Trekking time
- July 30, 2024
- Posted by: chosen@202q
- Category: Prepare To Travel Tips
Trekking time
When is the ideal time to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and Uganda?
Gorilla trekking, which involves searching for habituated gorilla families through the tropical rainforest and spending an hour in their natural habitat once they are found, is one of the most popular tourist activities.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the two national parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is permitted. Volcanoes National Park is the location of gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Along with Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking is also possible in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Virunga and Kahuzi Biega national parks.
When is the best time to go on a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda and Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is available in Rwanda and Uganda year-round, regardless of the season.
Dry-season gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda
The months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February—also known as the dry season or peak season—are the best times to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda.
The dry season has little to no rainfall in the gorilla destinations, so that the park’s access roads and the trails used for gorilla trekking are dry and accessible, in contrast to the wet season, when the pathways are muddy and slippery and make trekking difficult.
Walking with mountain gorillas has an added bonus because of the minimal vegetation in the parks during the dry season, which makes it easier to spot the gorillas and take beautiful pictures.
While the dry season is considered the best time to go gorilla trekking, since gorillas live in tropical rainforests where rain can fall at any time of the year, there is no guarantee that it won’t rain. Because of the disadvantages of the dry season, including competition for gorilla trekking permits that usually leads to their rapid sale, travelers are encouraged to book three to six months in advance of the trekking date.
There are also disadvantages to going on a gorilla trek during the dry season. In contrast to the low season, when it would be simpler to watch the gorillas, tourists will need to travel farther into the forest in order to witness the mountain gorillas as they seek food.
Gorilla trekking during the off-season
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda takes place during the wet/low season, which spans from March to May and October to November. This is because there is plenty of food in the forest during these months for the mountain gorillas, so you won’t have to venture too far into the bush in search of them. Because fewer people will be visiting the gorilla spots during the low season, you might encounter fewer crowds in the jungle.
Last-minute trekkers benefit from being able to reserve permits at any time, as there is less competition for gorilla trekking permits during the low season. Many lodges provide discounts to attract tourists during off-peak months, making them affordable for people on a tight budget.
The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda and Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits, which are cards or credentials that allow visitors above the age of 15 to visit habituated gorilla families and spend an hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat, are issued to tourists visiting Rwanda and Uganda. A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park costs 1,500 USD per person for all nationalities, while permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cost 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX per person for East African citizens.
We provide gorilla trekking safaris throughout the year, whether it is during the dry season or the low season, so the best time to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda will depend on your interests. We suggest that you pack the essential trekking gear to make your safari a success. For further information, please contact us Alternatively, you can visit our website to peruse our offerings of wildlife safari programs and gorilla trekking.