Reason to trek Uganda Mountain Gorillas through Kigali Airport 

The reason to trek Uganda mountain gorillas through Kigali Airport is When you choose to do Uganda gorilla safaris through Kigali, you save on the time you may spend from Entebbe airport, which is about 8 to 9 hours drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National park. The drive from Kigali airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda is about 5 to 6 hours.

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You cross into Uganda via Gatuna or Cyanika borders from Kigali in Rwanda. If you must possess a visa as a travel requirement to enter either country, you can take advantage of the East African visa. The East African visa allows you to join as member of at least two East African countries, Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda has two gorilla safari destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, all located in the country's southwestern part. Uganda offers two gorilla safari activities: gorilla trekking and Habituation experience. Gorilla trekking allows you one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family, while gorilla habituation experience, you are allowed four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

Going gorilla trekking in Uganda through Rwanda gives you a double feel of both countries. Rwanda is also called the land of a thousand hills or, at times, the Switzerland of Africa so that you can prove these statements. Uganda is also referred to as the pearl of Africa, and you may also confirm this with your visit.

As you take the gorilla safari in Uganda through Rwanda, you also get to visit other Uganda safari destinations in the western part of Uganda. From gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you may also arrange to do game safaris, launch tips in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. You may also engage in excursion mountaineering, white water rafting on the River Nile, and others.

How To Organize Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Through Rwanda

Book the Uganda gorilla permits

Although you travel from Kigali airport in Rwanda, you need the Uganda gorilla permit. Uganda currently has 152 gorilla permits from 19 gorilla trekking families, but these sell out in advance, especially during the high season.

 The demand for the peak season gorilla permits gets high, yet supply is restricted to a maximum of 8 per Gorilla family. To book a gorilla permit, you must check for availability from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, but a date and number of tickets are required.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we can assist you in purchasing your gorilla permit when you forward us those details.

Upon receiving your gorilla safari inquiry, our tour consultant checks availability and gets back to you as soon as possible. 

We advise clients to reserve their gorilla permits as soon as possible as they sell out fast on a first-come, first-served basis. The gorilla permit is only secured with payment.

What is the cost of the Uganda gorilla trekking permit?

Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000shs for East Africans.

The cost of a Uganda gorilla permit covers ranger guide fees, security on the day of the gorilla trek, park entrance fees, government tax, certificate, local community support, mountain gorilla conservation, and briefing.

Exclusions in the price of gorilla permits: transport, accommodation, tips, porter hire, and any other items of a personal nature.

Note that gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to area. The park is subdivided into four regions: Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Before reserving additional amenities that may support your gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, like accommodation, you must consider this. 

Reserve an East African visa if you need it.

Uganda and Rwanda are all in the East African community. Still, if you must have a visa as a travel requirement before entering either country, you may purchase the East African visa. This allows you entry into at least two East African countries, a community where Uganda and Rwanda are members.

This visa saves you time to re-apply to obtain a permit for either country. 

Book accommodation for Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park 

You must know the area where your gorilla permit for Bwindi is booked before securing accommodation for your gorilla safari. Bwindi is subdivided into four regions: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, separated by features that do not permit easy access. 

Both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks have different categories of accommodation facilities you can book. These are subdivided into Luxury, mid-range, and budget facilities.

Like gorilla permits, booking is required for accommodations during gorilla trekking in Uganda as options run out, especially during the peak season. The peak Uganda tourism season usually is June, July, August, September, December, and January.

When you happen to overnight in a different area of your gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi, you may be required to drive in the night to catch up with the early morning briefing. On the way, you may face a number of obstacles, like poor visibility in a mountainous area due to foggy conditions, slippery roads, flat tires, blocked roads by a fallen tree, and so much more. 

Reserve Transport To The Uganda Gorilla Safari Destination from Kigali

 From Kigali, road transport is the primary means to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. You must hire a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition and a professional and experienced driver guide.

 The roads in the countryside are winding and bumpy and may get slippery during the severe rainy season. You do not want to be stuck by the roadside because of poor mechanical condition. An experienced driver-guide opens more information about mountain gorillas and beyond. 

Choose additional Uganda Safari Activities To combine with gorilla trekking.

 Enrich your Uganda safari itinerary with additional activities other than gorilla trekking. Although gorilla trekking is Uganda's foremost activity, there is plenty you can engage in while on safari, like game drives and launch trips in Queen Elizabeth National Park, white water rafting on River Nile, Chimpanzee safaris in Kibale National Park, mountaineering experience in Rwenzori Mountain, diverse Uganda cultural experience to mention but a few. Most of Uganda's tourism activities are eco-based, so ecotourism is advised to conserve nature, improve the lives of the locals, and develop Uganda as a country. 

When is the best time for Gorilla trekking in Uganda through Kigali?

Any time in the year is a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, but the dry season, usually the peak season, is most preferred. The dry season is usually June, July, August, September, December, and January.

Since this is the peak tourism season in Uganda, demand for gorilla permits is over the top, yet supply is restricted to a Maximum of 8 gorilla permits per family. This was done for conservation, as large crowds may intimidate mountain gorillas.

To avoid chances of not finding gorilla permit availability at the last minute of your booking in the peak season, booking is required. To be safe, book your Uganda gorilla permit at least six months to a year in advance.

There is usually less demand during the wet season, which also serves as the low Uganda tourism season in Uganda. Chances of finding last-minute gorilla trekking permits this season are higher. The low tourism season in Uganda is generally March, April, May, and November.

If you wish to travel on a limited-budget gorilla trekking safari but wish for an upgrade, the low season may just be the right opportunity. Sometimes, service providers like accommodations, vehicle hire, and driver guides may offer discounted prices, although only a guarantee sometimes.

Where Can I Do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Currently, Uganda has 19 gorilla trekking families open to the public and two families available for gorilla habituation experience.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, being the most significant home of almost half of the world's mountain gorillas, its vast size was subdivided into four administrative areas under which gorilla permits are booked. 

The Bwindi gorilla permits are booked under the Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga areas, so even when booking accommodation for the gorilla safari, you must consider this.

Mgahinga National Park is home to one gorilla trekking family called Nyakagezi. This formerly nomadic family is currently stationed in Uganda, and permits are available for pre-booking.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda?

The length of the gorilla trekking safari is hard to determine as this depends on factors prevailing in the forest like the location of the mountain gorilla feeding spot, in case of a fight amongst the mountain gorillas, death of a family member, pace of fellow trekkers and so much more.

Although sometimes tourists see the gorillas after two hours, others may spend more time depending on the conditions in the forest.

Before the gorilla trekking safari, you must exercise to keep fit, just in case you must hike to find the mountain gorillas. The ranger guide may follow the pace of the slowest trekker, but you do not have to delay the rest, so do some exercises.

Upon locating the mountain gorillas, you have one hour with them. These primates are habituated to being in the presence of humans for just that one hour to let them continue with their day-to-day activities.

Is Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda Safe?

Uganda gorilla trekking is safe as a well-trained team of ranger guides is responsible for protecting and preserving the mountain gorillas, their habitats, and visitors daily. A team of rangers guides daily patrols of the gorilla habitats to establish where the mountain gorillas may have nested and their possible day hangout spot.

They undergo a habituation process before the gorilla family is opened for trekking. The Gorilla habituation process is where a team of researchers and rangers follow a wild gorilla family to get them used to human presence without altering their nature. The Gorilla habituation process takes an unknown period until the family is proven ready for public visits.

The security of the Gorilla trekking habitats is also assisted by other Uganda security agencies present to keep law and order.

As a tourist, you must pay attention to personal security by entering the forest only with a ranger guide. The forest has so many other dwellers that may harm you alone. As an individual, you must not carry valuables that may attract the wrong people, like cash, precious jewelry, and others. While on gorilla safari, be your first security.

What to Pack For Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?

• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far-ranging objects.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays 
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings. 
• Travel An adapter and charger in case you need them for your electronic equipment.
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Raincoat in case it rains during chimpanzee trekking
• Comfortable shoes for trekking in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness.  
• Sunglasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water from the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects 
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the chimpanzee trekking experience and other activities you combine with. 

Our safari consultants are ready to assist in booking your gorilla safari today. Contact us for more information.