Uganda, a beautiful country in East Africa, has a diverse flora and fauna. There are thick forests and wide-open spaces where nature thrives. One of the most special creatures living here is the mountain gorilla. These huge and gentle gorillas are loved by everyone lucky enough to meet them.
Gorilla trekking is an exciting adventure in Uganda that lets you see these amazing animals in their own homes. It's not just a trip; it's a chance to be a part of something really special. Picture yourself walking through the jungle, side by side with silverback gorillas – the wise and strong leaders of their gorilla families.
In this article, we'll explore gorilla trekking in Uganda, with a special focus on the incredible experience of spending time with silverback gorillas.
About Mountain Gorillas of Uganda
Uganda is home to over half of the world's mountain gorilla population, which resides in two national parks: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
There are two types of gorillas found only in Africa: the Eastern and Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Uganda's mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla and lives in the east-central African rainforests, specifically in the Virunga Mountain slopes.
These gorillas are unique as they inhabit mountainous areas, residing at elevations between 8,000 and 13,000 feet.
Recent data from 2018 indicates that just a little over 1,000 mountain gorillas remain on Earth. Some of them live in the Virunga mountains' rainforests in central Africa, while nearly half of the population roams the montane jungle floors of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
But, where do mountain gorillas live? Mountain gorillas are found in just two special places in east-central Africa. One group lives in the Virunga Volcanoes, which spans three forest reserves in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The other group resides in a distant and secluded mountain forest in Uganda, known as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, stretching into Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These incredible creatures, known as gentle giants, make their homes in high-altitude forests filled with bamboo, situated between 8,000 to 13,000 feet (1,400 meters to 3,800 meters) above sea level. It's important to note that these forests are surrounded by areas where people live and farm.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist changed the way we look at Chimpanzees and Gorillas. She studied their behavior and attributed human emotions like happiness and sorrow to them. She is undoubtedly responsible for opening up their world to us.
Uganda has two awesome places to see gorillas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is a popular destination for gorilla trekking. The park is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking involves heading to the trekking area, attending briefings, and then searching for gorillas in the jungle. The trek can take 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located.
2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda is open for gorilla trekking year-round, but the best time is from June to August and December to January. The trails are easier to navigate during these drier seasons, and it might be more pleasant to spend time with the gorillas when it isn't raining.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of only four places in the world for mountain gorilla tourism. The park is home to more than 100 mountain gorillas, including two habituated gorilla families, Nyakagezi and Hirwa. Nyakagezi is a habituated gorilla family that is available for trekking daily.
Most people prefer Bwindi because it has more gorillas, is better for flying in, and offers more places to stay.
Choosing between the two depends on your travel plans and the time you have. The cost and chances of seeing gorillas are the same in both parks.
Look at the map on the left - both parks are in the southwest of Uganda, close to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lots of Uganda's safari spots are also in the southwest. This makes it easy to plan a trip with both a savannah safari and gorilla trekking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
In Uganda, the weather stays pretty much the same throughout the year because it has an equatorial climate. The only thing that changes is the amount of rain during different times.
From March to May, there's a lot of rain (long rainy season), and from October to November, there's a bit less rain (short rainy season).
You can go see the gorillas at any time of the year.
Before, the cost of permits to see the gorillas used to change depending on the season, but not anymore. Now, the permit prices are the same all year round. So, when you decide to visit should depend on when you're free, when permits are available, and your other travel plans outside of gorilla trekking.
How to Get a Gorilla Permit?
Getting a permit to see gorillas in Uganda costs $700 per person( at the time of writing this ). Even though there's no discount in the rainy season, it's easier to get permits on short notice during the long rainy season (March to May) or the short rainy season (October to November).
For popular months like January-February and June-August, permits can sell out a year in advance. Since the number of permits is limited, it's best to plan ahead.
Uganda has an advantage with lower permit costs compared to Rwanda, where permits are a hefty $1500 per person.
If one hour with gorillas isn't enough, or if you're a wildlife photographer, you can join the habituation team in Rushaga, southern Bwindi, for up to four hours with the gorilla family. This costs $1,500 per person.
While permits are non-refundable, if you don't see gorillas during your trek, the Uganda Wildlife Authority refunds 50% of the permit cost. This rarely happens.
How difficult is the Trek Itself?
Walking through the jungle to meet the gorillas might take around 3 hours, but sometimes it can be quicker (45 minutes) or longer (up to 6 hours). If it's the rainy season, things can get slippery and trickier, but the gorillas might come down to lower areas, making the trek shorter.
However, be prepared for up to 6 hours of walking. The gorillas like the highlands, so the journey can be tough with steep paths.
How to Dress for a Gorilla Trek?
Heading into the dense forests of Bwindi or Mgahinga in Uganda requires the right outfit. Since these places are near the equator, it's likely to rain at any time of the year. So, you need clothes that shield you from the rain but also keep you cool during the 2-6 hour trek.
The key is to cover your skin to avoid bugs and thorny plants, like fire ants. It's important to stay dry while making sure you're comfortable and not too hot during the trek. Choose light and comfy clothing to enjoy your adventure without any discomfort.
Here are the must-haves for your gorilla trekking adventure:
- Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes: Get good-quality, tough shoes that keep your feet dry and provide solid support.
- Light waterproof pants: Opt for comfortable and waterproof pants for the trek, keeping you dry and at ease.
- Long socks or waterproof gaiters: Pull up long socks over your pants to shield your skin. If possible, go for waterproof gaiters for extra protection.
- Waterproof jacket or raincoat: Be prepared for any weather with a reliable waterproof jacket, raincoat, or windbreaker.
- Long-sleeve trekking shirt: Choose a long-sleeve shirt, preferably made of quick-drying material like Dri-FIT, to stay comfortable during the trek.
- Gardening or outdoor gloves: Safeguard your hands against thorns and tough terrain. These gloves also help you navigate through challenging parts of the trail with ease.
Make sure to pack some rehydration salts in small packets. While water is available during the treks, a whole day of walking can leave you feeling dehydrated. These salts can quickly help you feel better.
Are Gorilla sightings guaranteed?
Although we can't promise you'll see gorillas, the increasing number of gorillas in Uganda and the expertise of your guide make sightings highly likely in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
However, be ready to put in some effort, as you might need to trek for up to 6 hours before finding a group of habituated gorillas.
If, by any chance, you don't spot gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will refund 50% of your permit cost. In all the time we've spent in Uganda, everyone has managed to see the gorillas – it's a rare occurrence not to.
The Silverback Gorilla (Mountain Gorilla) in Uganda
In 1903, on the sides of Mt Sabyinyo in what is now Rwanda, a German army officer named Captain Friedrich Robert von Beringe shot two gorillas, introducing zoologists to the Mountain Gorilla. Nowadays, a small but stable population of these gorillas can be found in the Virunga Volcanoes of the DRC and Rwanda, as well as the forests of southwestern Uganda.
The mountain gorilla is a large, black, barrel-chested ape with dense fur to protect against the cold. They live in mountain and sub-alpine environments, enjoying thick tangles of plant growth in valleys, old clearings, and around landslides.
Due to their limited environment, mountain gorillas have a more restricted diet than their lowland counterparts. They mainly eat bamboo, along with leaves, shoots, and stems of over 140 other plant species, as well as vines and wild celery.
These gorillas are very social, living in groups of 5 to 50 individuals. Each group has one dominant 'silverback,' an adult male over 13 years old, recognized by silver hairs on the back. The silverback eats first and protects the group, allowing gorillas to spend more time on the ground. When a silverback dies, the group often splits.
While foraging, groups cover their home range without actively defending it. They avoid contact with other groups to reduce conflict risks. They rest a lot during the day, providing an excellent opportunity for trackers to observe them.
Reproduction is slow, with adult females over 8 years producing an average of one young every four years, and sometimes no more than six in a lifetime. Young gorillas have an extended childhood and are well cared for and protected by both females and the dominant silverback. If a silverback is replaced, the new leader might harm young gorillas, so females protect the dominant silverback when threatened.
The protection and slow population growth of gorillas owe much to the travelers who visit them. Without this crucial support, the incentives to protect the gorillas' environment would decrease, risking the loss of these incredible creatures in their natural habitats.
How to Spend time with Silverback Gorilla
Here are some ways to spend time with silverback gorillas in Uganda:
- Gorilla habituation experience: This unique experience is only available in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable forest and costs $1500 for a permit. It allows visitors to spend four hours with the gorillas in the wild, following them through their daily chores with researchers and rangers.
- Gorilla trekking: Standard gorilla trekking allows visitors to spend one hour with the gorillas.
- Gorilla treks: These treks can take at least two hours and up to one hour, during which visitors can take pictures and film the gorillas' lifestyle.
- Gorilla forest camp: This camp is located in Buhoma Sector, about 500 meters from the park entrance. It offers breakfast and lunch and is a popular choice for travelers who go gorilla trekking.
Conclusion
Going gorilla trekking in Uganda is like a magical journey where we get to see silverback gorillas living freely. It's not just about the exciting trek; it shows us how important it is to be kind to nature and help take care of these amazing animals. By being responsible tourists, supporting local communities, and being eco-friendly, we're helping to keep mountain gorillas safe. This adventure gives us awesome memories and makes us want to protect all the incredible wildlife on our planet.