Best Time to Do Gorilla Tours in Uganda: Although Uganda has two distinct seasons-the dry and the wet-the ideal time to take gorilla tours there is throughout the year.However, the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February, is the busiest time of year to go on gorilla tours.
Gorilla trekking is not supported by the wet season, which lasts from May to April and October to November.Because of its modest rainfall and alternating dry and rainy seasons, Uganda is classified as having two distinct climates: tropical and warm. The average temperature of Uganda is between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius, with a minimum temperature drop of 12 degrees Celsius. The country receives 1000 to 2000 millimeters of rainfall annually.
Despite this, gorilla tours in Uganda are visited by millions of tourists primarily during the dry seasons. A popular activity during peak seasons, gorilla trekking expeditions are now most enjoyable over the Christmas season. The nation has less rainfall during the busiest times of the year, which makes it possible to reach the forest trailhead and find the gorilla family you are trekking with.
Two protected national parks in the southwest of Uganda-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park-are the sites of Uganda gorilla trekking tours. More than 600 of the 1063 mountain gorillas who are still alive worldwide are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to half of them.
However, Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are the three African countries where gorilla trekking is possible. Gorilla trekking is possible in the Congo’s Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Peak Season Gorilla Visits
The only ideal time to go gorilla trekking on Ugandan tours is during the busiest time of year. In any gorilla safari destination, the best months to experience gorilla trekking are June through September and December through February, which is peak season.
Additionally, gorilla permits are sometimes in high demand during peak seasons, with over 80 permits sold each day. For this reason, we recommend that you always reserve your permit well in advance of your scheduled arrival time for gorilla tours.
The off-season
Compared to dry seasons, the low season has more rainfall, which disrupts gorilla trekking activities, but permits are easier to obtain, even at the last minute. Because there are less people during the off-peak hours, you may enjoy the activity in the park without having to deal with crowds. The cost of lodging decreases.
As a result, the ideal months for low-cost gorilla trips are typically March through May and September through November. Keep in mind that rain does not always fall throughout the day; it may fall in the morning and then the sun will rise and work will resume. It is recommended that tourists bring the appropriate gear for gorilla trekking excursions at off-peak times.
The price of permits for gorillas
Thankfully, gorilla licenses in Uganda cost USD 800 for foreign visitors, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African members. A full day of gorilla habituation activities costs USD 1500. Gorilla licenses in Rwanda cost $1500, while those in Congo cost $400.Because permits in Rwanda are more expensive than in Uganda, the majority of tourists would rather go gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla permits in Uganda can be purchased directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices by contacting or emailing them. Because there are only a certain number of gorilla permits available each day, we advise you to make your reservations in advance for convenience. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Reach international safaris.
Things to Bring on Gorilla Tours
Items like long-sleeved pants, a waterproof daypack, a rubber boot hiker, warm socks, worm clothes, hand garden gloves, energy snacks, mineral water bottles, sunscreen, a hat, rain gear, and a clear camera are all necessary for gorilla trekking trips.
Accommodations for Gorilla Tours
On gorilla trips, you don’t have to worry about where to stay. All safari locations provide cozy lodging options, from luxury lodges to affordable lodges.
Accessibility
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are both conveniently accessible by air and vehicle. It takes eight to nine hours to drive from Kampala to the major destination. An alternative is to take a domestic flight on “Aero Link airline,” which takes 1:30 hours to go to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe International Airport.
Last but not least, the best time to see gorillas on Ugandan tours from their natural habitats in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is all year long, but especially around Christmas.
The best time to visit is from June to September and December to February, when you can have an experience that will last a lifetime. Reserve your gorilla permits now to take part in this amazing adventure.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
Recommended Tours: 8 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Safari | 5 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari Congo
