Year: 2023

Top health warnings for a Ugandan Safari. Staying healthy while on Safari through Uganda

Top health warnings for a Uganda Safari.  Uganda is a very poor country but remarkably has one of Africa’s best-organized health care systems. There is an organized network of health care providers including district and referral hospitals as well as local health clinics.

Important medical notes to take

It’s advisable that if you take chronic medication or prescription drugs, you need to carry your supplies which will last you through to the end of your safari holiday in Uganda. Don’t rely on finding a pharmacy or medical doctor if you run out especially when you are out of the Capital or out of major towns and deep in the rural villages.

On the same note, pack a selection of medical products to treat minor ailments or injuries. This includes painkillers, cold & flu remedies, anti-inflammatories, anti-indigestion, and the usual supply of antiseptic cream, plasters, and bandages.

Top health warnings for a Uganda Safari

Travel and medical Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for Uganda. You can take it out as part of your travel insurance coverage or request extra coverage from your existing medical aid company. In most African countries, doctors and medical facilities expect payment in cash if you’re a foreigner. Find out from your insurance company if they make payments directly to a medical provider or reimburse you when you return home. One of the crucial things to cover is transport for an emergency evacuation. This might be an ambulance or helicopter. If you need urgent medical help when you are far from a city or town, sometimes the only option is to have you evacuated by air.

Top Health warnings for a safari through Uganda

Malaria

Uganda is a medium-to-high-risk malaria area, depending on the season and where you are traveling to. The risk of contracting malaria is higher in the humid summer and rainy seasons. The risk is lower at altitudes higher than 2 000 meters. The highest risk area for malaria in Uganda is in the eastern region.

It’s highly recommended that all travelers take anti-malaria tablets for a trip to Uganda. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. If left untreated or not diagnosed early, it can lead to death. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic for advice on anti-malaria tablets.

To prevent being bitten by an infected mosquito; sleep under a mosquito net and use a mosquito spray or coil to repel mosquitos, cover your arms and legs before the sun sets wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts, and apply mosquito repellent on exposed areas of skin. Mosquitos are most active from sunset to sundown but it’s advisable to spray yourself during the day as a precaution. Depending on the severity, malaria symptoms range from flu-like aches and chills to abdominal pain, fever, and unconsciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms once home from your holiday to Uganda, seek immediate medical attention and request a malaria blood test.

Bilharzia

Bilharzia is a disease spread by minute worms that are carried by a species of freshwater snail. The parasites penetrate human skin when someone is paddling or swimming and then migrate to the bladder or bowel. Symptoms range from a light fever and rash to blood in the stool or urine. If left untreated, the bilharzia infection can cause kidney failure and permanent bowel damage.

Avoid swimming, paddling, or wading in remote freshwater lakes or dams that make suspect or slow-moving rivers. If you are concerned you’ve been infected, visit a specialist infectious disease clinic and request a blood test.

Top health warnings for a Uganda Safari

Yellow fever

Travelers need to have a yellow fever vaccination before arriving in Uganda and must carry their certificates with them. It needs to be presented to the immigration official on arrival in Uganda.

Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are similar to malaria ranging from flu-like chills and fever to server hepatitis and jaundice. If left untreated or not diagnosed early, the disease is life-threatening.

Ebola & the black plague

Uganda made international headlines in 2008 when there was an outbreak of Ebola in the western district of Bundibugyo. The northern districts to the west of the Nile River have experienced sporadic outbreaks of the black plague. The government of Uganda has intensified methods to control these outbreaks and they don’t present a real threat to foreign tourists visiting the popular destinations for gorilla trekking in Uganda. However, it’s wise to check the press for updates on these infectious diseases and check with your travel agent if it’s safe to visit if there is a reported outbreak.

HIV/AIDS

The risk of contracting HIV is extremely high but only a concern if you have unprotected sex or receive a blood transfusion in the region. Always use a condom when having sex with anyone on a holiday in Uganda who’s not known to you and a trusted partner.

Top health warnings for a Uganda Safari

Tap Water

It’s advisable that you don’t drink tap water in Uganda unless it’s been filtered, boiled, or disinfected with iodine tablets. Rather opt for bottled water from a trusted source. Avoid drinking water from streams, rivers, and lakes as a precaution against contracting bilharzia.

Toilets

The majority of places in Uganda have Western-style flushing toilets. Uganda’s popular tourist hotels and safari lodges have clean, quality toilet facilities. It’s only in the more remote areas that you’ll find public ablutions that are fairly unsanitary. Avoid sitting on the seats and always wash your hands after a visit to a public toilet.

VACCINATIONS NEEDED FOR UGANDA

The following vaccinations are recommended by the World Health Organisation for Uganda: diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and hepatitis B. Consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice on the following vaccinations for Uganda: hepatitis A, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, and typhoid. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travel to Uganda.

How expensive is Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi? Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Bwindi Impenetrable National Game Park.

How expensive is Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi?. Uganda is not only perfect for gorilla trekking but the best destination for the gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla habituation offers the client the luxury of spending a tune of 4 hours with the mountain gorillas in observing how they spend their days in the forest. In Uganda, Gorilla habituation is carried out from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwestern Uganda with only two gorilla families made ready for the gorilla trekking experience.  

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Gorilla Habituation Experience is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for semi-habituated mountain gorillas which leave together in a given gorilla family group but are not used to human presence, once you find them you will participate in activities geared to making these mountain gorillas get used to human presence. This experience is unique given the fact it allows you to learn more about mountain gorillas. It is done is a group of 4 visitors tracking a given semi-habituated gorilla group.

Which part of Bwindi is Gorilla Habituation done?

Bwindi has 4 major sectors for gorilla tracking which include Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, gorilla habituation experience is only done in two sectors which are Rushawhichnd Nkuringo. With only 2 gorilla families that are open for the Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi.

The cost of Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi.

A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for a Foreign nonresident, USD1000 for a foreign resident, and (750,000 Uganda Shilling) for the East African Citizen per person per trek, this gorilla habituation permit allows you to spend 4 hours in an encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park. The Gorilla habituation permit price shares a much more cost for any Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda on top of other services like transport, accommodation, and guiding. On top of the gorilla habituation permit you will also pay for other services for a successful gorilla trekking safari which includes transport, accommodation, and guiding.

Important steps while booking Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Gama Park.

You will need to have your gorilla habituation permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates, we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. It is advised to book your Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda in advance at least 2-3 months before your visit given the fact it is only 4 people who go for gorilla habituation per group, they are two groups available making the gorilla habituation permits limited to 8 permits per day and sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.

Best time to go for Gorilla Habituation in Uganda?

Gorilla Habituation in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March. During this time, it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May, and November which is normally a wet season, this makes the vegetation grows high making the sightings unclear. However, during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available.  Important to note however is that Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity with a 99% chance of seeing the mountain gorillas.

Katland Safaris helps you to get the information and guidelines required to book a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national game park.

Detailed Guide to Gorilla Trekking Gorilla Trekking Uganda – Budget Gorilla Trekking in East Africa – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla trekking.

Detailed Guide to Gorilla Trekking. Most mountain gorillas reside in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This Park consists of almost half of the number of Mountain Gorillas believed to be remaining in the whole world.

Gorilla Trekking Information

It’s also believed that the remaining Chimps in the entire world Co-exist in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. For any interested person willing to visit Ugandan gorillas, you must pay for a gorilla trekking permit that goes for USD 700.00 per trek per person.

Mgahinga National Park; this park is found in the Virunga ranges shared between Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. This Park is also another place that is known for being a home of Ugandan gorillas.

Gorilla trekking experience:

For a person to have a wonderful, memorable, and unforgettable adventure they will have to endure all the efforts needed to reach Bwindi and trek through this wonderful natural forest. There are thirteen habituated gorilla groups for tourists to trek. And all these groups are found in different sectors such as Buhoma,  Nkuringo, and others that are habituated in the Ruhija and Rushaga regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Each habituated Gorilla family is visited by a maximum number of four people. The habituation gorilla trekking permit goes for a cost of USD 1500.00 and Katland Safaris Ltd is your number one handler of all gorilla habituation experience.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

This reserve was gazette in 1942 and was later upgraded to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1992. Later in 1994, it was recognized as a World Heritage site. In Rukiga’s local language, BWINDI means Impenetrable. 327km of Bwindi has tangled vegetation draped over a deeply fissured landscape of steep, slippery valleys and high draughty ridges.

Bwindi’s impenetrable forest is Africa’s most ancient rainforest and for this, it’s a favorable home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas hence ranking it as the world’s premier Wild Life harbor.

Bwindi in most times it’s always cold mostly during the morning hours and also during the night, the annual average temperature of Bwindi range from 70C-200C. June and July are the coldest seasons in this area. This always calls for warm clothes and cold weather gear since Bwindi has up to 2390mm of rain every year. This is experienced between too-wet seasons that are to say Short Rains in March-May and Heavy Rains in September- November. Instead of short tropical deluges, rain in the areas of Bwindi often falls as long hours of soft drizzle.

A person planning to do gorilla trekking in Uganda will need to follow the guidelines issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (Rules and regulations of gorillas) as seen below;

DEPARTING FOR GORILLA TREKKING

In Uganda, a maximum of 8 tourists can visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This is done to ensure minimal behavior disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.

Make sure you wash your hands before your trekking exercise.

Detailed Guide to Gorilla Trekking

TRAILS TO GORILLAS

Please always keep your voices low. This will enable you to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.

DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be taken back with you.

You will be taken to where the guide last saw the gorillas a day before. From there you will follow the trails to find them. Look out for the gorillas nesting sites along the way.

When approaching the gorillas the guide will tell you to get ready.

ONCE YOU MEET THE GORILLAS

A 7 meters distance should be revised to observe at all times from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.

You might stay in a group when you are near the gorillas

Keep always down your voice all the time. However, it’s ok too as the guide questions.

Do not smoke, drink, or eat when you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food /drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of disease transmission.

A time the gorillas charge. Follow the guide’s example (crouch down slowly, do not look at the gorillas directly in the eyes, and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.

Flash photography is not permitted, when taking pictures move slowly and carefully.

Do not touch the gorillas, they are wild animals.

You must spend one hour with the gorillas. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.

After the visit keep your voice down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

Detailed Guide to Gorilla Trekking

 HEALTH RULES;

The fact is that mountain gorillas are so sensitive to human diseases. The following guidelines should be followed to minimize the risk your visit might cause to them.

Honor the limits put up on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.

If you feeling somehow ill/ sick, or have any contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternative visit will be arranged for you or even your money will be refunded.

If you can’t hold sneezing or coughing, when you’re near the gorillas, please Endeavour to turn your head away from the gorillas and even cover your nose and mouth to reduce the spread of bacteria or viruses.

Always stay 21 feet/7 meters away from the gorillas. This helps in the prevention of human-borne diseases.

Endeavor not to leave rubbish behind or even food wrappers in the park. These can harbor diseases or other contaminants.

In case you need to go to the toilet while in between your trekking, ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. But make sure the hole is 30cm deep and fill it with soil when done.

WHAT TO GO WITH ON A GORILLA TREK?

Comfortable hiking shoes should be put on. These are suitable for steep muddy slopes.

Put on earplugs for those who feel uncomfortable with jungle sounds

Packed lunch and enough drinking water should be carried.

Rain gadgets, sunscreen lotions, a hat for UN predictable weather, and also an insect repellent.

Cameras and fully charged batteries should not be forgotten. Flashlights are not permitted.

Endeavor to contact Katland Safaris LTD for any information

Gorilla Trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda – Book a Gorilla Safari to Uganda or Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda. The endangered mountain gorillas are a unique primate species that share 98% DNA with humans, they can be found in the tropical rain forests of Virunga national park in Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking trips in Uganda and Rwanda

Before going for a gorilla trekking safari, you will need to have some tips on how and when to trek mountain gorillas. Below are some tips on mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo.

Physical Fitness

Expect you might have a long hike. Be in the best physical shape you can be. Mountain gorillas live at the mountain slopes of the Virunga massif and Bwindi Forest in Uganda, if you trekking gorillas on volcanic slopes then you will need to be in good shape and have some level of body fitness.  However, there are also facilities given to help disabled people and the elderly track gorillas at an extra fee.

Duration of the trek

The time taken while trekking gorillas cannot be determined because gorillas move up and down in search of food. sometimes you will be lucky to get them as soon as you start the trek or sometimes you hike for long hours when they have moved far away. A single Trek can take anything between 2-8 hours.

Gorilla Trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda

Season

Most of the countries where gorillas are found experience two seasons that are the dry and rainy seasons. The best time to trek gorillas is during the dry season from June to September and December to February during this time the trails are a bit slippery and the terrain is good. Though rains in tropical rainforests are unpredictable be prepared with raincoats just in case it rains while doing the activity.

Health

Tourists trekking gorillas must not have communicable diseases like covid, flu, and TB because gorillas are vulnerable to contracting human diseases. Just in case you would like to sneeze or cough out must move your head away from the gorillas to lower the risk of infecting them.

Photography

When trekking mountain gorillas and during observation time, cameras with flashlights are prohibited so are kindly requested to turn off your flashlight. Mountain gorillas don’t like flashlights like golden monkeys. Gorillas can charge and try to fight you.

Clothing

You will be required to wear appropriate clothing while heading for gorilla trekking. This is mainly because it can get very cold on the mountain slopes or even rain Carry a raincoat, cotton warm clothing, good hiking boots, and a sweater. Visitors are advised to put on long and comfortable trousers and shirts with long sleeves. This is intended to protect your skin from thorns and insects.

Gorilla Trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda

Minimum Age for gorilla trekking.

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years of age, age verification will be done during the briefing at the park headquarters before you can trek gorillas.  If you’re moving with kids, some lodges will find maids or activities to engage your kids while you go on for gorilla trekking.

Rubbish and litter

Tourists are required not to litter rubbish within the park. Keep your voices low and the guides will inform you when you can have your cameras ready.

Distance from the gorillas

A distance of 5-7 meters must be kept while with gorillas this will reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Book your gorilla safari in Advance

Gorilla permits can run short during the peak season; it’s advisable to always book your permit in advance to avoid disappointments before arrival.

Eye Contact with the mountain gorillas.

While observing gorillas, do not look straight up to the gorillas’ eyes, allow the gorillas to pass by, and crouch down slowly in case they charge and want to attack, and never run away when the gorillas charge this will increase the risk of attack.

Gorilla Trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda

Prices

Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $600, in Rwanda, they go for $1500, and in Congo for $400. It’s always advisable to check on the country that suits your budget for gorilla trekking as permit prices differ.

You will be with a group and guide but also, consider hiring a local person as a porter assistant, even if you are very fit. This adds a great cultural dimension to the experience and is not expensive.

If you have the choice, visit the largest group available to you to maximize the photo opportunities and the different behaviors you will see.

Gorilla Trekking tips in Uganda and Rwanda

Prepare for the possibility of rain at any time of year.

Consider traveling with a companion or friend with whom you will share the lifelong memory of the gorilla encounter.

Listen to the advice of your guide. Trust that he or she wants you to get great photos and have the best possible experience.

Contact us for any more inquiries on tips about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Spend a week in Bwindi impenetrable forest – gorilla trekking – community encounters – Birding.

Spend a week in Bwindi impenetrable forest.  Bwindi is the most exciting destination for any traveler from all over the world. This is so because it’s home to almost half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas a thing that gives you higher chances of encountering these gentle giants in their true wilderness.

The forest is separated into various Gorilla Trekking Sectors, including the Ruhija sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. In all these sectors, a maximum of 8 travelers are permitted to trek families in each location each day, and to visit any of the gorilla families, a valid gorilla trekking permit is required. Besides gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best birding destination in Africa. Many birds spend the day in this forest, including Rwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland, Western Green Tinkerbird, Collared Apalis, and others. Gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, bird viewing, nature and forest walks, village walks, and Batwa experiences are just a few of the tourist activities available in and around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Spend a whole week in Bwindi’s impenetrable forest

On day one Early in the morning, you depart Kampala or Entebbe for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. you will Make a stopover at Kayabwe for the equator experience, do the water experiment, snap pictures while standing on the equator, and then continue. You will Take another break en route for lunch in Mbarara, one of the biggest towns in western Uganda. There is a difference in altitude as you go closer to the forests and it takes roughly 9 hours to travel 540 kilometers from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After a late afternoon arrival, check into your safari lodge at the park for a relaxing dinner and an overnight stay. Both inside and outside of the park, are a variety of lodging options available for reservation. The majority provide full-board services, while other campgrounds feature restaurants.

On day two, you will participate in either gorilla trekking or habituation. Early in the morning with packed breakfast and lunch, you will head out to the park Head office for a briefing on gorilla trekking. The ranger guide will go over the regulations for gorilla trekking or habituation with you and the other trekkers. You will then follow the trail where the gorilla trekking family was last seen the previous day.

Spend a week in Bwindi impenetrable forest. Mountain gorillas coexist in the forest with other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons. There are several passing birds that you might be able to identify, including the White-tailed Ant-thrush, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Batis, and Strange Weaver. When you find the gorillas, put on a fresh mask and observe the family members reaching out to collect some bamboo. Juveniles may want to show off, but avoid touching any. Do not disregard the advice of the ranger, since the silverback might be watching from his hiding place. For a lasting memory of your gorilla trekking trip to Africa’s Bwindi Forest, take as many images as you can. After a long day in the jungle, head back to your lodge to relax for dinner and an overnight stay.

On your third day, wake up for an early breakfast, with your binoculars and camera prepared, and head out for a true jungle birding experience. Catch up with the early birds as they leave their nests. The Bwindi Forest’s birding capital is the Ruhija gorilla trekking region, particularly in the Mubwindi Swamp. Remember to pack a lunch because the return time is rather late. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides a sanctuary for a variety of birds, including endemics to the Albertine region. Even little birds on the papyrus reeds can be seen using your birding tools, such as binoculars. Canopy and Mid-storey flocks, Grauber’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Petite’s Cuckoo Shrike, Africa Sooty Fly Catchers, Cinnamon-Chested Bee Eaters, and Petite’s Cuckoo Shrike are some species you might learn to identify by sound or physically. Head back to your lodge to relax for dinner and an overnight stay.

On day four again after breakfast, set out on another Bwindi Forest birding excursion. The African birder’s paradise that it is. Spend a whole day identifying any birds you might have missed the day before. Take your snacks and equipment. More bird species, such as odd weavers, Eastern Mountain-Greenbuls, Montana nightjars, Fraser Eagle-owls, Rwenzori hill Babblers, White-headed Woodhoopes, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds, Stuhlmann’s Starlings, and Luehder’s Bush Shrikes, might be visible. Over 100 bird species can be recognized throughout the day. Head back to your lodge to relax for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5 Buhoma Community Walk Experiential, and Cultural Performance

On day five, you will take a community walk and get to experience the true culture of people living around this world heritage. Take a moment to get to know the people in the area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and their fascinating history. Join a local guide on a group walks through the nearby villages. This neighborhood has a village stroll that lasts roughly three hours. Participate in and learn about daily life in the rural areas surrounding Bwindi. Visit a homestead, a brewery that brews bananas, or a traditional healer. Traditional dancers provide a vibrant dance break when they are planned. You can participate in the fiesta to work out your muscles. Your visit will directly aid in raising local awareness of the importance of mountain gorilla conservation. The money raised is put towards community improvement initiatives including providing clean water, maintaining local roads, and constructing new schools, to name a few. Return to your lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 Return Day to Kampala or Entebbe

On this day six early in the morning after your breakfast, you will then set out on a journey back to Kampala for your international flight back home.

Contact us for any inquiries about spending a whole week in Bwindi Impenetrable national game park.

Top destinations for gorilla trekking. Uganda Rwanda Gorilla trekking.

Top destinations for gorilla trekking. Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting activities for tourists exploring the African tropical jungles and one of the activities that should not miss out on any travel bucket list. Africa is home to the world’s only remaining mountain gorillas living in their natural habitats.

The top destinations for gorilla trekking in the whole of Africa in 2022 are Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking is a beautiful adventure; choosing the best place or national park to trek is very important. When planning a gorilla trekking safari, ensure that your prime destination is safe for the activity.

Currently, because of the rebel insurgences, Congo has been unsafe for gorilla trekking due to security instability that was also followed by the eruption of the Nyiragongo Volcano; therefore, the Virunga national park is not open yet for Congo gorilla trekking.

Where to go gorilla trekking in Uganda

In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be trekked from two national parks or conservation areas and these are Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national parks. Both parks are situated in the western part of Uganda and are with are within the dense tropical forests where mountain gorillas are conserved within their natural habitat.

Top destinations for gorilla trekking in 2022

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. The park is part of the Impenetrable Bwindi Forest and is located along the Congo border next to Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Rift Valley. The jungle forests cover 331 square kilometers and contain both montane and lowland forest and mountain gorillas in this forest are accessible only on foot.

Top destinations for gorilla trekking

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost 480 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. About 19 gorilla families are fully habituated and can be trekked. Minimum age of 15 is allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and only eight people are allowed to trek a single gorilla family in a day.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park and home to mountain gorillas with 1 habituated gorilla family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla group. The park is located in Southwestern Uganda. Tracking the Nyakagezi gorilla group is amazing with the fact that this group is big and social compared to many other habituated gorilla groups.

Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park well known as Parc National des Volcans is located in the north-western province of Rwanda in a small town known as Musanze. The park harbors the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda that are always available for tourists who would love to carry out Rwanda gorilla tours. Volcanoes National Park borders Congo’s Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. Volcanoes National Park has several habituated mountain gorillas and is known to be easier to trek than the Bwindi gorilla population.

Top destinations for gorilla trekking

Mountain gorillas of Rwanda are known to move for shorter distances and therefore this makes them easier to trek than those of Bwindi impenetrable national park. To see these elusive mountain gorillas in these natural habitats, tourists have to go gorilla trekking/walking or hiking in the dense tropical rainforests. The trek can be done by booking and purchasing s permit for an Uganda gorilla safari, Rwanda gorilla trekking tour, or Congo gorilla trekking safari.

Some of the Best Gorilla Trekking Safari Holidays in Uganda and Rwanda include the following.

3 Days Gorilla Trek Bwindi Uganda

3 Days Gorilla Trek Rwanda – Volcanoes

5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking Safari in Uganda

5 Days Gorilla Safaris Uganda

Contact us for any inquiries about gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda.

The Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda – The best time for Gorillas in Rwanda – The best time to book your gorilla trekking safari.

The Best Time for Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda can be carried out all through the year, but because gorilla trekking is the most exciting tourist activity in both destinations, every traveler wants the best time to encounter the gentle giants in the natural habitat.

The best time for gorilla trekking is determined by mostly one factor and that’s the weather. Bwindi’s impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks being thick rainforests, receive a lot of rainfall in March, April, and May. Too much rain, combined with the nature of the forest terrain makes it difficult at times for tourists to navigate through the thick forests. Therefore, the best time of the year to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda starts from June, July, August, early September, December, and January to February. During these months of the year, there is relatively less rain as compared to other months.

These months, therefore, offer the best gorilla trekking safari experience ever. During the dry seasons, it’s easy to navigate through the thick tropical rain forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Bwindi national park.

It should However be noted that because these are tropical rain forests, the two destinations can receive rain any time of the year and that’s why we advise all our visitors to pack wisely for their gorilla trekking safari to Uganda. 

Best time for Gorilla  Trekking in Rwanda.

Just like the case is for Uganda, the months of January, February, June, July, August, early September and December are the best months for gorilla trekking in Rwanda because the country is relatively dry in those months compared to other months of the year. We advise all our victors to consider booking their gorilla trekking safaris in those months as the experience will come out better. However, it should be noted that despite the time of the year you chose to go for a gorilla trekking safari, you should carry the equipment that will make your gorilla trek easy even when it rains. Your gorilla trekking picklist must include rain jackets, long pants and shirts, comfortable hiking boots, gloves, and headgear.

Best time to book your gorilla trekking safari 

We advise our guests at all times to book their gorilla trekking safaris six months in advance or even a year before.  Booking in advance makes it so easier for Katland Safaris or any other travel agent to secure your gorilla trekking permit and put all other logistics like transportation and accommodation for an amazing gorilla trekking safari.

Why book your gorilla trekking safari early enough?

Starting to plan for your gorilla trekking safari early enough gives you a variety of options to choose from in terms of dates, the gorilla destination, trekking sector, Accommodation, and inclusion of other tourist activities like wildlife and community encounters on your gorilla safari.

Feel free to contact us with any inquiries on the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda and how to plan and book your gorilla trekking safari in advance.

Top gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda – Gorilla trekking – Gorilla Habituation.

Top gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda. Uganda is the most opted-for destination for gorilla trekking in the whole world. This is so because the country is home to more than half of the remaining population of these gentle giants worldwide.

In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be trekked from only two destinations and that’s in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national game parks.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national game park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national game park lies the in southwestern Uganda 0n the edges of the great East African rift valley. Its mist-covered hillside is blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain forests dating 25000 years. Bwindi is famously known as a safe home to more than half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas.

The park has over 19 habituated gorilla families and these are found in two famous sectors, and that’s the southern and the northern sector. The southern sector is known mostly for three gorilla families that’s Nshogi group, the Mishaya group, and the Nkuringo group. The northern sector is known as the Oruzongo group, Habinyanja group, and Rushera group.

Top gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda

Mgahinga national park.

At just 33.7 km2, Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation area that spreads over the three countries. Each of these countries protects its portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park, you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate.

Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because, throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as the climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. Read More

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga.

There is only one habituated gorilla group within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Top gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda

Nyakagezi Gorilla Family

This gorilla family is the only fully habituated gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that offers visitors a great opportunity to track the rare mountain gorillas in the wild. This gorilla group is found in South-Western Uganda, just on the renowned slopes of the three Virunga Volcanoes including the Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga. This fascinating group is the only habituated gorilla family popularly known for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The group is comprised of 9 members including 4 silverbacks, 2 adult females, 1 juvenile, and 2 infants.

Both Bwindi and Mgahinga are extremely safe for the gorilla trekking adventure.

However, it should be noted that no visitor is allowed to go gorilla trekking in both destinations without a gorilla trekking permit. gorilla trekking permits should be booked early three to four months or even a year or two years before the adventure happens. They can be booked by a client directly from Uganda’s wild authority but we always advise booking it with a trusted tour company like us for easy preparations and a more swift safari. can be directly booked from the Uganda wildlife authority

Contact us by mail, direct phone call, or by a what’s up with any inquiries about organizing a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda.

When should one book a gorilla safari – The best time to go gorilla trekking – Book a gorilla trip early

When should one book a gorilla safari? A safari to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a lifetime experience no one should miss out on when still alive. Gorilla trekking is currently the most treasured and most popular tourist activity in Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, gorilla safaris are conducted in only two gorilla destinations and that’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks, and in Rwanda, gorilla trekking is carried out in only one destination and that’s Volcanoes national game park.

The majority of travelers from around the world come mainly to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural wild setting and the most asked question by all travelers considering coming to East Africa for this encounter is “When should one book a gorilla safari?”.

Gorilla trekking being one of the most opted-for adventure experiences in both Uganda and Rwanda, we at all times encourage our victors to consider arranging for and booking their gorilla trekking safaris to east Africa early enough, six months or even a year before their gorilla trekking dates.

When contacted early enough at Katland Safaris, we tailor-make your gorilla trekking safari by putting all logistics in one place to give you the best gorilla trekking holiday ever. When planning for your gorilla trekking safari to either Uganda or Rwanda, acquiring a gorilla trekking permit must be at the top of the list of the things you need. This official government document allows an hour or four with the mountain gorillas in the wild. Make sure you book your gorilla permit in advance.

 Best time to go for a gorilla trek in Uganda and Rwanda

When should one book a gorilla safari? Gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda can be done all through the year, however, consideration should be made on which particular months should one go gorilla trekking. The dry season is of no doubt the most preferred time for gorilla trekking starting from June to September and December to February.

It’s advisable to do gorilla trekking in the dry months because of the nature of the terrain most especially for Bwindi’s impenetrable national game parks. The forest is so thick to the level that at times trails are created by guides using pangas during the wet season. This an exciting experience but at most times a challenging one, and that’s why we advise visitors to go gorilla trekking in the dry season.

 Why you should book your gorilla safari early?

Gorilla trekking is the most demanded tourist activity in Uganda and Rwanda, yet only eight people are permitted to trek a single gorilla family or group in a day. This means very few gorilla permits are released and immediately booked out by clients.

A gorilla trekking safari comes with logistics from transport to and from the gorilla destinations, to accommodation to park entrances and guides. All these things tend to be booked out quickly.

Booking for a gorilla trekking safari early enough makes it so easy to find good accommodation facilities for your overnight stay. There is a high occupancy rate for most accommodations and that’s why you need to book your gorilla trekking safari to Uganda very early enough to avoid frustrations and disappointments.

Feel free to contact us with any inquiries about booking a gorilla safari to Uganda in advance.

What to pack for gorilla trekking.

A Detailed Guide on What to Pack for gorilla trekking to Uganda and Rwanda

What to pack for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is one of the most opted-for tourist activities in the East African countries of Uganda and Rwanda. However, it becomes more exciting when planned for early enough with the right things packed for the safari. Planning to encounter the East African mountain gorillas can at times be overwhelming because of the many questions that come with planning and the most popular question being, what to pack for gorilla trekking to East Africa.

Our practical guide to packing for your gorilla trekking safari will help you pack for the right things to make your gorilla trekking tour a memorable one. With this write-up, we take a detailed look at what should be included in your travel bag before you jump onto that plane for your gorilla encounter in Uganda or Rwanda.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

1. Gorilla permit

This is the most important thing and the very first one that should go into your safari bag before embarking on the journey to encounter the mountain gorillas. A gorilla permit is the government official document that grants you access to spend time with mountain gorillas.  Permit in Uganda costs 750 dollars for East African non-residents, 600 dollars for East African residents, and 250,000 shs for Ugandans. It includes entrance to the gorilla destination, ranger, and guide fees to the forest, and spending one hour with the gorillas for normal trekking and not more than 4 hours with the gorillas for the habituation experience. Only eight guests are allowed to trek a particular gorilla family in a single day. Gorilla permits at all times get finished very quickly and that’s why we advise our clients to book them early enough six months or even a year before the trekking dates.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

2. Comfortable Hiking shoes.

A pair of comfortable hiking boots is very essential. Both Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks are dense and thick rain forests with challenging steep slopes and therefore navigating through them with open or uncomfortable shoes is almost impossible. Therefore, hiking shoes are the most preferred choice for a trek to encounter mountain gorillas.

3. Rain jackets

Bwindi impenetrable is a rain forest and it can at any time receive heavy rain without notice even at times in months considered dry. A light rain jacket is important to have if the skies open up unexpectedly.

4. 4. Long sleeve shirts, Tuckable socks, and tour trousers

Long-tour trousers and long-sleeved shirts protect you from scratches from sharp plants and at times thorns. They also protect you from funny insects like red aunts that might climb and irritate you as you trek for the gorillas.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

5. 5. Warm sweater

Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning and at that hour it’s extremely chilly. Besides that, gorillas live in high-altitude areas where morning and night temperatures sometimes come close to freezing. Therefore, a warm sweater is recommended to protect you from the cold.

6. 6. Garden / Outdoor Gloves

Pack a decent pair of hand gloves to protect you from injuries and abrasions. While trekking for the gorillas, you will find yourself holding to all kinds of roots and plants and these at times might cause injuries and that’s why we advise packing gloves.

7. 7. Camera

Gorillas are such amazing creatures to see but we can’t take them with us. The only things we can take from the jungle to share with our loved ones are great images and beautiful videos. That’s why we advise packing a good camera when going for a gorilla trekking safari. However, when taking pictures, you are not allowed to use a flash as this might irritate the gorilla and cause it to charge at you.

8. 8. Drinking-Water

Before leaving your hotel to go gorilla trekking, make sure you ask for drinking water of not less than two liters. The trekking at times takes quite long hours of walking through challenging dense forests and this makes you get thirsty almost all the time.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

9. 9. Packed lunch or snacks.

Hiking can take anything between thirty minutes to five hours of trekking. we advise you to carry packed lunch from your hotel or dry foods for your gorilla trek. With past experiences, it is better to pack the lunch and not need it than to leave it behind and need it. You can’t afford to be hungry for the gorillas.

10. 10. Insect repellent

These help keep insect bites away. With so many insects in the forest ecosystem, it is better to avoid all the irritation and likely illness that can come from insect bites. You are advised to spray your trekking clothes and bag before starting the hike. If your skin is sensitive, then make sure you get a skin brand that works for you well.

11. 11. Toiletries

On your day of gorilla trekking, it’s advisable to go into the forest with some toiletries just in case you need to use them.

10. 10. A Light Backpack

you will need some way of carrying the items listed above to the jungle. That’s why advise carrying a very light backpack that will be comfortable for you to carry on your back.

Feel free to contact us with any inquiries on what to pack for gorilla trekking to Uganda or Rwanda.