A typical tropical rain forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (also known as Bwindi Forest National Park) has an annual mean temperature range of at least 7 to 15°C and up to 20 to 27°C. It receives between 1,400 and 1,900 millimeters of rain annually. March through April and September through November are when the heavy rains peak.
Gorilla trekking made the world aware of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest! More over half of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world call it home. The forest is home to about 360 of the likely 800+ mountain gorillas in the world, making these gentle monkeys a severely endangered species.
Due to illnesses, habitat degradation, and poaching, they are in grave risk of extinction. Out of all the safari parks in Uganda, this national park brings in one of the most money for the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Bwindi is situated on the rift valley’s edge in the southwest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also known as the impenetrable forest, is bounded on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); the closest major settlement to the park is Kabale town, which is 29 kilometers distant by road to the southeast. 60% of this enchanted park is more than 2,000 meters above sea level, and it occupies 331 square kilometers.
It is situated in the highest regions of the Kigezi highlands, between 1,190 and 2,607 meters above sea level. The Rwamunyonyi hill in the park’s eastern side is the highest point, and the park’s lowest point is at its northernmost point.
From Entebbe, it takes around eight or nine hours to drive to Bwindi Forest National Park, while it just takes an hour to go there by chartered airplane. The first and last days of a Uganda gorilla trip are typically devoted to travel and a few other small-scale activities.
When you get up close and personal with the mountain gorillas in their woods, the lengthy journey—especially if you’re on the road—is well worth it. This place has a lot of history and is one of the most popular safari parks in Uganda. I’m sure you’ll notice it when you arrive. Please review the list of suggested gorilla safari businesses that can plan outstanding safari trips for you in the environment of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In order to obtain a glimpse of what gorillas look like and to see the habitat in which they live, a group of people can undertake gorilla trekking, which involves hiking or trekking through dense woods.
There are now six gorilla trekking areas in Bwindi Forest National Park: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nyundo, and Rubugiri. Of these, Buhoma and Nkuringo are the most popular.
The national park’s close proximity to Rwanda’s border has long allowed visitors to combine their gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda and Uganda into a single itinerary.
Depending on the client’s option, these tours can start in either direction, allowing for the possibility of gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Rwanda, which is around a four to five hour drive from Kigali.
The months of mid-June through October and December through March are the ideal times to visit Uganda’s mountain gorillas. The busiest and greatest time of year is around this time. The best time to go gorilla trekking is during these dry months of the year. However, there are no seasonal closures in Uganda, making it possible to hike mountain gorillas throughout the year.
Because the mountain gorillas are being conditioned to coexist with humans, gorilla habituation is an experience in which visitors spend longer time with the gorillas than is customary. Because the visitor has more time to learn about the mountain gorillas and their habits, the encounter is really intriguing.
Only in the Rushaga gorilla sector, located south of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, does gorilla habituation occur in Uganda.
The months of June through September and December through March are the ideal times to see gorilla habituation in Uganda.
More than 320 bird species and 23 other species may be found in Bwindi National Park. Western Green Tinker Bird, African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Regal Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Montana Oriole, Kivu Ground-Thrush, Chapin’s Flycatcher, African Green Broadbill, Green-breasted Pitta, Great Blue Turaco Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Standard-winged Nightjar, Short-tailed Warbler, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-breasted Barbet, and many more are among the bird species.
There are four gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and the recently added Mugahinga. In Bwindi National Park, Rushaga is the sole area allowed for gorilla habitat and is home to five different gorilla families. One should be ready for the experience since it will be mind-blowing to be able to travel to Uganda and Bwindi National Park.
It takes around 7 to 8 hours to drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, to Bwindi Forest National Park, which is 478 kilometers away. The majority of the trip is on level ground, with the final section entering the forest on a dirt murram road. It takes three to four hours to drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park, which is located in the Ishasha area.
From Kampala, busses go daily to Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri via Kihihi. You may easily get to Bwindi National Park from those places, or you can make arrangements for a native guide to come get you. You may also travel to the park by taking a local flight from Entebbe airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.
Domestic airline Aero Link offers daily flights to Bwindi’s Kisoro (only in the morning) and Kihihi airports.
| From | To | Depart | Arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entebbe | Kisoro | 07:45AM | 08:55AM |
| Kisoro | Entebbe | 09:10AM | 11:25AM |
| Entebbe | Kihihi | 07:00 AM | 08:45AM |
| Kihihi | Entebbe | 09:45AM | 11:25AM |
| Entebbe | Kihihi | 12:45PM | 01:55PM |
| Kihihi | Entebbe | 12:45PM | 03:55PM |
Those who may want to visit Buhoma may take on the charter planes and land off from Kayonza airstrip.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorillas are divided into families and assigned to gorilla sectors. A silverback is often the male and the head of the family in gorilla families. Trekking with gorillas is done in accordance with the gorilla families and their geographic location (Gorilla Sector). We provide you the whole list of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s gorilla families.
Due to its abundance of alluring tourist attractions, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is considered one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s tourist attractions include
The most popular attraction in Bwindi Impenetrable National area is the mountain gorilla. There are an estimated 400 mountain gorillas living in the area, which are spread across several locations. You may find a variety of fascinating gorilla families in these areas, which are spread around the park and are home to mountain gorillas.
The most popular and frequented area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the Buhoma Sector, which is situated in the northern section of the park. It was the first area to be made accessible to trekkers and is home to the Mubare Gorilla Family. In 1992, the Mubare gorilla family became the first to be habituated in both the Buhoma Sector and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
There are three gorilla families in the Buhoma sector:
Mubare family of gorillas
The Mubare Gorilla Family, named for the Mubare Hills where the group was first observed, is the first gorilla family to be available for gorilla trekking. They were habituated in 1992 and currently number five individuals. Kanyonyi, a dominant silverback, leads the Mubare gorilla family, which also includes one adult female, two subadult females, and one baby.
The Habinyanja family of gorillas
The Habinyanja gorilla family, which gets its name from the Rukinga term Nyaja, which means “a place with water,” was initially seen near marsh ponds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1997 and was first walked in 1999. Makara, Rwansigazi, Maraya, Kisho, Nabukye, Binyonko, Rugyendi, Nyamuhango, Elsa, Hamusini, Hakato, Gacyaro, and Bangenyi are the 13 notable members of the Habinyanja gorilla family. Makara, a powerful silverback, is in charge of this family.
Family of Rushegura Gorillas
The Rushegura gorilla family separated from the Habinyanja gorilla family in 2000 after being acclimated and became accessible for trekking that same year. There are 19 gorillas in this family, and when you trek in this family, you can see Mwirima, the dominant silverback and group leader; Kabukojo, the blackback; five adult females, Kyirinvi, Kibande, Buzinza, Nyamunwa, and Karungyi; two sub-adult females, Kalembezi and Ruterana; five juveniles, Nyampazi, Kafuruka, Kibande, Karungyi, and Kanywanyi; and five baby gorillas, Kyirinvi, Buzinza, Nyamunmwa, kibade, and Katabazi.
Due to its proximity to Ishisa Sector, the southern portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Buhoma Sector is easily accessible by road from Kabala, via Kihihi Airstrip, and from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Only three gorilla families can be found in the Nkuringo Gorilla Sector, which is located in the southern Kisoro District of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The family of Nkuringo gorillas
The first gorilla family to be habituated in the southwest of Bwindi is the Nkuringo family, which was established in 1997. Twelve gorillas make up the Nkuringo gorilla family: one silverback, two adult females, two subadults, three youngsters, and two babies. Being the first family in Bwindi Impenetrable National area to record the birth of twins, the Nkuringo Gorilla Family is a historical family. Originally consisting of 17 family members, just 12 members remained after several departed the area.
The Bikingi gorilla family
The Bikingi gorilla family, which was habituated as early as 2012, is an excellent gorilla family that is only available for gorilla habituation experiences. There are now 15 members of this family, including 1 silverback, 5 female adults, 2 adolescents, 2 subadults, and 5 newborns. Since the Bikigi gorilla family is still going through the habituation process, it does not yet have a leader.
Family of Bushaho Gorillas
The eight members of the Bushaho gorilla family include one silverback, one blackback, three adult females, one sub-adult, one adolescent, and one baby. The dominating silverback Bahati is the head of the Bushaho gorilla family, which was founded by several individuals who broke away from the Nkuringo gorilla family.
Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The Rushaga sector, which is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is the most popular destination for visitors arriving from Kigali via the Cyanika border in Kisoro district. The largest concentration of mountain gorilla families in the park is found in the Rushaga region, and they include
The Gorilla Family of Nshongi
The seven-member Nshongi Gorilla Family, led by the formidable silverback Bweza, is an interesting family of gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Three adult females, one adolescent, one newborn, one subadult, and one silverback are present.
The family of Kahungye gorillas
The 17-member Kahungye Gorilla Family gets its name from Kahungye Hill, where the gorillas were first seen in the area. Rumaz, a dominant silverback, leads the family, which also includes three adult females, three silverbacks, two newborns, three juveniles, and three subadults.
The family of Busingye gorillas
Under the leadership of the dominant silverback Busingye, the nine-member Busingye gorilla family split out from the Kahungye gorilla family. The name of this group comes from a term that means peace in the area.
The Mishaya family of gorillas
Twelve individuals make up the Mishaya gorilla family, which is led by the dominant silverback Mishaya. Mishaya split from the Nshongi gorilla group in 2010 to create the Mishaya gorilla group.
The family of Bweza gorillas
Two silverbacks, four blackbacks, one subadult, three adult females, and two newborns make up the Bweza Gorilla Family, a group of 23 mountain gorillas led by a silverback named Kakono.
The Ruhija sector, which is home to three gorilla families and is where mountain gorilla trekking is conducted, is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Among these families are
The Bitukura family of gorillas
Four silverbacks, four adult families, two juveniles, three babies, and one baby make up the Bitukura Gorilla Family, which consists of fourteen family members. This family was formed in 2007 and had 24 members at first. More lately, the group has been dealing with ongoing disputes, which has led to several members fleeing the organization.
The Oruzogo family of gorillas
Bakwate, also known as the “old silverback,” Kaganga, a silverback, Kasumali, a silverback, six adult females with the names Nyangaro, Katoto, Ruchura, Mutesi, Nyakina, and Mukwano, one black back, Bwengye, three subadult males, Nyakashunja, Musenene, Nyabirano, and Muhumuza, two infant males, Mufuruki and Paska, and one baby female, Musana, are among the 17 members of the Oruzogo gorilla family, which was made accessible to tourists in 2007.
The Kyaguliro family of gorillas
The 20-member Kyaguliro gorilla family is quite large; they were set aside for study purposes, which is why they are not frequently seen. The organization was divided into two sections, Kyaguliro A and Kyaguliro B, following the death of its former head, who was struck dead by lightning.
Ten members of the Kyaguliro A family—two blackbacks, three adult females, two adolescents, and two infants—are led by Rukara, a dominating silverback.
Under the leadership of Mukiza, a dominant silverback, Kyaguliro B-consists of 10 family members, including 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 1 adult, and 4 newborns.
Primates and other mammals
Even though Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is well-known for housing mountain gorillas, it also has incredible mammals that live in its deep forests. These mammals include African civets, giant forest hogs, antelopes, side-striped jackals, and forest elephants, among many others.
Chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervets, L’hoests, De Brazza monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, nocturnal potto, and galago species are among the other primates that call Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home.
An old rainforest
Because it is the meeting point of lowland and montane vegetation zones, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a magnificent biological system with a wide variety of plants. In fact, it is one of the few places in Africa with tropical forest. Numerous tiny rivers, including the Ivi, Munyaga, Ihihizo, Ishasha, and Ntengyrere, flow through the impenetrable national park of Bwindi and empty into Lake Edward, making it a well-known water catchment region.
Red stinkwood, Newtonia, Symphonia globulifera, East African yellow wood, and Strombosia scheffleri are among the plant species that make up the park’s canopy. Xymalos, Neoboutonia Macrocalyx, Monospora, Myrianthus holstii, Teclea nobilis, and Allophylus abyssinicus are among the species found under the main forest.
Afromontane woods, a unique plant type on the African continent with 220 tree species and 100 fern species identified, cover the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Trails for hiking
One of the main draws of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is its hiking routes, which lead to many different areas and points of interest. By following these paths, you may discover many of the park’s secrets. These routes are utilized for hikes and nature walks in the park, and they include
The River Ivi Trail is the finest place to see birds when trekking along the Nkuringo escarpment. It takes seven hours to complete the 14-kilometer trek.
The waterfall route is a four-hour trek that leads to the park’s waterfall.
After walking with the Habinyanja gorilla family, most tourists continue the Habinyanja path, which takes four to six hours and passes by the Munyanga River.
The Kashasha River Trail connects the Nkuringo and Buhoma sections of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and takes five to seven hours to hike.
The 6-hour Bamboo Trail is a popular hiking route that leads to Rwamunyonyi Peak. The greatest track for seeing birds is the bamboo trail.
The 6-kilometer Muzabajiro route is a remarkable walk that offers breathtaking views of the Virunga and the western rift valley. Along the way, you’ll come across a variety of bird species, stunning ferns, and the summits of Virunga volcanoes.
Africa’s best place to observe montane-forest birds is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to a wide diversity of bird species, particularly water and forest species. More than 350 bird species may be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National area; 14 of these species are native to the area, while 23 of them are unique to the Albertine Rift.
Chapin’s fly catcher, handsome francolin, Rwenzori Batis, Tit Hylia, strange weaver, dusky twin spot, Montane Oriole, regal sunbird, African wood owl, bar-tailed trogon, Western green tinker bird, black bee-eater, dwarf honeyguide, grey gecko-shrike, Kivu ground-thrush, yellow-sreaked greenbul, shelly’s greenbul, red-throated alethe, collared apalis, handsome francolin, and strange weaver are among the bird species seen in the dense forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
The bamboo zone, Buhoma waterfall route, and Mubwindi swamp trail are the best places to go bird viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was designated as a protected area, the Batwa Pygmy people, who had long lived in the forest, were forcibly relocated to the park’s periphery. The Batwa people, who are considered to be the guardians of the forest, are hunter-gatherers who mostly rely on capturing wild animals and collecting fruits.
They continue to live according to their traditional ways even now. When you visit the Batwa village in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will get the opportunity to engage with their culture and see these remarkable people living their daily lives in a way that is centuries old.
They will create buildings out of local materials, hunt tiny animals, perform native dance and drama, and engage in many other amazing activities.
Many thoughts should be evoked by the mere word of “Bwindi.” Bwindi is only a forest that is shared by the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu in southwest Uganda. By becoming a national park (Bwindi Forest National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park), the forest’s components are what make it a must-visit location.
There are so many attractions in Bwindi Forest National Park that many people would always be confused. There is no question that Bwindi Forest National Park is a true jungle because of its many bird species, thick forest, various tree species, rivers that spring out of the ground and flow with fresh water, and its incredibly steep hills covered in several thickets that form three canopies.
In addition to the main inhabitants (mountain gorillas), the park is home to diverse animals. Forest elephants, which are rather uncommon to see but only visible at night and occasionally during the day, also live in the Bwindi forest.
An child being carried by a mother gorilla in Bwindi Forest National Park
Without a question, the most popular activity in Bwindi Forest National Park is gorilla trekking. Simply said, the activity entails climbing into the forest to find the gentle giants, or mountain gorillas. Once the trekkers have met the gorilla, an interaction session with the gorillas will likely begin, lasting no more than an hour.
Among the things to do is watch the gorillas as they interact and go about their daily lives (e.g., feeding and nesting). An interesting picture shoot that serves as a memento for the gorilla tracking activity is given as a prize for the session. The four gorilla tracking sectors in Bwindi Forest National Park are dispersed among the regions that comprise the park. The industry comprises:
The Buhoma sector is situated in the Kanungu district in the northern portion of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the oldest of all the tracking sectors in Bwindi, having been the first gorilla tracking sector to be established in the forest national park.
Ruhiija Sector: Located in Kabale District, this sector appears to be close to all the other sectors for those commuting from Kampala.
Rushaga sector: Located in Kisoro district, Rushaga is the sole sector where gorilla habituation is carried out and has the largest number of habituated gorilla groups.
The sector with the fewest habituated gorilla families is Nkuringo, which is also in the Kisoro district.
In the impenetrable national park of Bwindi, the chances of gorilla trekking have essentially surpassed 99%. Only one individual has been known to miss the first day of gorilla tracking in the past ten years, but they were able to view gorillas on the second day.
Have you ever considered hiking for gorillas in Bwindi? If so, have you ever wondered where would be the greatest place to monitor gorillas? Apparently, there are chances to enjoy the greatest gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi due to the inaccessible national park areas.
Thanks to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which is in charge of overseeing the health of all Ugandan national parks, the sectors of Bwindi Forest National Park—including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo—have been designed to provide the greatest tracking experience for all gorilla tracking fans.
The existence of other animals in the forest seems to be overshadowed by the presence of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A vast bio-network found in the Bwindi forests sustains the flourishing existence of numerous fauna and bird species, some of which have not yet been discovered.
Forest elephants, jackals, monkeys (red tails, colobus, vervet, lhoests, etc.), baboons, forest duikers, chimpanzees, a variety of bird species, and insects are among the animals that may be seen at Bwindi Forest Park.
You can essentially reach Bwindi Forest National Park from anywhere in northern Rwanda and Uganda. It takes around eight to nine hours to drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, to Bwindi along the Masaka highway, passing through Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu, respectively. However, this driving time depends on which area of Bwindi Forest Park is best for gorilla tracking.
It may take up to four hours to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Rwanda (Kigali), depending on the region one is traveling to. Access to the park is also possible via a number of border posts in Rwanda. Flights to the many airfields around Bwindi Park, including as Kihihi Airstrip, which serves both Buhoma and Ruhiija gorilla tracking sectors, depart from Entebbe. Bwindi Park is also accessible by air.
From Kisoro, one may reach another air strip that serves the Rushaga gorilla tracking sector, Nkuringo, and other tourist destinations, including the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is still inside the boundaries of Bwindi. Air Kenya’s connecting flight from Masai Mara National Reserve to Bwindi Forest National Park was the most recent addition to the itinerary.
The new addition aims to close the gap between tourists who want to see the richness of animals in Masai Mara and gorilla trekking, which is one of the most amazing, exhilarating, and interesting activities offered at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Let’s ask two questions before we move into context: “Did you know that half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi National Park?” Additionally, “were you aware that mountain gorillas are a threatened species?” .The answers to the aforementioned queries will help us understand why Bwindi is such a significant environment that is fiercely protected.
Since Bwindi Forest National Park was designated as a national park in 1991, only four gorilla population censuses have been carried out in the impenetrable national park. The first census was carried out in 1994, and the results showed that there were 300. A second census in 2002 showed that the number had increased to 320. A third census in 2006 showed that the number had decreased to 300. The most recent census was carried out in 2019, and the samples are still being examined to determine the number.
Just so you know, Bwindi Forest National Park is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Would you mind telling me where the other half of the mountain gorilla population is located if the other half are in Bwindi?
Thus, the remaining half are spread between the parks of Volcanoes Rwanda, Virunga Park in Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, respectively. The enormous Virunga region is the name given to the distribution area.
There are protocols for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and the other national parks that track gorillas. Naturally, one needs a gorilla tracking permission granted by an authority, such as the Uganda Wildlife Authority, depending on the gorilla tracking sector they plan to monitor from. Permit costs differ according on residence status and nationality.
UGX300,000 for citizens of East Africa. Foreign residents will pay 700 USD per permit , while foreign non-residents will pay 800 USD. The tracking dates are exclusively those specified on the permits, which are linked to specific gorilla trekking regions.
Naturally, one must transport themselves to the national park after obtaining the required permissions. It’s also advisable to use the services of a reputable tour operator, who will bring you to the tracking and successfully return you to your destination, saving you the hassle of the entire procedure. You must get a briefing from park headquarters on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking when you arrive at the park on the tracking date.
Afterwards, the trekkers are given gorilla families to follow along with rangers. Later, they take action and venture into the forests to find the gentle giants; however, their hunt can only be stopped when the gorillas find them.
Finding the Bwindi gorillas takes between thirty minutes to five hours, and once you locate them, you have little more than an hour to spend with them. The purpose of the engagement with the gorillas is to learn about their daily routines, including eating, nesting, and family activities. It is only with photos and films as mementos that the tracking can be considered complete.
In the impenetrable national park of Bwindi, gorilla trekking might take anywhere from 20 minutes to three-quarters of the day. The gorilla tracking time period varies based on a number of things, such as the gorilla family’s location from which you have been signed to track, the gorilla’s last night’s position, and the gorillas’ movements.
Trekking can also rely on the trekkers’ motions; some participants may walk slowly, while others may be athletic and active enough to trek through the woods in pursuit of the gorillas.
The activities of gorilla trekking are conducted at Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Keep in mind that the gorilla permit costs 800 USD when calculating the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda. It used to cost $700 USD in the off-peak months, but eventually the cheaper permits were discontinued. Only eight individuals are permitted to hike the mountain gorillas each day, and there are thirteen families who have been accustomed to the primates. Three months before to your trip, reserve your gorilla permit.
A gorilla permit: what is it? How much does a gorilla permit cost? How can I obtain a permit for gorillas? How can I reserve a gorilla permit? What is the price of seeing a mountain gorilla? A gorilla permit: what is it? These are the most common questions travelers who want to go on a Uganda gorilla safari trip have about gorilla permits.
A gorilla permit: what is it? Any visitor participating in gorilla trekking or even gorilla habituation in Uganda must get a gorilla permit, which is a necessary document or card that enables them to see the mountain gorillas in their natural environment. To enjoy gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation activities, travelers must have a valid gorilla trekking permission and a valid gorilla culture permit.
A gorilla permit: what is it?is unquestionably one of the most common inquiries concerning gorilla permits in Uganda. A gorilla permit: what is it? Travelers interested in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation in Uganda are awarded a gorilla permit by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
In a way, the gorilla permit is a gate ticket that lets you see the gorillas in their natural environment. The southwestern Ugandan regions of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are home to mountain gorillas.
Knowing how much a gorilla permit costs is crucial when organizing your safari in Uganda. The cost of a single gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is now $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX300,000 for East African nationals, per person per gorilla trek.
Permit rates tend to alter every three to four years. However, a single gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person. The Uganda Revenue Authority (UWA), which is in charge of regulation and governance, determines the cost of permits in Uganda.
The majority of the time, in order to visit any Ugandan national park, one must pay the admission fee to Bwindi Forest National Park. However, entrance costs are not paid when a gorilla permit is purchased in Uganda because they are already covered by the permit price. This implies that you will not be required to pay admission fees to either Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The cost of a gorilla permit also covers ranger costs and your one-hour visit to see the mountain gorillas in their natural environment. The security that you are guaranteed while in Uganda’s gorilla parks is also covered by the gorilla permit.
A gorilla permit is required in order to see the Ugandan gorillas at Bwindi Forest National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Although one-day Bwindi gorilla safaris are certainly doable, especially if you are flying to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or doing a Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali, travelers should be aware that gorilla trekking and habituation may be multi-day activities. Because of this, visitors must deal with lodging, transportation, food, and occasionally even travel insurance, none of which are covered by their Uganda gorilla permits.
Since gorilla safaris are highly sought after by tourists hoping to see the endangered mountain gorillas—our cousins who actually share up to 98% of their DNA with humans—gorilla permits do sell out quickly, so it is best to book at least three months before your intended travel date.
For those who would prefer gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park over Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, make sure to reserve your gorilla permit in advance so that you can see the gorillas on the dates of your choice and in the gorilla sector of your choice. You may question how to schedule a gorilla permit.
You may reserve your gorilla permit online, at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala, or—better yet—through a reputable tour operator who will make the reservation for you on-site.
Additionally, any person who intends to see gorillas in Uganda is free to ask any additional commonly asked questions regarding gorilla permits. The card or certificate that grants you entrance to gorilla trekking in Uganda is called a gorilla permit. Even before making reservations for lodging, you must reserve a gorilla permit. For a successful and stress-free gorilla safari, coordinate with a trustworthy tour operator.
How Much Time Does It Take to Trek with Gorillas?
Mountain gorillas live in the rainforests of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Through the practice of gorilla trekking, visitors may see the forest in its natural habitat. Only three African nations—Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—allow gorilla trekking, with Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park seeing the most visitors.
Making a Gorilla Trekking Reservation
Gorilla trekking reservations: Three African nations are home to mountain gorillas in national parks. The two most significant national parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is conducted are Mgahinga in Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (also known as Bwindi Forest National Park). Others are the Virunga Congo National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes Rwanda Park.
To make a reservation for gorilla trekking, one must obtain a gorilla permit, which is a card that allows gorilla trekkers to enter the bush. Depending on where they last ate and how quick the hikers are, it might take anything from 30 minutes to 7 hours to encounter the endangered animal. You have an hour to see the mountain gorillas play, eat, groom, and do a lot of other things.
Conservation of Gorillas
One of the best-conserved species is the mountain gorilla, which reached 370 individuals in the early 2000s. However, according to the most current census conducted in 2018, there are now 900 species of gorillas living in the region.
Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma are just a few of the sectors that make up Bwindi Forest National Park (also known as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park). The silverback male leads the group, which consists of many females and their offspring. Each sector has its own family members.
The park is a rain forest, with bamboo sprouting new growth from nettles and thistles.
The gestation cycle lasts nine months, and the infant is weaned around three to four years of age. Gorillas begin giving birth between the ages of nine and twelve. At the age of twelve, the males will acquire the silverback, which is used to defend its family as it gets older. As the men mature, they are forced out of the family to form new gorilla families.
Uganda protects two populations: the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Ugandan volcanoes are bounded by Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.
Research and conservation efforts for mountain gorillas began in the 1970s and 1980s in the DRC and Rwanda’s Virunga and volcanoes.
In the 1980s, it was found that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park served as a home for other rare and endangered species in addition to mountain gorillas. Taking this information into account, Bwindi was declared a park in 1991.
Safaris for Biking
Biking safaris are an intriguing experience in which tourists ride bicycles rather than tour automobiles or explore on foot. Biking safaris are available to visitors to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
While enjoying a community bike ride, visitors may take in breathtaking views of the park on Bwindi riding safaris. On the trip, you also get the opportunity to see a variety of birds, fauna, butterflies, and primates.
The organization occasionally provides the bikes under the banner Ride 4 a Woman.
Enjoy riding a mountain bike through the forest with a knowledgeable guide. It’s a lot of fun and you won’t miss anything on the journey.
One of the reasons most tourists choose to remain for another day of mountain biking is because the guide is knowledgeable and skilled in the wildlife, plant, bird, and tree species of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Where to stay
Visitors to Bwindi National Park can choose from a large selection of both luxury and low-cost lodging options. Make sure to check out the accommodations so you can choose the one you like most. Budget, mid-range, and luxury lodging options are available both inside and outside of Bwindi Forest National Park.
Lodges
A Few Lodging Options in and Near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Reserve Your Gorilla Permit
A gorilla permit is proof that a traveler has been given permission to either hike with gorillas or engage in gorilla habituation. Compared to a gorilla habituation permit, a gorilla trekking permit is less expensive. To assist you in reserving a gorilla permit in advance, make sure you contact All In Africa Safaris.
Which Safaris Company is best?
All In Africa Safaris is a legitimate safari company that will provide you with a variety of services that work for you. They ought to be able to give you appropriate transportation and offer you excellent travel guidance.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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