Gorillas live in many parts of Africa, but Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo still stand out as the most preferred gorilla trekking destinations in the world. The three countries are lying within the East-Central Africa, and it is where 1063 endangered mountain gorillas only live.
Trekking mountain gorillas in the 3 countries is possible in the two sections, the Virunga Conservation Area ‑an extensive protected area which is comprised of Virunga National Park (Congo), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda). A huge profusion of these rare apes also resides within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda.
Gorilla trekking with no doubt has been become a bucket-list adventure on almost all African safaris. In Uganda, over half of the remaining 1063 mountain gorilla do reside within the two parks- Bwindi and Mgahinga. What is amazing is that visitors can begin their journey from other countries and they can be enjoy the best of the lifechanging mountain gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. This means, it is possible to go Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi Kenya.
Yes, Kenya by itself is a premier wildlife/big game/wildebeest migration destination and it has NO mountain gorillas. The beauty about starting your gorilla trekking tour from Nairobi is that, it is possible to incorporate wildlife safaris in Kenya’s top destinations such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve/Nairobi National Park and mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.
Where to find Uganda mountain gorillas?
Uganda prides itself as the leading gorilla safari destination for a good reason. With about half of the world’s mountain gorillas all residing in the Pearl of Africa, a visit to this splendid landlocked country on gorilla safari tour guarantees you a remarkable gorilla encounter in the wild. In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be encountered while in the 5 locations or sectors, each consisting of fully habituated gorilla families.
Four sectors for gorilla trekking are available in Bwindi National Park and one is found in Mgahinga. The four regions/gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga. At Mgahinga, there is Ntebeko- where briefing starts before you visit Nyakagezi gorilla family group.
When to travel for Uganda gorilla trekking tour
Ugandan parks entirely enjoy favorable weather and climatic conditions, making it possible for tourists to organize gorilla safaris at any time of the year. June, July, August, September, December, January and February are drier months of the year, and they are the most preferred months by visitors on Uganda gorilla tour. It is during these months when Bwindi or Mgahinga record low or no rains, and the steep slopes remain dry while the vegetation isn’t thick unlike during the wet or rainy season (March to May/October to November).
What do you need to visit Uganda gorillas from Nairobi?
With introduction of single tourist visa, it is possible for clients to cross from Nairobi, Kenya to Uganda to track mountain gorillas. You can obtain the East African tourist visa which serves as a multiple entry visa for Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. You can secure the East African tourist visa via https://www.immigration.go.ug or consult your tour operator for further assistance.
Other than the East African tourist visa, you need a gorilla permit and each foreign nonresident pays USD700, foreign residents USD600 and shs. 250000 for the East African citizens. Booking a gorilla permit for Uganda is very easy because your tour operator can do it on your behalf, just get in touch with reservation team and avail the required details, and all is done.
Where to stay
Trekking gorillas in Uganda is never disappoints when it comes to places to stay. All the 5 sectors for gorilla trekking have accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury, and in Bwindi, the top places to stay include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mountain Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Retreat Gorilla Forest Lodge, etc.
At Mgahinga Park, the available places for overnight stay include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Virunga Hotel & Campsites, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mutanda Lake Resort, and others.
Traveling from Nairobi to Uganda for gorilla trekking
It is possible to travel from Nairobi to Uganda and you track mountain gorillas. There are many airlines that fly from Nairobi and land in at Entebbe Airport. From Entebbe, there are 2 options to reach to your dream gorilla destination (Bwindi or Mgahinga) that is by road or air. By air, domestic flights/chartered or scheduled flight services from Aero Link are available which start from Kajjansi airfield or Entebbe airport to Kisoro/Kihihi airstrip.
By road, you will take long hours driving but it is worth as you have multiple spots to make a stopover which means, huge opportunities to explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. From Entebbe to Bwindi/Mgahinga takes 8–10 hours’ drive, through Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route. Along this route, Equator crossing is a must to stopover location or you can branch off to Lake Mburo NP for wildlife viewing especially if you are on a long tour.