At Car Rental Entebbe, its our priority you get to have a memorable safari while in Uganda and we make this possible by arranging you a detailed itinerary to the country’s top destination especially to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park for gorilla safaris experience. The two national parks are situated in the south western part of Uganda bordering Democratic Republic Of Congo in the west and Rwanda in the south. Its a rewarding experience when you get to see mans closest relative in their natural habitat as they feed, play and more.

Uganda has more gorillas compared to other countries of Rwanda and DRC a reason you need to include it on your travel bucket list while on your safari in Africa.  If you want a better gorilla trekking experience, Uganda is arguably the best place to visit and get to spot them in their natural habitat. Trekking in the dense rainforest does require some form of physical fitness and to travellers who want to see more, this is a rewarding safari that you definitely have to give a try. The other reason as to why you might want to do gorilla trekking in Uganda is because of the price of gorilla trekking permits. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda which can be purchased from the Uganda wildlife authority do cost $700 while Rwanda doubles the money with $1500 each permit. Gorilla trekking permits in DRC are way cheaper than any other place but because of her unending civil wars, most travellers prefer to stay in safer places that is Uganda and Rwanda. Its only in Uganda, that you will be able to go for gorilla habituation which is meant to give you time of more than an hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Situated in the South western part of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established in 1991 and its hosts half of the world’s population of the endangered species of mountain gorillas which can be seen in their natural habitat. The park stands out to be among the leading places visited by tourists in the country. Visiting the park, you will not only be ready to see the mountain gorillas but also other species that call this place home. The species include different birds such as African green broadbill, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Chapin’s flycatcher, Shelley’s crimson-wing among others, butterflies, insects, l’Hoest’s monkey, African elephant, bush pigs, duikers and more others.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done in four sectors and each sector constitutes of different gorilla families with different characteristics. The gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi include: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushanga and Nkuringo. Gorilla families you can find in buhoma include the Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja which was habituated 1997 and trekked in 1999 and inhabits about 13 individuals.

In Ruhija, you will able to find Bitukura family, Kyaguriro family, Oruzogo family and Mukiza family also known as Kyaguriro B. while in Rushaga, look forward to seeing gorilla families like Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye and Bweza.

In Nkuringo, you can find gorilla families like the Nkuringo family, Bushaho family, Christmas family and Posho family.

Which ever sector you choose to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda, we assure you a memorable Uganda safari. Trekking in Bwindi usually starts with briefing on the dos and don’ts before being led by a guide and a ranger who’ll take you through the set trails in the park upto the location where you will find the gorillas.  Bwindi is undoubtedly the best place you can spot the mountain gorillas from.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Another place in Uganda that you can visit and spot the mountain gorillas in Uganda is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Like Bwindi, this too is situated in south western Uganda in the Virunga ranges and among the least visited areas in the country. While it might be among the less visited, a safari here is very rewarding as you will be able to see other species apart from the gorillas. Other species you can look forward to seeing include the endangered species of golden monkeys which can only be found here in the whole of Uganda, bush pigs, buffalo, African elephants, leopards, black fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, bird species such as Black Kite, Pin-tailed whydah, Double-collared sunbird, grey capped warbler, speckled mouse bird, naped raven among others.

Mgahinga has over 100 individuals of gorillas that can be seen within her boundaries and two gorilla groups have been habituated in the park. Gorilla families here include Hirwa and Nyakagezi. Of the two, its only the Nyakagezi group that has been made available to travellers for trekking. Gorilla trekking in this place will let you enjoy the sights and sounds in the dense rainforest. You will also be able to enjoy the incredible views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Virunga ranges and more.

Best time to go for gorilla safaris in Uganda

Uganda stands out to be among the top tourist destinations that you definitely have to give a try while on your trip to Africa because of the various features including wildlife that you can see in the country. While the country can be visited anytime of the year to see what it holds within her boundaries, there best months where you will get to enjoy your gorilla safaris without any hinderance. The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry season of the year which is during the months of June to September and December to February. During this time, the country receives less or no rainfall at all which keeps the trails used for gorilla trekking dry and passable. Less or no rainfall means you won’t get hindered by the rain while on your way for gorilla trekking.

During the months of March to May and October to early December, Uganda receives alot of rainfall in most parts of the country making the trails within the national parks slippery and impassable.  Where you visit Uganda during the dry or wet season, its a beautiful place and will give you a memorable trip that you will always look at.

What to pack for Uganda gorilla safaris

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is completely filled with memories especially when you get to see these endangered species from deep in the jungle. While it is extremely worth spending on, there are a number of things you need to first observe or carry along before that trip into the dense impenetrable forest to search for man’s closest relative.

Both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park are tropical rain forests implying that they do receive heavy rainfall through the year. During the drier season its safe to go for trekking however the season has never been completely dry. Before coming for gorilla trekking in Uganda, there a number of things you need to carry to keep you safe and offer you that dream safari. Going for gorilla trekking here you’ll need a rain coat/wind breaker, water proof hiking boots to help resist the pressure from the slippery trails and garden gloves to keep you safe from the thorns. Other items you need to carry along with you include lunch, drinking water, long sleeve trekking shirt, long stockings. Walking sticks are always provided.

Guidelines to follow during gorilla trekking Uganda

To keep you safe and the mountain gorillas safe, the Uganda wildlife authority came up with guidelines during the trek and while close to the gorillas. These guidelines include not pointing at the species directly as this may upset them, you’re not expected to ease yourself within the area close to the gorilla group. If need arises, you will have to dig a hole where you will bury your waste because once these species get into contact with the waste, they might get infected. You’re also expected to not to take flash photograph as this may lead to the gorillas confronting you.

You are expected to spend time of upto 1hour around the gorillas taking photos, observing their behaviour as they eat, play and more. For those opting for gorilla habituation, you will be allowed to be around the gorilla for time of upto 4hours only. Do not litter in the park

You’re expected to keep a distance of 7m from the gorillas and in case a gorilla approaches you, keep calm and do not splint or run away.

You’re also expected to keep maximum silence in the park or talk at a low tone. Once contact is made you’re expected to be fully masked up to protect you and the gorillas from getting infected.

How to get to Bwindi and Mgahinga National park

To go to either of the parks, you can either use road or air. By road it’ll take you from 10hrs to 11hrs to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park whereas it will take you 11hrs to 12hrs to Mgahinga. At Car Rental Entebbe, we do have a long fleet of cars to choose from that can take you to both parks without encountering any hinderance. Our cars include 4×4 Toyota land cruiser TX,TZ, Toyota land cruiser extended, safari vans, 4×4 Toyota RAV4 among others.  Get intouch with us today and we’ll process your booking.