Are you guaranteed to see gorillas in Mgahinga during the rainy season?

Yes, it is guaranteed that you will see gorillas during your visit to Mgahinga during the rainy season, you have a 98% chance of spotting the gorillas because there is a lot of preparation put into organizing a gorilla safari in Mgahinga by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

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Mgahinga is home to only one habituated gorilla family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family which is available for trekking all year round including the rainy season. Although you are guaranteed to spot gorillas in Mgahinga during the rainy season, there are other factors that can influence whether you will be able to see the gorillas or not and these are:

The availability of the gorilla trekking permit will determine whether you get to see the mountain gorillas during the rainy season or not. You need to purchase the gorilla permits in advance (6 months before the trek date) to guarantee your spot.

The gorilla movement, Sometimes the Nyakagezi gorilla family moves farther into the forest in search of food and this makes it hard to locate them. Gorillas although habituated are wild animals and their movement is unpredictable.

The weather and the terrain in Mgahinga are difficult to take on, especially during the wet season, because of the steep slopes, thick vegetation, and slopes that are slippery and muddy, and sometimes the rain comes in hard, making it hard to trek.

Patience, you are in an unfamiliar place filled with different wildlife species including Mountain gorillas and you need to have a lot of patience during the trek even when it takes more time than you anticipate and after finding your assigned gorilla, you still have to be patient at all times with them.

Your health is extremely important when it comes to gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park. In a bid to protect the gorillas from infections, a rule was set for all tourists which is no one will be allowed to trek the gorillas if they are sick with viral diseases like flu among others.

All in all, you have a higher chance of seeing mountain gorillas in Mgahinga because there is only one habituated gorilla family which is not hard to find. The Nyakagezi family used to migrate between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo but is currently stable in Mgahinga.

The gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga

A gorilla trek permit is an official document that gives you a chance to trek the Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of issuing the permits on behalf of the tourists, and these can be purchased directly from UWA or through a trusted tour operator. After contacting us, we check for the availability of the permits on the dates you have provided and once we confirm that the dates are available, we let you know and thereafter send an invoice for you to make the gorilla permit payment. When we receive the payment, we proceed with purchasing the permits and send a copy for records purposes. Gorilla trekking permits are best purchased at least 3 to 6 months before the trek date because they are sold on a first come, first served basis and sell out quickly.

The cost of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga

The cost of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga depends on several factors, including the cost of the gorilla permit, transport, accommodation, and meals. 

The cost of the gorilla permit: The cost of the gorilla permit in Mgahinga was set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the new cost of the gorilla permit is $800 for foreign non-residents, UGX 300, 000 for East African citizens, $500 for African citizens and $700 for foreign residents. There are no discounts offered on the permits even during the wet/low season and this needs to be paid in advance as a way to prove that you are participating in the gorilla trek in Mgahinga. The cost of the gorilla permit covers park entrance fees, Ranger fees, experienced and English speaking guide.

Accommodation: Mgahinga National Park is the smallest park in the country, and most of its accommodation facilities are found outside the national park. These are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic facilities and the choices that you make will determine the cost of your safari. Tour operators are always available to help you make the right decision when it comes to lodges ranging within your budget.

The number of days spent on a safari: The minimum number of days spent on a gorilla trek safari in Mgahinga is three, however, you can still spend more days. Note that the more number of days you spend on a safari, the more money spent and the reverse is true.

Safari activities: You can also carry out several other activities during your gorilla safari, and these are not free. These include guided nature walks, birding, game drives, and cultural visits. More activities on your itinerary will increase the cost of the safari since many of them are paid for independently.

The number of people in a group: It has been proven that tourists who travel in groups spend less since some of the costs, like transport and accommodation, are shared among the groups. When you take a solo trip, the cost of the safari is high.

Why you should trek gorillas in Mgahinga during the wet season

The best time to go for a gorilla safari in Mgahinga is during the dry season from June to September and December to February but the wet season is also a good time to trek gorillas because there are fewer crowds as compared to the dry season, it is cheaper to travel during the wet season because services like accommodation offer discounts and it is easy to spot the Nyakagezi gorilla family since there is plenty of food during the wet season and the family doesnt wander off deeper into the forest in search of food.

The disadvantages of gorilla trekking in the rainy season

The trek routes used for tracking gorillas in Mgahinga National Park have different terrains, including steep slopes and descents. During the wet season, these are sometimes hard or impassable because they are slippery and muddy. The rains also sometimes come in hard, which can slow down the trek.

Why is the gorilla permit expensive?

A gorilla is expensive because it is one of the few ways in which the endangered Mountain gorillas are conserved. The cost of the gorilla permit covers several things and a percentage of the cost goes to the government, and communal projects and another percentage goes to conserving the gorillas and proper management of the park. Although expensive, when you purchase a gorilla permit, you are not only going to enjoy the experience, but you are also indirectly contributing to the conservation of the Mountain gorillas.

The trekking experience in Mgahinga

Mgahinga has only one habituated gorilla family which is the Nyakagezi family and this is the only family that is found in the park because of the proximity to Virunga National Park in DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The Mountain gorilla families used to migrate between the three countries and it was only Nyakagezi that remained in Mgahinga to this day.

Gorilla trekking starts early morning in Mgahinga, after breakfast all trekkers gather at the park headquarters for a briefing where they are reminded about the rules and regulations to follow when trekking gorillas after that, you will gather at the start of the trailhead and start gorilla trekking. The trekking exercise can take between 1 to 5 hours, depending on where the Nyakagezi family is on the day of the trek. After finding the gorilla family, you have an hour with the Nyakagezi gorilla family and after head back to the [ark headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate for participating in the exercise.

How safe is gorilla trekking in Mgahinga?

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is extremely safe, and all tourists are encouraged to book for this exciting experience. Security has been improved, with the government providing trained armed rangers for extra protection. Park rangers are also available, and there are security checks at the park entrance, where all things considered to be illegal, like cigarettes, knives, and other sharp objects, are confiscated. Tourists are also encouraged to adhere to all the rules and regulations set when gorilla trekking to stay safe because even though mountain gorillas are habituated, they are still wild animals. 

What is the minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga?

The minimum age limit for trekking gorillas in Mgahinga is 12 years and 85 years is the maximum as long as you are healthy and are still physically fit. The age limit was set by the UWA because children are harder to control, and they might not follow all the rules and regulations set for gorilla trekking.               

Mgahinga gorilla trekking rules and regulations

The different rules and regulations for gorilla tracking in Mgahinga include the following:

• Trekkers are supposed to be 12 years and above. Your age will be verified by using your passport details.
• No one is allowed to trek gorillas after confirmation by the warden that they are sick.
• An hour is spent with the Nyakagezi gorilla family after locating it.
• To minimize the spread of diseases from humans to gorillas, the maximum number of people trekking gorillas per day in Mgahinga is 8.
• Communicate in low tones and avoid making noise because this will disrupt the mountain gorillas.
• You have to keep a 7 meter distance from the gorillas at all times
• You are not allowed to eat and drink when with the gorillas
• You will not be allowed to smoke in the presence of the gorillas
• Eating when with the gorillas is prohibited.
• Dig a hole of 30cm when you want to use the toilet and cover it up well afterward.
• Never litter the national park.

What to pack for a gorilla safari in Mgahinga

One of the most important things that you need to consider when packing for a gorilla safari in Mgahinga is the gorilla permit because, without it, you will not be able to spot the primates. The right packing list is important and we have come up with a list of things we know you will need these include neutral-colored clothes (long-sleeved shirts and trousers), garden gloves, warm socks, strong hike boots, sunscreen and sunhat, sweater, insect repellent, adjustable gaiters, camera, binoculars, walking shoes, refillable water bottle, snacks, day backpack, first aid kit, windbreaker, waterproof rain jacket, walking stick and cash for personal purchases and tips among others.

How to get to Mgahinga National Park

By Air: Flights can easily be arranged through a tour operator, and the earlier the better for proper planning. Domestic flights are arranged from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip, which are closer to Mgahinga. The rest of the journey is carried out on the road to the park and the accommodation facility. Your tour operator will arrange all the transfer transport from the airstrip to the national park.

By road: Mgahinga National Park can easily be accessed from Entebbe or Kampala and this takes 8 to 9 hours in a 4x4 comfortable safari vehicle. Mgahinga can also easily be accessed from Kigali through Kyaninga or Gatuna borders and most tourists prefer this since it is a shorter drive of about 4 to 5 hours.

Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round safari, and you are guaranteed to spot gorillas during the wet and dry seasons. However, the best time to spot Mountain gorillas is from December to February and June to September, when they can easily be spotted and the trek routes are easy to use.

We at Encounter Africa Safaris provide the best personalized services in organizing a safe and exciting gorilla safari experience for Mgahinga and other gorilla trekking destinations. We have packages for all types of tourists, and all our safaris are eco-friendly. Contact us for more information about gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park.