla trekking permit which costs 800 dollars for foreign non-residents, 700 dollars for foreign residents, 500 dollars for the rest of Africa, and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African Citizens. Travelers are required to plan adequately for the gorilla trekking during a Uganda safari.

What are the challenges travelers face during the gorilla trekking?

Travelers face several challenges during gorilla trekking and they include before the gorilla trekking and during the gorilla trekking.

Before gorilla trekking  

• Lack of the availability of gorilla permits.
• Insufficient funds for purchasing the gorilla trekking permit
• Health challenges like being unfit enough to trek the gorillas
• Losing the gorilla permit
• Lack of adequate information about gorilla trekking like how to book a gorilla trekking permit.

During the gorilla trekking  

• Obstruction from other travelers during the gorilla trekking in the peak season.
• Taking a long time to find gorillas which is at times tiresome. Walking long miles to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda.

What are the requirements that travelers need to have for the gorilla trekking?

Travelers need to know several requirements before going gorilla trekking and they include;

• Travelers are required to have a gorilla trekking permit for travelers
• Face masks, and long-sleeved clothing to ensure there is no spread of any disease.
• Travelers need to have a walking stick and hiking boots since the tracking is so challenging.
• Travelers are required to keep time for the gorilla trekking.
• Travelers are supposed to be healthy and physically fit.

What do you need when planning a gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Travelers need the following to plan for a gorilla trekking safari and these include;

Booking a gorilla permit in Uganda

A gorilla trekking permit is an essential requirement for gorilla trekking where travelers are required to book in time to ensure availability. Booking a gorilla permit in Uganda requires travelers to use a licensed tour operator since the gorilla trekking is sold to these tour operators only by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. More so, during the gorilla trekking, travelers are required to share a copy of their passport or identification card.

Book accommodation in advance

Travelers are recommended to book the accommodation in advance to ensure availability during the gorilla trekking. The booking of the accommodation in the park can be through the tour operators or directly through the hotel, lodge, or tented camp. The accommodation facilities booked should be near the trekking sector or region of the park since it starts very early in the morning.

What to pack for a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda?

During the planning for the gorilla trekking, travelers are supposed to know what to park and they include;

• Long-sleeved shirt and jacket in case it gets cold
• Long trousers and hiking boots.
• Neutral-colored clothing to avoid attracting the insects like testes-flies.
• Hiking shoes and sticks for stability during the safari.

Which destinations in Uganda can travelers see the mountain gorillas?

In Uganda, there are only two destinations where travelers can see mountain gorillas and these include;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro and Kanungu districts. The park lies at the edge of the Rift Valley which is densely forested. Bwindi Park is divided into four sectors Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Each sector of the park is easily accessed and open for travelers for gorilla trekking. The park has over 11 gorilla families available for gorilla trekking. The first habituated family was the Mubare gorilla family which was open for gorilla trekking in 1993. While in this park, travelers can also see the gorillas through the gorilla habituation which travelers get more time to see the mountain gorillas. During the gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation, travelers will see other primates and wildlife in the park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda located also in southwestern Uganda in the Virunga region. The park is home to also mountain gorillas. While in this park, there are several volcanic features that travelers can see during the gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park traces its name from the local word “Gahinga” meaning “pile of volcanic stones cleared from the farmlands”. More so, the park has one transboundary habituated gorilla family which usually crosses to Rwanda. While in this park, gorillas live with the golden monkeys and other small primates.

What are the accommodation facilities that travelers stay in during the gorilla trekking?

There are a variety of accommodations that travelers on their gorilla trekking safaris can choose to stay in. These accommodations range from luxury, midrange, and budget facilities and they include; clouds gorilla lodge, Rushaga Havens Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Travelers in Rest House, Chameleon Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, ride for a Woman, Buhoma Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma community lodge, and many others.

Where else can I see gorillas in Africa?

In Africa, there are other destinations that travelers engage in to see the mountain and they include;

Volcanoes National Park

Found within the Virunga region, the park is home to the mountain gorillas. In this park, it’s where the efforts of gorilla conservation by the Late Dian Fossey who was killed by poachers. The park is located in the western part of Rwanda and is the place where to see mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park has several mountain gorilla families to track which travelers can see during the gorilla trekking. While in the park you also visit the Dian Fossey tomb and other tombs of the conservationists who were killed by the poachers. Also in this park, the mountain gorillas live with the golden monkeys and other primates.

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park is located on the eastern side of the democratic republic of Congo in the Virunga region. The park is home to several mountain gorillas which travelers can track during the gorilla safaris. Virunga National Park is one of Africa’s best gorilla trekking destinations.

Kahuzi Beige National Park

This park is home to the eastern low gorillas and is found in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is near the lake Kivu at the border of Rwanda. Travelers for the gorilla trekking in the park reside in the Bukavu town which is about 45 minutes to the park.

What is the best time for the gorilla trekking?

The gorilla trekking is available for travelers throughout the year. During the dry season June to September and December to February. During this period the activity is easier since the destinations are dry and clear for the travelers to track the gorillas. These destinations are not slippery and muddy. During this time, you may not need to walk many miles to see mountain gorillas in Uganda.