Things to know about Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi:
Things to know about Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi : Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda refers to hiking through the dense impenetrable rainforest of Bwindi that’s usually walking through steep slopes and highlands, dense forests, swamps and water streams in search for the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a forest national park situated in the southwestern parts of Uganda spanning across three districts namely Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro harboring half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas and other forest mammals with bird species in its different sectors.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 512KM approximately 9 to 10 hours road drive from Kampala Capital City of Uganda then you can head to the destined sector of Bwindi according to the issued permit sector. If Buhoma sector you should head to Kanungu district, if Ruhija you should head to Rubanda sector and finally if Nkuringo and Rushaga, you should head to Kisoro district.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes place in four sectors namely Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Each Sector has a different terrain hiking challenge with different mountain gorilla families.
Gorilla Trekking Age Limit
This activity supports 15-year age limit to book for a permit to ensure safety of both the trekkers and the endangered mountain gorillas. This is because younger children may lack the maturity to understand and follow the guidelines for gorilla trekking and also the terrains may be challenging hence require good hiking skills to navigate difficult trails easily.
Gorilla Trekking Permit
This is a document from Uganda wildlife Authority that allows you to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. This permit should be booked in advance by Sante Tour Operator especially in peak seasons and low seasons and note that in case missed the activity, the fees are non-refundable by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The Permit costs USD 800 for non-foreign residents per person in Uganda and USD 1500 for non-foreign residents per person in Rwanda.
Kindly note you may be denied entry if you are sick with contagious diseases.
Significant Guideline and requirements:
- Booked valid Gorilla Trekking permit in advance
- A trekker should be 15-years of age and above
- A trekker should be free from communicable diseases
- Wear comfortable hiking boots with good tractions, long pants, rain jacket, gloves and a face mask
- Good hiking skills or we may suggest for you an African aero-copter to assist you on difficulty trails
Things to observe while carrying out Gorilla Trekking;
- Face Mask
You are required to keep your face mask on once you have reached the mountain gorillas, this is to protect them from human diseases since they share 98% of our DNA!
- Gorilla Family
All trekkers are divided into different groups of 6, 8 or 10 people and led to the different gorilla families. Each group is assigned to one gorilla family, these gorillas have names and unique personalities. The rangers and trackers know them like buddies hence you shall feel like you’re visiting someone’s home and you need to known as if it’s not in the wild
- Gorilla Movement
These gorilla families keep moving from one place to another while feeding, and in their movements, they usually lean towards the direction of there movements. Every morning once they wake up, these gorillas make a peep on there nest before moving as a sign it’s their territory, this act helps trackers to know the whereabouts of gorillas.
- Hiking Challenge
Gorilla Trekking has both high and short hiking challenges, so you may ask your ranger to choose an easy hike to difficult one depending on the group desire. The hike may take between one hour to 8 hours after briefing depending on the terrain you have chosen. For the weak, or disabled, i would kindly recommend the service of an African aero copter in park.
- Staring at the Silverback is rude
Looking directly into the silverback’s eyes is seen as a challenge to them, hence stay calm, communicate in gorilla language where necessary if you can, and if they kick you, please do not kick back because they love playing.
- One magical Hour with Gorillas
After trekking through steep slopes and highlands, dense forests, swamps and water streams in search for the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats, you shall be granted one magical hour with the gorilla family to closely interface and interact with them, watching and observing about their way of life for example playing, feeding among more.
Note that you can book with sante tours and travel a 3-day Gorilla Trekking trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at only USD 2400.
