Uganda gorilla trekking safari from the United States of America

It is possible to book a Uganda gorilla trekking safari from the United States online at the comfort of your sitting room or contacting a tour operator in Uganda or United states to do the job for you. In this article, we will show you how to select a tour operator to assist you arrange your gorilla trekking vacation, where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda, how to book a gorilla permit, what else to do in Uganda, and all frequently asked questions about arranging a gorilla safari holiday to Uganda from the United States of America.

Major things to consider when planning a Uganda gorilla trekking safari from the United States

• Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda
• How to choose a Tour operator
• What else is there to do apart from gorilla trekking
• FAQ about Uganda gorilla trekking from the United States of America

Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda

Are you in The United States of America and planning to come to Africa to see mountain gorillas? There are two locations in Uganda where you can get a chance to get face to face with these giant creatures in their Natural Habitats. Uganda has two National Parks where mountain gorillas are found and these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These two national parks are home to half the number of mountain gorillas in the world making Uganda a favorable destination for gorilla trekking.

A brief about Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site located in southwestern Uganda districts of Kisoro, Rubanda and Kanungu. It's in Bwindi impenetrable National Park where mountain gorilla trekking started in 1993 when the first gorilla family (Mubare group) was commissioned for gorilla trekking attracting the first group of tourists to come and enjoy a gorilla trekking excursion in the jungles of this forest. Since then, about 18 or so gorilla families have been habituated and opened up for gorilla trekking tourism.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four regions located in different directions. These include Buhoma in the North, Ruhija in the East, Rushaga, and Nkuringo in the South. Each of the four regions mentioned has resident habituated gorilla families and lodges in that specific region. So before booking a gorilla trekking safari from the United States of America, you need to be aware of this fact. Please read the FAQ about gorilla trekking in Uganda to get all information you need to know.

A brief about Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is the second park where mountain gorillas are found. Located in the Virunga ranges, Mgahinga shares borders and the same forest with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga National Park is the smallest gorilla National Park in the whole world and has only one mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. This, therefore, means that only 8 people can trek gorillas in Mgahinga National Park every day.

How to choose a Tour operator in Uganda or in The United States of America

Being far away from Africa where mountain gorillas live, you need an expert in this business to assist you with booking your gorilla trekking safari vacation. There are three ways of doing this. The first one is to book everything yourself by contacting all service providers yourself (Not recommended), contacting a Local tour Operator in Uganda, or A tour Operator in the USA offering Uganda gorilla safaris.

There are so many tour operators offering Uganda gorilla safaris online and many of them offer excellent services. To get the best out of your search, try to look for a Tour company that is licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and is a member of The Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). These two are the only recognized bodies and associations for professional Tour Operators in Uganda. If you choose a tour operator in the above category, you will have where to fall back if anything happens.

Genuine Tour companies are seen by their online reviews on trip advisor and Safari bookings when it comes to Africa. Make sure that you look at all online reviews by previous clients who used such a company both positive and negative reviews and this will help you make an informed decision and choice.

After looking at the above two factors, you can send a couple of emails to about 10 tour operators and wait for your response. Normally efficient tour operators will respond in 30 minutes or so while inefficient tour Operators may take even two days. Look at how they have answered all your questions and then compare the price. All these should give you an idea of how to choose the best company to handle your Uganda gorilla trekking safari from The United States of America.

Why choose Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa safaris is a responsible tour Operator with offices in Uganda, Entebbe town close to Entebbe International Airport. We have been in operation since 2011 and have over time built a reputation of arranging amazing gorilla trekking and Uganda safari experiences for all our clients. We are members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and licensed by UTB (Uganda Tourism Board) to carry out tourism business in Uganda and the entire African continent. We are highly present online with great reviews on trip advisor and safari bookings plus responding to all your emails on time with relevant and accurate information that you need to plan your Uganda gorilla trekking trip from The United States of America. With all these qualities, we guarantee top services to individuals and tour operators in America ready to arrange Uganda gorilla vacations from the USA.

Sample Uganda gorilla trekking Itineraries

3 Day gorilla trekking Bwindi safari

5 Day Mountain gorillas and chimp safari

5 Day wildlife safari and gorilla trekking

8 Day ultimate Uganda safari

16 Day comprehensive Uganda safari

Frequently asked Questions about Gorilla trekking in Uganda

How can I book my gorilla permit?

All gorilla trekking vacations can be guaranteed if one is holding a valid gorilla permit for Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga. You can book your gorilla permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (Not recommended) or through a tour Operator in Uganda. If contacted, Encounter Africa safaris will check availability, reserve and secure your gorilla permit on your behalf. You are able to know all this in 5 minutes. All we need from you is the date, month and year. As soon as we get this, we will check availability, advise you on how to make payment and once this is done, we will pay for your gorilla permit and, where necessary, send you scanned copies.

How much is a gorilla permit for Americans?

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 for Americans not living in Uganda and $700 for Americans living and working in Uganda and other East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. To get this discount, you must prove this by providing documents such as a work permit. The price of gorilla permits keeps on changing, so you need to confirm this with us at the time of inquiry.

What is included and excluded in a gorilla permit?

A gorilla permit for Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga includes one hour with a habituated gorilla family, park entry fees, an armed ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority who will walk with you in the forest. The fee also includes services of the advance team that goes very early in the morning to look and locate these gorillas before tourists come to see them. A gorilla permit does not include transport, accommodation, meals, and tips. These are supposed to be arranged through a tour operator after confirming and securing your gorilla permit.

Why should I trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is absolutely one of the amazing places to see mountain gorillas on planet earth. Currently, Bwindi impenetrable National Park has the highest number of mountain gorillas in the whole world and over 15 habituated mountain gorillas to choose from. It is only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where one can book a habituation experience safari to see gorillas for four hours. For more information about Bwindi, kindly blouse our page about Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

How many gorilla trekking locations does Bwindi have?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking locations each with more than four habituated gorilla families. These locations include; Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga, and Nkuringo in the south. Buhoma region is in Kanungu district, Ruhija in Rubanda district while Nkuringo and Rushaga are in Kisoro district. When booking your gorilla trekking permit to see Bwindi Mountain gorillas, you need to be mindful of the location/region since it will determine your overnight accommodation.

Why should I trek gorillas in Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga is the smallest of all Mountain gorilla National Parks in Africa. There is only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. One reason you should choose Mgahinga for gorilla trekking is that there is less congestion of tourists since only 8 people are allowed to see gorillas. Besides, this small park has vegetation that is predominantly bamboo and hence less undergrowth which is good for gorilla viewing as well as photography.

How do I get to Bwindi by road from Entebbe?

One of the ways to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Entebbe is by driving approximately 9-10 hours. There are so many routes depending on which region you will be trekking mountain gorillas. If going to Rushaga and Nkuringo, you have to go to Kisoro, Ruhija to Rubanda and Buhoma to Kanungu. There so many things to see along the way and your road trip with be rewarded with so many stops at the equator, plantations, farms, and so many other things.

How do I get to Bwindi or Mgahinga by air from Entebbe?

It is possible to get to Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga from Entebbe by air. Both charter and scheduled flights can be arranged for you to fly from Entebbe International Airport to any region of Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga. If going to Buhoma and Ruhija, you will land at Kihihi Airstrip and Kisoro if going to Rushaga and Nkuringo. On all occasions, you will be transferred from the airstrip by road to your overnight lodge. Encounter Africa safaris organizes fly-in safaris to Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga to see mountain gorillas and other activities in and around these national parks.

How many nights are recommended for a single gorilla trek in Bwindi?

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Entebbe or Kampala requires one to book at least two nights in a lodge in or near the park. One night before the trek and another night after the trek. The reason why one needs two nights before and after the gorilla trek is that gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National park starts very early in the morning and as such, one needs to stay closer to the park. When you eventually go gorilla trekking, you will never know when you will return from the forest since the exercise may take up to three-quarters of the day depending on the location and movement of these creatures. So, a second night after your gorilla trek is highly recommended.

How much do I have to spend on accommodation in Bwindi?

Depending on your budget and interest, Bwindi impenetrable National Park has a budget, mid-range, and Luxury or high-end Accommodation properties. Budget Lodges and campsites may charge from 40 to 50$ depending on the meal plan, Midrange from $70-100 per person sharing on full board, and from $300 onwards for High-end Lodges. Encounter Africa safaris works with many lodges of different categories and if contacted, we will recommend a lodge depending on your budget.

How old should I be to trek gorillas in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga has a minimum age but no maximum age. To see gorillas in Uganda, you must be 15 years and above and must prove this by producing your passport. As long as you are above the age of 15 you are eligible to trek mountain gorillas. The elderly and physically weak people are allowed to see gorillas using sedan chairs or stretchers. For more information about hiring sedan chairs, please contact Encounter Africa safaris.

What else is there to see in Uganda?

Uganda is one of the most blessed countries when it comes to what to see and do. Apart from mountain gorillas in Bwindi, you have an opportunity to see over 15 species of primates including chimpanzees and Golden monkeys. It is for a fact that Kibale National Park is one of the best National Parks to see wild but habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Those interested in boat cruises, Lake Victoria, The Nile plus Kazinga channel provide an amazing boat experience with lots of things to see. Uganda has over 54 ethnic groups and for those interested in community and cultural tours, you will be spoilt for choices.

Why Encounter Africa safaris   

For more information about gorilla trekking in Uganda, our safari designers are available 24/7 to respond to all your question. You can reach us by email, call or WhatsApp and we will advise you accordingly. Encounter Africa safaris has been arranging amazing gorilla safaris with 100% record sightseeing and we absolutely rank among the best tour operators in the region. Send us an email and you will not regret it at all.