Organizing budget camping tours in Bwindi and Mgahinga

Organizing budget camping tours in Bwindi and Mgahinga is possible when you deal with knowledgeable people. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we pride ourselves in our expertise in organizing different gorilla safari packages in Africa. Our years of experience in putting together different gorilla trekking tours have fetched us a number of recommendations on trip advisor and safari bookings.

For budget plan to do gorilla trekking, birding or any other activities  in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National park, we have some recommendations. This area being an extremely cold at times, camping is less done. It is best to do camping in Bwindi or Mgahinga national park in the drier months that is June to September all factors kept constant.

Most Popular Safaris

• 3 day Uganda gorilla trekking
• 5 days gorillas & chimp safari
• 3 day Uganda gorilla via Kigali
• 5 days gorilla trekking Rwanda
• 5 day Uganda gorillas & wildlife
• 3 day fly in gorilla habituation
• 5 day gorilla habituation and chimps
• 3 day Bwindi double trek via Kigali
• 5 days gorillas & game safari

 No one would like to overnight on a campsite and then wake up to a flooded surface during gorilla trekking. This may spoil your mood for gorilla trekking. At times rivers flood or the ground surface gets so cold for you to have a great night.

 You can also join scheduled budget plans to Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga National park. These however have limitations like the static date of commencement and return after safari. They have specific number of people supposed to join the safari for it to start. The age limit recommended for these safaris discriminates children because people from all walks of life join in with different behavior.

When To Book Budget Camping Tours In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park

A few camping sites are found in Bwindi Impenetrable national park because of the factors mentioned above so you need to request for clarity before travelling to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National park.  

The months of June to September and December to January receive less rains so you need to check the prevailing weather conditions before taking this option.

 Carrying your own camping equipment may be allowed with some of these sites or even hiring on ground may be possible too.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Budget Safaris In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National park

Note the date when you wish to do gorilla trekking and the possible number of people traveling with you. The more people the less the cost per person price.

 When you send us an Enquiry, our safari consultant checks availability and gets back to you as soon as possible.

In case its positive we advise our clients to purchase their gorilla permits as soon as possible because the status changes at any time. This is because no gorilla permit is reserved for anyone without payment. First come first served policy is used to secure the gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park.

 After purchasing your gorilla permit, we request you to provide some personal details like your nationality, date of Birth, full names as indicated on your passport, passport expiry date and others.

These details are filled on your gorilla trekking card dark strip and some of it is filled on your certificate after completing gorilla trekking adventure.

What Is the Cost Of Budget Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga

The cost of budget gorilla trekking safari starts with the permits for Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national Park which is currently $700 per person but other factors also contribute to the gross quotation.

The number of people travelling with for budget camping in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The more paying people included in your gorilla trekking party, the less the cost of safari per person. This is because you get to share some safari components like vehicle hire, gas, driver guide fees and others.

Travelling for budget camping in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National park solo puts the entire burden of the whole safari on one person, you encounter all the gorilla trekking cost of all components alone which may not reduce so much on your overall cost.

The number of days you wish to do camping in Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga National Park also matters in the total quotation of safari. The more days camping the higher the cost. The less the number of days the less the cost of safari.

When you add more activities to your budget gorilla trekking safari, the total cost increases too increases. You can do chimpanzee trekking, game drives, white water rafting, fishing, birding together with safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga National Park.

 Timing for gorilla trekking safari where by the low seasons attract more friendly costs because there are less people demanding to participate. The high seasons normally call for high demand and high cost for services provided across all safari packages.

 When you chose the budget plan, you must also know that majority have shared facilities like toilets and bathrooms so prepare for this in advance by packing some anti sceptics.

What Is Included In The Cost of Permit For Budget Camping During Gorilla Trekking

 The cost of gorilla trekking permits For Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National Park  is $700 per person but this cost includes

Park fees

To visit any Uganda National park, you need to pay park fees. These are for conservation reasons. The work of conserving nature involves a lot of work and upgrading technology to monitor and match the current requirements.

Gorilla medication

 The health of the mountain gorillas needs to be monitored over time so the gorilla veterinary collects random samples of dung or blood from the mountain gorillas over time. They use this for routine checkups and analysis.

 Gorilla Research fees

The life of the mountain gorillas is changing too because of the different changes in the world. More research has to be done to match with the changes and also to protect the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are evolving over time and also there way of living is changing too so the money is sued for this.

Ranger guide Fees

Every ranger guide who leads gorilla trekking deserves to be paid salary. Some of the money included in the gorilla permit fee is used for ranger guide salaries.

Security of Gorilla trekking areas

The rangers work with other Uganda security bodies to provide security for tourists and locals around the park. Every tourists would like to return home safe after gorilla trekking or doing others activities in this area.

Community support

Part of the annual earnings from gorilla trekking sales are given to the local community to support there project. Annually, 20 % of the profits accrued from gorilla trekking earning are given to local authorities to deal with projects like schools, medical centers, water sources, road maintenance and others.

How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park

The security of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga national park is based on the cooperation between the ranger guides and the other Uganda security organs however personal security is recommended.

Do not engage in any unlawful activities during gorilla trekking like dealing in drug sale because it is forbidden. You may bring yourself into the trouble cage.

Eating from anywhere is not recommended because you may cause food poisoning to yourself. Ask the driver guide to take you to designated places in case you wish to taste local food.

Carry limited luggage on you that you can easily look after or trace. Park relevantly for gorilla trekking so that you do not loose any on your way.

If first timer, use an experienced ranger guide so that you do not get lost on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National Park. Although public transport is available, we do not recommend it because of the huddles surrounding it.

Do not count a lot of money in public because it may attract thieves. Travel with limited cash too that you can change into local currency in case you wish to do any transactions. Credit cards are less used in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money off them. Even machines to use for swiping these cards are limited because electricity is not well distributed in the countryside.

Stay close to the people you walk with in the forest so that you are not lost in the jungle. This area is vast you need to stay close to the group you are trekking with.

Moving in the forest alone is forbidden because you may find other forest dwellers that may feast on you. You need an escorting ranger guide to lead you into the forest.

Bringing precious items that you are not sure about there safety anytime is risky. Declare to the lodge manager so that they are kept in the safe in case your lodge or campsite has one

What Is the Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking Camping Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park

Age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years above. This is because of the nature of the entire experience.

The child below age 15 may not withstand the longtime of trekking. Sometimes patience is needed during gorilla trekking in case they retreat into the deeper ends of the forest.

 The nature of the topography of the area where mountain gorillas live is volcanic and slippery at times. You need to have some fitness to go through the entire trek. Child below this age may not with stand this.

The first glance at the mountain gorillas is scaring which may cause one to be frightened. It is hard for a child below this age not to show freight when in the presence of the mountain gorillas.

Children below age 15 are still playful and shutting up may be hard during gorilla. This is one reason why they are not included in gorilla trekking safari.

Sometimes mountain gorillas are playful and provocative which may not go well with a child below age 15 causing them to react in a way that would agitate the mountain gorillas.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi And Mgahinga National Park

Packing light for gorilla trekking is very helpful especially when you decide to travel with others. The drive from Kampala to Entebbe to either Bwindi impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National park is long. Everybody with in your party needs enough space to stretch

• A shoe bag where you can keep your shoes incase you get no time to clean them after gorillas trekking. One that is safe enough not to allow dirt to be smeared on other items in the bag.
• A camera to keep memories of your experience with the mountain gorillas.
• Safari tracking boots to protect your feet from getting hurt by forest sharp objects
• Insect repellants to keep stinging insects from hurting you
• Foldable Safari hat with a large brim to protect your hair from getting wet
• A pair of binoculars to see clearer far ranging items
• A back pack to put in all your belonging and one you are able to lift even without help. It should be water proof too just incase it rains.
• Sweater or fleece to keep warm as it gets cold early morning and late afternoon
• Garden gloves to catch a tighter grip on creepers when it gets slippery.
• Energy bites to keep you going in case you get hungry
• Long sleeved shirt or trousers in colors that are wilderness friendly. Colors like Khaki or tan are suitable for the gorilla trekking adventure.
• A Travel adapter and charger to reenergize when you get hungry while in the wilderness
• Pajamas to wear in the night for extra warmth because this place gets so cold
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t give them
• First Aid box in case of any emergency
• Light water proof bag to carry with your belongings so that they do not scatter in the wilderness.
• Medicated insect repellant to keep away stinging insects.
• A duffel bag to carry your baggage because at times you may need to carry them by your self

Contact us for more information and check out our trip advisor.