Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Europe

Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Europe. A Uganda Gorilla safari is one of the best safaris to do in Africa. Are you planning a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe? Are you in one of the 44 countries in Europe, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece or Hungary among others and you are interested in visiting Uganda for a gorilla safari. If so here below are the guidelines to help you plan a memorable Uganda gorilla safari from Europe.

Things to know before planning an Uganda gorilla safari from Europe

Before booking a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe, you need to get more information about it, ranging from whether to use a tour operator or not, different Uganda gorilla safaris options, best time to book a Uganda gorilla safari, where to go in Uganda for a gorilla safari and so many other important things as below.

1. About gorilla trekking in Uganda
2. Where can I do a gorilla safari in Uganda?
3. How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
4. How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
5. How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
6. Is it safe to visit gorillas in Uganda?
7. Is it better to see gorillas in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
8. When should I book my Uganda gorilla safari from Europe?
9. Steps to book a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe
10. What are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda?

About gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated mountain gorillas which leave together in a given gorilla family group and are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them which involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger guide. Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in done in a group of 8 people trekking one given gorilla family.

What are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda?

These are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda you can book from Europe you can book an all inclusive gorilla safari or customize to it to your interests;

3 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour

3 Day Gorilla Habituation Experience Tour

4 Day Double Gorilla trekking Tour

4 Day Gorilla trekking and Gorilla Habituation experience Tour

5 Days Gorilla and Game Safari

5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour

Where can I do a gorilla safari in Uganda?

In Uganda mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both parks are found in the southwestern part of Uganda close to one another. Many people prefer trekking gorillas in Bwindi because of the many mountain gorilla groups available in the park compared to Mgahinga which only has one gorilla family Nyakagezi, this makes it easy and assured to get a gorilla permit in Bwindi compared to Mghainga. The whole truth is that both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your trek. The only difference is that mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are in the Virunga/hills with mainly bamboo as the main vegetation while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, these mountain gorillas are in a tropical rain forest with varieties of trees and plants. Chances of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98% so whichever park you visit, you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment.

About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi forest is one of the oldest forests in Africa and was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable national park has more than 400 species of plant life, sheltering up to 120 mammals among which are the primates including the famous Gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants and antelopes among others. Gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park is one of the key highlights of this Park. There are gorilla permits available per day for gorilla trekking that allows you to see the gorillas for one hour and Four. Uganda wildlife Authority is in charge for the protection and conservation of gorillas in permits, all tourism activities in Bwindi impenetrable National Park

About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is located Kisoro district southwestern Uganda, East Africa. Mgahinga gorilla national park is among the Virunga volcanic mountain chain of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda famous for Mountain gorilla safaris. The park is Uganda’s smallest national park which is boarded by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. Mgahinga gorilla national park has the three volcanoes namely Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Muhabura all of which are part of the six Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys.  The park is a tropical rain forest comprised of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rain forests and mountain Bamboo.  Mgahinga National Park is among the ten National Parks in Uganda and the second national park for specially gorilla tourism. This park is such a beauty that you should not miss out while visiting Uganda. It is under the management of Uganda wildlife Authority, a government body in charge of all the conservation areas in Uganda.

How long and tough is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Bwindi Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park timings and conditions vary tremendously as the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest depending on the nature conditions at the time of your trek. It is good to be prepared and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. It can be very strenuous it may be just a couple of hours but it can also be for a full day of up to 8 hours or more of hiking in hot, high altitude conditions therefore please be prepared for this by being as fit as possible.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for the Foreign non residents, $600 Per person for residents and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda Eco Adventure Safaris.

How much does Uganda gorilla safari holiday cost?

The Gorilla permit price shares a much more cost for any gorilla safari in Uganda on top of other services like transport, accommodation and guiding. A gorilla trekking permit costs USD700 for the foreign nonresident and A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for the Foreign nonresident.  On top of the gorilla permit you will also pay other services for a successful gorilla safari which include transport, accommodation and guiding. A 3 Days Uganda gorilla safari cost starts from USD1272 per person sharing.

Is it safe to visit gorillas in Uganda?

Is Bwindi Forest National Park safe for Gorilla trekking in Uganda, due to the recent attacks by 4 poachers and killing of Rafiki the Silver Back head of Nkuringo group in the southern sector of Bwindi this scared many planning to visit this park, this question has been asked by many potential travelers interested in visiting Bwindi for their gorilla trek. In Uganda Gorilla trekking is only done in two National Parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National and Mghinga Gorilla National Park.  There has been border instabilities between Uganda and Rwanda but this however has not affected travel across the border from one country to another given the fact both national parks are located at the border with Bwindi Forest National Park sharing border with DR Congo and then Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sharing border with Rwanda.

How safe is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda? Uganda and Rwanda are both very safe for Gorilla trekking, given the fact gorilla tracking activity is a very well organized and managed activity at Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Parks from the start to the end. During gorilla tracking you will be accompanied by two well armed park rangers as well as tourism police to protect you all through your trek against strangers as well as wild animals found in the forests.

When best should I do my Uganda gorilla safari from Europe?

Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Europe. Gorilla safari in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as well as during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla safari in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have 99% chance of seeing the mountain gorillas.

Steps to book a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe

Steps to book an Uganda gorilla safari from Europe are easy, you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advanced to confirm that you are booked for a Uganda gorilla safari. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for the Uganda gorilla safari. It is advised to book your Uganda gorilla safari in advance atleast 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact permits sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.

Where to stay during Uganda gorilla safari from Europe

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation.

In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lodges include Gahinga Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

How to Access Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

By Road; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south western Uganda and this is accessed through the main high way road from Entebbe/Kampala via Mbarara, Kabale and then proceed to either the northern or southern part of Bwindi depending on which side you have booked for your gorilla trek. For the northern side you will turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro highway you will see a sign post of Uganda Wildlife Authority and follow this road to either Ruhija or Buhoma sector. The southern sectors Nkuringo and Rushaga these are accessed by branching off at Muko town located along the Kabale-Kisoro highway.

By Air; There are scheduled flights available at Entebbe International Airport operated by Aero Link Uganda and Kajjansi Air field operated by Air Uganda which fly to both Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips which are close to close to Bwindi forest National Park. From here you will access the park for gorilla trekking which takes approximately 1-2 hours drive.

How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

By Road; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located close to Kisoro town and this can be accessed through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours drive. You will pass through Kabale town and proceed to Kisoro town from Kisoro town you will drive toward your lodge which close to the park for overnight. The Park can also be accessed from Kigali, Rwanda which is approximately 2-3 hours drive.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to your Lodge you are booked for your stay.

Why book your Uganda gorilla safari from Europe with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your Uganda gorilla safari from Europe contact us here we advice you on the booking process. We as well have different Uganda gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to checkout our TripAdvisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great Uganda Gorilla Safaris from Europe with us.