Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves walking through a dense forest in search of habituated wild Mountain Gorillas whereby a group of trekkers along with armed rangers and guides are in a position to follow up the wild mountain gorillas that have already been habituated and used to humans’ presence as the go with their daily life activates roaming in the forest
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is truly a magical experience that allows visitors to come face to face with one of the most iconic and endangered species on the planet. located in the southwest province of Uganda in Kisoro district boarding Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo. The park is part of the Virunga conservation area covering an area of about 434 square kilometers as was gazetted as a national part in 1991 mainly to protect the world’s prized fascinating mountain gorillas. The park is home to more than 400 endangered mountain gorillas with only two habituated gorilla families that’s Nyakagezi and Hirwa, making it a more intimate and exclusive experience compared to other gorilla trekking experiences.
The trekking experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is truly one-of-a-kind as visitors navigate through the lush montane forest, bamboo thickets and impressive volcanic landscape to search for gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begins in the morning with a briefing at the park head office about the rules and regulations and expectations, among others. After the briefing, tourists are assigned an experienced guide who will lead them to the forest in search of the gorilla family, which takes about 2–4 hours, depending on where the mountain gorillas are allocated. During gorilla trekking, you will also get a chance to explore some of the hidden treasures of the forest, such as birds, mammals, reptiles and other primate species. Upon meeting with these fascinating creatures, you will be allowed to have face-to-face interaction with the gorillas, while observing their daily activities such as feeding, breastfeeding and playing tactics among others
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is not only a memorable experience but also contributes to the conservation efforts of these incredibly endangered primates. The park employs local guides and trackers, who are instrumental in ensuring the safety and production of the gorilla and their habitat.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a home of 76 mammal species including forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden cats, primate species like the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and over 184 bird species.
What is the cost of seeing the mountain gorilla in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
For one to participate in gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, one need to have a gorilla trekking permit which is obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This permit is an illegal document that authorizes one to see these fascinating creatures. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$800 per person for foreign non-residents, US$ 700 per person for foreign residents and US$ 300,000 per person for East African Citizens. It is recommended to book your experience well in advance as permits are limited and can sell out quickly, especially during the peak tourist seasons
Which food do Gorillas eat?
Gorillas are primarily herbivores and their diet mainly consists of fruits, leaves, stems, and shoots. They also eat some insects such as ants and termites. Gorillas are known to spend a large portion of their day foraging for food, and their diet can vary depending on the season and availability of food in their environment. Gorillas have a specialized digestive system that allows them to efficiently process fibrous materials
How can I acquire a gorilla trekking permit?
Gorilla permits in Uganda are US$ 800 per person. You can buy the permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Their headquarters is in Kampala or you can get a permit from an authorized agent. Another option may be a better choice through a travel agency that will often include the permit in your travel/tour package like us at Achieve Global Safari. And permits are recommended to book in advance.
What you need to wear during Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Waterproof hiking boots
A long-armed sweater since the park gets cold
A pair of long trousers
A pair of Binoculars. This will help you to see the vast birds Bwindi impenetrable forest has among other primates
A raincoat, the rain in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is unpredictable so to be on the safer side, you will be required to carry along a coat
A hat and sunglasses depending on the weather though these are optional
Cameras and long-lasting batteries since photography are very important to keep your memories alive. Always remember to keep our flash off.
Gardening Gloves will help you when you a holding onto trees are branches through the trek.
A mosquito Repellent, since it is a forest, it has different dangerous insects so it’s advisable to carry it along or wear it
You should not wear very bright colours since this will charge or scare away the gorillas.
What is the best time to go for a gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open for gorilla trekking the whole year, but the best times are during the drier seasons from June to August and December to January. During these months, the terrain is drier and easier to navigate, and the gorillas are more likely to be out in the open and easier to spot. Additionally, the weather is generally cooler and more comfortable during these times.
Where to stay while on a gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Visitors while on a gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park don’t need to worry about where to stay. The park has a number of beautiful accommodation facilities ranging from luxury level to mid-range and budget level to suit all levels of visitors, such as Mount Gahinga Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mucha Hotel, Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Lake Chahafi Resort, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mgahinga Rest Camp, Ntebeko River Camp, Golden Monkey Guesthouse, and Mutanda Eco-Community Centre, among other
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be combined with other safari activities such as nature walks, bird watching, wildlife viewing, golden monkey habituation experience, golden monkey tracking, mgahinga platform viewing experience, volcano climbing among others
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safaris who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda
