Are you planning to go on a Gorilla Trekking Safari in 2024? Realm Africa Safaris™ – your Premium Gorilla Tour Operator based in Entebbe City can assist you in planning and booking your Uganda Gorilla Safaris in 2024 – 2025. Uganda Gorilla Tours for 2022
Mountain gorilla trekking in Africa is the main drawcard for three (03) Destinations; Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. However, Realm Africa Safaris™ only operates gorilla trekking trips to Uganda & Rwanda and NOT DR Congo because of the ongoing civil unrest characterized by abductions, and killings of both citizens and tourists.
Learn more about Why we don’t go to DR Congo for gorilla trekking.
Best Place to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda in 2024 – 2025
In Uganda, there are two (02) places where you can see mountain gorillas; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi forest boasts of having the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla groups. There are currently 21 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi that can be tracked at four (04) designated Gorilla trekking regions; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Gorilla Permits In Bwindi cost;
- Foreign Non-Residents – $800 per person/Permit.
- Foreign Residents – $700 per person/permit.
- East African Citizens – UGX300,000 per person/permit.
- Rest of Africa – $500 per person/permit.
Mgahinga unlike Bwindi has only one (01) habituated mountain gorilla family called the Nyakagezi gorilla family. This park offers the most exclusive mountain gorilla trekking experience as there will only be a maximum of 08 tourists visiting to see the gorillas. Some of our past clients have had the privilege of exclusively trekking an entire gorilla group.
Gorilla Permits In Mgahinga Cost;
- Foreign Non-Residents – $800 per person/Permit.
- Foreign Residents – $700 per person/permit.
- East African Citizens – UGX300,000 per person/permit.
- Rest of Africa – $500 per person/permit.
If you are trekking gorillas in Mgahinga, consider adding a day to your three (03) Gorilla tour to trek & see the Golden monkeys. A Golden Monkey permit costs $100 per person. Learn more about Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda & Rwanda are the Safest Places to trek gorillas in Africa.
When is the best time to go on Uganda Gorilla tours
The best time to go on a Uganda gorilla trekking Safari in 2024 – 2025 is during the dry season months of June to September or December to February. During this time, the trails are fairly drier thus making for a less taxing trek to see the mountain gorillas.
Learn more about the Best time to Trek Gorillas In Uganda
What to pack & wear for your Gorilla trekking Safari in 2024 – 2025
- Sturdy Waterproof Hiking Boots
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park involves trekking/hiking in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Because of the nature of the forest plus the altitude, you need lightweight hiking boots for this activity.
- Garden Gloves
You will require gloves to protect your hands during your gorilla trek. As you move in this forest, remember that it can get slippery and somehow you need to hold on to some plants, trees or even climbing trees. These gloves will therefore protect you from germs and other items that may scratch your hands.
- Raincoat/Jacket or poncho
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rainforest and as such, rain is received throughout the whole year. You will never tell when it is going to rain so you need a rain jacket for this. Many clients prefer travelling in the drier months of June, July, August, and the beginning of September and try to avoid the rainy seasons of March, April, and May.
- Long-sleeved Shirt/Blouse
You are required to have long-sleeved trousers/shirts for your gorilla trekking. Please ensure that you tack in your trousers in your hiking boots to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers. Jeans and Kachi trousers can do this better.
- Energy Bites/Snacks
Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. To add to that, we advise that you carry some energy-giving snacks as supplements. Before departing from your lodge, you need to carry your packed lunch and lots of drinking water as you never know when you will return.
- Camera Plus Extra Batteries & Memory cards what to pack for gorilla trekking
Photography is an important component of your safari and thus make sure that you have your camera ready, charge your batteries very well and if necessary, carry extra batteries as you will need to take as many photographs in the one hour you will have with the gorillas. Please make sure that you switch off your flash while taking gorilla photographs.
- UV Sunglasses a cap/hat (Optional) what to pack for gorilla trekking
If it is hot, please carry a hat to protect you from the strong sun’s rays. You may also need to carry some sunglasses too. These are optional.
- Binoculars
Don’t forget that you are on a safari and you want to have clear views of everything. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 350 birds, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys among other primates, forest elephants, and buffaloes so during your trek in search for the rare mountain gorillas, you will have a chance to spot some of the above.
- Helping Hands from a Local Porter for your Gorilla Trek
The decision to take a porter on your gorilla trek is absolutely up to you and your inner conscience, however, we like to encourage all our clients to take a porter for their gorilla trekking for its part of your contribution to sustainable tourism and gorilla conservation. Besides, as earlier noted, gorilla trekking can be strenuous, and thus you will need someone to give you a push or a pull on the way to the gorillas. These porters go for a fee – $20 but it is worth it! Remember that some of these porters are actually school-going students either in their vacation or have been chased out of school due to school fees. By paying some money to have a porter with you, you will have contributed to community development indirectly and sustainable tourism as a whole.
Top Suggested Uganda Gorilla Safaris in 2024 – 2025
