Where Can I See Gorillas In Uganda? | Uganda Gorilla Parks
Uganda is one of the 3 countries in East Africa holding Mountain Gorillas besides Rwanda within Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo within Virunga NP and it also has Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega.
Among these 3 Gorilla watching destinations, Uganda holds the highest number of Mountain Gorillas within its two national parks, Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Forest
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is arguably the most popular tourist activity in this country as you get to see Uganda Gorillas. There is no doubt that you are guaranteed sightings of the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.
When you go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can trek Mountain Gorillas of one of the 19 habituated Gorilla families. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 4 sectors to go gorilla trekking – Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija. You can go gorilla trekking in Uganda in the 4 sectors though the Gorilla habituation experience is only enjoyed in Rushaga.
Gorilla watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park requires you to be equipped with your hiking boots, gorilla permits, insect repellents, walking sticks, and many others.
Trekking Mountain Gorillas begins at 8:00 a.m. with a briefing from the park rangers at the park headquarters concerning the Gorilla tracking rules. From here, you are allocated a Gorilla family to trek though you are in a group of 8 members.
Gorilla tracking can last from 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the giant apes. Once you spot a Gorilla family, you are only allowed to be in their presence for one hour which is of a lifetime. It is the right time to take all pictures for remembrance of the Gorilla holiday though never forget to keep your flashlight off.
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Rushaga Sector Of Bwindi. Rushaga is the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to 8 Mountain Gorilla families, the highest population of families in the park. Out of the 4 sectors, it is the only sector to offer Gorilla habituation experience. When in Rushaga on your gorilla tour, you get amazing views of the forest canopy, Lake Mutanda, and the distant Virunga Mountains of Rwanda.
- Gorilla Trekking In Nkuringo Sector Of Bwindi. The Nkuringo sector is in the southern part of the park just like Rushaga and it is a great place to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. This sector has 4 Gorilla groups (Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas, and Posho) that are all fully habituated just waiting for you to get a glimpse of their beauty during Gorilla watching.
- Gorilla Trekking In Ruhija Sector Of Bwindi. The Ruhija sector is situated within the East of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it is easily accessible from Buhoma and Kabale proximately closer to Queen Elizabeth National Park home to the tree climbing Lions It is the only sector where you can spot Elephants. Besides that, there are 3 fully habituated Gorilla families (Bitukura, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro).
- Gorilla Trekking In Buhoma Sector Of Bwindi. Buhoma is the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it is the most popular trailhead to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. It is at a lower altitude (1,400m) than other sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest meaning that trekking Mountain Gorillas in Buhoma is moderately easier.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro district bordering Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the other park in Uganda where tourists can go Gorilla trekking. Tourists can Gorilla trek the Nyakagezi group the only Gorilla family in the park. Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the Mountain Gorillas as they usually move from one place to another.
Trekking the Mountain Gorillas starts at the park headquarters after you hand in your Gorilla permit which signifies your participation in Gorilla tracking activity. This park also offers Golden Monkey trekking or Golden Monkey tracking and you get to see the endangered Golden Monkeys. The Golden Monkeys are rare creatures that live within communities in the bamboo trees and you can see them on your Golden Monkey tracking or Golden Monkey trekking encounters.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla habituation is the slow and gentle introduction of wild Mountain Gorillas to the presence of humans. The Gorilla habituation experience gives tourists 4 hours of Gorilla watching which is more time than the typical Gorilla expedition. You wake up on time and you are briefed by the ranger guides and follow them to the Rushaga sector where the Gorilla habituation experience is done. It is only done for the Bukingyi family and the permit for Gorilla habituation costs $1,500.
Uganda Gorilla Families
There are 20 habituated Gorilla groups within the two national parks in Uganda, 19 are found within the 4 sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo) of Bwindi National Park and 1 within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, there are other unhabituated families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with wild Mountain Gorillas.
Below are the habituated Gorilla groups to trek Gorillas on your Gorilla safari;
- Buhoma with 4 Gorilla groups including Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and Katwe
- Ruhija with 4 Gorilla families including Bitukura, Oruzugo, Kyaguriro A family, and Kyaguriro B (Mukiza)
- Rushaga with 8 Gorilla groups including Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bushingye, Bweza, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, and Kutu
- Nkuringo with 3 Gorilla family groups including Nkuringo, Christmas, Bushaho family
Most of the Gorilla groups have a Dominant Silverback, other Silverbacks, adults, sub-adults, infants, and some have juveniles.
Rules of Gorilla Trekking In Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Walking rules ensure both the tourist’s safety and that of the Gorillas. Before you go for the Gorilla trek, they are given to you by the park rangers during a briefing at the park headquarters and the same rules apply to the Gorilla habituation experience.
Gorilla trek rules before you set out;
- Always make sure that you carry your payment receipts and Gorilla permits.
- In case you have a cold or any kind of infectious illness, please do not go track Gorillas.
- Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only for those above 15 years.
- If you want to help yourself, make sure that human waste is buried 30cm (12 inches) deep.
- Also, only 8 people are permitted to visit a Gorilla group.
Gorilla trek rules when you meet the Gorillas;
- Make sure that there is a 7-meter (21ft) distance between you and the Gorillas.
- You should not smoke, eat, or drink when with the Gorillas. It helps in the reduction of transmitting diseases to Gorillas.
- Always cover your mouth and nose or even turn away if you sneeze or cough. This is because Gorillas can get infected with cough and cold.
- Tourists are only permitted or given only 1 full hour to be with the Gorillas.
- When you are photographing the apes, ensure not to use a flash.
- Do not touch the gorillas.
- Don’t feed the gorillas
- Keep your voice low at all times.
Where To Stay When Tracking Gorillas In Uganda?
When you go Gorilla trekking in Uganda, there are several safari lodges where you can stay and these lodges are classified into budget, midrange to luxury options. You can find them within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park and Mgahinga Park
Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Luxury accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park includes; Buhoma Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, etc.
- Midrange accommodation includes; Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Agandi Safari Lodge, Bakiga Safari Lodge, etc.
- Budget accommodation includes; Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Trekker’s Tavern Cottages, etc.
Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Some of the accommodation in Mgahinga includes; Mount Gahinga Lodge, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, etc.
In summary, Walking with gorillas and Gorilla habituation experiences enable you to get close encounters of the endangered apes in the jungle which will give you full excitement.
Gorilla tours in Uganda can be combined with Chimpanzee tracking tours for ultimate memories. You can as well visit Queen Elizabeth National Park home to the tree climbing Lions, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park for remarkable wildlife viewing.
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