December Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Plan Your Ultimate Festive Safari
Uganda gorilla trekking in December is one of the best ways to experience Africa’s most iconic primates. Uganda’s dry season begins in December, creating ideal gorilla trekking conditions in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.
December is peak season for gorilla trekking. Permits and lodges fill up quickly. The weather is ideal for a safari. Wildlife encounters are incredible. The rainforest scenery is unforgettable.
Uganda gorilla trekking in December comes with enormous benefits, making it a brilliant choice for primate adventure seekers. Among the diverse benefits to appreciate include trekking gorillas in less muddy and slippery ground, great visibility, favorable temperatures, and easier hikes in the drier trails.
Weather in December
Temperatures in December rise from 21 to 27 degrees Celsius in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Temperatures drop to 16 degrees Celsius in the morning. December being the dry month of the year, the rainfall amount received in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga ranges from 50 to 140mm. The low rainfall amount makes the gorilla habitat less muddy and slippery. This makes it possible for tourists to enjoy gorilla treks less of challenges like muddy ground. Improved jungle visibility is also a feature of December Gorilla Trekking.
Why travel to track gorillas in Uganda in December
The dry season
December falls in the peak dry months of the year. The dry season comes with amazing benefits, including a smooth trek with mountain gorillas. Expect fewer challenges when you embark on gorilla trekking in December. In December, visitors encounter fewer disruptions from rain. Even if it does rain, it won’t be as heavy as it can be during the wet season.
Conducive temperatures
Bwindi and Mgahinga experience ideal temperatures that favor visitor exploration of the endangered mountain gorillas. In December, Bwindi and Mgahinga record mild and favorable temperatures for gorilla trekking.
Visibility
During December, the skies are clear of vegetation kept less dense, thus guaranteeing you excellent sightings of gorillas. The clear vegetation cover also favors the photography of gorillas in their natural setting.
Important tips to guide
Book your gorilla tour in advance
December is a competitive month and to be on the safer side, we recommend you book your gorilla trekking in advance. It is possible to book a gorilla permit and tour early, about 2 to 6 months before the intended date of embarking on the trek, to see gorillas in the wild.
Carry only essentials
Only essential gear should be on your packing list for Uganda gorilla trekking in December. The items you should have on the packing list for gorilla trekking in December include gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, a bottle of drinking water, sunglasses, a camera with extra batteries, money belt, snacks, a safari hat, a first aid kit, insect repellents, and sunscreen, etc.
Check your fitness levels.
Before you embark on a gorilla trek in December, it is also important to ensure that you are fit enough. You can consider exercising before the actual date of visiting gorillas. Bwindi and Mgahinga are lying at high elevations and navigating in places like these as you search for gorillas requires some fitness levels. Besides, the gorilla trek itself is strenuous, often taking visitors about 2 to 6 hours before they locate a gorilla group.
Hire a porter
You can always find porters in the briefing areas to help you with your luggage. You can hire a porter for about USD 15 or 20 per Gorilla Trekking session.
Respect all the gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
On a gorilla trekking tour, ensure that you respect the set regulations. Guides brief visitors on gorilla trekking rules and regulations early each morning before their adventure begins. Among the rules and regulations to follow are keeping a safe distance of 8 meters from gorillas, avoiding body contact with gorillas, and keeping your voice low when in the jungle is also essential.
Where to trek gorillas in Uganda in December
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in December
For gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Bwindi comes on the top list. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park supports the highest concentration of mountain gorillas compared to any destination in East Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site provides refuge to about 459 mountain gorillas and accounts for about 24 habituated gorilla families.
On a gorilla tour in Bwindi, expect to begin your search for these great apes from the four regions, including Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Rushaga. Bwindi holds incredible gorilla families for tourists to explore, including the Mubare family, Nkuringo, Katwe, Habinyanja, Bushaho, Rwigyi gorilla group, Nshongi, Bweza group, Bitukura, Mucunguzi, and many more.
While on gorilla trekking in Bwindi, the accommodation options to book include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Luxurious Bwindi Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, and Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.
You can get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road or air. Road transportation to Bwindi can begin from Entebbe or Kampala for visitors who fly to Uganda, and your journey can take 8-9 hours. But for those of you who plan to fly to Kigali, you can spend between 4 and 5 hours on the road, which involves crossing the Chanika or Katuna border to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There is also an option of domestic flights whereby you can depart from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. The flights save you from spending long hours driving to Bwindi and once you have landed at the Kisoro/Kihihi Airstrip, you can drive to the park.
Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in December
A visit to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in December for gorilla trekking marks the start of a journey for you to enjoy up close and personal encounter with the Nyakagezi gorilla group. Nyakagezi is the only habituated group of mountain gorillas currently living in Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla treks in Mgahinga start from the Ntebeko area with a briefing and allocation of park ranger guides.
At Mgahinga, visitors also have multiple accommodation options to choose from for an overnight stay. They include Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Mulehe Lake Camp, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Camp, Amajambere Camp, and others.
Accessing Mgahinga for gorilla trekking in December is possible both by road and air. By road, expect to drive for 8-10 hours on the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route or 4-5 hours’ drive from the Kigali capital through the Chanika border crossing to Uganda. If you take a flight, you can spend less than 2 hours, depending on the weather, and land at Kisoro Airstrip. At the Kisoro Airstrip, expect to be picked up by our professional driver guide and you can connect to Mgahinga National Park.
Packing list for gorilla trekking in December
What to pack for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari in December includes sunglasses, visas, bottled drinking water, insect repellents, a pair of trousers, long-sleeved shirts, permits, a sweater, and long trousers. Visitors also need a pair of strong gardening gloves, a rain jacket, passports, snacks, a pair of socks, a camera plus additional batteries.
December is ideal for gorilla trekking in Uganda. The dry weather and good trails make it perfect. Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks are excellent choices. Book permits and lodges early, as it’s peak season. You’ll have a rewarding wildlife experience.
Make this December unforgettable with a gorilla trek expertly guided and flawlessly organized by Native Africa Tours, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
