Uganda Gorilla trekking from Kigali Rwanda: In the heart of Africa nestled in the tropical escarpments lies a cradle of beauty the pearl of Africa, Uganda. A cradle too spectacular is only fit for imagination with vast wilderness and hidden highland mountains that reveal the endangered mountain gorilla primates. The mountain gorillas in Uganda are a major tourist attraction that fetches several visitors from far and wide. Uganda is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world. This is because it hosts the largest number of these primates totaling more than half of the world’s population.
Gorilla trekking refers to the process of traversing the steep mountains of tropical rainforests while searching for endangered mountain gorillas and upon locating them, spend an hour with them. Gorilla trekking is one of the few attractions on the African continent where you get a close encounter with wildlife. Gorilla trekking gives visitors a precious hour with the endangered mountain gorillas to witness them as they feed, play, groom their young, and more. Mountain gorillas stay in groups called families and each family is trekked by only eight people daily.
Is it possible to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda from Kigali Rwanda? Yes, it is very possible. Rwanda is located in the southwestern side of Uganda and accessing Kigali from Uganda takes about 2-3 hours. Since gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in the southwestern part of the country, visitors from Kigali Rwanda can easily trek.
How to obtain a Uganda gorilla trekking permit from Kigali
A gorilla permit is a document that allows visitors to trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Purchasing gorilla permits is also a process since it can only be purchased through a registered tour company. These gorilla permits are only purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is a body that governs all the protected areas in the country.
After confirming the desired date for trekking the mountain gorillas, the tour operator will book the date. Payments will follow and upon receiving the money the tour operator will purchase the permit. A scanned copy will then be sent to the client in confirmation of the purchase of the gorilla trekking permit. It is very important to note that gorilla permits are competitive and can be sold off, especially in peak seasons. Therefore it is advised that visitors from Kigali Rwanda should book their gorilla trekking permits 3 months before the trekking date.
Costs for trekking gorillas in Uganda from Kigali Rwanda
The costs for mountain gorilla trekking permits in Uganda range from nationality to region of the visitors. Foreign non-resident permits cost USD 800, foreign residents pay USD 700, East African citizens including Ugandans pay UGX 300,000, and the rest of Africa pay USD 500. The money collected from purchasing the gorilla trekking permits goes to the conservation and preservation efforts of the endangered mountain gorillas. These primates are considered endangered because they are only located on the African continent and not anywhere else in the world. Therefore, huge conservation and preservation efforts are taken to protect them for the next generation.
Where to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda
In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be trekked in two designated areas. These areas are mountainous and located in the southwestern region of the country. They are part of the Virunga Conservation Area. These include the following.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as mentioned is located in the southwestern part of the country on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi is the leading gorilla trekking destination in the world. The park harbors over half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas with over 459 individual mountain gorillas. It was established in 1991 spanning over 331 square kilometers of steep slopes and dense tropical rainfalls. Its thickets that are dense and almost impossible to navigate have earned it the name impenetrable.
It was recognized as a UNESCO heritage site in 1994. Its establishment followed the discovery of the mountain gorillas in the area of the park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has over four gorilla sectors where trekking takes place. These include the Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija gorilla sectors. The park has over 50 gorilla families with 24 families habituated and available for trekking daily.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda with over 33.9 square kilometers of land mass. It harbors over 100 mountain gorillas making it the second gorilla destination in the country. It was established in 1991 in the southwestern region on the border with Rwanda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Hence there are only eight gorilla trekking permits available daily.
Accessing Uganda’s gorilla destinations from Kigali Rwanda
Accessibility of the gorilla destinations in Uganda from Kigali Rwanda is only by road. This is a 2-3 hour drive depending on the particular destination. Kigali is approximately 2 hours from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Accessing Bwindi can be through the Gatuna border point to Kabale. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be accessed from Kigali through the Chanika border taking about 3 hours. Accessing the two gorilla destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks should be by a 4×4 vehicle due to the steep and rugged terrain of the areas.
