What You Need To know About Gorilla Tracking In Uganda 2021-2022 is one of the most selling touristic activities to do while in Uganda, therefore one needs the latest information in order to prepare well in advance without facing any last-minute inconvenience. A lot has changed since 2020 and it’s very important to keep our prospective clients in the know.
Mountain Gorilla parks.
Gorilla tracking only takes place in two national parks in Uganda, Bwindi forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park which lie south western Uganda in the districts of kanungu, kabale and Kisoro.
Cost of Gorilla permit.
The price of gorilla permits was revised and there is a slight increase of usd 100 for foreign and Non foreign residents with effect from 1st July 2020. The cost of gorilla permits is now at usd 700 for foreign non residents where as foreign residents pay 600. Much as there is an increase, the cost is still favorable and competitive compared to the neighboring country Rwanda.
Gorilla habituation permits were not affected by the price increase and the cost remained at USD 1500 for Foreign nonresidents and 1000 for foreign residents.
The difference between the two activities is the time spent with the gorillas, What You Need To know About Gorilla, while you spend 1 hour with the gorillas on gorilla tracking, for Gorilla habituation you spend 4 hours with the gorillas and in those four hours you take part with the researchers, gorilla doctors on how wild gorillas are tamed to a successful habituated gorilla family accustomed to human presence. The only similarity is they both involve trekking until you find them.
Booking gorilla permits
Gorilla permits in Uganda can be obtained directly from Uganda wildlife authority, reservation office.
Alternatively, the fast and easier way is through a licensed tour operator. At Africa Tours Adventure we have access to check availability and book permits for our clients. The permits can be booked with 30% deposit 3 months to tracking date and 70% completed with in 8 days to tracking date. Gorilla permits are issued out on first come first serve basis and only 8 gorilla permits are sold per day per gorilla family.
Habituated gorilla families.
Following the recent concluded gorilla census, there was a slight increase in the number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi forest national park and the Greater Virunga conservation Area covering Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in DRC.
The increase in mountain gorillas led to an increase in number of habituated gorilla families which are currently at 20 in Bwindi forest national park and 2 habituated gorilla families in Mgahinga gorilla national park. These gorilla families have members not less than 10 each including silver backs, black backs, adult females, juveniles, infants and New borne.
The 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi forest national park are located at four different tracking sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. The choice of a gorilla family to track will dictate the sector to book the gorilla permit.
Accessing the gorilla parks
The parks can be accessed in Uganda from Entebbe international airport and there after a long scenic drive of 9- hours to the park. There are also charter flights with Aero link to Kisoro airstrip accessing Mgahinga or Rushaga sector in Bwindi and also Garunga Airstrip accessing Buhoma and Ruhija.
The other shorter route is to arrive from Kigali international airport and cross over to Uganda through katuna or Cyanika border. The route covers a distance of 3- 4 hours with a scenic view of kigezi highlands.
Requirements for Gorilla tracking
- All those intending to track gorillas in Uganda must obtain a gorilla permit.
- To access the gorilla parks, one must have a yellow fever card and must have tested negative for covid-19 with in 72 hours with a valid certificate of proof, What You Need To know About Gorilla
- Wear a face mask as a must and ensure to wash hands and sanitize before and after the gorillas.
- Make sure to adhere to the all the guidelines like checking temperature if asked
- maintain social distance
- Pack essentials like good hiking boots, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts, face masks, rain coats, camera and a small handy back pack.
Conclusively, since the out break of the novel virus, tourism was at halt and since it opened there has been a few changes here and there but as Africa Tours adventure, we are indebted to keep you updated with the latest changes and developments for successful tours.
