Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Popular destinations that host incredible Gorilla and Wildlife Tours in Africa. This national park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda and is a sought-after world-class tourism destination. It harbors more than half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, with a total population of 650 registered in the census carried out in 2018. This census will be carried out every 5 years. There are 26 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park, although it should be noted that the gorilla habituation process takes two to three years to complete. These gorilla groups are dispersed throughout the park’s four regions:
After a general briefing session, gorilla trekking begins at 8:00 a.m. The tour guide will then direct visitors to the assigned gorilla group in cooperation with an advanced team of trackers. By 6:00 am, trackers trace the gorillas from where they were left the day before until they find them and connect with the guide who leads the tourists to make tracing them easier. Since there is no shelter in the wilderness, carrying adequate water and a packed lunch is advisable when hiking because it may take longer than expected. You should also bring rain gear to prevent unforeseen weather changes and be prepared for rain. Bwindi National Park is one of Africa’s best destinations for gorilla trekking tours.
Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is mainly done in 4 sectors. Each sector has habituated mountain gorilla families that are available for trekking. A Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari will take you to at least one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi National Park include: Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Nkuringo sector, and Rushaga sector. In all these sectors, about 26 habituated mountain gorilla families are ready to be tracked. Trekking gorillas in any of these sectors of Bwindi costs USD 800 per person per trek. Please note that this price excludes other safari-related expenses like accommodation and transportation. Read more about the gorilla sectors of Bwindi.
How would you like to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by air and road transport. One can drive for about 8 hours by road from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. This is the longest way to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, the distance and time are worth your commitment. It involves passing by the roadside lush green vegetation – a testament that Uganda lies within the tropics. Driving the Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara – Kabale Highway lets you enjoy scenic landscape views. This route will enable you to visit the Equator in Kayabwe, Uganda.
At the Equator, you will take pictures and perform some experiments while simultaneously stepping into the two hemispheres of the Earth. You can also stop by the Igongo Cultural Centre if you like. Here, you will learn about the history of the Ankole Kingdom. You will also hike the Eclipse Monument at Igongo Hill. Alternatively, you may visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Kigali International Airport. From Rwanda, you will drive for about 4 hours to reach the park. This journey involves crossing the Katuna border between Uganda and Rwanda. So, please make sure to have all the necessary travel documents. You will pass through the rolling hills of Rwanda and witness why the country is known as “the land of a thousand hills”.
By air, travelers to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park board a chartered plane from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airfield and fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The flight takes you to either Kihihi Airfield or Kisoro Airfield. From here, you drive by car for approximately 30 minutes, depending on the sector you visit. Book your Bwindi flying safari now and create everlasting memories.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a popular destination that hosts incredible gorilla and wildlife tours in Africa. One of Uganda’s ten national parks, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, is home to mountain gorillas like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is found in the south-western region of Uganda, at the base of the Giant Virunga Mountain range. Only one gorilla troop is available for trekking in this less crowded park. The practice of trekking begins very early in the morning. It lasts between 2 and 8 hours under the direction of knowledgeable ranger guides. One of the smallest wildlife parks in the nation, it is secure and abundant in both plants and animals. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Africa’s best destinations for gorilla trekking tours.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs 800 USD for non-resident foreigners, 700 USD for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX for East African nationals. The money goes toward park admission, environmental protection, and paying the ranger guides who show you around. Accommodation, transportation, porters, and extra activities are omitted.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a haven for mountain gorillas in Africa, located in the Virunga Conservation Area. The park was gazetted in 1925 and is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. Volcanoes National Park has over 10 habituated mountain gorilla families available for trekking. The most popular gorilla family in this park is Susa, A gorilla group. This gorilla family is famous for being one of the few families that Dian Fossey once tracked back in time. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist who spent almost her entire life saving mountain gorillas. It is believed that she succumbed to poachers.
A gorilla trekking tour in Volcanoes National Park involves visiting Dian Fossey’s grave. This grave is found in the Karisoke Conservation Centre – a conservation Centre established to commemorate Dian Fossey’s work. Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s best destinations for gorilla trekking tours. After a gorilla trekking session in Volcanoes National Park, tourists usually visit the Gorilla Guardians Village. Other safari activities in this park include: golden monkey trekking tours, hiking adventures, community tours, birding safaris, guided nature walks, and many more.
Virunga National Park
Located in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga National Park is a fantastic safari destination for gorilla tours in Africa. The park is close to Rwanda’s border and can easily be combined with safari activities in Rwanda. Like any other mountain gorilla destination in East Africa, gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park involve walking through lush green vegetation. Upon encountering these gentle giants, travelers are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is one of Africa’s best gorilla trekking destinations. The park is located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and is famous for being home to lowland gorillas, a subspecies of gorillas that dwell in lowland areas. Trekking lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is less demanding than trekking mountain gorillas because these gorillas do not stay in high-altitude regions. Gorilla trekking adventures in this park can easily be combined with activities in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu.
