All you need to know about Gorilla trekking In Bwindi Forest National Park;
Gorilla trekking In Bwindi is arguably the most popular adventure activity for travellers visiting Uganda on Safari. Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park is Home to 19 habituated gorillas families – a total of approximately 400 Gorillas that inhabit this lush forest – making gorilla tracking In Bwindi the most successful gorilla trekking experience with up to 99% chance of seeing these great apes while on a Uganda Gorilla Safari.
Gorilla trekking In Bwindi is done at four (04) locations; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga & Nkuringo. At each of these trekking locations, eight (08) gorilla permits are issued per family. Gorilla trekking permits only allow trekkers to spend one (01) hour with a particular gorilla group. Visitors who would like to stay longer with the gorillas should consider booking a gorilla habituation experience. Unlike Gorilla trekking that can be done across all four (04) Gorilla trekking Regions of Bwindi Forest, Gorilla Habituation can only be done in Rushaga and or Nkuringo Sectors.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience allows visitors to study a particular wild gorilla group still undergoing habituation more closely for four (04) hours under the guidance of researchers and experienced trackers. Whereas a gorilla permit costs $700 ($700 after 01/July/2020), Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 and are truly worth it. For Gorilla Habituation, only four (04) permits are issued – allowing only four (04) tourists to spend four (04) hours with a wild Gorilla group in Bwindi Forest National Park.
If you are in your 50’s – we call them “seniors” and still haven’t done Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, we encourage you to consider planning and booking a Gorilla Trekking trip for Seniors – tailored to your interest, physical ability, budget and available time for travel. (Also see: Accessible Holidays.)
Practical tips & Advice on gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Forest National Park
Best time to visit Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi forest is best when forest trails are not so soggy, and there is more sunshine in the months of June to August and December to February. Slippery trails and occasional mist make wildlife watching more challenging during the wetter months of the year.
Learn more about the best time to go to Bwindi
Besides Gorilla Trekking, what else is there to See & do in Bwindi Forest?
Gorilla tracking is the main reason people visit Bwindi – over 400 mountain gorillas – 19 habituated Gorilla families – 88 gorilla permits available every day – gorilla permits cost USD700 unlike USD1,500 in Rwanda. Other things to see & do in Bwindi besides gorilla tracking;
- Gorilla habituation experience – only done in Rushaga – 5 hours from Kigali.
- Visit the Batwa Pygmies.
- Bird watching in Bwindi.
Related: Top things to See & Do in Bwindi impenetrable Forest.
What to bring & wear – The Practical Gorilla Packing list.
What to wear on my gorilla trek.
- Sturdy Lightweight walking shoes. the lighter the better. Extra weight on the trek is not good.
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to provide extra body protections against thorny shrubs.
- Long socks that allow you tuck you pants in to avoid bugs from climbing into your pants while on the trek.
- Rain jacket in case it rains. Remember you are trekking in a tropical rain forest.
- Gaiters (Optional). Don’t spend On new ones. These can well be substituted with long socks to serve the same purpose.
What to bring on your trek.
- A camera for your photographic needs. Don’t spend BIG on a camera. if you own an iPhone, they too take amazing pictures especial under limited forest light.
- Binoculars (optional). They might come in handy when spotting some forest birds. Your ranger guide will have a pair that he is willing to share.
- A hat (optional). This is to keep branches and leaves let alone bugs from falling into your hair.
- Drinking water. Realm Africa Safaris™ will provide adequate bottled drinking water for the entire trip.
- Packed Lunch. Realm Africa Safaris™ will take care of this. All our trips include meals unless agreed otherwise
- A Day Pack to carry all your personal items while on the trek. ** We recommend using a porter to carry your day pack for you (see: why use a porter for Gorilla trekking)
More informative blogs about Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Our Popular Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safaris
