Bwindi gorilla trekking

Bwindi Gorilla trekking is one of the great experience that is done only in Bwindi impenetrable national park across Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable national park is among the few national parks in the world that homes the mountain Gorillas. Other national parks where mountain gorillas are found include Mgahinga Gorilla national park of Uganda Volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park and Kauzi Bienga national park of Congo. Bwindi is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda. It is located in the South Western part of Uganda close to the border of Uganda and Rwanda, it also extend to border Uganda and Congo. Its part of the Virunga conservation Area that combines all the parks that homes the rare mountain Gorillas. The Virunga conservation area covers the four national parks that inhabits the rare mountain Gorillas, these national parks include Virunga national park of Democratic republic of Congo, Volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national parks of Uganda. Safaris to Uganda without Gorilla trekking is incomplete that is why Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is almost a must done activity for the travelers who come to Uganda.

Bwindi impenetrable national park was gazette in 1991 and after 3 years it was declared as the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site that is in 1994. It’s among the few national parks where you can find both Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas. Its rare to find these two primate species share the same protected area. Bwindi gorilla trekking is done in four different sectors, two are found in the Northern part of the park and other two sectors are found in the Southern part of the park.  The two sectors on the northern part are Buhoma and Ruhinja sectors, they are close to each other. On the southern part we have Rushaga and Nkuringo, its only in Rushaga where Gorilla habituation is done. When booking for the Gorilla permits depending on the availability you will not track on another sector when your Gorilla permit is from another sector. Each sector has its own habituated Gorilla families which the guests track. The Bwindi gorilla trekking experience in any of the sectors are almost the same with the only difference found on the elevation of the sector.

Bwindi Gorilla trekking is done in the 19 habituated gorilla families that are found across Bwindi impenetrable national park. Out of the total of 19 gorilla families, two gorilla families are used for Gorilla habituation. The two gorilla families that are used for Gorilla habituation are found in Rushaga sector.  The gorilla trekking experience starts very early in the morning with clearing of the guests from the park headquarters. After clearing is done all the guests assemble at the briefing point. They will be briefed on the next activity. All guidelines, rules and regulations of gorilla trekking are given. The team is now sub-dived in to groups of 8 members. Each group will be allocated one gorilla family with the leadership of the park ranger. The park ranger will give you further detailed information about the gorilla family your going to track.

The tracking of Gorillas take several hours from 2 to 8 hours depending on the gorilla family you are allocated. This also depends on the movement of the gorillas in the family your trekking. He gives details like how many are the Gorillas in the group, how many silverbacks, infants and others. When done with all the briefing you now start the journey in to the impenetrable forest with the lead of the game ranger. Bwindi Gorilla trekking is unique experience with good hiking elevation. It gives the guests practical lifetime experience. During rainy season its much sticky and slippery hence need much education and guidance from reputable tour operator on the parking lists.  Guests are also advised to have some exercise as they prepare for this activity so as to inquire some small level of fitness.

During your Bwindi Gorilla trekking safari, the chances of seeing the mountain Gorillas is at 99%. Hence its almost guaranteed that you will see the gorillas during your safari, incase the guest misses to see the gorilla due to factors beyond their control, they are given second chance to to gorilla trekking again next day. After your along waiting dream of Bwindi gorilla trekking, the guests are issued certificates of participation. In order to do Gorilla trekking in Bwindi one has to book the gorilla permit in advance from reputable operators or directly from Uganda wildlife Authority who is in charge of all national parks of Uganda. You will book your gorilla permit online through their website or from their headquarters in Kampala that are located in Kamwokya near the British High Commission.  All Gorilla permits are booked more than amonth early, no one should lie you that Gorilla permits can be obtained from Bwindi impenetrable forest park headquarters.

Bwindi Gorilla trekking cam be done in 3 days Uganda Gorilla trekking safaris, 5 days Uganda safaris as you mix it with wildlife like Queen Elizabeth national park or Kibale forest national park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be started from Entebbe or Kigali in Rwanda. It takes 9 hours drive from Entebbe to Bwindi and 4 hours drive from Kigali to Bwindi hence making it esily accessible in any of the two countries. The park is also bordered by the airstrips Kihihi airstrip and Kisoro airstrip hence making it also much accessible with daily flights from Entebbe. You can also supplement your Gorilla trekking in Bwindi with local cultural entertainment.