What is the best time of year to see gorillas in Uganda?

Traveling to Uganda to see Gorillas Many questions are usually asked by travelers planning to visit Uganda to see gorillas some of them include, what is the best time of year to see gorillas in Uganda? how do i book gorilla permits for Uganda? Purchasing gorilla permits? Gorilla permit booking information, how can I purchase a gorilla permit, where can I buy permits in Uganda and Rwanda, and what is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda? We answer all these questions; you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The best time of year to see gorillas in Uganda is during the dry seasons, which typically occur from December to February and from June to September. These months offer more stable weather conditions and make it easier to trek through the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where the gorillas are found.

During the dry season, the gorillas tend to stay at lower elevations, making them more accessible for gorilla trekking. The vegetation is also less dense, improving visibility and making it easier to spot the gorillas in their natural habitat.

It’s important to note that gorilla trekking in Uganda requires a permit, and these permits can be in high demand, so it’s advisable to book well in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the peak dry season months.

However, Uganda can be visited year-round for gorilla trekking, and some tourists also choose to visit during the wetter months, when the landscape is lush and green. Just be prepared for potentially muddy and slippery conditions on the trails during the rainy seasons from March to May and October to November. The gorillas can still be tracked during these times, but it may be a more challenging experience due to the weather and trail conditions.

Uganda has more than 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, gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encountering 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 the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris Limited.

How to book Uganda Gorilla Permits?

Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at info@ecoadventuresafaris.com so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation 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 Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. Booking permit for gorilla trekking is advised to book your Gorilla permits in advance at least 2-3 months prior to your visit given the fact few permits are available per day and sell out very quickly on a first come first serve basis.

What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?

The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through the provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can be done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.

What to pack for Gorilla Trekking?

What is the best time of year to see gorillas in Uganda? During gorilla tracking, you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots.  Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous.  It is also advisable to wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants.  Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking;

• Insect Repellent                       

• Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries

• Wet Wipes                             

• Water Bottle                              

• Camera, lenses etc

• Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks       

• Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking

• Sandals/strops/walking shoes    

• Hat and Sunscreen

• Rain Jacket

• Sweater/fleece

• Swimwear

• Binoculars (game/bird watching)

How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park

By Road; The southern sector of Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately 8-9 hour drive. You will need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the signpost of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow upto to your booked lodge for accommodation in either Rushaga or Nkuringo sector.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo. 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 the Park

Traveling to Uganda to see Gorillas with Eco Adventure Safaris.

At Eco Adventure Safaris we provide personalized service with the utmost dedication to the safety and enjoyment of our clients. We are committed to the well-being of our staff and guests as well as to having a positive impact on the communities and wild places that our operations reach. On all our operations and safaris, we embrace the environmental ethic “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” all our packages are eco-friendly. Contact us here about What is the best time of year to see gorillas in Uganda.