Rwanda Gorilla naming Ceremony Kwita Izina

Rwanda Gorilla naming Ceremony

Rwanda Gorilla naming Ceremony Kwita Izina 2025

What transpired at the Rwanda gorilla naming ceremony – Gorilla naming, Gorilla trekking – Rwanda – Kwita Izina

Kwita Izina 2022. Kwita Izina is a gorilla naming ceremony held in Rwanda once every year, hosted in Kinigi, Musanze District, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The ceremony has been held in its current incarnation since 2005, derived from the centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming one’s children in the presence of family and friends.

For each ceremony held every year, a line of prominent individuals from across the world are given invitations to give names to newborn baby gorillas at every year’s Kwita Izina ceremony. For this year, the gorilla naming ceremony took place on 2nd of September 2022. The list of prominent people invited for the gorilla naming ceremony was topped by Prince Charles, Duke of Wales. Other prominent people on the list included Didier Drogba, former Chelsea striker, Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary General of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie, Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Kenyan music band Sauti Sol, Gilberto Silva, former Arsenal midfielder, and Salma Rhadia Mukansanga, Rwandan International Football Referee, among many other prominent individuals.

The ceremony is inspired by and modelled on an old tradition from many centuries ago in which Rwandans gave their newborn children names in a celebration graced by friends and family. The population of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world is only slightly above 1000. Therefore, the birth of any new baby gorilla comes with lots of excitement as it promises a better future for the conservation of these gentle giants. Over the last 17 years, 354 mountain gorillas have been given names in this Rwanda gorilla naming ceremony called Kwita Izina.Kwita Izina 2025

The event is first intended to add a higher value to these mountain gorillas in the eyes of Humans by giving these gentle giants names that the general public can relate to to further gorilla conservation initiatives. Second, the event is also an opportunity to thank the communities that live around Volcanoes National Park, research partners, veterinarians, conservationists, rangers, trackers, and the general public who, with great effort, protect these mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas remain a critically endangered species, and despite efforts to protect them, they are still hunted down for their meat or just to be turned into trophies. The Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF) estimates that only about 1,000 of these great apes remain in the wild globally.

Mountain gorillas are one of two subspecies of the eastern gorilla and one of the world’s largest living primates. They have muscular arms, a massive chest, and broad hands and feet, and they have longer hair and shorter arms than their lowland cousins.

In the whole of Africa, these gentle giants can only be trekked in Uganda, Rwanda, and the democratic republic of Congo.

Many conservation efforts have been started in recent years, intended at protecting the mountain gorillas and as well increase their number. Rwanda intends to play a pivotal role in creating a very safe space for mountain gorillas, and that’s the spirit from which the gorilla nnamingceremony K,wita Izina, comes.

Contact us with any inquiries about attending the next gorilla naming ceremony or trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Flying to Bwindi for gorilla trekking adventures

Flying to Bwindi for gorilla trekking Bwindi gorilla safaris – Affordable Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Flying to Bwindi for gorilla trekking

Bwindi gorilla safaris –

Affordable Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Luxury Gorilla trekking Trips

Flying to Bwindi for gorilla trekking Safaris. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is Uganda’s and the world’s premium destination, and home to more than half of the remaining population of the most endangered primate species, the mountain gorilla. Almost close to 70% of travelers choosing Uganda as a destination come for the gorilla trekking experience to feel enthused, overtaking this once-in-a-lifetime experience, gorilla trekking in Uganda, and encountering these mighty apes of Bwindi Forest Impenetrable National Park. Watching little juveniles play from one tree branch to the other is simply an experience for life.

The most pressing concern, though, for almost more than half of the traveler population that sets out to do mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is the 8 to 9 hours drive from Entebbe international airport to the home of mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga gorilla national park.

This journey takes almost a full day of just transferring to the park while sitting in the vehicle, and this is something that most travelers find to be so tiresome and time-consuming, especially for those with little safari time.

What to see and do on a Bwindi gorilla Safari from Kigali
What to see and do on a Bwindi gorilla Safari from Kigali

It’s because of the reasons above that many Ugandan tourists to Bwindi National Park have been visiting the park by flying to Kigali airport, Rwanda, because it is much closer and more convenient to connect to Bwindi from Rwanda than driving from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and its main airport, Entebbe, and transferring to Bwindi by road.

However, the drive from Entebbe to Bwindi is no longer a challenge to travelers, more concerned about the long 9-hour drive transfer journey to the park ahead of their gorilla trekking experience the next morning. At Katland Safaris, we present to you flying Bwindi gorilla safaris to Bwindi’s impenetrable forest national park to make your Uganda gorilla safari a great adventure.

Uganda currently offers excellent domestic flight services through domestic flight offering companies like Aero Link, Eagle Air, and so far, all operations are going on smoothly, and no failures have been registered on our Flying Bwindi gorilla safaris. Flights are scheduled on different hours and days. However, even chartered services can be provided.

There are direct flights from Kajjansi airstrip to different national parks in the country, like Queen Elizabeth Np, Murchison Falls Np, Kidepo Valley Np, and too mighty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. Including other tourist destinations around the country to ensure that their accessibility is paramount. Therefore, Flying Uganda Safaris offers travelers with limited time a chance to encounter and explore the pearl of Africa in a very short, convenient time.

In addition to that, now with domestic flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ugandan gorilla trekkers are saved from the 9-hour drive journey by flying from Kajjansi to Kihiihi airstrip and which takes about 1 hour. Then from Kihihi, travelers are transferred by vehicle to their respective regions/sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Np. And the fact that flying to Bwindi National Park takes about 1 hour, it is very easy and convenient for trekkers going through the gorilla trekking experience in just two days using the scheduled flights, and if at all it’s a chartered flight, it can be possible even trekking the gorillas and flying back to Kampala on the very same day.

Leaving wildlife interests aside, Katland Safaris enables you to explore the multicultural country with over 50 cultures of different norms and beliefs, clothing, cultural songs and dances, and even languages. Uganda is simply one African destination that all travelers should not stop only hearing about and reading about, but instead must take a step to visit Uganda, the pearl of Africa.

Contact us for any more inquiries about booking a fly-in gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest National Park, the home of mountain gorillas.

Flying Bwindi gorilla safaris

How to book Bwindi gorilla trekking permits

How to book Bwindi gorilla trekking permits

How to book Bwindi gorilla trekking permits

Planning a gorilla trekking Trip to Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking – Low-budget gorilla trekking in Uganda – Gorilla habituation safaris in Uganda

Bwindi gorilla trekking permits. All gorilla safari preparations in the prehistoric Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begin with the booking of a gorilla trekking permit. All gorilla permits in Uganda are sold and governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In a location devoid of tourists, Bwindi Forest offers an astounding array of natural treasures.

For expedited administrative services, all Bwindi Gorilla permits are reserved based on the park’s divisions. The Buhoma region in the north, the Ruhija region in the east, and the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions in the south are the four gorilla trekking locations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This is why you should find out which area your gorilla permit is scheduled in before making any reservations for lodging during the gorilla safari. About 327 square kilometers of pure woodland make up Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, which is difficult to go through in a hurry. Due to potential obstacles like slick roads, fog, complete darkness, flat tires, etc., the journey from one place to another is somewhat drawn out and unsettling. If you don’t attend the briefing, you can miss the gorilla trekking day.

Let’s first define a gorilla permit card before moving on to the specifics of how to reserve a gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

What is a card for a gorilla trekking permit?

A gorilla permission card is a reusable plastic card with a black stripe on the reverse that stores and retrieves your passport information on the day of the gorilla trek. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the exclusive owner of this gorilla trekking permit card.

How Do I Go About Scheduling a Bwindi Gorilla Permit?

Decide on a date for your gorilla trekking safari, either formally or informally. It’s great to know how many gorilla permits you want to reserve.

Speak with the Uganda Wildlife Authority directly or an authorized travel agency such as katland Safari. Keep in mind that the Uganda Wildlife Authority reservation office’s phone lines are frequently busy, so you’ll need to be patient.

Our safari adviser looks up availability from the Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permit list after receiving your inquiry.

When gorilla permits are available, we encourage customers to get them in advance to prevent last-minute requests when they sell out. During the peak months of June, July, August, September, December, and January, the majority of gorilla permits are sold out in advance.

For comfortable gorilla safari preparation, it is best to reserve your gorilla permit at least six months to a year in advance.

You must send us your passport information, including your entire name as it appears on the document, nationality, birthdate, and passport expiration date, before you can pick up your Uganda gorilla permission card.

What is the price of a permit to trek with gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Bwindi gorilla trekking permits. A Uganda gorilla trekking permit currently costs $800 per person per trek, $700 per person each trek, and 300000shs for residents of East Africa.

Purchasing a mountain gorilla permit helps ensure the mountain gorillas have a sustainable existence. By the 1980s, American primatologist Dian Fossey and his team conducted a population census and found that there were approximately 300 mountain gorillas left in the world, putting these primates in danger of extinction.

By participating in gorilla trekking, you may help the fund that sustains the conservation effort for mountain gorillas.

What does the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Trekking Permit include and exclude?

The price of each gorilla trekking permit covers park admission costs, nationality, birthdate, ranger guide services, assistance for the local community, gorilla conservation, and a certificate at the conclusion of the journey.

The price of a gorilla permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park does not include transportation to gorilla trekking sites, lodging during a gorilla safari, tips, snacks to eat on the trek, or a packed lunch.

Your ideal African primate vacation with the mountain gorillas can be realized with katland Safaris. We have developed business relationships with a wide range of lodging establishments of all price ranges in our field. Depending on the length of your Uganda safari, we may help you create an itinerary that fits your needs and priorities.

When Can I Reserve Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Permits?

Bwindi gorilla trekking permits. It is comfortable to book your gorilla permit at least six months to a year in advance, but you can do it as early as three months before the day of the gorilla trek. Permits to enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are available year-round; however, gorilla permits are in high demand during the busiest times of the year and quickly sell out. A maximum of eight gorilla permits per day per hike are available; thus, reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.How to book Bwindi gorilla trekking permits

Because there is less demand for safaris during the low season, which runs from March to May and November, you may be able to get last-minute gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Can Gorilla Permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park be rescheduled?

Bwindi gorilla trekking permits. You must first request permission in writing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority if you would like to change the date of your gorilla permit.

If you want to move your gorilla permit, you must have a new date in mind.

Request a new date for your gorilla permit in writing to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. If you have a valid cause, include it as an attachment. This serves as a fallback for your request to reschedule your gorilla permit.

Your gorilla permit is shifted to the new date according to availability when your request is approved.

Can I Receive My Money Back for My Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Permit?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s refund policy applies to gorilla permit refunds. Your gorilla permit is considered void if you fail to show up on the day of the gorilla hike without providing the Uganda Wildlife Authority with supporting documentation of your whereabouts. The validity of each gorilla trekking permit is limited to the day of the hike.

In accordance with the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s refund policy, you must take care of this in advance if you must cancel your gorilla trekking expedition but would still prefer a refund for your permit.

During a gorilla trek, what ensures that you will find the mountain gorillas?

There is a 99% likelihood of finding the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. An adult male mountain gorilla weighs roughly 300 kg, making them a large animal. Because of their immense stature, mountain gorillas are unable to move quickly through the forest.

For this reason, you begin your gorilla trekking day by following the trail where the mountain gorilla was last spotted the day before. Usually, they don’t feed that far away.

You might get reimbursed roughly 75% of the price of your gorilla permit in Uganda if you spend the entire day gorilla trekking and are unable to find the mountain gorillas.

What is the minimum age to reserve a permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

The minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is 15 years of age or older. This is due to the volcanic terrain of the Bwindi forest, which features rocky hills whose slopes can serve as areas for the mountain gorillas to feed or relax.

Hiking these ridges and plateaus may not be quick for kids under fifteen.

Because of the frequent rains and the extensive network of rivers that could flood everywhere, the path to find the mountain gorillas can occasionally get slick. Youngsters under the age of fifteen might not be able to navigate these surfaces.

Because of their physical appearance, which can raise adrenaline levels, mountain gorillas may initially appear frightening. Someone might shout if they are unsteady. If children under the age of 15 are permitted to go gorilla trekking, this reaction is more likely to occur. Mountain gorillas may withdraw into the dense forest when there is disturbance because they are frightened of strange sounds and activities.

Which lodging options are available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking?

You must first be aware of the location where your gorilla permit is booked to reserve lodging for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The four sections of Bwindi Forest—Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo—each have their own accommodations.

Accommodations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Buhoma region Accommodations include Volcanoes Lodge, Engage Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla Forest Camp, and Gorilla Resort.

Accommodations in the Nkuringo area: Gorilla Hill Eco Lodge, Clouds Lodge, and Nkuringo Safari Lodge

Accommodations in the Rushaga area include the Trekkers’ Tavern, Broadbill Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Accommodations in the Ruhija vicinity include Chameleons’, Broad Bill Lodge, and Ruhija Gorilla Lodge.

How Can I Get to the Impenetrable National Park of Bwindi?

From Buhoma to Kabale, Kanungu, and Kampala
You travel 414 kilometers on the highway to Kabale, which takes five to six hours. You spend an additional four to five hours traveling 150 kilometers on a winding Murram road through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo. A 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is required.

Between Kampala, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi, and Buhoma
It is the most direct route from Kampala or Entebbe airport, where you travel 390 kilometers to Rukungiri and then 82 kilometers to Buhoma along a Murram road.

From Buhoma via Ruhija to Kabale to Kampala
You require a 4×4 wheel drive car to go the 414 kilometers from Kampala to Kabale and then the 95 kilometers to Ruhija to the Buhoma road, which is in bad shape.

Queen Elizabeth National Park From Kihihi to Buhoma
You can drive roughly 160 kilometers from the Mweya area to Buhoma and 64 kilometers from the Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha section.

How Secure Is It to Trek Gorillas in the Impenetrable National Park of Bwindi?

Bwindi gorilla trekking permits. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is safe because all of the gorilla families that are available for reservations are acclimated to human presence. In order to acclimate a family of wild mountain gorillas to human presence without changing the natural environment, researchers and trackers utilize a technique called “gorilla habituation.”

Depending on how long the mountain gorillas take to adjust to human presence, the gorilla habituation process can take up to two years. This time frame is sufficient to eliminate any potential hostility that might develop between people and mountain gorillas.

Each gorilla trekking group is escorted by a well-trained team of rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, one of whom is armed with a rifle and the other with a machete. These gadgets are used to time creepers and make room for tourists, or you can use a rifle to protect yourself if necessary.

What Rules Apply When Trekking with Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

When you find the mountain gorillas, stay around 8 meters away from them. This will lessen the possibility of infecting the mountain gorillas.
Volunteer to stay behind if you are ill, especially if you have a contagious illness like the flu, a cough, or COVID-19. Human infections can seriously harm mountain gorillas.
Children must be at least 15 years old to participate in gorilla trekking.
Always have a ranger guide accompany you when you enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole approximately 30 cm deep and cover it completely if you need to urinate.
It is prohibited to spit on plants or the ground since doing so could infect mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants.
It is prohibited to provoke mountain gorillas because doing so could drive them into hiding, yet you are only permitted to spend an hour with them.
Avoid using a flashlight when shooting pictures since the mountain gorillas may become frightened by unexpected events in the outdoors.
To avoid tempting the mountain gorillas to take stuff from you, if you want to eat or smoke, do it away from them. They must not be dependent on human sustenance because they are wild creatures.
When you find the mountain gorillas, you have only one hour to wait.

Are there habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda?

Are there habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda?

Are there habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda?- Gorilla trekking Safaris in Uganda

Both Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are home to habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda. There are currently two semi-habituated gorilla families available for habituation experiences and 19 gorilla trekking families in Uganda that are completely acclimated to human presence.

The habituation of a wild gorilla family must come first to establish a gorilla trekking family. Depending on how the mountain gorillas adjust, the period required to complete gorilla habituation may take up to two years.

Only four hours are permitted to be spent with mountain gorillas for gorilla habituation, and one hour is permitted for gorilla trekking fun.

To determine whether Uganda has habituated mountain gorillas, we must first understand gorilla habituation.

Gorilla Habituation: What Is It? – Habituated mountain gorillas

The technique of acclimating a family of wild mountain gorillas to human presence without changing their character is known as “gorilla habituation.” The gorilla habituation process

comprises researchers and trackers who document the gorilla family and the characteristics of each individual.

When tourists are assigned to a specific gorilla family during gorilla trekking, they are informed of this information. In Uganda, gorilla trekking began in 1993 after the Mubare Gorilla family began the gorilla habituation process in the 1990s. The rest is history.

Experience with Gorilla Habituation?

Two gorilla families have been designated thus far for the gorilla habituation experience in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

In the gorilla habituation experience, you accompany a group of researchers and trackers to spend four hours with a family of semi-habituated gorillas in the wild. Gorilla habituation is permitted for a maximum of four tourists per day.

A gorilla habituation permit must be purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Gorilla Habituation Permit?

It costs $1500 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $1000 for foreign residents, and 750,000shs for East African citizens to obtain a gorilla habituation permit.

Gorilla Permit Cost Inclusions and Exclusions
The following is included in the price of a gorilla permit:

Park admission costs.
Safety when trekking for gorillas.
Charge for research.
With the mountain gorillas for four hours.
Services for ranger guides.
Conservation of mountain gorillas.
Assistance from the local community.
Transportation to the gorilla habituation site, gratuities, beverages, and any other personal belongings are not included in the cost of a gorilla permit.

Does Uganda Accept Instalments for Gorilla Permit Purchases?

The best course of action is to pay for your gorilla permit in full. You can, however, pay for this gorilla permit in 30% and 70% installments.

You must buy your gorilla permit 90 days before the gorilla habituation date in order to be eligible for an installment purchase. If you don’t renew your gorilla habituation permit within ninety days of the gorilla trekking date, you may be penalized.

Gorilla trekking: what is it?

Following a completely habituated gorilla family in the wild and spending just one hour with them is known as gorilla trekking. To see the mountain gorillas on the trekking safari, you need to buy a gorilla permit.

What is the cost of a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit?

The cost of a gorilla trekking permit is 300000shs for East African citizens, $700 for foreign residents, and $800 for foreign nonresidents.

An hour with the mountain gorillas, park entrance fees, conservation assistance for the gorillas, support for the local community, and ranger guide services are all included in the price of a gorilla trekking permit.

Tips, transportation, lodging, snacks, and any other personal belongings are not included in the price of a gorilla permit.

katland Safaris makes it easy for our customers to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience by organizing gorilla safari packages. We make reservations for lodging, car rentals, and other safari extras that enhance a visitor’s gorilla safari experience.

Where in Uganda might one locate habituated mountain gorillas?

As shown below, each of the two gorilla parks in Uganda where gorilla safaris are conducted—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park—has its own habituated gorilla family.

Impenetrable National Park in Bwindi

Are there habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda?
Eighteen completely habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are accessible to tourists. This enormous forest was split up into four gorilla trekking regions for administrative reasons:

The northern region of Buhoma
The Eastern region of Ruhija
The region of Rushaga
The southern region of Nkuringo
Area-specific gorilla permits are restricted for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Every region has gorilla families that are completely habituated, such as

The Mubare family, also known as Group M, the Rushegura family, popularly known as Group R, and the Habinyanja family, also known as Group H, are found in the Buhoma area of Northern Bwindi Forest. The Uganda Wildlife Authority habituated several of these gorilla families early on.

As of right now, the Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, and Mukisa families reside in the Ruhija area of Eastern Bwindi Forest.

Southern Bwindi Forest’s Rushaga area is home to the Busingye, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Nshongi, Rwigi, and Mishaya families.

The Nkuringo, Muhozi, and Christmas families are all found in the Nkuringo region of the southern Bwindi forest.

Keep in mind that since gorilla habituation is being conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the number of gorilla families is continually growing.

For gorilla habituation, two gorilla families in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have been split up. Before being permitted to take part in this expedition, each participant must get a gorilla habituation permit.

Park in Mgahinga National Park

There is currently only one gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park that is accustomed to human visitors. It was difficult to reserve gorilla permits in advance because this family of primates used to migrate into Rwanda. The only gorilla family that is habituated in Mgahinga National Park is the Nyakagezi family.

The briefing for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is held at the Ntebeko Visitor Center.

Other primates found in the park include olive baboons, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, golden and blue monkeys, and others.

How Do I Reserve a Ugandan Gorilla Permit? – Habituated mountain gorillas

You can book a gorilla permit by following the steps below, whether you’re going gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation.

Choose the date you want to engage in habituation or gorilla trekking. The date and the number of individuals you want to go on this African trip with may be confirmed or tentative.

It should be noted that eight people per gorilla family is the maximum number permitted for gorilla trekking, while four people per gorilla family is the maximum for gorilla habituation.

Wait for a response whether you ask katland Safaris if gorilla permits are available for the dates you have selected, or if you inquire directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s gorilla permit availability list is used by our safari consultant to verify availability. One of the recognized safari operators authorized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to acquire gorilla permits is katland Safaris.

Send your passport information, including your full name as it appears on the document, country, birthdate, passport expiration date, and other facts, so that it can be included on your gorilla permit card.

How old can you be to go on a gorilla safari in Uganda?

The minimum age to embark on a gorilla safari in Uganda is 15. The volcanic nature of the region’s geography is the source of this. You should anticipate hiking across various peaks and plateaus where mountain gorillas occasionally spend a portion of the day.

If the mountain gorillas are relaxing on the slopes of these highlands, it might be difficult for kids younger than this to hike to them.

Because mountain gorillas enjoy roaming the jungle, it takes some patience to do gorilla trekking or habituation; occasionally, the mountain gorillas move quite quickly, making the gorilla journey take longer. Gorilla hikers under the age of 15 may find this difficult to endure.

Because of their stature and dark fur, mountain gorillas can make you feel a little more apprehensive. The mountain gorillas may become agitated and flee into hiding if you respond suspiciously in front of them. Children under the age of fifteen find it difficult to control this kind of reaction, which might result in a loud outcry that could frighten the mountain gorillas and cause them to flee into hiding.

How Much Does a Gorilla Safari in Uganda Cost?

Whether going on a gorilla trek or a habituation experience, the first expense of a Ugandan gorilla safari is the gorilla permit. Whether choosing the premium, mid-range, or budget packages, the gorilla permit fees are the same.

When determining a gorilla safari package, other elements to take into account are:

As the number of persons participating in a gorilla safari increases, the cost per person decreases. You are responsible for any gorilla safari expenses if you are traveling alone.

The best time to reserve a gorilla safari is during the busiest times of the year, when service companies raise their rates. The price of the gorilla safari can occasionally be reduced by offering travelers discounts during the off-peak months.

Number of days on a gorilla safari: The cost of a gorilla safari increases with the number of days.

Other activities that can be combined with gorilla trekking include game drives, launch expeditions, chimpanzee trekking, and others.

When can I anticipate returning from my trip with gorilla trekking or habitat?

Depending on how long it takes to find the mountain gorillas, returning from gorilla habituation or trekking is variable. While some visitors spend more time in the forest, others have been fortunate enough to spot the mountain gorillas within two hours.

Only one hour is permitted to spend time with the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking after they have been located. You are permitted to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas during gorilla habituation.

When you hope to find the mountain gorillas depends on the speed of the party you are gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation with.

A gorilla family may break up, or some members may lose their lives in combat when they fight. The gorilla family feels depressed as a result, which can drive them to the park’s more remote areas.

There may be a delay in finding the mountain gorillas if the dominant silverback is an adventurous member of the gorilla family, forcing the other members to follow his pastime and continue to move through the jungle.

The trails are slick and wet from the constant rains that fall throughout the extreme rainy season, which typically lasts from March to May and November. However, less sunlight can reach the ground during this time.

What are Uganda’s gorilla safari regulations? – Habituated mountain gorillas

Gorilla trekking is limited to one hour, and four hours are permitted with the mountain gorillas once you have located them for gorilla habituation. They are accustomed to spending only that amount of time with people, leaving them to carry out their daily tasks.
It is prohibited to eat or smoke before seeing mountain gorillas. To prevent them from being tempted to steal what you are eating, please do this at least 300 meters away from them. Since they are untamed creatures, they have to look for nourishment.
Due to the nature of the gorilla trekking environment, only youngsters aged 15 and over are permitted to participate. Due to their travel, the best time to locate the mountain gorillas is still up in the air.
It is prohibited to spit on the ground or foliage since this could infect mountain gorillas with pathogens. Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human infectious diseases such as cholera, flu, cough, and COVID-19.
Volunteer to stay behind if you have a contagious illness so that the mountain gorillas are not exposed to such illnesses. It is unknown how widespread this sickness could be and how many mountain gorillas it could kill.
Wearing a clean mask prior to seeing mountain gorillas is one of the precautions taken to stop the COVID-19 virus and other pathogens from infecting the primates.
To stop any infection from spreading, keep a minimum of 8 meters between you and the mountain gorillas when you find them.
In order to avoid frightening the mountain gorillas, it is prohibited to make loud noises in the jungle. They are vulnerable to strange noises around them.
Since mountain gorillas may hide from strange light, flash photography is not allowed when taking pictures.
Because it changes the environment in which mountain gorillas live, it is prohibited to throw trash into the forest during gorilla trekking.

New year’s gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

New year’s gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

New Year’s gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda – Booking Gorilla trekking Safaris in advance.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Uganda. You must reserve your gorilla permit in advance if you want to spend the New Year hiking gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda. The gorilla permits sell out quickly since this is the busiest time of year for safaris. Making reservations for lodging for the gorilla safari is also essential because there are fewer options available as the new year approaches.

As the year is still very early, meeting the mountain gorillas on New Year’s offers you time to think about your goals. Being silent or speaking quietly in the jungle is a necessity of gorilla trekking, which gives you time to reflect on yourself.

Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are peaceful locations where you can only hear the sounds of the jungle. Listen to your inner self and sketch out your goals for the year at the beginning of the new year.

The Virunga region provides a lovely setting for you to plan your life for the upcoming year.

Where in Uganda Can I Go Gorilla Trekking?

Impenetrable National Park in Bwindi
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, and blue monkeys are among the roughly ten primates that inhabit this environment. The extensive list of plants and animals has grown over 30,000 years.

More than 300 tree species, 88 moths, 51 reptiles, 350 bird species, 310 butterflies, and other flora and wildlife may be found in Bwindi Forest.

You must be aware of the location of your gorilla permit reservation to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Buhoma area, Ruhija area, Rushaga area, and Nkuringo area are the four divisions of this enormous national park.

You must first be aware of where your gorilla permit is booked to make reservations for lodging when gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This reduces the possibility of waking up in the middle of the night to drive from one location to another to attend a briefing.

Park in Mgahinga National Park
The far southwest of Uganda is home to Mgahinga National Park. Because it receives fewer visitors, this forested national park is one of Uganda’s still-unexplored national parks. Some of the world’s most renowned mountain gorillas can be found in Mgahinga National Park. Currently, just one gorilla family is accessible to the general public. The Nyakagezi gorilla family, which has a history of straying into Rwanda, is housed at Mgahinga National Park.

Booking gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park used to be difficult because it depended on the mountain gorillas’ presence.

Other primates found in the park include olive baboons, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

This park’s rocky mountains, such as Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhavura, provide a stunning backdrop. You can hike for roughly eight hours back and forth in a single day.

Where in Rwanda Can I Go Gorilla Trekking?

The National Park of Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park is located in Rwanda’s northwest. Currently, 15 completely habituated mountain gorilla families in this park are accessible for gorilla trekking.

Because of the five mountains that make up this park, its topography is steeper and more volcanic. Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Sabyinyo are some of these mountains.

More primates, including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, golden and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and others, can be found at the Volcanoes National Park, according to primatologists.

Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 300 bird species, including endemics of the Albertine Rift. You can combine Rwandan birdwatching with a double gorilla trekking experience during this safari vacation.

The Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Malachite Sunbird, Kivu Ground Thrush, White Tailed Blue Fly Catcher, and other birds can be seen in Volcanoes National Park.

How and Where Do I Reserve Rwandan and Ugandan Gorilla Permits?

Uganda gorilla permits can be purchased on your behalf by an authorized tour operator; however, they are sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The Rwanda Development Board oversees and sells Rwanda gorilla permits. These gorilla permits can also be purchased via a recognized travel agency.

The process for reserving gorilla permits
Since January 1st is always New Year’s, you might ask the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a tour operator if gorilla permits are available. You can make reservations for your gorilla walk based on the number of gorillas.

The Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority lists are used by our safari consultant to verify availability. One of the authorized businesses with access to the list of gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda is katland Safaris.New year’s gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

We urge our clients to buy their gorilla permits as soon as possible when the availability of permits is confirmed. This is because their first-come, first-served policy causes them to sell out quickly.

Without payment, none of the gorilla permits can be obtained.

Provide personal information such as the passport’s full name, nationality, birthdate, and expiration date.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gorilla Permit In Rwanda And Uganda?

For treks in Uganda, the cost of a gorilla permit is $800 per person, $700 per person, and 300,000 shs for citizens of East Africa.

The cost of a Rwandan gorilla permit is $1500 per trekker.

It’s crucial to reserve your gorilla permit in advance, particularly during the busiest times of the year, which are June through September and December through January. In Rwanda and Uganda, this is the busiest travel time of the year. The majority of service providers, including lodging and driver guides, raise their rates at this time of year.

What Does It Cost To Get A Gorilla Permit In Rwanda And Uganda?

An hour with the mountain gorillas, park admission costs, security throughout the trip, assistance for the protection of the mountain gorillas, support for the local people, and a certificate upon completion of the journey are all included in the price of a gorilla permit.

What Does the Gorilla Permit Cost Exclude?

Porter, beverages, snacks, transportation, gratuities, and other personal belongings.

You relieve yourself of the hassle of organizing this safari package; katland Safaris helps you put together your gorilla trekking package.

We’ve been planning safaris in Uganda and Rwanda for more than ten years, and the feedback we’ve received from customers has helped us keep improving. We have excellent working relationships with lodging establishments, and where appropriate, we may obtain lower rates for our customers.

Can I get Rwandan and Ugandan gorilla permits for the new year in installments?

The simplest way to make sure you don’t forget to top up your gorilla permit is to pay for it in full.

30% and 70% of gorilla permit installments are accepted in Rwanda and Uganda, respectively. Installment gorilla permit purchases are only available to visitors who buy their permits 90 days before the gorilla trekking date.

Remember to renew your gorilla permit ninety days before the gorilla trekking date, or else you risk being penalized.

What Month Is Best For Buying Rwandan And Ugandan New Year Gorilla Permits?

It is preferable to buy your permit for January 1st at least 6 months in advance because the New Year is a joyous celebration that many people prepare for as early as the beginning of the year.

Due to the high demand for gorilla safaris throughout the holiday season, permits are only available for a maximum of eight gorilla families per day.

Not even on the ground, last-minute gorilla permits for the new year are difficult to obtain, since they might wish to create memories that will last all year. Gorilla trekking offers the opportunity to spend time with some of the world’s few remaining mountain gorillas, making it more than just a typical monkey safari experience.

Can I reschedule my gorilla permit for Rwanda or Uganda for the new year?

Both Rwanda and Uganda have rescheduling policies that allow for the rescheduling of gorilla permits.

You must send a letter to the Rwanda Development Board or the Uganda Wildlife Authority asking to reschedule your gorilla permit. If you have a gorilla trekking date in mind, explain why you would like to change it. To support your request, include some details.

Upon approval, your gorilla permit is rescheduled to the date of your choice, subject to availability.

Take note
Two free gorilla permit rescheduling times are accepted by Uganda. Only the third time, with a 25% penalty, does the executive director approve.

Rwanda charges for the rescheduling of gorilla permits.

Between Rwanda and Uganda, which country is the best for gorilla trekking in the new year?
You forget the hassles of planning a gorilla safari in Rwanda or Uganda the moment you are in front of the mountain gorillas.

Additional elements to take into account while comparing gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda are as follows:

The price of a gorilla permit

Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 per person per trek, whereas those in Uganda cost $800 per person every trek.

The quantity of gorilla families

Rwanda has 15 gorilla trekking families with 96 gorilla licenses thus far, compared to 19 gorilla families in Uganda with 152 gorilla permits.

Other Things to Do Along With Gorilla Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking, game drives, exploring the Nile River’s source, white water rafting, and other activities are among the many activities available in Uganda that can be combined with gorilla trekking.

In addition to gorilla trekking, Rwanda offers a few additional optional activities, such as chimpanzee trekking, Rwandan cultural tours, and visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Travel Time Between Airport and Gorilla Trekking Locations

While it takes roughly three hours to drive from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park, it takes over nine hours to go from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

Rwanda offers gorilla trekking in Uganda; it takes roughly five to six hours to get from Kigali to either Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Since both nations are part of the East African community, you can enter them using an East African visa. You can enter Uganda from Rwanda by crossing the Gatuna or Cyanika borders.

How Challenging Is It to go Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?

The terrain where gorilla trekking takes place is volcanic, with lush vegetation covering the slopes and plateaus. Due to the deep canopy’s restricted ability to let sunlight through, the earth becomes extremely damp and soggy during the intense rainy seasons.

The intricate system of waterways occasionally overflows, creating muddy paths that are difficult to traverse. Even the fallen vegetation’s rotting materials could make the path slick. It would be ideal to have safari boots to prevent injuries to your feet.

Finding the mountain gorillas on the slopes where they occasionally eat or relax is made easier if you are somewhat fit.

Bring the appropriate gorilla trekking equipment to keep you safe from the severe forest conditions and to support you during the entire walk.

How to Act While Trekking with Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda

To avoid giving the mountain gorillas the impression that you are ambushing them, stay close together when you find them. The mountain gorillas become agitated by this and might go into hiding.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, it is crucial to wear a mask and sanitize your shoes before beginning the gorilla journey.
It is not permissible to spit on plants or the ground because you could infect the mountain gorillas.
Volunteer to stay behind if you have a contagious illness, such as the flu, COVID-19, or a cough, to prevent the mountain gorillas from contracting it. They might die horribly as a result.
To avoid spreading any infectious diseases to the mountain gorillas, keep a distance of approximately 8 meters when you are in proximity to them. Retrench gradually without appearing suspicious as they get closer.
Avoid using a spotlight when photographing mountain gorillas since it could frighten them. New events in their presence frighten them.
Ask the ranger guide for help digging a hole approximately 30 cm deep and covering it completely if you need to defecate.
Because you could not understand what you were saying, it is prohibited to provoke and imitate mountain gorillas.
Be at least 300 meters away from the mountain gorillas if you want to feed or smoke in front of them. Because mountain gorillas are wild creatures that must forage for food, this will lessen the likelihood that they will take it from you and become dependent on you.
Gorilla trekking is restricted to hikers who are at least 15 years old.
Once you find the mountain gorillas, you get an hour to spend with them.

Batuma Memorial Airstrip to boost gorilla tourism in Ruhija

Batuma Memorial Airstrip to boost gorilla tourism in Ruhija.

Batuma Memorial Airstrip to boost gorilla tourism in Ruhija.

The Civil Avaition Authority gave the go-ahead for the Batuma Memorial airport to be built in Kabale so that the area might be developed via agriculture, tourism, and other means. One of the most prominent businessmen in Uganda’s Kigezi district, the late Canon John Batuma, will be honored with the naming of this airstrip. The Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is set to see an increase in gorilla tourism once groundwork is finished.

Batuma Memorial Airstrip will enhance Rwanda’s gorilla tourism

Visitors planning to fly from Entebbe Airport to Kabale and then to the Ruhija district of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have been unable to utilize the region’s built airstrip, in contrast to areas like Buhoma and Kisoro. Because of this, the only alternative for getting to and from Ruhija is to drive via Kabale. In order to reach Ruhija, gorilla trackers have had to fly via Kihihi Airstrip, which is often utilized by gorilla trackers in the Buhoma area.

Batuma Memorial Airstrip to boost gorilla tourism in Ruhija.

From there, they had to connect to Ruhija by road. The route that connects Kihihi and Ruhija is sometimes in a terrible and inaccessible condition, particularly during the rainy season. This makes it impossible for those who want to fly to Ruhija to do bird watching or go gorilla trekking. Travelers will save time and avoid traffic by taking a direct flight to Kabale from Entebbe or Kampala thanks to Batuma Memorial Airstrip.

Because of the construction of Batuma Memorial Airstrip, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will be able to sell a large number of gorilla permits, as the Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to three habituated gorilla families, similar to Buhoma in Bwindi’s northern region.

Guests of Kabale’s Bird Nest and Bunyoyi Eco Resort, as well as those passing via Batuma Memorial Airstrip, have a variety of affordable lodging options near Lake Bunyonyi, and from there it’s a short drive to Ruhija, where you can go gorilla trekking. On the other hand, visitors may arrive early and then take a car to their Ruhija lodging for some afternoon forest or community activities.

If you’re interested in knowing when Batuma Memoria Airstrip is expected to open and which airlines will begin offering scheduled and charter flights to this region of Uganda, Katland Safaris will keep you apprised of all the latest news.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in the Nkuringo region.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in the Nkuringo region.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in the Nkuringo region.

Revised listings of gorilla families and accessible permits in Bwindi’s Nkuringo area. Gorilla safaris in the southern portion of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have long history with Nkuringo. Comprising 19 individuals and one dominant silverback, the Nkuringo gorilla family was released to public viewing in 3004. The most of the gorilla families in this region are Nkuringo family breakaways.

Currently consisting of three gorilla trekking families—the Nkuringo gorilla family, the Christmas gorilla family, and the Muhozi gorilla family—the Nkuringo area boasts Currently accessible for public booking in the Nkuringo region, 24 gorilla permits are opened daily; more will be added while the habituation process is still under progress. Researchers observe a wild gorilla family under the Gorilla Public Project to adapt them to human presence without changing their character.

One area for gorilla habituation experience is also the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla habituation experience is an expedition wherein a maximum of four visitors accompany a team of researchers and habituation to follow the semi-habituated gorilla family and spend four hours among them. Though they still exhibit unusual behavior as scurrying into hiding, shying away, and hooting, do as advised by the ranger guide and research to finish the whole experience.

Under Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the four gorilla safari areas— Rushaga in the south, Buhoma in the North, and Ruhija in the East—include Nkuringo region.

As the process of gorilla habituation develops, the count of gorilla families in the Nkuringo region may fluctuate sometimes.

The gorilla families of the Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

gorilla family Nkuringo
Christmas Goracle Family
Family of Muhoza Gorillas
Two gorilla habituation experience families are also accessible from the Nkuringo region. Every day public booking is accessible for four permits per gorilla habituation family.

Booking Gorilla Permits For the Nkuringo Area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Choose a date for the gorilla safari and the required permit count. This lets one avoid returning to investigate availability of gorilla permits. Tell them from the beginning that you would want Nkuringo’s gorilla permits.

Our safari adviser investigates gorilla permit availability from the Uganda Wildlife Authority list when you book with Katland safaris. Among the few businesses registered to be allowed to access the gorilla permission list is ours.

After learning that gorilla permits are available, we advise customers to get their permits right away as their status changes anytime without notice. Since few gorilla permits are offered to the public every day, they are exclusively booked with payment. Gorilla trekking is possible with eight licenses for each gorilla family.

We need certain personal information to be entered on the gorilla permit card: your complete name as shown on the passport, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date. These serve for identifying and statistical needs.

A Gorilla Trekking permit for the Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs what?

For international nonresidents, the gorilla trekking permit is $800; for foreign residents, it costs $700; and for East Africans, it runs 300 000shs. Only the Uganda Wildlife Authority is in business selling and controlling mountain gorilla licenses. Still, you may also arrange the permission via a trip operator such as Katland Safaris.

Within the cost of gorilla treking permits are the park admission costs, security, government tax, one hour with the mountain gorillas, local community assistance, mountain gorilla conservation, ranger guide fees, and others.

Exclusions from the gorilla trekking permit include porter hiring, lodging, transportation to the safari location, and others.

How expensive is the experience in gorilla habituation?

Gorilla habituation experience now costs $1500 for international nonresidents, $1000 for foreign residents, and 750000shs for East Africans. Open for public booking are four gorilla licenses from the two gorilla families.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in the Nkuringo region.

Including and excluding in the expense of gorilla habituation experience
Four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family, ranger guide fees, mountain gorilla conservation, security, park entrance fees on trekking day, local community support, government tax, certificate after the gorilla safari, and others define the cost of a gorilla habituation experience permit.

Exclusions of gorilla habituation experience allow gratuities, food, transportation, and other personal expenditures including charges.

When should one schedule a gorilla safari to the Nkuringo area?

Although the Nkuringo region is suitable for gorilla safaris any time, the dry season is the most sought after. The mountain gorillas are in great spirits; other forest dwellers are also more easily seen. Though Bwindi forest gets erratic precipitation, the dry season offers more moderate possibilities of getting unexpected showers. Usually lasting June, July, August, September, December, and January is the dry season.

Uganda safaris’ peak season is here, hence demand for gorilla permits is excessive and chances of discovering availability are low as the seasons draw to end. To be on the safe side, we advise customers to buy these gorilla permits ahead—at least six months to a year ahead.

Demand for gorilla permits is lower during the rainy season, hence there is more likelihood of last-minute discovering of them. Usually spanning March, April, May, and November, the rainy season also marks the low season of travel. If your gorilla safari budget is restricted, you may take advantage of the low season as lower logistics might be possible. Sometimes the service providers break even with lower rates.

For gorilla walk in the Nkuringo region, what lodging do you arrange?

Budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities define the Nkuringo area’s accommodations. Apart from the lodging in the Nkuringo region, you might spend overnight at the Rushaga area. Confirming the gorilla permit will help you to schedule lodging for the gorilla safari at the ideal moment. This is so because, as the season becomes stronger, there are very few choices for lodging for the gorilla safari.

To avoid having to travel in the dark from another location to catch up with a briefing in the Nkuringo region, arrange lodging either within or near the Nkuringo area. Obstacles such blocked roads, slick roads, and logs falling across the road are very likely to arise on the route. Should you be late for the briefing, you can be kicked off the gorilla walk.

Nkuringo lodging includes Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp, Nshongi Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Lodge.

How to get the To Nkuringo section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

From Kampala or Entebbe Airport, you may reach the Nkuringo district via Road from Kabale. This hilly location features twisting roads, hence you require a 4×4 wheel drive car in excellent shape and a skilled and experienced driver guide.

approximately 414 kilometers separate Kampala or Entebbe from Kabale to Nkuringo region, and it links to Nkuringo for approximately 105 kilometers. About 80 kilometers from Kabale and 35 kilometers from the Nkuringo region, Kisoro is also a place for overnight stays.

Every day, Air Daily domestic flights from Kajjansi or Entebbe airport go for Kisoro airstrip. The Kisoro airfield is about one hour and fifteen minutes from the Nkuringo region, so you require a transfer car.

Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe Airport allows charter aircraft for a more personalized gorilla safari experience. An advance clearance requires a reservation.

During gorilla treking in the Nkuringo region, are mountain gorillas aggressive?

Mountain gorillas lack aggression. Usually timid, they prefer to hide when disturbed. Looking at the mountain gorillas, their big bodies give one an alarming impression. A fully developed male gorilla may weigh about three hundred kg, whereas the female would weigh approximately half this amount. Their dark brown sunken eyes, black fur covers their body, and they walk by knuckle fashion.

Though they are quiet, the mountain gorillas do not inspire patience as they may charge. Agitated, the mountain gorillas hoot, pound their chests hard, walk on one foot, and so much more drama occurs. When you see such behavior, go carefully but wait for the ranger guide to determine the underlying reason.

The mountain gorillas sometimes engage in family strife; other times, it is an assault by another gorilla family. Use the directions the ranger guide provides to finish the whole period you are spending with these monkeys.

When is the Nkuringo area gorilla trekking return time?

While some visitors have returned after two-hour gorilla treks, others have spent over three-quarters of their day in the woods. The period of discovering the mountain gorillas depends on elements in the forest such as the closeness of the mountain gorilla feeding place, daily temperature, in case the gorilla family is adventurous, the speed of other visitors, and others.

You have four hours during gorilla habituation experience and one hour with the mountain gorillas for gorilla trekking once you locate them. The time to spend with the mountain gorillas is limited for conservation purposes as human activity disturbs their everyday existence.

One hour later, gently leave the gorilla family so as not to seem suspicious before the already wary mountain gorillas.

Before you discover the mountain gorillas and risk becoming bored, let your thoughts open to other fascinating aspects of the forest. With possibilities of witnessing over 10 monkey species, more than 350 bird species, 88 butterfly species, 51 reptiles, and so much more, Bwindi forest is a biosphere reserve At various points, you could find chances to take in the breathtaking view of the thick Bwindi forest canopy.

What rules apply for gorilla safaris in the Nkuringo region?

Once you see mountain gorillas, keep around eight meters away from them. This is to avoid giving these very sensitive to infectious illnesses such flu, cough, COVID-19, and others possibilities of spreading an infection to them.

Offer to remain behind if you have an infectious illness so as not to transmit it on the endangered mountain gorillas.
Eat or drink at least 300 meters away from the mountain gorillas if you like before they arrive. Wild creatures like them have to find their own food.

Gorilla safaris have an age restriction of fifteen years and beyond. This is so because the geography of the mountain gorillas is difficult and sometimes you must trek to discover them.
Enter the jungle with an accompanied ranger guide only.

While the mountain gorillas are totally acclimated to human presence, other forest residents are not and might endanger you alone.
Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least 30 cm deep and hide far beyond recognition when you have to defecate.

Keep close to the mountain gorillas; crowding them might lead to ambushed feelings.
Since the mountain gorillas are wild creatures used to human presence, kindly avoid trying to incite them. They still act in strange ways.
Using a flash-less camera can help you n

ot frighten the mountain gorillas while photographing. Unfamiliar events in their presence might cause them great fear.
Keep your voice quiet when following the mountain gorillas to avoid frightening other forest residents and other animals. This may be fascinating to include into your nature picture collection.

Never trash in the outdoors as it changes the environment of the forest mountain gorillas inhabit.
See our safari advisors to arrange your gorilla trekking safari to Njuringo.

Updated List Of Gorilla Families And Permits Available In Buhoma Region

Updated List Of Gorilla Families And Permits Available In Buhoma Region.

Updated List Of Gorilla Families And Permits Available In Buhoma Region.

Revised list of gorilla families and permits accessible in Buhoma, Bwindi. Apart from the busiest gorilla safari location in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Buhoma region has some of the pioneer gorilla families from the park. Five gorilla families open to public booking today in the northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National, the Buhoma region. Note that while the habituation process is still under progress for probable younger children, the count of gorilla families in the Buhoma region may vary.

Among the first gorilla trekking families sent to public visitation in Uganda, the Mubare gorilla family became open for tourism in 1993. 1998 saw the opening of the Habyinyanja gorilla family for gorilla treking. In 3002 Rushegura was also available to the general public. Though they are currently under observation, there are yet more possible gorilla families that could be accessible to the general people.

Given its special past, many visitors originally asked for gorilla permits for Buhoma before other regions. This changed, although, when the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was split into four areas. Apart from the Buhoma region, additional gorilla safari sites in Bwindi are Ruhija in the east and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.

Make sure you plan lodging for the gorilla trekking safari either within or near the Buhoma region to prevent running afoul of rules trying to catch up with briefing time. The varied landforms separating one region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from another makes connecting between them difficult; also, the extensive forest cover is difficult to access. Sometimes the usual autumn rains leaves the roads linking the Bwindi districts muddy.

The Gorilla families in the Buhoma region:

Mubare family:

Since the Buhoma region was opened in 1993 and this Uganda safari activity was made available to the public, this gorilla family bears the gorilla trekking legacy of the area. The Mubare family, derived from the Mubare Hills in Kanungu, includes numerous family members whose numbers vary with time as many births and deaths take place. Seeing the Mubare gorilla family is like stepping into Uganda’s gorilla trekking safaris’ past.

With 10 mountain gorilla family members, the Rushegura family—3002—was finally released for public access. The family has evolved; now, over 16 individuals are listed under the Rushegura gorilla family but may increase or shrink depending on the state of the forest.

Families from Habinyanja

The Habinyanja family was the second to be made publicly visited in Uganda in the history of gorilla trekking. Opening this gorilla trekking family, twenty-one members have enrolled with two silverbacks. Birth, splits, grabbing, and much more are occurring in the bush, so the count of the habinyanja gorilla family has been shifting over time.

Muyambi family:

One of the Muyambi gorilla trekking families broke apart from the Mubare gorilla family when one of their silverbacks began his own family.

Updated List Of Gorilla Families And Permits Available In Buhoma Region.

This gorilla family had six members at the time it was first accessible for gorilla trekking, however numbers could vary with time.

familia Katwe

In 2018 public visits to the Katwe gorilla trekking family in the Buhoma region were welcomed. Thanks to the habituation program, this family increased the count of gorilla permits accessible in the Buhoma region. For three years, the Katwe family was under the gorilla habituation.

How would you schedule gorilla families for the Buhoma area?

While family-based booking for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park no longer exists, on trekking day visitors are assigned these gorilla families to walk. There may be eight visitors to every gorilla family maximum.

Suggest this directly when you submit the gorilla safari question, if Buhoma is your favorite gorilla trekking destination. Tell others you intend to schedule the gorilla trip when you search for availability.

While we help our customers to purchase gorilla permits at Katland Safaris, you must offer us the date and amount of gorilla permits you want to book. Participants for gorilla safaris in Uganda must be at least 15 years of age as that is the age restriction. Our tour guide looks for gorilla trekking permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority list.

If Buhoma gorilla trekking permits are not available, remain open-minded to other choices as the experience is unique and fascinating in all the gorilla trekking sites. Every day Buhoma offers 32 gorilla trekking licenses for public booking.

Once availability is known, get your gorilla permits right away before they run out. Though availability is restricted to a maximum of 8 per gorilla family, demand for gorilla licenses is great globally. This is for conservation purposes; bombards of humans in the forest disturb the mountain gorillas. For the vegetarian mountain gorillas, even the consequences of mass tourism—like trampling on vegetation—may cause food shortage.

Forward to us some personal information to include on the gorilla permits card: your complete name as shown on the passport, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date.

Where in the Buhoma region may one find lodging suitable for gorilla trekking?

The Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the most comprehensive selection of lodging options spanning luxury, mid-range, and cheap. Demand for these facilities rises throughout the peak season, which is June, July, August, September, December, and January, therefore causing shortage.

Among the Buhoma lodging are Gorilla Forest Camp, Marasa Silverback Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla Resort, Buhoma community Campsite, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.

How one arrives to the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

By road.
Though it may be accessed from many paths, the Buhoma region is in the north section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Driving for around nine to ten hours, Kampala, or Entebbe, to Kabale, Kanungu, And Buhoma is approximately 534 kilometers. You need a 4×4 wheel drive car for easier navigation because the roads are curvy and sometimes dirty.

Known to be the quickest path is Entebbe or Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi to Buhoma. You cover around 472 kilometers on your drive.

About 160 kilometers from Mweya and 60 kilometers from the Ishasha area, Queen Elizabeth National Park spans Kihihi to Buhoma. Entebbe of viewing the tree climbing lions is more open when traveling throughout the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

From Kigali in Rwanda, pass by Cyanika or Gatuna borders into Kabale, Kanungu, and Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Five to six hours make up the trip.

You may get daily domestic flights to Kihihi airstrip from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield. Your resort in the Buhoma region needs a transfer car hired. About two hours separate the Kihihi airstrip’s journey from the Buhoma region.

For private gorilla safaris, charter airplane services are available from Kajjansi Airfield or Entebbe Airport. You have to arrange a transfer car as well.

In the Buhoma region, which gorilla family is the easiest to visit?

The easiest gorilla family to hike in the Buhoma region is not clear-cut as mountain gorilla attitudes are always shifting. Their characteristics, the daily weather, the closeness of their food supply, and others all are shaped by the atmosphere of the forest. The ease or length of search for the mountain gorillas depends even on the speed of other visitors.

Given the current conditions in the jungle, the gorilla family nearby the previous day may be the distant the next day.

Though there is plenty to see in this eco-forest park, some patience is needed before seeing the mountain gorillas. You may also have an open mind. Search for additional primates including L’Hoest’s, olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey.

Gorilla treking in Buhoma lasts how long?

The time you find the mountain gorillas, the weather of the days, the speed of other visitors, and others determines the duration of the gorilla trekking safari in the Buhoma region. Only one hour is permitted with the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking for conservation purposes.

Mountain gorillas’ everyday life is usually disrupted by human presence, hence the time spent with them is kept low.

While some visitors have spent more than three-quarters of the day, others have found the mountain gorillas in one hour; hence, you must be patient to finish the whole experience.

A gorilla safari to the Buhoma region costs what?

While we at Katland Safaris arrange our gorilla safaris based on Luxury, mid-range, and budget, the gorilla permits are the same expense for everybody.

For foreign non-residents, the gorilla trekking permit for the Buhoma region costs $800; for foreign residents, it is $700; and for East Africans, it is 300 000shs.

We take into account the number of persons on the safari, the number of days on the gorilla tour, the tour package you pick, the time of booking the gorilla safari, other activities to mix with the gorilla tour, and others in order to quote other gorilla safari expenses.

Is it possible to postpone the gorilla permits for the Buhoma region?

If you are confident you will be traveling in the future and you cannot honor the day for your scheduled gorilla safari, you may ask to reschedule. Following the steps below will help Uganda Wildlife Authority to approve gorilla permit rescheduling.

Write to the Uganda Wildlife Authority asking that the gorilla permit be brought forward. Explain why you are unable to go on the scheduled gorilla trip. Attach whatever proof you have to backup it.

Approved, your gorilla permit is moved in line with the prevailing availability status.

The gorilla permit to be rescheduled must to be completely paid for and transferred to a date within the year it was booked from.

How safe is Buhoma region gorilla trekking?

Since ranger rangers accompany every gorilla trip in the Buhoma region, it is safe for safaris. Aiming to preserve the mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants, these skilled and seasoned ranger guides are Every ranger guide carries a defensive item: one has a firearm and another a machete for any kind of emergency.

In should support be required, the ranger guide also carries a radio call to let security on the ground know.

The ranger guide patrol crew gets up early every morning to track where the mountain gorillas could have spent the night or prospective hangout sites for the day. Like other deadly wild creatures like lions, hyenas, and others, they also search for evidence of strange visitors. Should they trace placed snares, the rangers deactivate them.

Before allowing the family to be seen publicly, even the mountain gorillas must get acclimated to human presence. Without changing their nature, this helps ease the hostility between the mountain gorillas and people.

Entering the forest only with an accompanying ranger guide means that, as a visitor, you have to consider personal security. To prevent getting lost in the forest, keep with the group you are trekking gorillas with.

How demanding is gorilla trekking in the Buhoma Area?

The geography of the Bwindi forest makes gorilla hiking in Buhoma difficult. Several landforms including hills and plateaus covered in rich flora emerged from the volcanic activity in this region.

Visitors have to hike to locate the mountain gorillas when they spend part of their day on the slopes. You need some fitness to do the gorilla hike as this is really exhausting. Choosing the correct gorilla safari clothing helps you avoid injury as the jungle features certain irritating surfaces like stinging nettles.

Cary, some energy snacks to eat on the way to locate the mountain gorillas.

Hiring a porter before beginning the gorilla trip helps you avoid tiredness lugging the safari equipment. A porter is a local resident who holds your stuff while you search for the mountain gorillas. When you are exhausted, the porter may also provide you a push. Hiring the porter for gorilla safaris is quite affordable.

Hiring a porter is one of the primary ways you can help the community on the gorilla safari if you desire to do so.

Get more information by contacting our staff.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Rushaga region

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Rushaga region.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Rushaga region.

updated Rushaga Bwindi gorilla families and licenses. South of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies Rushaga. This enterprise is expanding gorilla trekking with eight gorilla families. Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye, Nshongi, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, and others are Rushaga Gorilla families.

Start by telling them you want to go gorilla trekking in Rushaga so they can get gorilla permits. Gorilla habituation is possible in Rushaga. An adventure begins when travelers join a team of researchers and habituators into the forest to visit a semi-habituated gorilla family for four hours.

Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus may be seen in Rushaga’s forest together with mountain gorillas. Many birds, especially Albertine rift endemics, may be found near your window seal.

Rushaga is one of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s four gorilla trekking destinations. East Ruhija, south Nkuringo, and north Buhoma are also locations. Four preservation administrative zones divide Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Volcanic peaks, plateaus, and heavy flora make Bwindi forest difficult to navigate.

What gorilla families dwell in Rushaga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

family Gorilla Nshongi

Nshongi gorilla family was named after River Nsongi, where it lived. The large gorilla family Nshongi split up after fighting with the Bweza family. Public booking for the 6009 Nshongi gorilla family began. The Nshongi gorilla family has over eight members, however births and deaths may change this.

Busingye gorilla family

The Busingye gorilla family divorced from Kahungye after familial dispute. Rumanzi is the dominant silverback in this gorilla family. Seeing many beautiful mountain gorillas makes visiting the gorilla family interesting. Public tours of the Busingye gorilla family began in 2015.

Gorilla Family Kahungye

The 2011 Kahungye gorilla family has over 27 members. The gorilla family was called after Kahungye hill.

Gorator family

Mishaya gorillas are Nshongi descendants. Mishaya, the silverback, waged war on neighboring mountain gorilla families to raise its number.

Family Bweza gorilla

After splitting from the Nshongi family, the Bweza gorilla family Kakono Silverback left Nshongi in 2013 after phoning Bweza and challenging his commander.

Mucunguzi gorilla family

Mucunguzi, a Bweza gorilla split, means rescuer locally. One silverback, Mucunguzi, kidnapped Bweza family members to create this family.

Rwigi gorilla family

The Kahungye family split into the Rwigi gorilla family. Rwanda’s silverback leader is a gorilla. He left to start his own family, disagreeing with other Kahungye silverbacks.

Bikingi Gorilla Family

Habituation occurred in 2015, making the Bikingi gorilla family hikeable. Due to family strife, the disgruntled members departed but were found with mountain gorillas.

Updated list of gorilla families and permits available in Rushaga region.

In southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, including Rushaga, two gorilla habituation experience families live.

Booking Bwindi Rushaga Gorilla Families

Choose a day to go gorilla trekking and determine how many permits you need. To ease access, state your request for Rushaga licenses from the start.

On gorilla excursion day, Katland Safaris helps check gorilla permit availability, book them, and deliver them to visitors. So you can relax, we can manage extra safari logistics for gorilla safari planning. Our Trip Advisor, Safari Bookings, and other travel websites reflect that our over 10 years of planning African safaris have improved our understanding.

After receiving your request, our safari specialist checks Uganda Wildlife Authority availability and responds quickly.

Customers should acquire gorilla trekking permits immediately since their status might change at any time. Gorilla permits are first-come, first-served. Booking without a gorilla permission is impossible.

We scan and transmit a receipt to verify your gorilla permit purchase. Please mention your passport name, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiry date on your gorilla permit.

Our driving guide registers your gorilla permit with the ranger guide on gorilla trekking day before briefing when you book the full safari package.

What do Bwindi Rushaga gorilla hiking permits cost?

International nonresidents pay $800, foreign residents $700, and East Africans 300,000hs for Uganda gorilla trekking permits.

Gorilla excursion permits include park entrance for 24 hours, government taxes, security, mountain gorilla conservation, local community aid, ranger guide fees, one hour of gorilla trekking, and more.

The gorilla permit charge covers just personal expenses like tipping, hotel, food, packed lunch, and others.

Do gorilla trekking licenses come in installments?

Indeed, the Uganda Wildlife Authority allows installment gorilla permits if purchased before 90 days to ensure you top up before gorilla safari day.

Gorilla permits are reopened to the public and non-refundable if top-up days are not respected.

Avoid forgetting to refill your gorilla permit by buying it entire.

Which Rushaga hotels should the Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari book?

Although Rushaga, the new gorilla safari hotspot, offers various housing alternatives, you might instead stay in Nkuringo. Nkuringo is a short drive from Rushaga, so you may stay there.

You must know your permit location before booking a Bwindi Impenetrable National Park accommodation for gorilla safaris. This prevents early morning briefings from being missed due to dark Bwindi travel. Slick roads, poor view, logs across the road, flat tires, and others are common on the journey.

Shadows Lodge, Rushaga Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Lodge, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp, Nshongi Camp, Nkuringo Lodge

How to go to Rushaga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

To go by road, you will need a well-maintained 4×4 4WD automobile and an experienced driving guide. The approach to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is winding since the Kigezi sub-region is volcanic. Sometimes roads are dirty, especially after severe rains.

To Kabale for Rushaga from Entebbe or Kampala
From Kampala or Entebbe to Kabale, then 105 kilometers to Rushaga, the distance is 414 kilometers. Kisoro, 35 km from Rushaga, is another option for overnight. Over 80 kilometers separate Kabale from Kisoro.

Daily domestic light from Kajjansi Airfield or Entebbe Airport to Kisoro Airfield, then a transport vehicle to Rushaga. Due to dense fog in Kisoro, weather might affect flights.

Chartering an airplane from Kajjansi or Entebbe Airport to Kisoro would allow you to take a car to your Rushaga hotel.

When is optimal for Rushaga Bwindi gorilla hiking?

Gorilla hiking is best when you’re ready. Most tourists pick dry season. The Bwindi rainforest is known for its unpredictable precipitation, although June, July, August, September, December, and January are dry.

Less precipitation in the forest makes mountain gorillas, several monkey species, birds, butterflies, and various tree species more visible. The heavy canopy lets more sunlight reach the ground, making woodland routes speedier. Even rivers stick to their routine.

Travel is busiest in Uganda during the dry season, therefore you must secure gorilla trekking authorization in advance. Peak season gorilla permits are scarce due to high demand. Last-minute gorilla trekking permits and facilities are hard to get in peak season.

Gorilla permit demand is lower in the rainy season (March, April, May, and November). Last-minute gorilla permits are more likely in the low season.

If you want to upgrade your gorilla safari without going crazy, consider low-season offerings. Service providers might slash costs to break even.

Is Rushaga Gorilla Trekking Hard?

Gorilla hiking in Rushaga is tough due to its volcanic landscape. Volcanic activity created ridges, plateaus, and other features. The passage is partially blocked by thick foliage that has overgrown and distorted these traits for years. The woodland has various routes that must be maintained.

Ranger guides use machetes to chop hanging bushes that impede the way.

Gorilla safaris need considerable physical fitness since you must follow mountain gorillas in the hills or valleys. The route may be muddy and treacherous due to continuous rainfall and forest deterioration.

You may avoid injury while searching for mountain gorillas in the forest’s harsh terrain by wearing the right gear.

Which Rushaga gorilla family is easiest to trek?

Each Rushaga gorilla family is intriguing, making it hard to choose one. The gorilla family that was easiest to find yesterday may be the hardest to find tomorrow. After the briefing, you are given a gorilla family, but the permit distribution criteria are unclear.

Gorilla permits are occasionally given based on age, hobby, connection, etc.

You may appreciate more than the wilderness offers if you’re patient and receptive to other intriguing components. You await stunning terrain, sparkling waterfalls, and others. Learn about Bwindi’s biosphere reserve, or impenetrable national park forest.

Trekking Gorilla Rushaga safety?

Rushaga gorilla trekking is safe since the gorilla families were resolved before being released. Each gorilla trekking team has two well-trained ranger guides, one with a machete and the other with a rifle.

Visitors must attend a briefing before the gorilla expedition to learn the regulations and avoid breaking them. Tourists may be at risk from calm mountain gorillas that attack when challenged.

Park security collaborates with Ugandan security forces to ensure order within and outside the park.

Visitors should avoid the woodland without a ranger guidance for their safety.

Visit the mountain gorillas for an unforgettable experience; book today.