The Best Time of Year for Gorilla Trekking in East Africa
The best time for Gorilla trekking in Uganda, when is the best time of the year to do Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is generally during the dry seasons, which are from June to August and December to February. During these months, the weather is more stable, and the trails are drier, making it easier to navigate through the dense vegetation.
However, it’s important to note that gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, and each season has its advantages. During the wet seasons (March to May and September to November), the landscape is lush and green, providing a different experience. The downside is that the trails can be muddy and slippery, making trekking more challenging.
Regardless of the season, gorilla trekking permits are limited, and it’s advisable to book well in advance. Additionally, the mountain gorillas in Uganda can be found in two main locations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The weather conditions may vary slightly between these regions, so it’s a good idea to consider the specific location you plan to visit.
It’s always recommended to check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a reliable tour operator for the latest information and advice based on your specific travel plans. Like us at adventure in the wild safaris, and we will provide you will all the information on gorilla trekking and the best way to plan your safari so as to enjoy your experience in Uganda.
The best time for gorilla trekking year by year
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda can vary slightly from year to year due to weather patterns, and the information provided here is a general guideline. It’s important to note that gorilla trekking is a year-round activity, and the choice of the best time may depend on personal preferences and other factors. Here’s a general breakdown:
Dry Seasons: June to August and December to February:
During these months, the weather is relatively dry and stable.
The trails are less muddy and more accessible, making trekking easier.
Clear skies may offer better visibility and photographic opportunities.
Wet Seasons: March to May and September to November:
The landscape is lush and green during the wet seasons.
The forests are vibrant, and there is abundant vegetation.
Trekking during these months may be more challenging due to muddy and slippery trails.
While the dry seasons are generally considered more favorable, some people prefer the lush scenery and unique atmosphere of the wet seasons. It’s essential to be prepared for rain and challenging trail conditions if trekking during the wet months.
Keep in mind that gorilla trekking permits are limited, and booking well in advance is crucial, regardless of the chosen season. Additionally, the specific location within Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) may influence the weather conditions.
When to book your Gorilla trekking Permit:
When to book your gorilla permit, how to book your gorilla permit; Booking your gorilla permit early enough is essential and crucial factor for all the travelers planning for gorilla trekking. Permits are limited for a particular day and early bookings, saves you last minute disappointments and also you may find when the permits for that particular day are sold out. Therefore, all the visitors are advised to book there permits about 2-6 month in advance depending on your preferred dates when you want to track the gorillas.
How to book the gorilla permits?
How to book your gorilla permits; booking your gorilla permits shouldn’t be challenging or difficult at all. If you want to book your gorilla permits, you can contact Uganda wildlife Authority directly through their office lines found in their websites or go to their offices situated at Kiira Road Kamwokya Kamapala. Alternatively, to avoid running up and down, you can, make it simple reach to us at adventure I the wild safari and will take on the hard part and book the permits for you. All you need to do is provide us with your information, like the pass ports photos, your preferred dates, year and the month you would like to track the gorillas. We will proceed and check for the availability of the permits on your preferred dates and get back to you. If Available, you will be requested to go ahead and make a deposit in order to secure and confirm your booking. When you finally complete the payments, you will be issued a gorilla permit a day before your gorilla trekking. The gorilla permit is valid for one day and only issued to one person for one single permit no sharing.
Instances where you may fail to track the gorillas.
After the gorilla permit is issued, you are expected to participate in gorilla trekking. But nature is not predicted, there some instances that you may fail to track the gorillas or chimpanzees, during those instances, you are advised to do the following;
Incase you feel ill or suffering from a cold, you are advised not to track the gorilla rather stay back and reschedule another date when you will be able to track the gorillas when you finally feel well. The other option is in case you may not get well soon, you may request for refund of your money. But you will be required to present a medical form to confirm the illness then the executive director will Authorize the cancellation of the permit and the process of refund of 50% of the permit value to the visitor declared unfit to track the gorillas due to unresolved illness.
What happens if you fail to see the Gorillas?
When it comes to gorilla trekking, many visitors main concern is will they be able to see the gorillas, then what happens if I fail to see the Gorillas? There is no need to worry. For the past years, there is no incidences where visitors have failed to see the Gorillas. Usually, there is 99% chance of you seeing the gorillas and for years, there a successful rate of viewing the mountain Gorillas and also for the years we have conducted gorilla trekking, there is such a case where by our clients have failed or missed to see the gorillas or any where else haven’t been recorded.
But we can’t predict Nature, if a tourist is already in the forest because these creatures move from place to place and some times deeper in to the forest thus may be challenging to hike the terrain because of its steepness in such cases and the visitor may fail to see the gorillas, Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) will come in and improvise where possible. For those having another stay in Bwindi or Mgahinga, you will be allowed to track the Gorillas the following day. This is a rare case and it has not been recorded anywhere in the past years. For the visitors with fitness abilities, you are encouraged to disclose your fitness level so that you are a located a simpler hike during the allocation of the Gorilla families.
Where to see the Gorillas?
You are allowed one hour in the presence of the gorillas after a long day’s trek in search for the Gorillas. Encountering the gorillas Life time experience and a thrilling adventure that lives you with woooow… experience. Gorillas are found in only four national parks that’s is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Both Mgahinga, volcanoes and Virunga, make up the Virunga Massive conservation area. These three parks are bordering each other.
Gorilla permits.
As of 1st July 2024, gorilla permits in Uganda will increase from USD700 to $800 per person for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, and UGX: 350,000 citizens in East Africa. In Rwanda, gorilla permits are still issued at USD1500 per person per day. A gorilla permit gives you a 99% chance to see gorillas. Seeing mountain gorillas has become easier because trackers are often sent to the forest to locate where these large are on that particular day before visitors embark on the actual trekking adventure.
Things to carry/ required essentials, packing list for gorilla trekking.
What to carry for Gorilla trekking.
While heading out for gorilla trekking, not everything is supposed to be cried but there are a few items you will need for tracking including; Camera without flashlights, you are advised to wear long sleeved shirt, long pair of trousers, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat sturdy hiking boots, waterproof jacket, medical kit, Gorilla permit, drinking water, a hat and hand gloves as well as a back pack to carry some of these items. These items apply to all the four National parks having gorillas and offering gorilla trekking. Gorillas live in high altitude, tough terrain and steep slopes thus requires you to get right the correct essentials required for this activity.
