Reasons To Visit Lake Bunyonyi In Kabale District.

Comprising numerous lovely islands, Lake Bunyonyi is located in Deep Southwestern Uganda. Second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi has breathtaking surroundings. From Lake Bunyonyi, Gorilla Trekking sites—especially Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—are quite close.

Trip to Lake Bunyonyi allows you to review and break away from a demanding gorilla trekking activity. Lake Bunyonyi is bilharzia free, hence you may swim in it and savor perfect peace. This lake is in steep valleys formed by lava from surrounding volcanoes. Lake Bunyonyi has around 29 islands, among which is the well-known punishment island where prior pregnant women were left to die.

Activities To Do Regarding Bird Watching On Lake Bunyonyi

Locally, Bunyonyi refers to a habitat for little birds; Lake Bunyonyi is definitely fitting for this name. Ornithologists with experienced birding guides have enough of birding to enjoy. Residents of Lake Bunyonyi include more than three hundred different bird species. Among the birds you could see are red-chested sunbirds, woodpeckers, herons, slender-billed ball grab, grey-crowned cranes, and more.

Boat Cruise

Riding a boat on Lake Bunyonyi lets you appreciate the fresh wind of this lovely lake and environs. When visiting these islands and their environs, you might go canoeing. Look for beautiful birds gracing the edges of the surrounding flora around Lake Bunyonyi.

You may enjoy the breathtaking surroundings, go canoeing, and see the sunset throwing its rays over Lake Bunyonyi. Free of hazardous wild creatures like crocodiles and hippos, Lake Bunyonyi allows you to stop for swim and beautiful scenery.

Over Lake Bunyonyi: Zip Lining

The zip-lining trip over this lovely lake will release some adrenaline. First, a sufficiently tightened rope is fastened from one bank to another. You then find yourself belted on the zip wire and swinging over Lake Bunyonyi.

Swimming at Lake Bunyoni

Dive at Lake Bunyonyi to experience additional holiday excitement away from the traditional swimming pool. Lake Bunyonyi lacks coastlines, although buildings allow you to exit from deepwater swimming. This lake is bilharzia free, and from the shores you can tan too. Appreciate the cold air from Lake Bunyonyi, which controls local temperature.

Batwa Cultural Trip

Among the casualties of the effort at forest preservation in this region are the Batwa pygmies. The forest was the only source of Batwa until they were expelled in the 1990s; time immemory.

Although they moved to the boundaries of the Kabale and Kisoro districts, the communities they joined still kept them at margins.

Visitors who schedule time off for local community excursions where they further discuss their daily existence and previous life provide financial assistance. Consequently, they know most of the mysteries of the forest as revealed by the elders via songs and folk stories.

Usually quiet, the Batwa live in modest grass thatched and stick homes.

The Batwa people show you their hunting, honey collecting, disease treatment, and so much more when you visit their town.

Mountain riding at Lake Bunyonyi

After setup, you may test your riding ability and ride to some nearby highlands or ridges around the lake. You avoid local gardens, pause to take in the stunning surroundings, and so much more on the route. From the hills, gaze across the lovely islands in Lake Bunyonyi; avid birders will be able to see numerous species there.

Tour Islands around Lake Bunyonyi

Although Lake Bunyonyi has roughly 29 islands, the most important one is Akampene Island, where pregnant women were left to die of starvation or drown while attempting to swim a cross. Men who refused to pay dowries would save certain girls and marry them.

The biggest island is Bwama Island; Bushara Island has first-rate landscapes and diverse birds. Driven by missionary Dr. Leonard Sharp, it was a leprous treatment clinic. Sadly, some individuals received treatment here since the society discriminated against them. On this island, the old hospital runs as a school for youngsters.

Explore the neighbourhood market.

Local residents run a market where one may purchase locally made goods like meals, clothing, shoes, crafts, etc. You learn about the way the residents run enterprises. The long process involved in collecting money from credit cards makes them useless in this industry. Bring some hard cash as credit card machines cannot handle this transaction.

A community walk around Lake Bunyonyi

Walking to the nearby towns surrounding Lake Bunyonyi will let you appreciate lovely countryside. You follow the paths leading to banana fields, survey the 29 islands from all sides, visit a nearby farmhouse, and so much more.

A Safari Worth To Bunyonyi Island

Bunyonyi Island’s safari package runs from premium, mid-range, to economical. You may choose from your schedule the activities you want to engage in.

Every activity is priced separately; every Lake Bunyonyi safari package includes and excludes certain activities. Safaris are more expensive the more items they provide.

These are taken into consideration to determine the Lake Bunyonyi Safari Package.

When to reserve safari trips to Lake Bunyonyi?

The peak time is Since low seasons allow you to receive some discounts from service providers like hotel, car hiring, and others, Lake Bunyonyi safari packages are somewhat expensive.

Count of visitors to Bunyonyi Safari

The per-person fee is reduced the more persons joining you for a safari to Lake Bunyonyi. You may split expenses like driver guide fees, petrol, rental of a car, etc.

The safari package costs more the more days one spends on it.

Many additional events to go along with a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, wherein the more events to mix with this trip, the more expensive it becomes.

Is a Safari safe on Lake Bunyonyi?

Travelers should find Lake Bunyonyi rather secure. But you also have to pay regard to personal safety by avoiding counting money in public that might draw the wrong kind of persons. Besides, there are better ideas than consuming street food. Ask your driver guide for the finest and safest locations where you may sample local food if you so like.

Only continue the exercise knowing your driving guide will help you avoid being corned or lost.

When should one go to see Lake Bunyonyi?

Although visitors favor the dry season, which runs June, July, August, September, December, or January, the peace of Lake Bunyonyi is appreciated all year round. As most activities surrounding Lake Bunyonyi are outside, the weather is ideal for them.

The paths utilized for the nature walks are accessible as well; open view reveals birds, butterflies, and some primates. For most wild animals, the dry season offers free existence as they are in the open.

Since this is also Uganda’s low tourist season, the wet seasons might include reduced costs. Therefore, particularly during the busy season, planning your safari to Lake Bunyonyi Island in advance is ideal.

Activities To Match A Safari To Lake Bunyonyi

Trekking a gorilla

After or before seeing Lake Bunyonyi, you may undertake gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. After the effort of gorilla trekking, time off to see Lake Bunyonyi is healing. Gorilla trekking is taxing.

Since there are only eight gorilla licenses offered per family and they are restricted daily, you must have a gorilla trekking permit booked from Uganda Wildlife Authority prior.

Drives in Games

The nearest game park you may mix with a visit to Lake Bunyonyi is Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early morning or evening game drives may allow you to see creatures such lions, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, topis, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, leopards, etc. Another wildlife park you might mix with a safari at Lake Bunyonyi is Lake Mburo National Park.

Starting cruise on the Kazinga waterway

The Kazinga Channel, home to a variety of exotic creatures that often visit Queen Elizabeth National Park’s coasts and an abundance of birds that bless them too, is bestowed upon her. You appreciate the breathtaking view of the rift valley bottom throughout the launch journey.

chimpanzee walking

Before or after a visit to Lake Bunyonyi National Park, participate in chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. To see these chimps, you must, however, get a chimpanzee trekking permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Another chimpanzee trekking site you might include in the things to do with a visit to Lake Bunyonyi is Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Flying in Uganda

Birding Uganda at many sites lets you compile a longer list. Among the birding destinations you might include into your Uganda safari are Mabamba Island, Mpanga Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabira Forest, Botanical Gardens, and others.

white river rafting

White water rafting destination for River Nile is the Itanda Falls. Attending white water rafting requires no expertise on your side. Instructors ground you through all the required training to succeed. Just correctly fasten your safety gear and paddle to ride the waves.

See the Source of River Nile.

River Nile flows from Jinja on Lake Victoria; you may view the stunning site when River Nile water splits off from Lake Victoria water. You may sail from this picturesque area using a boat you rent from the pier.

See the Uganda Wildlife Education Center

This is the old Entebbe Zoo, where many species from different parks are housed in displays with a wilderness-like surroundings, where they are often seen. One may explore this facility either individually or with guidance. Among animals you may find cheetahs, lions, rhinos, chimpanzees, birds, monkeys, vipers, giraffes, elands, and others.

ngamba chimps Sanctuary

Respected chimps abandoned by their families, housed in prison, rescued by snares, and much more call home the Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary. Unfortunately, some chimps cannot go back to the wild to live with their groups.

What should one pack for a Safari to Lake Bunyonyi?

Warm clothing as early morning and late evening are rather chilly.

Safari shoes for use on village walks and particularly on trips in the great outdoors.

Breakfast is consumed too early to last you the length of various activities, hence energy bits to chew on.

You have to be able to carry your stuff if you receive no help; a duffel bag will help.

Extra clothing to change into after activities near Lake Bunyonyi.

Especially in the rainy seasons, raincoats or ponches help to shield against even severe rainfall.

After the safari, remove your shoes and wear flip sandals.

a camera to save your experience’s memories when visiting Lake Bunyonyi

Some cash to be converted into local money should you have to pay for personal activities or buy anything.

Garden gloves to wear should you have to live in the outdoors, particularly in wooded locations with stinging nettles.

To avoid dispersing your items throughout the wilderness, light backpacks to take with you or pass them over to porters.

Use a pair of binoculars to get a better perspective on lovely far-reaching birds and characteristics.

Sunscreen if you want to lounge under the sun and enjoy the cool wind from the lake.

Sunglasses to wear in intense sunlight

Foldable safari helmet for covering your head.

Reasons to visit Kibale National Park

The greatest chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda is Kibale national park. It would therefore be ideal if you could visit Kibale national park.

Covering 795 square kilometers, Kibale national park’s northern section is the wettest while its southern park next Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Based on the latest count of chimpanzees in Kibale national park, there are around 1500 of them. East African park has the highest number of habituated chimpanzees.

With now 13 species identified, many additional primates also exist in Kibale national park. Among these primates found in Kibale national park are black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, ghosts, pottos, olive baboons, and others.

When the parents go chimpanzee treking, Kibale National Park offers a unique package for kids. The kids do cyanotype, batik making, pond dipping, and photojournalistic.

Activities For Safari In Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Trekking

Every day in Kibale National Park two chimpanzee treks take place. The chimpanzee permits for the morning session—which runs from 0800 hours—or the evening session at 1500 hours may be bought.

per day per session, six chimpanzee hiking licenses are sold each troop. For the chimpanzee hiking, therefore, it is advisable to take safari equipment capable of surviving wilderness circumstances.

To learn more about how to behave while chimpanzee trekking, you have to show up for a briefing at the Kanyanchu tourist center. Before beginning the journey in case you cannot carry any of your items—like the chimpanzee hiking gear—ask for a porter to carry some of them. A porter helps you to pay a friendly price for carrying your chimpanzee hiking equipment.

Only those above fifteen years are permitted to engage in chimpanzee treking. This is so because of the regulations and character of the forest chimpanzees live in.

Birding in the National Park of Kibale

One of Uganda’s better birding locations is Kibale national park. In Kibale national park, containing Albertine rift endemics, more than 325 bird species find home. Furthermore protected by the forest are vast blocks of rainforest birds. Ornithologists have therefore a range of bird species to identify during a Uganda birding trip to Kibale National Park.

Among the few are green-backed twin spot, grey-headed olive back, green–backed twin spot, blue-headed sunbird, small greenbul, black-breasted king fishers as you stroll to Bigodi refuge and stand at the observation tower across papyrus reeds.

Habituation in chimpanzees

The process of wild chimpanzees becoming used to human presence without changing their innate characteristics is known as chimps’ habituation. Visitors may schedule visits to chimpanzee habituation sessions wherein they see semi-habituated chimps. You then accompany a group of trackers and habituators into the jungle to spend four hours in chimpanzee companionship.

Every member of a chimpanzee habituation safari must have a permit. Chimpanzees may be habituated only by visitors over the age of fifteen.

You have a long time in the bush as chimpanzees de-nesting at around 0530 to 0630 hours or re-nesting at 1900 hours will be seen throughout your excursion.

The entity used for habituation permits sale for chimpanzees is the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Forest treks at Kibale National Park.

You may discover the many ecosystems in Kibale national park including a tropical rain forest, riverine forest, marsh, and grassland on this nature walk. Black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and other primates species you may have missed on chimpanzee trekking come to light here.

You have to go to a briefing at the Kanyanchu visitors center before beginning this walk to the elephant’s wallow.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary 

On the edge of the magombe marsh, you may go to Bigodi wetland refuge. Kibale National Park has various primates you may have overlooked. Among them are olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, and others.

This is a community-run project aiming at raising environmental worth of the primates and their habitat as well as biodiversity.

Just outside Kibale National Park, near Sebitoli, Kihingani wetland walk lets you view a variety of birds and primates.

Nature trails and cultural legacy

This two to six day journey takes place in Kibale National Park and surrounds. You meet in Kanyanchu or Sebitoli, spend the day in the forest, and return in evening to spend nights at the community campground at Kinoni, Nyakalongo, and Nyaibanda.

You get opportunity to engage with the residents and gain knowledge about daily life there. Mostly Bakiga and Batooro live in this region. For a nominal fee, you may have a porter carry your safari items.

Children’s Actions

Only those above 15 years old are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park; there’s no need to worry about the kids. Children’s rangers trained to care for and conduct activities engaging them to engage them in actually studying the ecosystems have been provided by the forest management.

The kids engage in artistic projects like cyanotype, batik creation, pond dipping, and photojournalistic work. Knowing their children are in capable care, the parents enjoy the woodland hikes.

A chimpanzee hiking permit for Kibale National Park costs what?

For international nonresidents, the Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit is $300 per person; for foreign residents, it runs $250,000sh; for East African residents, it runs 250,000sh.

The Kibale national park chimpanzee hiking ticket fee comprises

Day of hiking park fees; ranger guide charge; security; one hour with the chimpanzee; community support fee; chimpanzee conservation support price

This expenses beverages, energy snacks, porters, transportation to the location, and any other personal item.

Could I pay for the Kibale Chimpanzee trekking permit in installments?

Purchasing the chimpanzee trekking permit between 30% and 70% of the entire amount is accepted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Remember to top up 90 days to the day of trekking or stand-to forfeit another paid part of the gorilla permit.

Are Kibale chimpanzee trekking permits eligible for a refund?

To qualify, you have to abide by the refund procedure the Uganda Wildlife Authority offers for chimpanzee licenses. Still, the process your return must pass before it is granted calls for patience.

Can I postpone the permission for the Chimpanzee Trekking?

If you top up your permit for people who buy it in installments, then it is really feasible to postpone chimpanzee trekking permission.

You write to Uganda Wildlife Authority explaining why you want to change your chimpanzee permit date. Attach documentation supporting your chimpanzee permit rescheduling request as backup.

Once your request is accepted, your chimpanzee trekking permission for Kibale National Park will be postponed.

Where may I get a permission for chimpanzee treking?

For Kibale National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the selling and controlling authority for chimpanzee trekking permits. Safaris relieves you of hassling to verify the availability of chimpanzee trekking permits and other supporting facilities by using a trip operator such as Katland .

Booking lodging, transportation, and driver rental, we assembled the chimpanzee trekking safari package and provide free recommendations on the requirements you need to go chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

The Cost of Chimpanzee Habituation Adventure

For East African citizens, the chimpanzee habituation permit for Kibale National Park is $300 per person per trip and 150000shs.

Park fees, four hours with the chimpanzee, security, ranger guide fees, local community assistance, and chimpanzee conservation help make up the chimpanzee habituation permit cost.

This excludes lodging to use during chimpanzee habituation, transportation, tipping, and any other personal item.

For what duration is chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park?

Depending on where the chimpanzees would have spent the night and the general state of the forest, the timing of finding them is still under flux. You could discover the chimpanzee soon after de-nesting as you have to start chimpanzee habituation early in morning. On the other hand, they could travel slowly; hence, you follow the trail to where they were observed the day before.

Once you find the chimpanzees, carefully follow the guidelines provided by habituation and rangers as they understand the special qualities of the chimpanzee society. Under habituation, the companionship of the chimpanzee group allows only four hours.

To reduce disruption, a maximum of four people may conduct chimpanzee habituation using the trackers and rangers each session.

A safari to Kibale National Park would set you back what?

The major activity in Kibale National Park is chimps’ trekking; a permit is required. You require access regardless of your choice for a premium, mid-range, or cheap chimpanzee hike.

These are some of the elements thought to constitute a safari package for Kibale National Park.

The count of people on the safari for Chimpanzees

The expenses per person decrease the more individuals participate in the chimpanzee trekking safari.

Time For Kibale National Park Safari

Demand drives the high cost of a safari booked to Kibale National Park during the peak season, which runs from June to September and December to January.

Extra Pursues Inside Kibale National Park

If you have a lot of activities planned in Kibale National Park—birding, primate trekking, gorilla habituation, and others—you may find The safari is expensive as every activity in Kibale National Park is priced separately.

The Days Count in Kibale National Park

The safari price increases with increasing number of days booked in Kibale National Park. Most service providers bill daily rates.

What are the Kibale National Park’s donts?

Once you find the chimpanzees, keep around eight meters apart from them. Having roughly 96% human infections, they are very vulnerable to human illnesses.

Offer to remain behind when unwell so as not to transfer a virus capable of causing great chimpanzee mortality.

If you want to smoke or eat, do it away from the chimpanzees so you avoid feeding them. These wild creatures have to find their sustenance.

Only those over 15 years are permitted to engage in chimpanzee treking as young people may not find the jungle circumstances comfortable.

Enter the woodland only with a ranger escort; other non-habited species call the forest home.

Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole as least 30 cm deep and bury it far beyond recognition if you must defecate.

Try not to aggravate the chimpanzees as you could disturb them and force them to hide into the furthest reaches of the forest.

Use flash photography when photographing. But because chimpanzees are somewhat similar to environmental invaders, this might alarm them.

Meeting chimps takes one hour for hiking; their habituation lasts four hours before you encounter them.

What should one pack for Safari inside Kibale National Park?

Safari footwear suitable for easy walking during Kibale National Park treking

Safari clothing in wilderness suitable hues like brown or khaki.

Warm clothing because early morning or late evening brings chilly weather for this location.

Garden gloves in case you come across stinging nettles that could irritate your skin.

Cosmetics that complement your skin and avoid aggravating eczema.

You have more energy to exercise when you had breakfast early.

Repellant for insects guards against jungle stinging insects.

To protect yourself from rain falling in a tropical jungle, pack waterproof clothing such as a poncha or raincoat.

Foldable water bottle to bring to satisfy thirst.

Safari cap to guard your hair from jungle buzzing insects.

Flip flops for leisure time change of wear.

Carry a backpack with your safari equipment and make sure a porter finds it pleasant.

Two binoculars will help you to get a better perspective on fascinating wilderness features.

How to plan a family gorilla trekking safari and holiday.

The ages of every participant should be taken into account when organizing a gorilla trekking expedition for the family. Only visitors fifteen years of age and above are qualified for gorilla treking. Think about the places you want to go gorilla trekking with the family; family memories are highly valuable.

Three African nations—that is, Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo—are gorilla trekking sites. Security-related concerns drive Uganda and Rwanda as the most desired destination for family gorilla trekking adventure safaris.

Family gorilla trekking safari planning

Choose a day when you want to go gorilla trekking as a family and indicate the number of persons qualified for this experience.

Choose Rwanda or Uganda if you want to go gorilla trekking with the family from another nation.

Advance book the gorilla trekking permits to prevent last-minute frantic search for bookings.

When you ask us, our safari adviser investigates the availability of gorilla permits within the dates of your preferred option.

Should good availability, we ask our customers to buy their gorilla permits as soon as first come, first served basis is used to reserve them.

Every family member should be encouraged to work out beforehand to maintain their body in shape and ready to negotiate the wilderness circumstances you will be in while gorilla treking.

Where in family life should one find Trekking Safari with Gorillas Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda only find habitat in national parks around volcanoes. In Rwanda, some fifteen gorilla families are completely habituated and available for visitors.

Among the Rwanda gorilla families are Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, Hirwa, Susa, Sabyinyo, and others.

Tourists assemble at the ORTPN for briefing on the gorilla trekking day. Tourists are assigned to these gorilla families based on age, degree of fitness, and other factors; groups of a maximum of eight visitors are used. Unfortunately, the sudden changes in the forest that force the Rwanda gorilla family to migrate make it difficult to find the simplest family.

Rwanda has 96 gorilla permits accessible for visitors right now. Still, given the great demand, they sell quickly—especially in the peak seasons, June through September and December through January. The reason completion for booking Rwanda gorilla permits so competitive is their restricted supply.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The biggest gorilla walking ground in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable national park. About 327 square kilometers of land make up the park. From its great scale, the park was split into four gorilla trekking areas: the northern Buhoma region, the eastern Rihijah area, the Nkuringo area, and the southern Rushaga area.

Two gorilla families are accessible for gorilla habituation whereas eighteen gorilla families are now completely habituated for gorilla trekking trips.

Every gorilla permit granted for Bwindi impenetrable national park is reserved based on the area. This is one reason you should think about where your gorilla permit is reserved before lodging is arranged.

 Mngahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is situated in western deep southern Uganda. Comprising only 33–7 kilometers, the woodland is the smallest national park. Mgahinga National Park’s geography consists also of three volcanoes: mountain Sabyinyo, mountain Muhavura, and mountain Gahinga.

Mgahinga National Park roams from the northern slopes of these mountains; these surroundings are where the sole gorilla family of this park resides. Within Mgahinga national park, the only completely habituated family is the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

In the past, the Nyakagezi gorilla family was known to travel into Rwanda, but today, it’s continuously residing in Uganda.  You may pre-book the gorilla permits for Mgahinga national park.

What is treking in a gorilla?

Following a completely habituated gorilla family in the forest and spending only one priceless hour in their company is the experience known as gorilla trekking. To be allowed to participate in extraordinary Africa safari trip, you have to get a gorilla trekking permit.

Describe Gorilla Habituation.

The method of bringing a wild gorilla family used to human presence without changing their nature is known as gorilla habituation. For a gorilla trekking safari, for instance, you follow a semi-habituated gorilla family accompanied by habituators and researchers.

A Gorilla Trekking Permission’s Value

The cost of the gorilla permit varies depending on your chosen destination for gorilla treking.

For international non-residents, the Uganda gorilla permits cost $800; for foreign residents, $700; and for East African citizens, 300 000shs.

Right now, a Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 per person per expedition.

D.R. Congo gorilla permits now run $450 per person each trip.

The gorilla permit fee includes and excludes what?

One hour with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide fees, mountain gorilla conservation expenses, park admission fees, security, local community assistance, and others makes one gorilla permit.

Gorilla permit fee excludes transportation to the locations, tips, refreshments, packed lunch, and any other item of personal nature.

For what length of time is gorilla trekking?

You just have one hour to find the mountain gorillas; the exact moment of discovery is still unknown. Their unrestricted mobility in the forest and other possible wilderness events help to explain this. You might so spend around two hours or more from the beginning of the gorilla trip.

If you could have some patience during gorilla trekking to follow the path of the gorilla family you are assigned to, it would be ideal. Although the ranger guide matches the slowest trekkers, this does not imply postponing the remainder of the party.

A family gorilla trekking safari costs what?

The main expense of the gorilla trekking trip is the gorilla permit; other elements also affect the whole cost. Every family member has to obtain a personal gorilla permit. Some of these comprise:

Gorilla hiking qualified family members’ count

The gorilla trekking safari costs less per person the more paying people join it. Among safari facilities, you may split car hiring, gasoline, driver guide price, etc.

Days on the gorilla hiking safari

Since most service providers charge by day, the fee increases with the more days you spend on the gorilla trekking safari.

Timing for the family gorilla trekking expedition booking

Peak season gorilla trekking is expensive because of the great demand for services in this high Uganda travel season. The low season might provide safari discounts.

Extra events beside gorilla trekking

The total safari cost increases with increasing activity mix including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, and wildlife drives.

The Danger of the Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas’ dark-furred bodies help them to remain peaceful animals despite their frightening appearance. Their rich brown deep eyes reflect knuckle local movements. Nevertheless, the mountain gorillas remain calm despite their appearance; historically, there has never been any conflict between mountain gorillas and people during gorilla trekking.

For the gorilla trekking safari, which lodging should one choose?

While it would be fantastic to book family accommodations for gorilla treks, if not feasible you might ask for rooms next to one another. This allows you time to sleep closer to one another and enjoy yourself together.

The gorilla trekking lodgments go into luxury, mid-range, and economical categories.

Among the Rwanda gorilla trekking lodges are Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi guest house, Hotel Mille Collines, Le Bambou, and La Palme.

Among Uganda’s gorilla trekking lodges in Bwindi are Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Mahogany Springs.

Accommodations at Mgahinga National Park: Gahinga Lodge and others are bookable from Kisoro town.

Can I postpone the permits for the Gorilla Trekking?

Indeed, you may arrange the gorilla trekking permits in line with the policies of the competent authorities.

You write to Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority asking the gorilla permits to be changed. In case you have any supporting documentation, attach some.

Your permits are booked and our safari consultant rechecks availability as per your revised dates when allowed to reschedule to another date. Uganda gives two chances for rescheduling; the third time calls for a premium of 25% of the total Uganda permit cost and Executive Director approval.

For family gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda, which nation is best?

Only after you go gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda will you be able to decide which country is ideal for that activity. Most visitors experience something mysterious after seeing the mountain gorillas. It is incomparable to know you are among the fortunate visitors for the day to experience gorilla trekking. Some of the items below highlight the gorilla trekking expedition between Uganda and Rwanda.

While the Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 per person each trip, the gorilla trekking permit issued by Uganda is $800 per person.

Driving from Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park takes about three hours. By comparison, visiting Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes around eight to nine hours.

Uganda has 152 hike permits with two utilized gorilla habituation safaris and 19 gorilla families. With 96 licenses for gorilla trekking, Rwanda now has 15 gorilla families.

Rwanda is the perfect place for a stopover gorilla trekking adventure in Africa as two days are the least amount of days available for a gorilla trip. By contrast, Uganda has three days of gorilla trekking safari, the least amount of days on safari.

While Rwanda offers few options for activities to mix with gorilla trekking, Uganda offers many extra safaris for those purposes.

Though one of a transit nation, gorilla trekking in Uganda via Rwanda can let you experience both nations. About six to seven hours separate the travel from Kigali airport into Mgahinga national park.

What Guidelines Apply To Gorilla Trekking? Within Families

Stay with the group of trekkers assigned; avoid surrounding the gorillas so as not to cause ambushing of them.

Talk at low tome when looking for the mountain gorillas in the woods. Other forest residents, like mountain gorillas, are very wary of visitors in their surroundings.

Spitting on ground and plants is against policy as it provides food for mountain gorillas.

You might spread pathogens to these very sensitive monkeys causing human diseases.

Offer to remain behind should you develop a communicative illness such as Coronavirus. The mountain gorillas may so die in great numbers. Mountains gorillas have around 96% human DNA.

It is banned to provoke the mountain gorillas as once they become irritated, they might migrate into the deeper parts of the jungle.

Mountain gorillas are wild creatures who have to hunt for their food so never feed them.

Remember to clean your shoes before beginning the gorilla trip; wearing a mask is an essential when gorilla trekking as a step established after the Covid-19 epidemic to lower the possibilities of transferring this virus or other diseases to the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is reserved for those fifteen years of age and above. This is so because the terrain of the forest is steep but the exact location of the mountain gorillas is yet unknown. These may not be in favor of a youngster under these years.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, just one hour is permitted with them. This is for conservation purposes as they are used to be in human proximity for that certain period.

Dumping trash in the woods, particularly non-decomposable rubbish like plastic wraps, might change the environment mountain gorillas eat from. The mountain gorillas get their food only from the forest.

How to book a Rwanda or Uganda gorilla trek holiday on New Year day.

Booking gorilla trekking for the Christmas season—especially New Year’s Day—is fantastic. Starting the year with a visit to gorilla land marks a lifelong journey.

Making prior gorilla trekking safari plans will help to commemorate the birth of a New Year.

One might decide to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Or Mgahinga National Park are the locations of the Uganda gorilla treks. Volcanoes National Park is the gorilla safari location for Rwanda.

Booking the gorilla trekking permits for either Uganda or Rwanda is a smart choice as they sell quickly, particularly during the festival season when vacations are in full force. For this reason, we counsel our customers to get the gorilla trekking permits for peak seasons latest three months before the New Year. This is so due to the great demand for gorilla trekking safaris as visitors commemorate New Year’s with the mountain gorillas for many reasons.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits Process

Choose a day when you would like to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda. Count the gorilla trekking licenses you want to buy. Depending on your time on trip and finances, gorilla treking may be done more than once. Every gorilla trekking permission lets you undertake one day of gorilla trekking.

When you contact us, our safari adviser investigates gorilla permit availability using the dates of your preferred option. Accredited safari operator Katland  Safaris bought gorilla licenses under Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.

About gorilla permit availability, you may also ask Uganda Wildlife Authority. Still, you have to be patient with the unpleasant voice message to the reservation office and the lengthy wait of calls.

Should availability be good, we ask our customers to buy theirs right away. This is to stop last-minute frantic quest for gorilla permits. Each gorilla family daily only has a maximum of eight licenses. Particularly in June, July, August, September, December, and January—the peak season—they are quickly sold out.

As asked, provide personal information such your complete name, country of birth, passport expiration date, and others. These are for record-keeping and help to guide where tourist marketing should be focused.

A Gorilla Permit: How Much Is it

Each trip on the gorilla permit for Rwanda costs $1500 per person. For international nonresidents, Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person; for foreign residents, $700 per person; and for East African citizens, 300,000 shs.

A gorilla treking permit costs park fees, security, gorilla conservation support, ranger guide fees, and local community assistance.

Transportation, beverages, packed lunch, tips, porters, and other personal things all count toward the permit fee.

Can I purchase an installment gorilla permit?

The gorilla permits for Rwanda or Uganda may be bought in installments. One may purchase it in thirty- percent and seventy- percent ratios. Buying gorilla permits in installments counts 90 days before the trip. Keep in mind to top up 90 days to the gorilla trekking date or stand to forfeit even the purchased half.

Uganda Wildlife Authority is the gorilla permit-selling authority of Uganda. Rwanda Development Board is the entity authorized for selling gorilla permits.

Is refund for possible Gorilla Permits?

Indeed, based on the refund policies of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board, a gorilla permit return is conceivable. But given the bureaucracy involved in repossessing this money, you should be patient with the reimbursement procedure.

Should you miss the gorilla trekking date, you should not expect a refund since the permit only valid till that day. It becomes useless after the day of gorilla trekking. Regardless of your reason for not turning up, expect no reimbursement once the gorilla trekking date passes and you do not notify authorities in advance.

Could I change the New Year Gorilla Trekking Permission date?

The gorilla permit may be rescheduled as long as it is before the trip. You have to then write to Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. Tell the reason you want to postpone your gorilla permit. Prepare some supporting documentation for your argument including some proof.

Once you arrive, notify our safari adviser on the dates you want to change your gorilla permit to and reschedule the go-ahead for a gorilla permit.

The safari consultant double-checks availability based on Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permit listing. Your gorilla permit dates then get shifted to your preferred date in case spaces for gorillas remain open.

Notice

Two times Uganda gorilla permit rescheduling is possible; the third time depends on the permission of the Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director and a 25% surcharge of the overall permit fee imposed.

Should reduced gorilla permits be provided and you choose to postpone this permit to a date beyond the designated time, you must top up the permit to reflect the price of that period before proceeding.

Rescheduling gorilla permits charges Rwanda.

When can I get a New Year’s Gorilla Trekking permit for Rwanda or Uganda?

Purchasing your gorilla permit at least six months to a year in advance is preferable as the New Year is a prime holiday period for travel in Uganda and Rwanda. Many, however, have reasons for choosing to begin the year among mountain gorillas.

This causes a shortage of both lodging and these gorilla permits as early as the latter part of the year.

Especially on desirable days like the new year, last-minute gorilla permit search is nerve-breaking as you require aid locating the gorilla permit and lodging.

How Many Gorilla Permits One Could Book?

With 156 gorilla permits available for gorilla trekking and two gorilla families open for habituation with eight permits daily, Uganda now boasts 19 open gorilla families for tourism.

With 96 daily permits, Rwanda now has 15 gorilla families available for gorilla treking.

Should I via a tour operator book a gorilla permit?

Booking your gorilla permit lifts off your shoulder via a tour operator relieves the responsibility of verifying availability, lodging, and other safari facilities.

Having ground safari experience and relationships with top service suppliers, they offer great knowledge and expertise. Every visitor would want an unforgettable lifelong gorilla trekking experience. Great and safe preparations start everything, particularly if you are a first-time visitor.

Since 2003, we at Katland Safaris have over 10 years of gorilla safari expertise. We appreciate value for money and strive for outstanding service delivery.

Safety Level of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?

Adventure in gorilla treking is safe in Rwanda and Uganda. Both nations provide the mountain gorilla habitats greatest protection to preserve them as other forest inhabitants would find. Well-trained, the ranger guides help to preserve the environment and mountain gorillas themselves.

The rangers help the security authorities of every nation to maintain law and order. The ultimate aim of Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board is for clients returning home safely after gorilla trekking.

You have to be careful with your possessions, avoid going into the jungle without an accompanying ranger guide, and bring appropriate gorilla trekking gear and extras for personal protection.

In Uganda and Rwanda, which nation is the ideal for gorilla trekking?

The best approach to find this out is to undertake gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Uganda. Remember what you could have gone through during preparation when you meet mountain gorillas. One might decide which nation is ideal for gorilla trekking between Uganda and Rwanda by:

The gorilla permit fees

While a Ugandan gorilla permit costs $800, a Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 per person per trip.

Time is spent at the locations for gorilla treking.

While the journey duration is roughly three hours from Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park, you spend about

Eight to nine hours separate Entebbe airport from Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga National Park.

optional activities after Gorilla Trekking

Uganda offers many events you might mix with gorilla trekking as viewing the River Nile source, chimpanzee treking, wildlife drives, launch tours, and more. Sadly, Rwanda offers little choices to go with gorilla trekking. Game drives in Akagera national park and chimpanzee treking in Nyungwe national park are other safari activities offered by Rwanda.

While Rwanda has 15 gorilla families available for tourism, Uganda boasts nineteen gorilla families open for habituation safari.

About a six to seven hour trip from Kigali airport to Bwindi Impenetrable national park Uganda, you may do gorilla treks in Uganda via Rwanda. This lets you explore both nations.

For what length of time is Gorilla Trekking in either Uganda or Rwanda?

The many events in the forest make the timing of finding the mountain gorillas erratic. Still, you could spend two hours to three-quarters of the day from the gorilla trekking location.

Finding the mountain gorillas relies on elements such the closeness of their food, in case of a battle with another gorilla family or among the family members, death of a member, victory, having an adventurous dominating silverback, and others.

Some elements influence your arrival time—that is, that of the gorilla family assigned to you.

The speed of the group members you have assigned for gorilla trekking also affects your arrival speed to the mountain gorillas. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed of the slowest trekkers to ensure none gets lost in the woods.

The terrain and paths are muddy and hazardous during the heavy rain seasons, hence postponing the gorilla journey.

Given that mountain gorillas are wild creatures that roam the forest freely, patience would be advisable when looking for them. In the woods, they have no limitations or guidelines that would prevent mobility.

How challenging is gorilla trekking?

Mountains, ridges, plateaus, and other landforms make up the volcanic remnants found in the Virunga region. Some of them should be climbed when gorilla trekking as mountain gorillas sometimes spend their daylight on the slopes of these highlands.

Your degree of fitness will help you reach the mountain gorillas.

To provide access for visitors to the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide also cuts down creepers draped over these highlands using machetes.

Using bug repellants and donning the correct safari footwear gives your body more defense while gorilla trekking.

List of Items for Gorilla Trekking Safari hat

Using a folding safari hat shields your hair from flying insects.

Garden gloves since the woodland has stinging nettle where you might land your palms when your tripe.

Insect repellent protects your skin from stinging jungle insects.

Safari boots designed to negotiate wet, slippery paths and muddy conditions

sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects

In wilderness-friendly tones like brown or khaki, long pants and a sleeved shirt Bright hues like white, black, and blue might attract tsetse flies.

Extra batteries to swap out should one run low.

Two binoculars for better view.

First aid kit with wilderness emergency supplies.

Foldable water container to carry drinking water to satisfy thirst while gorilla trekking.

Pajamas suitable for the night as this part is chilly.

Flip flops for wear after gorilla treks

Extra clothing for the gorilla trekking

Sweater or poncha since the local temperature can dip to about 7 degrees centigrade.

Toiletries in case your lodging runs out or your skin is sensitive.

How to book a gorilla trekking safari on Christmas day in Uganda and Rwanda.

Though you have to arrange your permission ahead of time, Christmas among the mountain gorillas is amazing. At least six months to a year before, you should book your gorilla permit for safety. Panic results from last-minute quest for a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are sold out early, at least by the fourth part of the year; only a hand full might be remaining during the Christmas season.

Uganda’s gorilla trekking takes place at Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Either a travel company or straight from the Uganda wildlife administration should book the Uganda gorilla trekking permit.

Volcanoes National Park is the place for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; so, you must get a Rwanda gorilla permit. The gorilla permit-selling and controlling body is the Rwanda Development Board. Safaris releases the weight of lengthy phone calls to verify availability from Rwanda Development Board using a tour operator like Katland .

When should one book a gorilla trekking permit?

Booking a gorilla trekking permit at least six months to a year ahead guarantees your schedule for your Christmas day safari.

Festive holiday gorilla permits are much in demand; many visitors like to create memories.

Should you be planning last-minute gorilla trekking permit booking on Christmas Day, you may not be able to secure one since demand usually rises, particularly in the final quarter of the year.

Either directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board or via a tour operator such as Katland  Safaris, you may arrange your gorilla permit.

A gorilla permit is:

A gorilla permit is a card or license allowing visitors to spend only one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family. Sadly, only visitors fifteen years of age and above are eligible for gorilla treking. This is so because of the nature of the adventure—you go over the large forest wondering precisely where the mountain gorillas could be. This makes it difficult to forecast the moment for wilderness mountain gorilla discovery.

A Gorilla Trekking Permit: How Much Can I Get?

For international nonresidents, a gorilla trekking permit for Uganda is $800 per person; for foreign residents, it runs $700; and for East African citizens, it runs 300000shs.

Per person, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are $1500.

Included and excluded in the Gorilla Permit?

One hour with the mountain gorillas, community support, ranger guide fees, park fees, security, and a certificate after gorilla trekking define the cost of the permit.

Exclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking permit travel, beverages, snacks, tips, lodging, and personal things.

Can I pay for the Gorilla Permit in installment?

It is allowed to pay for the gorilla permit in installments, particularly if you buy it at least ninety days before the day of choice. The gorilla permits might be purchased in half 30% and half 70% of the entire amount. Remember always to top up 90 days before the gorilla trekking date. Ignoring this results in a fine.

Your gorilla permit should be bought in whole as getting it is the only way to demonstrate dedication to visiting the gorilla trekking safari.

Can I change the Gorilla Permit for Uganda or Rwanda?

You have to write to reschedule your gorilla permit to the Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority. Support your request with some backup proof.

Your gorilla permit is rescheduled for the day of your choice if your request is accepted. Attached to the Rwanda gorilla permit rescheduling is fee.

Two free opportunities exist for rescheduling Uganda gorilla permits; however, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority must authorize the third time and with a 25% fee.

How can one get ready for a Christmas Gorilla Trekking Safari?

Choices are few as the day grows near, therefore being ready for a gorilla trekking safari on Christmas day means scheduling for required services.

You have no gorilla safari without a gorilla permission, hence the first step is the gorilla permit for Uganda or Rwanda. As was already said, six months to a year in advance is the ideal period to get a gorilla permit.

One must reserve lodging for usage on a gorilla trekking trip. Spend at least one night in or near the gorilla trekking park for which your permit is planned.

You have to know where your gorilla permit for Uganda lodging is scheduled to be used for gorilla trekking. Mostly for Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, this is Four regions comprise it: Buhoma in the North, Ruhija in the East, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the South.

Choosing the transportation for the gorilla trekking safari is crucial, particularly if you fly. For internal scheduled flights in Uganda, you must advance purchase a seat. When booking, clearing, and chartering call for.

Does Gorilla Trekking Safari call for fitness?

Indeed, some degree of fitness will help you to be comfortable and resilient enough to fulfill your lifelong dream safari. Given the volcanic geography of the Virunga region, anticipate to climb sometimes to get where the mountain gorillas could be spending their day.

Although you should start with some basic exercises to gently stretch your joints a bit more so as not to acquire muscle pulls or a twisted ankle during gorilla trekking, you should not spend all your time in the gym.

How long is the Gorilla Trekking?

A gorilla trekking safari’s time taken is still under debate as it relies on the state of the forest.

Depending on what is going on in the jungle, you might spend two hours to three-quarters of the day commencing the gorilla journey. The ranger guide guiding you follows the paths leading to the last known location of mountain gorillas from previous night.

If their food runs out, mountain gorillas may move to fresh territory. Locating the gorilla family might therefore take some time.

When there is a conflict among the mountain gorillas, particularly with another family or familial quarrel, the losers might be driven into hiding. Should the gorilla family you are assigned to hike prove elusive, you could spend some time tracking it.

Should the speed of the visitors you are assigned to search for mountain gorillas be quicker, you might have some time. The ranger guide moves at the slowest speed of the slowest trekkers to ensure none gets lost in the woods.

Out of Uganda and Rwanda, which is the best country for gorilla trekking over Christmas?

Gorilla trekking is amazing whatever you go; the moment you stand before the family of these gentle giants is unforgettable. Some visitors claim the moment causes one to forget everything they may have gone through in order to be ready for gorilla treking.

One may deduce from elements like these which nation would be ideal for gorilla trekking on Christmas: Uganda or Rwanda.

The price of a gorilla permits

While the Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 per person per trip, the Uganda gorilla permit runs $800 per person.

Gorilla families count here.

Whereas Rwanda now has 15 gorilla trekking families, Uganda now boasts 19 gorilla trekking families and two gorilla habituation families.

One takes time to reach the locations for gorilla treks.

You travel around three hours from Kigali airport to the national park including volcanoes in Rwanda. Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park drives take eight to nine hours.

Optional Activities To Combine With Trekking Among Gorillas

While Rwanda offers less options, Uganda has a range of different safari activities to mix with gorilla trekking.

Is safe Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?

Trekking with gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is safe. Every day a team of rangers walks the forest on foot to find out where the gorillas could have slept overnight before the tourist arrival. They report to the ranger guide escorting visitors on a trail and the park warden.

Apart from the protection of the gorilla trekking sites, other security units of Uganda and Rwanda support law and order.

Even just walking into the forest with an accompanying ranger guide calls for you to pay attention to personal protection. To avoid becoming lost in the bush, keep nearer the group you are walking gorillas from. During briefing, pay close attention to the dos and avoid policies of the gorilla trekking safari to avoid disturbing the mountain gorillas.

Do Mountain Gorillas pose a threat?

Though they are typically quiet and calm monkeys, the appearance of the mountain gorillas may induce considerable excitement. To supplement this quality, the mountain gorillas are acclimated sometimes for human presence before your visit. The mountain gorillas are not aggressive even if they do not lose their inherent traits.

Though you have one hour with the mountain gorillas, avoid aggravating them as they also get restless.

There has never been an assault by mountain gorillas on safari in the history of gorilla trekking. Guidelines and policies controlling gorilla trekking exist to bring peace.

Mounting their wrath, mountain gorillas hoot, bang their chests, drag the grass about them, and go into the distant reaches of the woods.

Which accommodations should I reserve for Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda or Uganda?

Gorilla hiking overnight in Uganda or Rwanda uses accommodations rated either in luxury, mid-range, or cheap.

Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Trekker’s Tarvern, Mahogany Springs, Silverback Lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Gorilla Resort, and others comprise Bwindi lodging for gorilla treks.

Mgahinga lodging for gorilla treking: Gahinga Lodge and many more in Kisoro town

Volcanoes accommodations: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Mille Collines, Le Bambou, And Others.

What are Gorilla Trekking Safari’s policies?

Reduce your voice when looking for the mountain gorillas or silence yourself to prevent disturbing the other forest residents.

Before beginning your gorilla trekking journey, wash your shoes and don a fresh mask.

When coughing or sneezing, do it away from the mountain gorillas in a handkerchief or elbow to prevent transferring contagious germs to the very sensitive mountain gorillas.

Once you see mountain gorillas, keep around eight meters away from them. This helps to avoid these primates spreading a communicative infection. Retreat gradually to keep the distance between you and them even as you progress.

If you develop an illness, volunteer to remain behind; spreading it on the mountain gorillas might lead to their great mortality. Mountain gorilla conservation has advanced a great distance.

Try not to spit on ground or on plants mountain gorillas eat. You could spread bacteria to these vulnerable to human infection primitives.

Steer clear of throwing trash on the ground that can change the surroundings where mountain gorilla food thrives.

When you track the mountain gorillas, one hour is allotted. This is so because they are used to remain in human company solely for that period. They then have to go about their lives, apart from human intervention, feeding and grooming included.

During gorilla trekking, keep a small group as they could feel attacked if you surround the mountain gorillas and hide. Primates sensitive like mountain gorillas are themselves.

It is banned to feed mountain gorillas as wild animals have to hunt their food. Hence, it is not recognized dependent on human supply.

Steer clear of inciting the mountain gorillas as, under agitation, your activities can drive them to migrate into the more far-off areas of the jungle.

Does Uganda have mountain gorillas?

About half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Uganda Mountain gorillas found in Uganda’s two national parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park—are Mountain gorillas are found only in three nations worldwide: D.R. Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.

The main attraction of Uganda is gorilla trekking, hence seeing them is a luxury given the constraints around them. Among the most sought-after animals in Uganda, mountain gorillas need a gorilla permit before any visitor may see them. The gorilla permit-selling and controlling authority is Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Beginning in the 1990s with the Mubare gorilla family being the first to be habituated and opened in 1993, gorilla treks in Uganda Later habitation was by the other three gorilla families: Nkuringo, Rushegura, and Habinyanja. The rest is history.

A gorilla trekking permit is what?

A card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the gorilla permit lets a visitor join a maximum of seven other visitors in search of a fully habituated gorilla family. The age restriction for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is fifteen years and above. Gorilla hiking licenses offered daily per gorilla family are only eight for purposes of gorilla conservation.

This is so because of the nature of the gorilla trekking adventure—where the timing of finding the mountain gorillas is still in development. Volcanoes you may have to climb to reach the mountain gorillas make up even the topography of the gorilla trekking locations.

Uganda now has 19 completely habituated gorilla families available for visitors.

What is gorilla habituation?

Gorilla habituation in Uganda is being driven by a wild gorilla family used to human contact without changing their character. One may take part in a gorilla habituation safari in Uganda.

Where in Uganda may one go gorilla trekking?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks

Gorilla trekking in Uganda finds one of its habitats in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is located southwest in Uganda. Thanks to its age of more than 30000 years, Bwindi’s impenetrable national park is among the richest woods in Africa.

The great expanse of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park determines where the mountain gorilla families dwell. Sadly, in the past, the Buhoma government struggled to keep an eye on the whole Bwindi forest and operations.

The impenetrable national park of Bwindi consists of four administrative areas:

The Buhoma area

The Ruhijah region in the east Nkuringo and Rushaga site in the southern Bwindi forest

Mostly to catch up with the early morning briefing that day, the distance one needs to go early morning from one place to another is somewhat considerable.

Mngahinga National Park

Though the smallest national park in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park has at least one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi. Unfortunately, this gorilla family had a history of straying into Rwanda, hence its gorilla permits were sold on the spot based upon availability. This gorilla family is now continuously residing in Uganda, and its gorilla permits are booked ahead of time.

You must advance arrange a Mgahinga gorilla permit as only a maximum of 8 visitors are permitted to view this gorilla family daily. Mgahinga national park still looks virgin, nevertheless, and if you want to take advantage of the unspoiled gorilla trekking experience, this is the best option even if it gets less people.

How to purchase Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits

You must choose a date and gorilla permit count for Uganda gorilla treking.

The gorilla permits might be bought straight from Uganda Wildlife Authority or via a tour operator such as Katland  Safaris. Our safari consultant must verify availability from the Uganda Wildlife Authority database when you inquire from us. We operate under Uganda Wildlife Authority certification.

If at all possible, we advise our customers to get their gorilla permits right away. Although there is a great demand for gorilla permits, just one family everyday is granted one. First come, first served basis is used during reserve of the gorilla permits.

As shown on the passport, you must submit certain personal information such date of birth, nationality, and complete name. These specifics serve record-keeping needs and guide marketing plans for Uganda gorilla trip activities.

When should I get Uganda Gorilla Permits?

Uganda gorilla trekking permits should be bought at least six months to a year ahead. This is so due to the great demand for these licenses, particularly in the busy seasons: June to September and December to January.

Last-minute gorilla permit purchases, particularly during the busiest season, might throw off the whole safari schedule as you must know in which region you are to be assigned. Before you may pre-book lodging in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you have to know where your gorilla permit is reserved.

Are Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits bought in installments?

Indeed, Uganda lets you pay for gorilla permit payments as long as you remember to top up ninety days before the day of gorilla trekking. One may get Uganda gorilla permits for thirty percent of the whole cost or seventy percent.

Purchasing the permit at least 90 days before the trip allows you to pay for gorilla treking in installments. You have to keep in mind either forfeit the paid percentage or top up 90 days before the trip.

Could I get refunded for a Uganda Gorilla Permit?

If you do not notify the situation before the gorilla trekking day, a no-show on that day receives no return. Only until the day it is booked is the gorilla permission card valid.

Following a refund procedure, the Uganda Wildlife Authority handles cases when a gorilla permit is returned. But the process you go through to receive this reimbursement calls for your patience as well.

How can I reschedule Uganda Gorilla Permits?

Following the required policies allows you to postpone Uganda gorilla trekking permits. Still, follow the guidelines below while rescheuling the Uganda gorilla trekking passes.

You have to write to Uganda Wildlife Authority about the cause of your absence from the scheduled gorilla trekking. Attach documentation to backup your request to postpone your gorilla trekking permission.

Should your answer be favorable, our safari specialist will review availability from Uganda Wildlife Authority for the day you want to reschedule. Uganda has two options for rescheduling a gorilla permit, but the third time calls for a fee about 25% of the whole cost.

Should rescheduling call for discounted gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority, you must act within the time specified for such permits. You have to add up depending on the current gorilla permit price if you want to postpone to a time following the gorilla permit discount.

For what length is Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda?

Gorilla hiking in Uganda is still under debate given their unrestricted mobility in the environment. Living in a huge environment, mountain gorillas look for food. Starting from the base of gorilla trekking, finding the mountain gorillas might take two hours or three-quarters of the day.

Where their feeding ground is determines where one finds the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas move when food runs out, but spending some time in a specific feeding spot. One of the difficulties you may have in the jungle when gorilla trekking is following the gorilla way around.

Tracing where the surviving family members may have moved may take some time in case of a conflict among the mountain gorillas and family breaks.

Gorilla hiking requires considerable patience; success depends on some fitness as well.

How challenging is the Uganda gorilla trekking adventure?

Usually volcanic, the geology of the gorilla trekking region means that you will sometimes have to climb slopes and ridges to reach the mountain gorillas.

Following the paths leading to the mountain gorilla family you find after the briefing. That was evident the day before. Rarely do mountain gorillas eat far from their last point of reference.

Over many years, the vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park has been entwined. Sometimes you have to travel to where the mountain gorillas could spend the day by walking under creepers. Usually, the ranger guides make a path for you while gorilla trekking using machetes.

Using appropriate gorilla trekking gear—especially safari boots—helps you avoid sliding back on steep hills.

Is Uganda’s gorilla hiking safe?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers are alert in preserving peace and harmony in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks, hence gorilla trekking in Uganda is safe. Furthermore in place to maintain law and order both within and outside the Uganda gorilla travel routes are the other security agencies of Uganda.

You cannot appreciate the whole gorilla trekking experience without personal security. Sadly, only few of the people in this region are reliable, hence be very cautious with the individuals you interact with when gorilla trekking.

Never enter the forest by yourself as any action in Bwindi forest or Mgahinga forest calls for an accompanied ranger. While walking, be cautious even if some gorilla families are used to human presence; other forest residents are still wild.

Mountain gorillas live in their natural habitat and accept human presence without altering their character. Although it is advisable to keep a distance from the mountain gorillas, obey gorilla trekking policies since this procedure takes around two years or more.

The guidelines of gorilla trekking in Uganda

When you come among the mountain gorillas, keep your distance from touching. They still have wild qualities even if they are settled.

Searching for mountain gorillas, keep your voice quiet. Their simple fear of strange sounds in their surroundings might drive them into concealment.

About eight meters should separate you from the mountain gorillas as you track them. This lowers the likelihood of infecting the already fragile mountain gorillas with a virus.

Since the mountain gorillas eat the foliage, spitting on it is against policy. You might transmit bacteria that could cause a great death toll.

Because of the kind of habitat mountain gorillas live in, the age restriction for gorilla treking is 15 years and above.

Flash photography is not allowed while gorilla trekking since unknown light in the presence of the mountain gorillas might drive them into hiding.

If you develop a communicative illness like flu, cough, or coronavirus, volunteer to remain behind to help to prevent the significant mortality of the mountain gorillas.

When you find the mountain gorillas, keep in close proximity to prevent ambushed by your presence.

At least 300 meters from the mountain gorillas, when you want to eat or smoke, avoid situations wherein the gorillas might take food from you. Wild animals have to find their own food and rely not on human supply.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is permitted. This is so because they are used to be in front of people especially for that purpose.

It is against policy to provoke the mountain gorillas as you could irritate the family and drive them into hiding.

What Should One Bring for Uganda’s Gorilla Trekking?

Firefox starts

An eye camera

A pair of binoculars.

a warmener or sweater; water proof backpack

Repellant for insects

Bug spray

Cleanliness Tools

gloves for gardens

Shoeback bag

bag for Duffel

Additional fully charged batteries

Safari long pants with a long-sleeved shirt

Additional garments

Travel adaptable tool and charger

fleece, ponchues, or sweaters

Rainproof gears

Flip heels

First aid station

Some actual cash

Travel paperwork

Journal or notepad

Chimpanzee trekking age limit in Uganda and Rwanda.

Being an experience in the woods, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda requires you to be above 15 years of age. When it comes to chimpanzee trekking, conservation of the chimpanzees comes first, hence all the required guidelines controlling this expedition have to be observed.

Whether in Uganda or Rwanda, you must get a chimpanzee trekking permit to be let to visit this primates safari. Among the most threatened primates worldwide are chimps, hence preserving them in their natural habitats comes first among other objectives than in captivity.

Definitions of chimpanzee trekking safari initially helps one to grasp this activity.

What is chimpanzee Trekking?

Only one hour is permitted in human company while you accompany a completely acclimated chimpanzee group in an adventure sport known as chimpsky trekking most

Describe the chimpanzee habituation safari.

A Chimpanzee Habituation Safari is an excursion wherein you accompany semi-habituated chimpanzees in the wild to get acquainted with human presence without changing their character. A maximum of 4 visitors each session join a group of trackers and researchers during this excursion to spend 4 hours in their company following a chimpanzee colony.

Where in Uganda and Rwanda would one go for chimpanzee trekking?

Uganda

Kibale National Park 

The biggest chimpanzee hiking habitat in Uganda is Kibale national park. Right now the park houses around 1500 chimpanzees. Daily two sessions of chimpanzee trekking take place in the morning and afternoon.

To be allowed to join, you have to get a chimpanzee trekking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

For international nonresidents, kibale national park chimpanzee licenses cost $300 per person per trip; for foreign residents, they cost $250. East African citizens pay 150000shs.

Among the 13 additional primates found in Kibale National Park are black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and chimpanzees. Among others are grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, L’hoest’s, pottos, bush infants, olive baboons.

Kibale has several bird species, including Albertine endemics, for enthusiastic birders. Although ornithologists estimate the number of over 335 bird species now known to be inhabiting Kibale National Park is continually growing.

Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park

Along the slopes the Kyambura River forms over the rift valley floor, Kyambura Gorge is a wooded ecosystem. Here is a completely habituated chimpanzee colony. Since this location includes slopes twisted by erosion from the river, it would be great if you were somewhat physically fit. You require boots as the walk to Kyambura Gorge is slick during the heavy wet season.

Kaniyo Pabidi in National Park Murchison Falls

Eight kilometers from Kichumbanyombo gate, Kaniyo Pabidi woodland consists of some of Uganda’s last fully mature mahogany trees. Sadly, you have to get a chimpanzee trekking permission if you want to have an opportunity to do so in this area.

Blue monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus are among the other primates inhabiting this woodland.

Ngamba Chimpanzees Sanctuary

Koome Island is the site of Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary.

Chimpanzees unable to be returned to their habitats find refuge in Lake Victoria. Chimpanzees rescued from snares, abandoned, orphaned, and community-less captivity call this Island in Lake Victoria home. Right now, more than fifty chimpanzees call home this refuge.

This haven was designed to educate guests, the nearby population, and the broader public about this amazing species and the need of preserving their delicate habitat.

Two sessions per day allow guests to see the chimpanzees from the Visitor Platform. Arranging before feeding time will allow you to participate in chimpanzee feeding.

Project management of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary are the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT).

Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWCEC)

This is the old Entebbe Zoo, and on a guided or self-directed tour you may see chimpanzees housed in the exhibit in a surroundings like those of the bush. This is a tiny group of chimpanzees; you may participate in keeping for the day by closely approaching these chimpanzees.

Reserve for Kalinzu Forest

At the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Kalinzu woodland reserve. Although this forest reserve uses the chimpanzees for study, they might be released to visitors during the high season.

Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda

The only place for chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is Nyungwe National Park. Seeing these chimpanzees would be great if you have a chimpanzee trekking permission from the Rwanda Development Board. On the margins of Nyungwe National Park, Cyamudongo has another chimpanzee group.

Uwinka is the headquarters for chimpanzee treking in Nyungwe National Park. Two daily, early morning and afternoon chimpanzee trekking sessions take place in this park.

Other primates such Angola Colobus, Hamlyn’s monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons,, and Others may be seen while chimpanzee treking.

To appreciate the lovely canopy of Nyungwe national park from a vantage point, go on a canopy walk over it. Starting from Uwinka, this walk follows the Igishigishigi route.

For what duration is Chimpanzee Trekking?

Giant ancient trees cover somewhat flat ground in the chimpanzee hiking sites in Uganda and Rwanda. Sometimes the search for the chimpanzees throughout the journey may take two hours or more. Finding the chimpanzees calls for some patience given the prevailing conditions in the forest:

Should food be scarce in the forest, the society must find fresh sources; therefore, the path around for the chimpanzees may take time.

Should a conflict arise among the chimpanzees, some may be compelled to migrate; should the community assigned to you be the victim, they may wander into the deeper reaches of the jungle.

Trekkers find it difficult to navigate in the forest during the severe rainy seasons as the trails are wet and slipper. Even the chimpanzees prefer to hide in the tree branches and are less active in the rainy season. To obtain a better view of the chimpanzees, it would therefore be advisable to have a pair of binoculars at times.

Why Is The Age Limit For Chimpanzee Trekking Above Fifteen Years?

Only those above 15 years old are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking since:

The essence of the forest

Trekking with chimps is an exciting sport in which one walks into the jungle. Children 15 years of age and under, however, may not be able to survive in the harsh environment of the woods with unpleasant plants like stinging nettles.

There is no noise during the Chimpanzee Trekking.

Unfamiliar noise in their surroundings disturbs chimpanzees, although it’s quite difficult to talk in a low tone or quiet for a youngster 15 years or less.

Time of Search for the Chimpanzees

Since the chimpanzees roam freely in the bush, their exact location time is still under debate. Children of this age may not be able to tolerate, hence it would be advisable to teach tolerance and patience.

Playfulness in the chimpanzee nature

Though they might be provocative at times, chimps need preparation to avoid being scared by their overtures. The chimpanzees cannot not go over and touch you, hence you must maintain a distance of out 8 meters from them. A youngster fifteen years of age or less will easily respond in a way that might aggravate the chimpanzees.

A chimpsky trekking permit for Uganda or Rwanda costs what?

The charging of Uganda’s chimpanzee hiking permits depends on habitat management and location.

For international nonresidents, the Kibale National Park chimpanzee trekking permit is $300 per person; for foreign residents, it costs $250 per person; and for East African residents, it runs 150000shs.

For Queen Elizabeth national park, Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee trekking tickets are $50 per person, 30000shs East African locals.

For Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda chimpanzee hiking permits are $100 each.

The chimpanzee hiking permit includes and does not include what?

Park expenses include a Kibale chimp permit, security, one hour with the chimps, and ranger guide price.

The chimpanzee permit fee leaves out the following:

Transportation, dining, lodging, and any other personal item including tips.

Of Uganda and Rwanda, which is the best country for the Chimpanzee Trekking safari?

With about 98% human DNA, chimpanzee trekking transports you to the habitat of the closest human cousins, so prepare to find some human parallels. One notes that the greatest nation for chimpanzee hiking differs depending on:

There are just one chimpanzee destination in Rwanda and around five chimpanzee trekking sites where Uganda resides.

While the Rwanda chimpanzee permit is $100 per person per trip, the cost of a Uganda chimpanzee permit depends on the location.

When should one book a chimps’ trekking permit for Uganda and Rwanda?

Trekking in chimpanzees generally like the dry season. Usually they are June, July, August, September, December, and January. This is so because even other forest inhabitants are active and the chimpanzees eat closer to the ground during the dry season.

The chimpanzee trekking safari is expensive as this season experiences significant tourist as well.

The low season—March to May or November at times—attracts lower rates for someone with a restricted safari budget. You could have restricted pricing high-end services.

If you want solely time with the chimpanzees, it is simpler to have this in the low season as usually there are less chimpanzee trekkers.

Is trekking in Chimpanzees safe?

Trekking among chimps in Uganda and Rwanda is secure as the rangers are very eager to preserve these animals and their habitats. Furthermore in place to help to maintain peace and order in the vicinity of the national parks are various security services.

The dos and donuts of Chimpanzee Trekking Safari?

Should you develop a communicative illness such as flu, COVID-19, or cough, offer to remain behind to prevent passing a disease to the chimpanzees. They are very easily infected by humans.

Once you find the chimpanzees, surrounding them might upset them and drive them into hiding.

As this is nourishment for the chimps and forest residents, spitting on ground and flora is banned. You could also make them contaminated with bacteria.

It is illegal to provoke the chimpanzees as this would excite them and drive them into hiding. You have only one hour allotted in their presence.

Keep your voice quiet when a chimpanzee is traveling to avoid confusing them.

When you find the chimpanzees, keep eight meters apart from each other to avoid giving them any opportunity to spread diseases to the very sensitive chimps.

Flash photography is discouraged as it might frighten the chimpanzees who are cognizant of events in their surroundings.

When in front of the chimpanzees, wear a fresh mask to stop any nearby bacteria from spreading.

At least 300 meters from the chimpanzees, cough or sneeze if you like.

Plastic wrapping or any other indecomposable object should not be littering the forest as it changes the environment where the chimpanzees eat from.

Once you find the chimpanzees, you spend an hour with them following all the advice provided during the briefing and under the ranger guides.

Only those above 15 years old are permitted to go chimpanzee trekking as they can survive in the wilderness.

If you desire to have a lengthy call and cover much beyond recognition, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least thirty meters deep.

What should one pack for the Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Rwanda and Uganda?

Binoculars in pairs

Safari starts boots.

Safari folding helmet

Insect repulsion agent

One torch

backpack

Garden gloves:

Safari Clothing

Some stockings to hang in your wardrobe.

Given this is a somewhat chilly region, a sweater or warmers

bag for Duffel

Some real money

First aid equipment

Flip slippers

Reasons Why You Should Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park In Uganda.

One of the main choices for a safari trip in Uganda is visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; consequently, you should make such visit. The principal Uganda safari activity available only in two parks, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is gorilla trekking. In southwest Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

More than half of all the mountain gorillas in the world find home in the Park. Celebrated remnants of the ice period, this woodland nation park is a biosphere reserve.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has over 10 primate species. Among them are mountain gorillas, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, chimpanzees, black and white colobus, Lhoest’s, and red-tailed monkeys.

Sometimes it might be difficult as bwindi forest species is entwined in plants covering hills, plateaus, and slick valleys.

You travel throughout a dense forest experiencing the fresh wind from this natural habitat during the gorilla trekking trip.

Part of nature, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has glittering waterfalls created by the rich river network including the water source for the region.

One of the best African safari experiences is gorilla treking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

What Should I Do in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Gorilla treking is the magnetic attraction of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Being a huge forest, the administrative tasks of this dense and wide one were demanding. Bwindi National Park was thereby split up into the Nkuringo region, the Ruhijah area, the Buhoma area, and the Rushaga area.

Sales of gorilla permits come from these locations. You thus need to know where your permit is kept before booking lodging for your gorilla trekking expedition. This helps you avoid waking rather early to catch up with a briefing in another location and drive.

Eighteen gorilla families are available for tourists and completely settled right now. To engage in gorilla treking, you need a gorilla permit issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla treking each gorilla family per day only permits a maximum of eight visitors.

A Gorilla Permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: How Much

For international non-residents, the Bwindi Impenetrable national park gorilla permit costs $800 per person each trip; for foreign residents, it costs $700; and for East Africans, it costs 300 000shs.

Park fees, gorilla conservation payments, ranger guide fees, security, and one hour with the mountain gorillas comprise this gorilla permit cost.

A gorilla permit’s fee does not include transportation, refreshments, porters, tipping, or any other personal item.

Can I get the Gorilla permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park In Installments?
For Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, paying for a gorilla permit in installments is OK as long as you buy it ninety days before the day of treking. You have to remember to top up entirely 90 days before hiking or stand-to lose it.

Is a possible Gorilla Trekking Permit Reschedule for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
Indeed, if you follow the following, you are free to postpone your gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Write to the Uganda Wildlife Authority explaining why you would like to change the date of your gorilla permit.

In case you want to support your claim, provide proof.

If your response is a go-ahead, you have to know the date you want to change your gorilla permit for.

You have one last option should you desire to postpone your gorilla permission once more. The third rescheuling demands for a 25% premium on the whole gorilla permit fee.

Mountain Gorilla Habituation Safari in Bwindi impenetrable national Park

Wild mountain gorillas utilized in human presence without changing their character are being trained via gorilla habituation.

Tourists join trackers and habituation to follow a semi-habituated gorilla family in the jungle during the gorilla habituation safari. Only four visitors are authorized to engage in daily gorilla habituation. This only takes four hours after you find the mountain gorillas. Since these mountain gorillas still exhibit rather wild behavior, expect wild actions like hiding.

There are only two gorilla families accessible for gorilla habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southern section.

A Gorilla Habituation Permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs what?
Every Gorilla habituation permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs $1500 per person each trip.

To list but a few, this sum covers 4 hours with the mountain gorillas, ranger guide costs, security, and money assistance for mountain gorilla preservation.

The gorilla habituation permit’s fee excludes tips, transportation, refreshments, packed lunch, and others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda Birding

One of the best places in Uganda for birding, Bwindi forest has some of the greatest forest birding available in Africa. Over 1000 bird species are said to be present in Uganda, a number maybe more than that of all Europe.

Currently home to more than 350 bird species, including perhaps 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift unique species, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Any Uganda birding excursion will benefit much from the Ruhija section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has a rather ideal habitat. On your way from Kabale to Ruhija, you may see various birds. Furthermore, the Mubwindi swamp trip is a birder’s paradise as you pass through the bamboo zone to reach the Afromontane flora.

Among the species you might find in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest are Handsome Francolin, pink-footed puff back, White-napped raven, Rwenzori Turaco, African hill babbler, Cassin’s rey flycatcher, African green broadbill, Western Green Timber bird and others.

Nature Walks Inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You might see other fascinating forest areas like waterfalls, stunning vistas, see birds, a range of primates, and so much more on a guided, laid-back stroll in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Among these woodland hikes are:

Starting from Buhoma, Munyanga River Trail winds around woodland margins. You might find many beautiful sites, monkeys, and others using this.

Among other things, the Waterfall Trail runs among epiphytic ferns, tree ferns, orchids to glittering cascades.

Climb to the top of Rukubira Hill and savor the amazing views of the Bwindi forest. Then, enjoy the amazing view of western rift valley along with the Virunga hills. Muzabajiro Loop path. Six Virunga ranges; some of them include Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, and others.

Starting from the Nkuringo region in southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the River Ivi Trail follows the ancient road path via breathtaking woodland vistas.

Local stroll in the community

Local community visits for visitors help to involve the mountain gorilla conservation effort. Consequently, the visitors find themselves fully engaged in the everyday lives of the residents around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The local people must to be sensitive to the need of preserving the threatened mountain gorillas and their surroundings.

Among the communal walks are several like:

Cultural events include a communal stroll in Buhoma.

The residents run this stroll bringing guests inside the town to see their way of life. Among the places you could visit are a traditional healer, a banana brewery, tour a farm, and more. You may also go to a nearby cultural dance event, although this is only on request.

Walks from Nkuringo Community

Visit a blacksmith, beer brewery, traditional healer, and others in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

When should one visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Though many favor the dry season, Bwindi Impenetrable national park is available all year round for every kind of activities. This tropical jungle is renowned for getting rain anywhere with no notice. Usually June to September and December to January, the woodland grows less humid in dry seasons.

The features of the ground less damp and less slippery might be employed for gorilla trekking and other sports. Furthermore, the rivers run within their limits due to less rainfall during this season.

Most of the people who live in the forest are active in Bwindi forest and may be observed going about their daily routines or hunting for food.

In the dry season, combining gorilla treking with other Uganda safari activities like wildlife drives is more fascinating.

These are some of the advantages for individuals wishing to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the rainy season, generally March to May;

This is more likely in the low season when prospects of getting cheaper pricing are more open if you have a restricted budget yet desire to enjoy upper-class services. Certain safari companies may also give savings for lodging, car rentals, and ranger guides.

In the low season, when fewer people are scheduled for the day, there are more possibilities for an unprepared single gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lasts how long?

Different elements in the forest mean that the timing of finding the mountain gorillas in Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park is still unknown. The closeness of the gorilla feeding ground might force them from the trail beginning point either closer or further into the woods.

The general state of the weather in Bwindi Forest means that during the heavy rainy season the terrain might be muddy and slick. This might cause you to arrive where the mountain gorillas spend their days later than expected.

Gorilla hiking requires some patience if one wants to find where the mountain gorillas may be.

Why Is Trekking Through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Difficult?

The terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is mostly volcanic, so the soils are soft. Still, the terrain may sometimes be muddy and treacherous when it rains. You may sometimes have to climb certain slopes and plateaus throughout the trip. It would be advisable to pack safari footwear designed to withstand such environments and avoid twisted ankle while you walk.

Stretching your muscles more can help you locate the mountain gorillas or golden monkeys.

What should one bring for a Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Safari boots designed to resist wilderness muddy environments.
Rainproof clothing as the temperature of this woodland varies anytime without notice.
Warm clothing such as a shawl or jacket is advisable as Park temperatures can fall below 7 degrees centigrade.

Insect repellent to keep buzzing wilderness creatures away that could hurt you
Hand them to a porter in case you need them; rainproof backpacks to fit your gorilla trekking equipment.

Some cash in case you must make on-ground transactions. The long process of getting money from credit cards makes them little utilized in Africa.
To stop insects from creeping into your garments, tuck two stockings to tack in your pants.
Garden gloves protect your hands from coming into contact with polluted surfaces when you slip and fall.

First aid pack with emergency supplies in case you need help.
Carry a Duffel bag with your stuff in case you run into no assistance.
Wearing warm enough pajamas to go to bed can help you stay from chilly.

The donts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Bwindi Forest is the fruitful ground for foliage on which mountain gorillas and other forest residents eat, hence trash cannot be dumped there.
Especially the mountain gorillas, keep a distance of around eight meters from the forest residents.

Spitting on ground or plants is against policy as you could spread pathogens to wild monkeys.
Flash photography should never be used in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as it may frighten other forest residents including mountain gorillas.

When you come across mountain gorillas, avoid encirclement of them. Their agitation drives them toward the deeper sections of the forest.
Mountain gorillas are only seen to youngsters fifteen years of age and above.
One hour is given while observing the mountain gorillas. This is so since they are used to facing people for only one hour.

Reasons to book a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi’s Impenetrable National Park.

Reasons to schedule a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi’s Impenetrable National Park include additional time with the mountain gorillas and participation in helping create a gorilla family to be added to the existing families available for tourists. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla habituation takes place in the southern section. To be let participate in this trip, you have to buy a gorilla habituation permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.

A group of trackers and habituation might be accompanied by only four visitors to enjoy this whole daily experience. Once you find the mountain gorillas, you have four hours at most to spend with them.

Describes Gorilla Habituation Safari.

Following a semi-habituated wild gorilla family to assist them in becoming acclimated to human presence is the experience known as the gorilla habituation safaris. You do not, however, alter their natural behavior as they are still wild creatures with need for self-dependence and not for people.

Right now, Uganda has two open gorilla families for gorilla habituation tourism. There are now nineteen completely habituated Uganda gorilla families available for tourism.

How Much Could I Spend on Gorilla Habituation Safari?

A gorilla habituation permit is presently $1500 per person per trip. Purchasing the gorilla habituation permit requires following the procedure below.

Choose the date you desire to perform gorilla habituation and the quantity of days or persons you wish to embark on this trip with.

Our safari consultant reviews availability from the Gorilla Habituation permit listing when you submit us an inquiry.

Should things go according to plan, we ask our customers to get their permits right away. This helps to avoid last-minute anxiety while the gorilla habituation permits are in process. Their daily maximum number of visitors is four per hike.

Can the Gorilla Habituation Permit be refunded?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has a refund policy; gorilla habituation permits may therefore be repaid.

One other would be postponing your gorilla habituation permit. This is carried out according to the procedure below.

Write to Uganda Wildlife Authority explaining why you want your gorilla permit moved to a different day. Put some proof together to support your request.

You have to have a date when you want it to be rescheduled after you receive the go-ahead for your gorilla habituation permit resuling.

Only two times is permitted for rescheduling the gorilla habituation; the third time calls for a 25% cost.

Is it possible to get an instant gorilla habituation permit?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority lets one purchase the gorilla habituation permit in installments. You may pay in installments 30% or 70% of the whole safari cost.

Installment gorilla permit habituation purchase is only possible when you acquire the gorilla permit 90 days before the trekking date and completely top-up 90 days before. Remember to stand to lose the gorilla permission or top up.

The gorilla habituation permit cost covers ranger guide expenses, security, support of the gorilla conservation fund, one hour with the mountain gorillas, and local community assistance.

This fee also covers transportation, refreshments, packed lunch, tips, and any other personal item.

For what length is Gorilla Habituation Adventure?

The gorilla habituation experience allows just 4 hours with the mountain gorillas once you discover them, but the timing of that finding is erratic.

Free primates, mountain gorillas must find their food either where to lounge or for the daily consumption. These elements will affect where the mountain gorillas are found: two hours or even three-quarters of the day.

The general temperature on the gorilla habituation day affects the time you may come across these animals. For instance, a damp day might postpone gorilla trekking as less sunlight reaches the ground and the terrain is treacherous.

To keep the mountain gorillas adapted to human presence, you join a troop of habituated mountain gorillas and rangers into the jungle. You have to arrive to the briefing location, hence the start is early in morning. The lecture is crucial before seeing the mountain gorillas as every gorilla family has unique characteristics that you need to know.

The losers could go into hiding under conflict with another gorilla family. Thus, if the gorilla family you are assigned calls for some patience, it would be advisable to have some as well.

Finding the gorilla family for habituation gets difficult if the main silverback is adventurous.

Sometimes the loss of a member of the gorilla family under habituation causes the whole family to become depressed. Thus, closely observe the guidelines from the habituation and ranger guides.

The cost of Gorilla Habituation Safari?

The gorilla habituation safaris are set in premium, middle ground, and budget levels. Furthermore, every gorilla habituation tour package calls for a gorilla permit costing $1500 per person every trip.

Apart from other elements influencing the gorilla habituation tour quotation:

Gorilla Habituation Safari Participation Count

Less the cost per person the more people joining you for gorilla trekking. Every passenger helps to pay for the safari; you may split various costs like vehicle hiring.

Days allotted for gorilla habituation

Safari packages are more expensive the more days spent on gorilla habituation safari. Service providers bill per day.

Other activities mixed with gorilla habituation

The safari cost increases with increasing combined activity level and gorilla habituation. One may relate chimpanzee tracking with gorilla habituation. Game drives under gorilla habituation safari.

Time for arranging a trip for Gorilla habituation?

The safari packages are expensive as the busy season draws heavy expenses from service providers. The low season at times comes with lowered prices. With a low budget, you could earn a safari upgrade.

Amount of Gorilla Habituation Times

If you want to undertake gorilla habituation more than once, the safari package price becomes higher. Gorilla habituation is not one-time only.

How Different Habituation Is from Gorilla Trekking?

While a maximum of 4 visitors are permitted to engage in gorilla habituation, a maximum of 8 visitors are permitted to engage in gorilla treking.

While in gorilla trekking you follow a fully habituated gorilla family, in Gorilla habituation you follow the semi-habituated gorilla family.

Habits of gorillas You meet the mountain gorillas and spend four hours with them. When you find mountain gorillas, gorilla hiking only allows one hour.

While a gorilla habituation permit is $1500 per person each trip, a gorilla trekking permit runs $800 per person.

Although thus far only two gorilla families are allowed for gorilla habituation, Uganda has nineteen gorilla families open for gorilla trekking in four locations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla habituation occurs in Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park’s southern section.

Gorilla trekking requires first a procedure known as habituation. Gorilla habituation is the process by which a wild gorilla family comes to know people without changing its nature. Tourists may accompany a completely habituated gorilla family by means of gorilla trekking.

What Are the Guidelines for Gorilla Habituation? Do and do not

Especially after the covid 19 epidemic, use a fresh facemask before approaching the mountain gorilla.

When searching for mountain gorillas, keep your voice low or silent to avoid disturbing any non-habited forest residents.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, keep about eight meters away from them. This lowers the risk of infecting the very sensitive mountain gorillas with an illness.

throwing trash on the ground, particularly indecomposable plastic wrapping. They change the character of the forest where mountain gorillas and other inhabitants get food.

If you have a contagious infection—flu, coughing, covid-19, etc.—volunteer to remain behind so as not to transmit it on the sensitive mountain gorillas. Their DNA consists about in 96% human form.

Encouragement of the mountain gorillas is illegal. They could get restless and hide. Expect them to exhibit some wild activity because they are semi-habituated; however, be extremely patient for the four hours of gorilla habituation permitted.

Flash photography is not allowed as it might startle mountain gorillas. They are afraid of unusual events in their home.

Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole around thirty cm deep and bury it far beyond recognition if you want to defecate during the gorilla habituation experience. This is meant to stop the gorillas from coming to terms.

Gorilla habituation is reserved for those who are 15 years of age and above only. This is so you may know when to follow the mountain gorillas. A youngster below this age may find it difficult even with the damp and sloppily character of the woodland.

At least 300 meters from the mountain gorillas, smoke or eat if you so like. This helps them not to grab what you are eating. Wild animals have to act for their own survival; they cannot rely on human sustenance.

There are just four allowable hours of gorilla habituation when you follow the mountain gorillas. The trackers and ranger guides have advised following their rules as they know most features of that gorilla family.

It is forbidden to enter the forest without a ranger guide for gorilla habituation as unhabituated forest residents can attack you.

During gorilla habituation, do not spit on ground or foliage. Should the mountain gorillas consume this vegetation, you could introduce an illness.

Not cough or sneeze in front of the mountain gorillas; instead, use the elbow or handkerchief. This is meant to stop any disease from spreading to the mountain gorillas.

Keep closer to the folks you are walking gorillas with to prevent ambushing them with your presence. Mountains gorillas are afraid of invaders in their territory.

Items To Add To The Gorilla Habituation Packing List Safari:

In case you need emergency medical help, first aid pack is handy. Add the appropriate medical care.

Foldable objects Safari: Hat to cover in the bush to shield your hair from flying insects found there.

a flashless camera to preserve jungle memory of your trip. Every moment is vital to save for future reference.

Travel adapter to replenish your devices should their power run low.

Since the jungle is chilly, pocho, or fleece, will help to remain warm. If only you could guard yourself from contracting a cold. The temperatures fall to as low as seven degrees centigrades.

Pajamas to wear before bed.

Two binoculars for viewing distant sights.

Safari. Tracking footwear to protect your feet from jungle’s abrasive terrain. Sometimes the terrain is muddy and damp, which makes moving difficult; hence, make sure your feet are protected.

Just in case it rains while you’re looking for the gorillas, rain coats or ponchues.

Foods fit for your needs when you get hungry in the wild.

Hand sanitizer helps to avoid bacteria that can infect the plants you come into contact with. For mountain gorillas, it is their meal.

Garden gloves will help you get a firmer hold on the slippery creepers during rain.

A mask to don in front of the mountain gorillas

A light waterproof bag to save your belongings from dispersing throughout the bush.

To wear in the outdoors, long-sleeved shirts and convertible pants have to be in tones fit for the wild.

Use insect repellent to spread over the body and avoid stinging flies like tsetse flies.

First aid pack with some medicines should you sustain an injury.

Bag spray will help to deter potential insect invaders into your room.

If you must buy anything like souvenirs, some hard cash to convert into local money. Since receiving money from credit cards is somewhat difficult, they are seldom utilized as a form of transaction.

Interesting facts about Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris find sole habitat in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda now has around 15 open gorilla families for visitors.

Rising in North Western Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park stretches beyond Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park stray from the bottom to the slopes of five of the famed six Virunga volcanoes. Mountains Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura are among these ones.

A gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park is steeper as sometimes you have to follow the mountain gorillas to where they can be living their daily lives.

The sole entity selling and controlling Rwanda gorilla trekking permits is Rwanda Development Board.

Book Gorilla Trekking Permission for Rwanda

Every gorilla trekking expedition to Rwanda must be approved by Rwanda Development Board.

Methodism

When you want to go on a gorilla trekking safari, you have to have a date; you also have to know the number of qualified people you want to go with, or the frequency of your trips.

Our safari expert looks at availability from the Rwanda Development Board gorilla permit listing when you email an inquiry.

We suggest you to get yours ahead of time if the gorilla’s permission for your chosen day is good. Although availability is limited, the gorilla permits are sold quickly due to global great demand.

Later we asked for personal information like nationality, birthdate, complete name as shown on the passport, and passport expiration date.

A Rwanda Gorilla Permit’s worth: how much can I afford?

Each person’s Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 for the expedition. If you buy this Rwanda gorilla permit in advance, at least 90 days before the trekking date, you might be let pay in payments. The Rwanda gorilla allows a 30% and 70% of the whole cost installation percentage.

Remember to completely top up ninety days before hiking or stand-to lose the gorilla permit.

What Does The Rwanda Gorilla Permit Cost Cover?

One hour with the mountain gorillas, finance support for mountain gorilla conservation, local community assistance, security, park fees, etc., the ranger guide costs.

The gorilla permit fees exclude

Drinks, tips, packed lunch, munchies, and anything else personally relevant.

Is the gorilla Permit from Rwanda refundable?

Policies stated by the Rwanda Development Board are meant to be followed in case one calls for a refundable gorilla permit. First of all, you have to be aware that every gorilla permit only valid till the day of trekking. Beyond this, it is seen as useless.

Should you not be able to go by the scheduled date, you might potentially postpone your Rwanda gorilla trekking date.

How Can Rwanda Gorilla Permits be Rescheduled?

Tell Rwanda Development Board why you want to postpone your gorilla permission in an email. Afford proof to support your request.

When you get the go-ahead, you have to know when you want to change your gorilla permit. Our safari advisor has to review availability using your revised date.

Your gorilla permit is moved to this date. If you want to amend the date of your gorilla permit once again, you have to pay certain fees.

The families of Rwanda Gorilla Trekking:

Right now, Rwanda has only 15-gorilla families available for visitors. Among the Rwanda gorilla families are the Karisimbi family, Agashya family, Amahoro family, Semyinyo family, Hirwa family, Susa family, Muhoza family, Bwenge family, Ugyenda family, Umubano family, Igisha family, and Kwitonda family.

Following a briefing at the ORTPN, you are randomly assigned among the many gorilla families based on age, physical condition, and others.

Which is the easiest family of Rwandan gorillas for treking?

It is difficult to find the gorilla family that is simple for one to hike in Rwanda This is so because they move in Volcanoes National Park in line with the dominant conditions.

After some time, the mountain gorilla family eats from a certain region; when food runs out, the dominant silverback is expected to search for fresh feeding grounds for the family.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts what time?

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins early morning at around 0800 hours at ORTPN every day. First, however, you have to show up for a briefing so that certain odd facts about the gorilla family you are walking through are presented to you.

When you skip a briefing at the ranger station, you could be kicked off from gorilla treking. This is so due to the possibility of neglecting the necessary gorilla trekking guidelines, which can provoke a stampede in the bush. For any group, this might interfere with the whole gorilla trekking day.

Also pack appropriate gear for gorilla treking; possibilities of hiring exist before the trip begins. Make sure you have at least two clean masks and follow the ranger guide’s directions on sanitizing your safari boots. This is meant to stop any infectious diseases from spreading to other forest residents including mountain gorillas.

At this stage, hire a porter to help you carry your stuff and provide a push when necessary.

Hiring a porter can help you to carry your gorilla trekking gear and other required tools to aid you throughout the trip.

Some of the elements influencing the location of the Gorilla Family consist in:

Finding the Rwanda gorilla families might take two hours to three-quarters of the day. Therefore, it would be advisable if you had some patience as the forest hosts many activities among the gorilla families and other forest occupants.

The food of the mountain gorilla is close by.

Mountain gorillas relocate to another region when their food runs out from a certain locality for some period. Trackers are necessary as sometimes it is difficult to find the location where the family could have migrated to.

Time for gorilla trekking

The woodland has high humidity and the paths are slick during the heavy wet season. The overflowing rivers provide wet surroundings. The volcanic soils hold a lot of water, but have limited sunray penetration to the earth.

Trekkers face difficulties ascending the mountains, which delays the search time to discover the mountain gorillas.

 Trekker Pace During Gorilla Trekking

You get where the mountain gorillas are quickly if the personnel you assign for gorilla treking are fast and physically fit. But if the group you are walking with is sluggish, you might have some time to locate the mountain gorillas.

Fight among the mountain gorilla families

Should the gorilla family you are hiking conflict with another family and lose, it might be driven into the more remote areas of the jungle.

This might slow down tracking where the gorilla family could have moved.

When The Dominant Silverback Is Adventurer

The gorilla family might be driven to pursue their pastime if the dominant silverback is daring. Finding the way around this gorilla family might take some time. Therefore, considerable patience is required in case the history of that gorilla family contains daring activities.

How much the Gorilla Trekking safari in Rwanda costs?

The gorilla trekking permit is the uniform cost of this Rwanda safari regardless of your choice between luxury, mid-range, or budget package.

These are some guidelines you might use to calculate the total Rwanda safari cost.

Days spent on the Rwanda safari

The gross cost of your Rwanda safari increases with increasing number of days. The cost of any activity you mix with gorilla walking in Rwanda raises the whole expenses. The cost of gorilla trekking safari increases with increasing number of days on safari.

Time of the gorilla trekking safari booking

The strong safari competition in the peak season makes the Rwanda gorilla trekking safari expensive when you book it.

Gorilla trekking safari companies may cut parts of their expenses like lodging, vehicle rental, ranger guides, etc. during the low season, which falls between March to May or November.

Number of persons on your gorilla trekking safari

The per-person fee is reduced the more individuals from the Rwanda safari join you. You may divide costs including driver guides, car rental, etc. So bear all the Rwanda safari charges alone as a solitary individual on a gorilla trekking safari.

Other pursuits that go along with Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

The more other activities you mix with gorilla trekking in Rwanda—such as birding and chimpanzee hiking—the more expensive they are. Every one of these actions has distinct pricing.

Other Activities that Match Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Trekking

Golden monkeys call Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda home. In Volcanoes National Park, you may mix golden monkey walk-through with gorilla trekking. One kind of monkey with golden brown hairs are golden monkeys. Few in number, they are among the most threatened primates worldwide, just as mountain gorillas are.

To engage in this sport, you have to have a golden monkeys trekking permission from the Rwanda Development Board.

birding in Volcanoes National Park 

With more than 300 bird species identified—including Albertine endemics—Volcanoes National Park has an amazing bird life. To really appreciate the trip, however, you need to pay a professional birding guide with Volcanoes National Park expertise.

Among the birds you could see are the attractive francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori turaco, Mountain masked Apalizes, Rwenzori Batis, and more.

Hike to the Dian Fossey Grave.

Walking in the fallen mountain gorilla heroin Dian Fossey’s steps is easy. She was an American primatologist fiercely defending the mountain gorilla existence. One of the reasons the globe may perform gorilla trekking at the current is her labor and study on mountain gorillas since 1967.

The local population had a great deal of animosity for her, and in 1985 she was mercilessly killed by unidentified assassins.

Volcanoes National Park’s natural treks.

The national park’s volcanoes invite a guided stroll. Among the other primates in this park are grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, and vervet monkeys.

Apart from other beautiful scenes, the woodland hosts a range of butterflies. The thick canopy of this woodland is formed by somewhat unusual natural antique trees.

Rules of Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

As this is nourishment for the mountain gorillas, there is no spitting on the flora. Even spitting the ground is banned as it can contaminate the mountain gorillas with bacteria.

Trekking to find the mountain gorillas keeps your voice down. The mountain gorillas may be scared by this, thereby forcing the families into hiding.

Once you find the mountain gorillas, allow some around eight meters separating you from them. This helps to avoid transferring an illness to the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is open to only youngsters fifteen years of age and above. This is true because a wilderness activity calls for some patience. The date of mountain gorilla discovery is still unknown.

Dumping trash in the forest is against policy as it can change the habitat of mountain gorillas. They also happen to be naturally vegetarian, which might cut the food available to mountain gorillas.

Should you have a contagious disease, offer to remain behind to prevent passing it on to the very sensitive mountain gorillas.

Kindly avoid eating or drinking before the mountain gorillas because they can be compelled to distance themselves from you. Wild creatures like them have to hunt for their sustenance.

Once you find them, one hour is allotted with the mountain gorilla. This is so because they have been used to be with others for just that hour.

It is against policy to provoke the mountain gorillas as this might make them upset.