Gorilla Safaris in Uganda

A gorilla safaris in Uganda is one of the most enriching memories you can reward yourself on an African Safari. There’s something undoubtedly fascinating about our giant cousins, the magnificent mountain gorillas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Of course it’s partially down to their sheer size — you can’t fail to be impressed by a creature that colossal. But there’s something deeper, more endearing.

The combination of awesome strength with profound gentleness; the depth of their social bonds; their harmony with their environment; their vulnerability.

Perhaps our fascination comes from us seeing in them what we wish we saw in ourselves? We share up to 99% of our genetic material with gorillas but for years most encounters were, sadly, as a slapstick caricature in a cheap horror movie.

But now people are travelling in ever greater numbers to the mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and (to a much lesser degree) the Democratic Republic of Congo to see the mountain gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, in its natural environment. A gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda is considered a bucket-list item when you travel to these small East African countries.

“There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than with any other animal I know… So it seems really very unfair that man should have chosen the gorilla to symbolise everything that is aggressive and violent, when that is the one thing that the gorilla is not — and that we are.” — Sir David Attenborough, Life On Earth (1979)

That encounter was possible thanks to Dian Fossey’s 10 years’ work gaining the trust of the gorillas, learning their behaviours and battling poachers. And of course the rapid progress made by the Rwandan and Ugandan authorities, who have recognised the importance of gorilla conservation and the role that well-regulated tourism can play in protecting the species, and as a vital source of revenue.

Miss Fossey, with notebook and binoculars, keeps arms folded—a gorilla gesture of submission—to show she means no harm. PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT M. CAMPBELL

The industry is far from perfect, and conservation has come at a cost for the Batwa, the forest’s human inhabitants. But, thanks in part to the gorilla tourism industry, the collapse of the mountain gorilla population has, for now, been halted. With numbers now exceeding 1000 mountain gorillas in the wild from the recent 2018 gorilla population report.

But seeing mountain gorillas in the wild isn’t easy. It’s a demanding, physical experience; it’s highly regulated, with permits and tightly- enforced rules and regulations; and it can be expensive!

The one thing gorilla safaris in Uganda can assure you, is that your hour with the gorillas will be one of the most magical moments of your life on. Remember to put your camera down, at least for a few minutes, and just watch, listen and breathe in the scents of the forest. Your photos and videos are important souvenirs, but just being there is the real treat. Enjoy.

Must read: Uganda Gorilla trekking — the real experience

Experience Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Witnessing a group of gorillas in their natural habitat can be one of the most transformative and unforgettable life experiences that nature has to offer.Marvelling at these gentle giants in the African rainforest is exhilarating and leaves many travellers feeling more connected to nature than ever before.

We will take you on an adventure into the tropical rainforest jungles of Uganda and Rwanda to track the elusive Mountain Gorilla. The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Expert trackers and tour guides will lead your small group up bamboo-covered slopes for an encounter just a few feet away from these gentle giants.

The volcanic range which spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the endangered Mountain Gorilla. The gorillas live in thick jungle areas of these countries at high altitudes, along the line of lakes that form the Great Rift Valley.
Because of security concerns, most travellers opt to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or gorilla trekking in Rwanda. They are considered much safer destinations than the third option, the eastern extremes of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Treks in these areas are safe and relatively accessible for tourists.

Mountain Gorilla safaris in Africa run year-round, and our carefully planned guided tours are available whenever it suits you.

Many believe the best time to go gorilla trekking is in the dry season, which falls between January and February and from June to September. Peak season is July and August. However, if you don’t want to pay so much for a permit you can visit in the rainy (low) season in March, April, May, and October.

The period from June through to September is by far the busier when it comes to travellers looking for the best time to go gorilla trekking. September also sees Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony for young born that year. A host of celebrities are often involved.
The dry season is also an excellent time to consider going on safari in the region. This is when the animals of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park (among others) congregate around the remaining water sources and are easier to spot. Birdwatching is also at its prime now, as food is easy to find.

If you’re dead set on travelling at a certain time of year, we’d recommend getting in contact with us as early as possible. For one thing, permits are sold on a first-come first-served basis. You might be lucky, but generally, last-minute BOOKINGS aren’t an option. GORILLA Permits can sell out a year OR 2 in advance during the most popular months!
So booking at least six months ahead of time, and ideally a whole year ahead will help you to avoid disappointment. When it comes to making last-minute bookings, you’ll always have to check carefully with a local tour company such as ours to confirm the continued availability of permits.

Gorilla Safaris in Dry Season vs. Wet Season

There’s no month of the year when gorilla trekking should be ruled out entirely, and those who head to Uganda or Rwanda during the low season can have a much more exclusive experience because of the lower number of visitors.

The difference in the actual hiking between the best time to go gorilla trekking and other times of year is minimal. One unexpected potential benefit of visiting Uganda and Rwanda’s mountain gorillas outside of the peak months of June, July, and August is that gorilla families can often be found at lower altitudes in the hills.

This means travellers can hope for shorter ranger-led walks to find where the gorillas are situated on any given day – although your stay with them will remain no longer than the one-hour allowed by your permit. On the flip side, tracks do get muddy and sometimes challenging because of the rain. Those particularly worried about slipping in the mud may want to choose another time of year.

The rains are at their heaviest between March to May and in October and November. However, Uganda no longer lowers the prices of its gorilla trekking permits during some portions of the rainy seasons. This is no longer an added incentive to visiting during the wet seasons.
Rain even during these times of year isn’t a constant threat, and you won’t face days of endless rain if you visit either country during these months.

Instead, it tends to fall as showers lasting one or two hours before clearing again. You won’t ever have a gorilla trekking trip cancelled because it’s raining. What’s more, temperatures are all but identical to those experienced during the drier months of the year.
Groups of tourists visiting the gorillas also tend to be smaller during the wetter months. So while groups usually consist of eight travellers plus rangers during the dry season months, rangers usually only lead groups averaging three people at quieter times of year.

However, rainforests are called so for a reason. It can rain a lot. Whatever time of year you choose to visit the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda, you should be prepared to see at least some rain. It’s always recommended to pack high-quality waterproofs to protect you from head to foot!

Gorilla trekking in Africa is not like a visit to the local zoo or safari park. The animals are wild and so could be located anywhere in the forest. It involves hiking for several hours through difficult terrain and thick vegetation. So it pays to have at least an average level of fitness to deal with the strenuous activity.

The time it takes to find a group of gorillas on an organised trek can depend on the area and time of day, making it highly unpredictable. Some groups find the gorillas in as little as 30 minutes, while others search for up to 7 hours.

Some gorillas live near the busier parts of the park, next to the park offices or lodges, while others live deeper in the forest. Gorillas tend to always be on the move due to the location of their food, the weather, and fights that break out amongst the group.

Although mountain gorilla trekking isn’t easy, the effort is well worth it. Hiking in an unknown forest area can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. Add in these giant and friendly creatures in their natural habitat, and this could be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

Is Uganda or Rwanda Better for Gorilla Tours?

There are many pros and cons to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. In general, Uganda is more affordable, while Rwanda is more accessible.

GORILLA SAFARIS DIFFICULTY LEVELS

Uganda gorilla treks are typically run in Bwindi National Park, where you will begin the journey on high ground, following the gorillas downhill. This makes for a more leisurely journey upfront, but you will be ending the day on a rough uphill climb. There are no paved trails, and the weather is unpredictable, so this can be some challenging terrain

Rwanda gorilla treks, you can see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, which is not as slippery or steep as some of the terrain in Bwindi. With several rolling hills, Rwanda’s landscape is more open than Uganda’s. However, Volcanoes is at a higher altitude, making the hike more challenging. While it might be easier to reach the gorillas in Rwanda, there are a limited number of visitors allowed each day, around 56. Bwindi National Park in Uganda allows more visitors, about 80 people per day.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda boasts rolling hills, open grasslands, small lakes, and lush rainforests. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is better known for the variety of other wildlife that calls the land their home, including 79 mammal species. While Volcanoes National Park is beautiful, Bwindi is better for spotting other wildlife, from elephants to wild cat varieties.

Price

Gorilla trekking permits have different prices depending on the country you are visiting. Uganda’s gorilla trekking permit is around $800, while Rwanda’s is much higher at $1500. Both of these permits are for a period of one hour with the gorillas, but you can buy a four-hour time limit in Uganda for $1500, the same price as a one-hour permit in Rwanda

ARE GORILLA SAFARIS WORTH IT

While gorilla trekking is neither easy nor cheap, the effort, time, and money spent on this adventure is 100% worth it.Getting up close with these gentle giants in the African rainforest is a truly unparalleled experience.

Along the way, you may see other monkeys, wildlife, vibrant bird species, waterfalls, and exotic trees, allowing you to connect with nature on an entirely new level.

A limited number of tracking permits are issued per day, which ensures the encounter is as intimate and as unobtrusive as possible. But don’t worry, our team will take care of all the hassle in processing gorilla permits, park entry fees, transfers, and putting together an itinerary that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. However, it is highly recommended to book gorilla trekking in Africa in advance