Do Ugandans trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks?

Indeed, gorilla trekking is practiced by locals in Uganda and other East African countries to preserve the mountain gorillas’ and their habitat’s sustainable existence. The purpose of this action is to raise awareness among the villagers about mountain gorillas and the value of protecting their delicate forest habitat.

Human involvement was one of the factors that caused the mountain gorilla population to decline to roughly 25o by the 1980s, as reported by the Dian Fossey team at the time. The mountain gorillas are the subject of local mythology, and these animals have been characterized as dangerous in these stories.

The people, particularly the whites (Muzungu), knew that going to see mountain gorillas was a foreign activity when gorilla habituation and hiking began.

Because the fees were in dollars, which most Ugandans needed assistance understanding, many have long avoided going on gorilla trekking safaris. To promote domestic travel, the Uganda Wildlife Authority currently includes the price of gorilla permits for citizens of East Africa in its tariffs.

How much does it cost for Ugandans to get a gorilla trekking permit?
Residents of East Africa must pay 250,000 shs per person per hike for a gorilla permit.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority or an authorized tour operator, such as Katland Safaris, are the two places where you may get your gorilla permit.

Included

Security, a certificate upon completion of the walk, a briefing, an hour with the mountain gorillas, park fees, assistance for the local people, and gorilla conservation are all included in the price of gorilla trekking permits.

Despite being a Ugandan, you must obtain the gorilla permit in advance in order to avoid being excluded from the limited number of gorilla permits that are required globally. Since June through September and December through January are Uganda’s busiest travel seasons, gorilla trekking permits are in high demand during these times.

Not Included

Transportation to gorilla trekking locations, safari lodging, gratuities, beverages, a packed lunch, and any more personal belongings.

How Can Ugandans Reserve Permits for Gorilla Trekking?

Decide on the date you want to go gorilla trekking and how many other individuals you want to go with. For information on gorilla trekking permits, get in touch with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or reserve your gorilla permit via a travel operator.

Since we are one of the authorized companies with access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority list, our safari adviser looks for gorilla permit availability when you inquire about it.

We advise our clients to obtain their gorilla permits as soon as possible, provided that there are still enough permits available for the amount of persons traveling with them. They are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of where you are from.

Enter personal information such as your date of birth, nationality, and complete name as it appears on your passport or national identity card.

Can I pay in installments for the Uganda Gorilla Permit?

Although paying in full for your gorilla trekking permit is the best course of action, things might not always go as planned. You have the option to pay 30% and 70% of the total cost of your gorilla permit in installments. The only people who need to top up their gorilla permits 90 days prior to the trekking date are those who buy them 90 days in advance.

There is a penalty for not topping up the gorilla trekking permit.

Are Ugandans affected by the postponement of the gorilla permit?

While it is the goal of every traveler to keep their scheduled gorilla trekking date, unforeseen events may make future travel impossible. You may, however, reschedule your gorilla permit in accordance with Uganda Wildlife Authority rules.

Methodology

Send a letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority asking for a new date for your gorilla permit. Provide a sincere explanation for any plan modification, along with supporting documentation.

Your gorilla permit is rescheduled as recommended after approval, although this is contingent upon the gorilla permit’s availability for your revised dates.

Take note

The Uganda Wildlife Authority permits rescheduling gorilla permits during two free hours. However, only the third time was a 25% surcharge approved by the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

As a Ugandan, is I eligible for a reimbursement for my gorilla trekking permit?

Only reports made before to the gorilla trekking date are eligible for a refund of the gorilla permit. The gorilla permit’s validity expires on the day it was granted. Refunds are not available for no-shows without supporting documentation that has been reported to the Uganda Wildlife Authority beforehand.

There is a gorilla permit refund procedure enforced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Because of the bureaucracy involved in getting the money back, it would be better to exercise some patience.

How old can you be to go gorilla trekking?

Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to undertake gorilla trekking because they may not be able to handle the restrictions or the harsh conditions of the jungle, such as trudging on slick slopes, spending a lot of time looking for mountain gorillas, and many other things.

As a Ugandan, when is the best time to reserve a gorilla permit?

The best way to avoid scrambling to get a gorilla permit at the last minute is to book it in advance. To avoid last-minute disappointment, reserve your gorilla permit six months in advance, particularly during the busiest months of June through September and December through January. There are just eight gorilla licenses available each gorilla family, and they are sought after globally. There are currently two gorilla habituation sites and 19 gorilla families available in Uganda for gorilla trekking.

You can take advantage of the low demand for gorilla trekking in March, April, May, and November if you’re a local Ugandan. Since some run resident costs during the shoulder tourism season, even lodging and other service providers might give discounts.

Are Gorillas in the Mountains Aggressive?

Despite their enormous size and intimidating appearance, mountain gorillas are calm and timid primates in the wild. They have deep brown eyes and black fur covering their bodies. You feel as though they are going to grab you because of the way they move their knuckles.

To avoid appearing suspicious, you must adhere strictly to the gorilla trekking regulations.

When enraged, the mountain gorillas will dive into the jungle, pull grass around themselves, thump their chests, and hoot. However, because they occasionally have family conflicts, this does not imply that they are disturbed by human presence.

When you observe this, the rangers first determine the cause and, if no one is at blame, they inform you of the current expectations. Because you only get an hour to spend with the mountain gorillas, you must strictly adhere to all gorilla trekking rules and restrictions.

How Hard Is Trekking with Gorillas?

Because the gorilla trekking area’s terrain is primarily volcanic, hikers should anticipate traversing hills and plateaus to reach the potential daily habitat of the mountain gorillas. Because to the frequent rains, the trails are occasionally slick and covered in overgrown vegetation.

The extensive network of rivers occasionally overflows, leaving the land damp and muddy. The high forest canopy also reduces the amount of sunlight that can dry out the water from the frequent rains.

Being somewhat fit prevents you from becoming really weary while gorilla trekking and from fainting if you are too tired.

Bring the appropriate gorilla trekking equipment to protect your feet from the jagged jungle floor and to save you from the conditions of the wild.

How Much Time Does Gorilla Trekking Take?

It is unpredictable how long gorilla trekking takes; some visitors arrive in two hours, while others take three-quarters of the day. A conflict with another gorilla family, the proximity of their food, the loss of a family member, or interactions between the family and others can all affect how long it takes to locate the mountain gorillas.

Following the briefing, you are split up into groups of no more than eight tourists, however each group moves at a different pace. To avoid forgetting anyone in the bush, the ranger guide keeps up with the slowest hiker.

For the duration of your gorilla trekking adventure, you can hire a porter to carry your equipment. They can also encourage you when you’re feeling worn out.

Is it safe to go gorilla trekking?

Because rangers are stationed to escort you—one with a rifle, the other with a machete—in the event that creepers obstruct your path, gorilla trekking is a safe excursion. To maintain peace and order in the national parks, the rangers also work in tandem with other Ugandan security services.

Because various people travel for different reasons, you need to be mindful of your possessions. Enter the forest only with a ranger guide accompanying you. Other animals that live in the forest, such as gigantic forest hogs and forest elephants, might not be prepared to see you, especially if you are unarmed.

Put on the appropriate gorilla trekking clothing so that it will support you during the journey.

As a citizen of Uganda, how much can I spend on a gorilla trekking safari?

Depending on the tour package you select, a gorilla trekking safari can cost different amounts. Budget, midrange, and luxury packages are used to bundle gorilla trekking excursions.

Since the cost of a gorilla permit does not differentiate your package of choice, you must acquire one. Gorilla permits currently cost 150000 shs per person per trip for Ugandans.

When creating gorilla trekking packages, other things to think about are:

a number of individuals accompanying you on your gorilla walk; the more people you have, the lower the cost per person. Some costs, such as fuel, car rental, and gas, can be split.

The gorilla trekking safari is best booked during the busiest time of year. Most services, including lodging, are expensive and don’t provide any discounts; however, there are occasionally deals at off-peak times.

number of days spent on a safari and gorilla trekking. The cost of the safari increases with the number of days.

Gorilla trekking can be combined with a variety of other activities. Combining safari activities like game drives, launch trips, chimpanzee hiking, and birding raises the price.

The cost of the gorilla trekking safari pack varies depending on the features and exclusions of each package, so you can pick whether to go in luxury, mid-range, or budget.

What to bring on a safari or gorilla trekking trip

A camera to preserve the memories of this momentous journey.
Breakfast is eaten too early to last the whole day in the bush, so there are energy bits to chew on.
Wearing warm clothing, such as a shawl, fleece, or sweater, is advised because temperatures in this region can drop as low as 7 degrees Celsius.
A pair of binoculars to enhance comprehension of the intriguing distant aspects.
A pair of stockings to secure your clothing and prevent penetrating creepers
Rainproof clothing in case of rain during gorilla trekking
A torch for use when the lights go out at night. Though sunlight is modest enough to persist all night, solar power serves as this region’s primary power source.
A little money in case you want to purchase some mementos.
Safari boots are ideal for hiking and navigating muddy and wet terrain.
Garden gloves are on other rough jungle surfaces if your palms get caught in stinging nettles.
Water-resistant During gorilla tracking, you can carry your stuff in a backpack.
Carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day will help you stay hydrated.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants will help you stay safe from jungle pests like stinging nettles during gorilla trekking.
Apply insect repellent to your skin to ward off stinging insects that could harm you.
Particularly during the intense rainy seasons, pajamas provide warmth on extremely cold evenings.
charger in case the power on your devices runs low
Additional fully charged batteries to switch out whenever one runs low.
A first aid bag including necessary supplies for an emergency.