Gorilla trekking is one of the best, if not the best, safari activities that tourists love to indulge in on their trip to Uganda, annually. Uganda is one of the only three countries where the endangered mountain gorillas still exist and by no doubt, it resides more mountain gorillas than any other country.
The Pearl of Africa has two mountain gorilla national parks out of the four Parks inhabiting these gentle apes. The two national parks known for mountain gorilla trekking expeditions in Uganda, are; Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
The other two mountain gorilla national parks in Africa are further found in Rwanda and DR Congo, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park, respectively.
Out of the four Parks, Bwindi has the highest number of mountain gorillas and trekking them here differs from the other Parks.
In the other Parks, gorilla trekking is basically done in one particular sector unlike in Bwindi where there are four sectors: Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector, and Nkuringo sector. Bwindi inhabits very many habituated gorilla families, 19, in its four trekking sectors.
Why are gorilla treks in Bwindi extraordinary?:
First of all, gorilla trekking in Bwindi is relatively affordable yet amazing! A gorilla permit in Uganda still costs US$ 600 not until July of 2020, as it will be costing US$ 700 – as a way of bettering the activity for the tourists to enjoy it more.
In Bwindi, a sight at the rolling hills in the mist is only enough for you to evidence how fantastic and extraordinary this park is, before even trekking the mountain gorillas – which is the major activity there.
You will live in awe right from the time you access this Park till when you leave it, just full of wonders!! Gorilla trekking alone is a very wondrous activity here, meeting the gorillas in their natural habitats portraying their daily amazing behaviors is something so special!
Buhoma sector has the oldest habituated gorilla family, Mubare gorilla family, and most trekkers love doing their gorilla treks in this sector, for that particular reason of trekking the Mubare gorilla family – it really feels so special trekking such a historical gorilla family!!
Buhoma sector is also within a close proximity to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park which is famously known for inhabiting the unique tree climbing lion species. Therefore if you trekked in the Buhoma sector, it is easier for you to go and evidence these unique lions immediately after your gorilla trekking.
Meanwhile, gorilla trekking takes places in two sessions; the morning session (which starts at 8am) and the evening session (which starts at around 2pm). Gorilla trekking usually starts with briefings, at the starting points, before you proceed any further.
You will then be grouped into eight trekkers per group and then escorted by a Park ranger and your porter, in case you booked one, and then enjoy the thrilling gorilla treks in the fantastic Bwindi Park. You will spend one full hour with the particular gorilla family you will be trekking, obtaining a plethora of unfading memories!
Gorilla Habituation Experience:
Bwindi is really the most ideal national park in Africa for mountain gorilla expeditions. It is only here that you can engage in the exciting experience of habituating the gorillas, accompanying the gorilla researchers who do this activity.
Gorilla habituation is the process of making (teaching) the gorillas get used to the presence of humans. In this activity of habituating the mountain gorillas, gorilla lovers are also allowed to take part in it and here you will spend more than 4 hours with the gorillas and get a first hand information about the mountain gorillas, which is all unforgettable!
The gorilla habituation permit is however a bit expensive as compared to the gorilla trekking permit, as it costs US$ 1500 – but worth it. The entire activity is of course strenuous but so, so fantastic and memorable!