Typical mistakes to avoid while organizing a gorilla trekking expedition

Seeing the mountain gorillas is an experience that many tourists only get to have once in their lifetime, so it’s important to be aware of key gorilla trekking logistics, landmarks, locations, and geographical features when planning your Uganda gorilla safaris. These will help you save time and money and have a relaxed and memorable gorilla tour in Uganda.

Because we are aware of these important mistakes, we address important information in this post for visitors looking for a self-driven safari to Bwindi Forest and those organizing an independent gorilla trek. To improve your journey and save time and money, avoid making the following critical mistakes:

The location of your gorilla permits Verses’ Quarters in the Bwindi Forest
There are five gorilla trekking regions in Uganda. Four sectors make up Bwindi Forest National Park; the Ruhija sector is the one nearest to Kampala and Kigali and is followed by the Buhoma sector.

The Nkuringo sector is the furthest in the Bwindi forest, and the Rushaga sector, located in the southern portion of Bwindi National Park, is the closest to Musanze, Rwanda. Both of these sectors are situated in the Kanungu region.

The accommodations in each of these regions are spaced approximately two to four hours apart. There is also the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro, which includes the Nyakagezi region. There is just one gorilla population in this section, and hiking here is very risky because this gorilla family periodically crosses into Rwanda.

It is essential to book a hotel close to the area where you will be hiking mountain gorillas while planning a gorilla trek in Uganda, especially for individuals who wish to travel alone.

This will save you the trouble of having to make a long early drive in search of a gorilla trekking briefing, enabling you to spend your gorilla excursion in luxury and with renewed energy.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Discounts and Eligibility

Gorilla permits in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park cost $700 for all foreign visitors, $600 for foreigners living in East Africa with valid work permits, and UGX250,000 for citizens of East Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Make your gorilla permit reservation as soon as you can.

Regardless of the month you choose to go gorilla trekking, it is always best to make plans in advance to ensure that you are both physically and mentally ready. Uganda gorilla permits are most competitive during the yearly peak season because many tourists prefer to travel during the dry season.

The months of December, January, February, June, July, August, September, and October saw competitive gorilla permit sales. In order to avoid disappointment, it is normally recommended to reserve your gorilla permit in advance if you plan to go gorilla trekking during the months mentioned above.

What time of year is ideal to go there?

The most popular months for obtaining a Ugandan gorilla permit are June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Since the aforementioned months are peak travel times, it is best to plan and get gorilla permits at least six months in advance of the planned trip. Since the aforementioned months are hot and conducive to gorilla trekking due to less slick terrain and easier climbing, many tourists opt to trip at this time.

Gorilla permits can still be obtained during the rainy season, at least one month ahead of the trekking dates, making it less competitive. Remember that there is no assurance that it won’t rain for the entire season, not even during well-established dry months. In order to have a successful gorilla trekking experience, travelers need to pack adequately and be ready for both sunny and rainy weather.

To obtain your gorilla permit, get in touch with us.

It is challenging to arrange your gorilla permits directly with the government office unless you are already in Uganda and can visit the office in person due to the volume of emails and queries that the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s main office receives. Use us to reserve your gorilla permit is the safest option. Your gorilla permit will be purchased by us, and we’ll give you a payment receipt.

Verses Concerning the Experience of Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation

In Bwindi Forest National Park, visitors can engage in two types of gorilla encounters: trekking with mountain gorillas and gorilla habituation. It costs $700 for gorilla trekking, but $1500 for gorilla habituation. If you mix up the two, you could end up spending a lot of money.

A maximum of four people and researchers will hike with mountain gorillas for four hours as part of the gorilla habituation experience, which gives visitors a more up-close and personal encounter with the gorillas. Only the Rushaga sector in the southern part of Bwindi National Park is used for habitat, and only eight permits are granted daily, year-round.

In order to avoid having to make the lengthy journey to the park offices, where tracking starts, visitors who purchase a gorilla habituation permit are required to stay in lodgings in the southern part of Bwindi, close to the southern offices.

For your flight, select between Kigali Airport and Entebbe International Airport.

The closest airport is Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, and Bwindi National Park is situated in southern Uganda. The closest area of Bwindi National Park, the Buhoma district, is around 8 to 9 hours away from Uganda’s major airport, Entebbe International Airport. The bare minimum of three days and two nights in Bwindi National Park is required for your tour in order to arrive at Entebbe Airport.

Kigali International Airport, which is about three hours’ drive away, is the best airport to fly into if visitors wish to go on a one- or two-day gorilla trek. It is okay to start a longer Uganda safari from Entebbe International Airport with a plan, starting with parks close by and ending with the shorter journey to Bwindi Forest.

Bring a walking stick and a porter.

At the beginning of every gorilla trip in Bwindi, porters are available for travelers to choose from and provide assistance to them while on the hike. Male and female locals known as porters reside in the park and aid visitors with their daily loads. A porter will take your hand and carry your backpack over rugged terrain.

Although their work may seem insignificant, believe me when I say that you will require a porter because they are familiar with the area and will provide you with encouragement along your walk. Having a walking stick can be quite helpful in maintaining stability while navigating through the dense forest.

Properly pack.

• Make sure you have everything you may require for your gorilla trekking adventure, such as
• Boots for hiking or tennis
• It is necessary to wear long sleeves, long pants, and long stockings (to tuck into your pants).
• Raincoat or poncho
• It is advised to wear sunglasses and a hat.
• Great gloves for gardening.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• camera-equipped binoculars
• Additionally, because the weather could change suddenly, you should pack both light and warm clothing.

Don’t overpack.

Packing light is essential whether you wish to utilize a porter or not, as heavier items will be too much for both of you. You never know how long you’ll spend tracking mountain gorillas in the jungle; it could take hours, and a strenuous park will tire you and your porter. To keep costs down and prevent fatigue, it is better to hire additional porters if you have a lot of cameras.

possess a respectable level of fitness

Mountain gorillas live in remote mountainous regions; certain groups are found on lower terrain, while others are found at higher altitudes.
You don’t need to be physically fit to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, but you do need to be able to walk to and from the gorillas in the forest. To be physically ready for the walk, you need to have been physically active for at least 4–6 months prior to the trip.

Observe the guidelines provided in the manual.

The ranger guide gives tourists a briefing on appropriate behavior and what to expect from the gorillas prior to the gorilla trekking experience. You must abide by the rules and guidelines set forth by your ranger guide in order to protect both you and the gorillas. Above all, going on a gorilla walk is a challenging endeavor!