Gorilla trekking is carried out in the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks. All these are in South Western Uganda. They have a combination of about half the mountain gorillas in the Virunga. Hundreds of tourists flock Uganda annually to experience interaction and viewing of these primates and that activity is known as mountain gorilla trekking. Because the trekking areas are highly mountainous, it’s common to hike the jungles while tracking the mountain gorillas.
This therefore requires a tourist to be mentally and physically fit before they embark on a mountain gorilla trek in Uganda. The tourists are guided by rangers who additionally provide security while in the jungle. In Uganda, trekking the mountain gorillas requires a trekking permit. It’s a document that acts as a pass for one to take part in the trekking. It goes for $700 per trekker. These permits can be acquired at the Uganda Wildlife Authority office. Mountain Gorilla trekking is a wonderful experience because these creatures can only be toured in Central Africa.
Last minute gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Whereas a tourist may have much enthusiasm to tour Uganda, they should be aware of last-minute trekking. It so happens that sometimes a tourist has limited time to carry out their desired tour around the mountain gorillas, or the tourist changes their mind and wants to shift from their initial tour itinerary for mountain gorilla trekking moments towards the execution of their initial tour choices.
That’s what’s referred to as last minute gorilla trekking. The plain fact is that YES, it is possible to secure a last-minute gorilla trek. So, the prospective tourists should know that their choices aren’t limited yet. They only have to choose an efficient tour operator to secure proper arrangements within such limited time available.
Booking gorilla permits.
This includes securing a mountain gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla permit is essential as it’s the entry requirement for one to engage in the trekking. Booking of the gorilla permits is a mainly done at the Uganda Wildlife Authority office. However, non-resident foreigners, and resident foreigners, are recommended to make these bookings through their tour operators. The reason is simply that the tour operators are more familiar with the local tourism context and this simplifies the whole process of gorilla permit acquisition.
Depending on how the tourist and the tour operator agree, they should be aware that such extra service comes at a fee. The foreign tourist will also be required to carry a passport to the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices, or asked for a copy of the passport information if they choose a tour operator. The reason for that information is for verification at the Uganda Wildlife Authority about the nationality and whether the tourist meets the age requirement for mountain gorilla trekking. The tourists are also advised to make early bookings prior to taking part in the trekking. Could be 3 to 4 weeks prior. The reason is that there’s a lot of competition for the trekking permits during the peak season.
Permit costs.
The mountain gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $700. This cost may always change from time to time depending on the administrative decisions of the managing tourism body. It’s therefore prudent to always confirm before embarking on the mountain gorilla tourism in Uganda.
Best time to visit gorillas in Uganda.
The dry season of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is often from June-August, and December-February. These are the best months for a tourist to engage in the mountain gorilla trekking. The rains are minimal or totally absent and therefore registering minimal to no interruptions at all while trekking.