Commonly Asked Questions in Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Trekking with mountain gorillas is Uganda’s most popular safari activity. Since it was brought to the nation more than 20 years ago, this hobby has attracted a sizable number of tourists who come to see these well-known primates. Given that gorillas are among the most critically endangered creatures in the world, mountain gorilla trekking was established to support gorilla conservation in East Africa.

Trekking excursions were created to give tourists a close-up look at gorillas and to educate them about the importance of gorillas to both the ecosystem and humankind.

To say that the idea hasn’t been successful would be to minimize the labor of the numerous authorities who have so far brought it to pass. In 2022, there will be approximately 1500 gorillas living in the various habitats located in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a substantial increase from the approximately 800 gorillas that lived there a decade ago.

What is Ugandan gorilla trekking?

In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking comprises traveling to one of the two gorilla habitats in the nation, scaling the terrain, and eventually coming into contact with the gorillas.

In Uganda, where are mountain gorillas found?

Southwest Uganda is home to both of Uganda’s mountain gorilla habitats. The national parks of Mgahinga and Bwindi are examples of these settings. Three-quarters of the world’s mountain gorilla population resides in Bwindi National Park.

When is the best time to trek with mountain gorillas in Uganda?

In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking is offered year-round in both habitats. On the other hand, the dry seasons, which run from June to August and December to February, are when the activities are at their busiest.

How much time does it take to trek with mountain gorillas in Uganda?

The activity of hiking with mountain gorillas in Uganda lasts for one day. Trekkers often start their day with a briefing at 7 a.m. and then head into the jungle to look for gorillas. Depending on the park you are hiking in, this hike can take four to five hours to complete.

Following that, you spend an hour with the gorillas before continuing on to your next location by going down the mountain. It takes about three to four hours to descend. On the other hand, the length of your mountain gorilla safari might vary from two to four days, depending on where you enter the parks and how long your safari is planned.

What are the guidelines for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda?

The guidelines for trekking with mountain gorillas are the same everywhere in the world. These guidelines include, but are not limited to, not trekking when you are ill because you could infect the gorillas, maintaining a 7-meter gap between you and the gorillas during your trek, refraining from doing anything that could endanger the gorillas, not feeding the gorillas, and not coughing or sneezing in their face.

What is the price of trekking with mountain gorillas in Uganda?

The only expense associated with mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda is obtaining permits, which run $800 USD per person. You have the option to climb with mountain gorillas in one of the two habitats in the country with this permission.