Why Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is a Must-do Bucket-List Experience
Reasons why Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is a Must-do Bucket-List Experience. If you have never been on a gorilla trekking safari, the idea might feel a little mysterious. You have probably seen (or not) the photos- mountainous and forested landscapes, huge silverbacks or baby gorillas against a dense vegetation, or baby gorillas playing close to you, or maybe a mother gorilla nursing her baby in the hidden forest. But you might not be sure what the day-to-day reality is, or why many travelers describe the experience as “life-changing”.
In truth, gorilla trekking is one of the most complete safari experiences you can have. This adventure seamlessly blends face-to-face encounters with luxury or rustic charm, time in Mother Nature with rich cultural exchange, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities of stillness with bursts of pure adrenaline. Gorilla trekking is typically immersive, grounding, and, once experienced, impossible to forget.
A typical day in the jungle feels like a true gift- right from the moment you wake up to the calls of chirping birds, mornings and afternoons of searching for the Giant Apes in their natural habitats, to evenings spent around a fire sharing stories with friends or family, and other fellow travelers. You will enjoy face-to-face encounters with mountain gorillas in a way no screen can replicate and come away with memories that deepen over time, with an unrelenting urge to go back to the jungle. If you are just starting to picture your first gorilla trekking safari, our ultimate guide is the perfect starting point. The endangered mountain gorillas are generally found in three countries- Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
If the burning question on your mind is why gorilla trekking in Uganda is a must-do bucket-list experience, we share the 6 reasons below;
An incredible mountain gorilla population
It is gorilla trekking time! Going on a gorilla trekking tour in any of the two locations (where the majestic mountain gorillas are found) not only gives you the opportunity to tick an unforgettable travel experience off your bucket list, but also enjoy the advantage of a high concentration of mountain gorillas.
There are two places you can enjoy up close and personal encounters with these Giant Apes in their natural habitat- Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with a combined population of over 500 mountain gorillas. This makes it half of the World’s population of these Giant Apes, and the remaining half is shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To make things more exciting, travelers can choose between these two places, with Bwindi offering more than 20 habituated gorilla families distributed in four sectors/regions- Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Mgahinga has only one gorilla family, thus only 8 gorilla permits are available for this Park on a daily basis.
More affordable gorilla trekking experiences
Uganda provides International travelers and visitors with incredible value for money with cheaper gorilla trekking permit prices, as well as accommodation options. Regardless of the National Park you will choose to visit on your Uganda Gorilla trekking tour, gorilla permit prices go for $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, Shs. 300,000 for East African Community Citizens (at the time of writing). This is relatively cheaper than it is sold in Rwanda (at $1500 per person at the time of writing). Also, if you have been to Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and Uganda, especially Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you are probably aware that many of Uganda’s accommodation facilities are quite cheaper. Therefore, going on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda means you get a whole lot more than you bargained for.
Diverse landscapes
While mountain gorillas are often the main attraction, Uganda’s landscapes are unforgettable. Uganda’s glorious choice of locations’ diversity is staggering and another compelling reason to go on a gorilla trekking adventure in the beautiful country. From the nearly 33100-hectare of unrivalled impenetrable forest that makes up the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a phenomenal tropical rainforest of southwestern Uganda), to the majestic ranges of towering Virunga volcanoes in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, there is no limit to what Uganda has to offer. Not to mention the abundant indigenous trees and lush rolling landscape of Mgahinga, and cascading waterfalls.
Exploring and discovering Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks’ diverse landscapes while searching for the mountain gorillas makes gorilla trekking in Uganda a must-do bucket-list experience.
These locations encompass multiple ecosystems, meaning you can experience a dense rainforest, rivers, grasslands, and rocky terrains all in a single trip. Imagine starting your morning tracking adventure on open agricultural fields, through the dense jungle, and ending your day watching the sunset turn the forest into a Paradise on Earth.
Endless accommodation options
Uganda accommodation options are unlike anything else in the World. They are designed to bring you as close as possible to Mother Nature without sacrificing comfort, or in some cases, adding a touch of unexpected luxury. After all, a gorilla trekking safari isn’t just about the Giant Apes. It is in every detail- from the places you stay, the people you meet, and ultimately, the once-in-a-lifetime moments you will never forget.
Regardless of which sector in Bwindi you choose to visit for your Gorilla trekking experience, you will be spoilt for choice due to the diversity of accommodation options. From exclusive Tented Camps, ultra-luxurious Safari Lodges in the heart of the African jungle, to the eco-friendly Camps, accommodation options are plentiful and diverse. These perfectly suit every bucket and experience.
Whether your gorilla tour is for a romantic getaway for two, a family Holiday, or simply a thrilling adrenaline-inducing safari experience, Uganda’s gorilla trekking locations have exactly what you are looking for.
An opportunity to support conservation efforts and community wellbeing
Uganda Gorilla safaris play a critical role in protecting the endangered Giant Apes and other wildlife species that call these areas home, as well as supporting local communities. Therefore, besides enjoying the bucket-list worthy safari experience, going on a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda provides you with the opportunity to give back at the same time.
All of Uganda’s mountain gorilla trekking locations (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) give back 20% of gorilla permit fees to the local community (community schools, healthcare initiatives, water and sanitation projects).
Also, a significant portion of these fees support different conservation efforts geared towards preserving these Parks- anti-poaching units, habitat restoration projects, and paying Gorilla Doctors, hence saving the mountain gorillas, which are already endangered from becoming extinct. These aren’t abstract contributions as you might meet Park Rangers whose salaries your gorilla trekking adventure helps pay, or children learning in schools that exist because of revenue from gorilla tourism.
Additionally, while on your gorilla trekking safari, you can choose to stay at any of the environmentally responsible Safari Lodges and Camps, hence further contributing to the well-being and upliftment of local communities as well as the mountain gorillas.
Combine your gorilla safari with other extraordinary experiences.
A gorilla safari to Uganda is incredibly flexible- you can tailor it to include farm stays, boat cruises/canoe tours, wildlife safaris, or even community retreats. After a long day of tracking the mountain gorillas, you might enjoy a boat ride on Lakes Bunyonyi or Mutanda (depending on location), or enjoy an interaction with the ancient inhabitants of the East-Central African forests, the Batwa pygmies.
If you are adventurous, you might even pair your gorilla trekking safari with climbing the Virunga Volcanoes (especially when tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) or the far-flung snow-capped Mount Rwenzori.
Native Africa Tours curates seamless packages, arranges domestic flights, ground transfers, Guides, and park entry fees to make it easy to combine your Uganda gorilla safari with any other experience. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the magic of the Pearl of Africa, knowing every last detail is taken care of.
