Uganda Gorilla Trekking for Expats
Everything expats must know about gorilla trekking in Uganda. Can I trek mountain gorillas in Uganda as an expat? Gorilla trekking remains one of the most thrilling and humbling primate adventures. Uganda gorilla trekking safaris can also be booked and enjoyed by expatriates. Are you an expat working or residing in any of the East African community member states and would like to trek the mountain gorillas in Uganda? Here is a unique opportunity to bring your travel dreams to life. Explore our comprehensive guide to planning a successful Uganda gorilla trekking experience for expats, first-time visitors, and repeat visitors.
Best Places to Visit for Uganda Gorilla Trekking by Expats
When choosing a destination for you to explore as an expat in Uganda, consider Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your gorilla trekking experience. The two Protected Areas are Uganda’s iconic destinations for exploring and enjoying close interaction with a group of mountain gorillas. In each of these destinations, there are gorilla trekking trailheads and habituated gorilla groups.
Embarking on Bwindi gorilla trekking as an expat offers an excellent opportunity to encounter the massive mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is essentially a dense African tropical forest that houses an estimated population of approximately 500 gorillas. Mountain gorillas are part of Bwindi’s diverse mammal species that total up to 120. This designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in Southwestern Uganda and extends along the Albertine Rift edge.
Expatriates on Uganda gorilla trekking tours can safely begin their search for mountain gorillas from one of the four sectors or regions. These include Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Buhoma regions, with each area or trailhead promising captivating encounters with a fully habituated group of mountain gorillas. The gorilla groups to expect to visit on the Uganda gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi, particularly in the Buhoma sector, include the Katwe group, Binyindo, Kanywanyi, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Mubare gorilla families.
The Rushaga gorilla region is an endowed sector with gorilla families, including Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Bikingi, Nshongi, Mucunguzi, and Bweza. The Ruhija region, situated in the eastern part of Bwindi, is home to gorilla groups such as Kyaguriro, Mukiza, Bitukura, and Oruzogo. The Nkuringo region, on the other hand, protects gorilla families such as Bushaho, Posho, Christmas, and Nkuringo.
Other wildlife in Bwindi
Bwindi isn’t only home to mountain gorillas, but also contains a range of other fantastic wildlife. Additional wildlife to locate in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include forest hogs, chimpanzees, African elephants, African civets, pottos, galagos, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, baboons, side-striped jackals, bush pigs, and more. Bwindi also supports more than 200 butterfly species, as well as an estimated 350 bird species.
Accommodation Alternatives to Book in or around Bwindi
When planning a Uganda gorilla trekking tour as an expat, don’t forget to secure a comfortable lodge or camp for an overnight stay. Luckily, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the top destinations in East Africa, offering a diverse range of accommodation options, from budget to mid-range to luxury. The leading accommodation options for an overnight stay in and around Bwindi include Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Orugano Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Kiho Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, 4 Gorillas Lodge, and Gorilla Leisure Lodge.
Access to Bwindi by expatriates for a gorilla trekking tour
It is possible to reach Bwindi from Entebbe or Kampala (Uganda) or from Kigali (Rwanda) by road and also by air. Expatriates in Entebbe or Kampala can begin their journey by taking the southwestern direction and navigating via Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale, while appreciating the breathtaking landscape views of Kigezi. Accessing Bwindi from Entebbe or Kampala can take between 9 and 10 hours. Don’t worry about the type of safari car to be used. Native Africa Tours is ideally positioned to find you the best 4×4 tourist vehicle, enabling you to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park safely.
Should you happen to cross to Bwindi from Kigali (Rwanda)? Then expect to drive only 4-5 hours. An expert from Native African Tours will be present throughout your tour to ensure a safe border crossing and a successful gorilla trekking adventure in your desired region or sector in Bwindi. The expected border crossing when travelling from Kigali to Bwindi includes the Katuna or Chanika border.
If you are interested in the quickest option to reach Bwindi, prepare to take a flight, but make prior arrangements. Flight services are available, and guests can board from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. The landing points are Kihihi or Kisoro Airfield. An experienced Uganda driver guide from Native Africa Tours will be present to transfer you to the park.
Getting to Mgahinga
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another destination worth visiting by expats in Uganda for its gorilla trekking. While in Mgahinga, expatriates have only one choice of habituated gorilla group to see: the Nyakagezi group. Trekking with the Nyakagezi gorilla family begins in the Ntebeko region, which can be accessed from Kisoro town, the southern sectors of Bwindi, or if you have a night stay at a lodge in Mgahinga.
The driving time from Entebbe or Kampala to Mgahinga is approximately 9-10 hours, and the route navigates through Kisoro. From Kigali, the journey takes only 4 to 5 hours. For guests interested in reducing long road travel hours, a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Airfield is an option.
What else should you expect in Mgahinga?
At Mgahinga National Park, there are numerous other wildlife species to explore, including bushbucks, golden monkeys, buffaloes, and giant forest hogs, among others. Over 180 species of birds also reside in the various habitats of Mgahinga and include the Shelley’s crimson-winged sunbird, pin-tailed whydah, Kivu ground thrush, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, regal sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s robin-chat, and many others. Additional safari activities to complement the gorilla trekking in Mgahinga include golden monkey trekking, volcano hiking, bird-watching, and golden monkey habituation.
Where to stay on the Uganda gorilla trekking tour for expats
The significant places to consider for overnight stay include Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Traveller’s Rest Hotel, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, and Gorilla Valley Lodge.
Permits for Uganda gorilla trekking for expats
Obtaining a valid gorilla permit is a crucial step in planning a gorilla trekking experience for expats. A permit in Uganda to track gorillas can be booked for USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents. USD 700 for foreign residents. UGX 300,000 per person for Ugandans and other East African citizens. Native Africa Tours is an ideal company to contact to secure a gorilla permit in Uganda.
The best season for Uganda gorilla trekking as an expat
As an expat planning a gorilla tour for the first time, the peak/dry season is the most preferred time. This is the best time to enjoy an active trek with mountain gorillas. The dry season typically occurs twice a year. It goes with the extended phase lasting from June to September. On the other hand, the shorter phase runs from December to February.
Pick only the essentials to carry for your Uganda gorilla trekking expedition.
A good packing list for your adventure should include a camera, a warm sweater, garden gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, hiking pants, a safari hat, a rain jacket, a daypack, a pair of socks, long trousers, snacks, and a first aid kit.
