Best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi : Gorilla trekking is a highlight of many tours in Uganda throughout the year and this activity is carried out in Bwindi national park. During a tour of Bwindi national park, gorilla trekking involves moving into the impenetrable forest which is the habitat of the gorillas and searching for the gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park can be done during any month of the year.
The best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park is during the dry season around June, July and August and the gorilla trekking activity is also best done during the months of December to February. The dry season is considered the best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park because the trails are passable making it easy to hike into the forest during the search for the gorillas.
The roads used to access Bwindi national park during the dry season are also in better condition making it easier to access the different sectors of Bwindi national park such as Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector.
Recording videos and taking photos of the gorillas in Bwindi national park in the dry season is also much better, making the gorilla trekking experience memorable.
The dry season in Bwindi national park is also characterized by many visitors since it is also the high season. During the dry season, it is recommended that gorilla permits be booked in advance to avoid missing out on the gorilla trekking experience.
The rainy season on the other hand is experienced around March to May and also around November which is also a time when gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi national park despite the rains.
During the rainy season, fewer visitors engage in gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park due to the rains which make the trails difficult to hike during the search for the gorillas. This time of the year is also characterized by fewer visitors on tour around Bwindi national park and prices for accommodations are also discounted in the low season.
Some of the items to carry along with you during the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park in the low season include long sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof rain jackets, gloves, warm sweaters and also hiking shoes. Other items to carry along with you during the gorilla trek in Bwindi national park include packed lunch, water and snacks, insect repellant and also walking sticks.
Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park
Bwindi national park is among the popular national parks of Uganda and it is located in the south western part of Uganda.
In Bwindi national park, there are 4 sectors where gorilla trekking can be done and they include Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector. A minimum of 3 days is recommended for a gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi national park which gives a visitor enough time to drive to the destination and also spend time with the gorillas. These tours can also be combined with safaris to other destinations in Uganda.
The gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi national park starts with a briefing at the park headquarters before heading into the Bwindi impenetrable forest in groups of 8 with a ranger guide for every group.
The amount of time spent searching for the gorillas in Bwindi national park can be about 6 hours or more and it can also be less depending on where the gorillas are during the time of the gorilla trek. When you find the gorillas in the forest the amount of time which visitors spend with the gorillas is 1 hour. After spending time with the gorillas, your ranger guide will lead you back to the park headquarters.
Some of the do’s and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park include keeping a distance of about 7 meters away from the gorillas, avoiding using the flash when taking photos or recording videos of the gorillas, avoiding touching the gorillas, keeping voices low, avoiding eating when near or around the gorillas and also moving slowly and carefully.
Children below the age of 15 years are also not permitted to engage in gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park. Visitors with symptoms of cold or any infectious disease are discouraged from engaging in gorilla trekking.
A maximum of 8 people a day are allowed to visit a gorilla group in Bwindi national park during the gorilla trekking experience.
A gorilla permit for Bwindi national park costs 700 USD for nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. Another activity which is done in Bwindi national park is gorilla habituation which costs 1500 USD for nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Other activities which are done around Bwindi national park include gorilla habituation, Batwa cultural experience, birding and also hiking.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is also done in Mgahinga national park and another destination for gorilla trekking is Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. This activity can also be done in Virunga national park in Congo.
How to get to Bwindi national park
Bwindi National park is a destination which can be accessed by flight and also by road during a tour in Uganda.
From Kampala or Entebbe, driving to Bwindi national park takes about 8 to 10 hours via Masaka- Mbarara-Kabale-Kanungu and you can also make a stop at the equator. An alternative route to get to Bwindi national park is from Kampala via Masaka- Mbarara- Ntungamo- Kihihi to Buhoma sector. The types of vehicles which are used during tours to Bwindi national park are 4×4 vehicles.
Bwindi National park can also be accessed by driving from Kigali via the Cyanika border or the Gatuna border.
Getting to Bwindi national park by flight can be through taking flights from Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip and also to Kisoro airstrip. These flights are provided by domestic airlines such as Aerolink and also BAR Aviation. The option of flight is good for visitors who wish to avoid the long drive to Bwindi national park.
