How to spend more days with gorillas in Uganda

If you want to spend more days with gorillas in Uganda, you are in for a great experience. Uganda is home to mountain gorillas primarily found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. To extend your time with them, you need to book many gorilla trekking permits for different days. Spending more time with gorillas can be expensive but rewarding because you get to see more gorillas on different days plus other wildlife in the park.

Each gorilla trekking experience gives you one hour with a gorilla family but you can plan treks on repeated days to visit different families and discover new trails. If you are looking for a deeper connection with gorillas, the Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi gives you up to four hours with semi-habituated gorillas which offers you more time to see their behavior.

Giant Holiday Safaris, a trusted tour company is ready to work hand in hand with you in drafting your itinerary, securing your accommodation, private transport and permits. Between treks, you can choose to explore other attractions in Uganda such as the Batwa cultural experience or guided nature walks.

Here is what you can do to spend more days with gorillas in Uganda;

Buying multiple gorilla trekking permits in Uganda

This means that tourists have to buy extra permits so that they are able to trek in different gorilla families in Mgahinga Gorilla Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You can buy as many permits as you want as long as you are of the legal trekking age and provide the required information needed to purchase gorilla trekking permits. Organizing many gorilla treks in Uganda has its benefits and disadvantages that you need to know first. Keep in mind that gorilla trekking gives you one hour of being in the presence of gorillas and it grants you access to the assigned gorilla section and family assigned through the briefing process. Take an example. When you buy a Gorilla trekking permit and you are assigned a sector like Ruhija on your trek day, a habituated gorilla family will be assigned to you from Ruhija as well. This permit cannot be used to trek Nkuringo or other different sectors.

Pros of buying multiple gorilla trekking permits are as follows;

You will spend more days with gorillas.
You will be contributing towards the conservation of gorillas and their home.
You will be given different sectors or families which gives you a chance to compare behavioral patterns of different gorilla families.

Cons of buying many gorilla trekking permits in Uganda include;

The trekking activity is always different even if you have done it before which may tire you.
You may be given the same sector for gorilla trekking because permits are given according to who comes first.

In case you are still interested in several gorilla trekking permits, make sure that you secure permits that are not of the same date so that you always refresh before going on other treks. For more information about gorilla trekking, contact Giant Holiday Safaris.

Combine gorilla trekking with gorilla habituation

Another way you can enjoy more days with gorillas in Uganda is by combining gorilla trekking with gorilla habituation. you have to secure a different permit for each activity.

Gorilla habituation is the process of getting wild gorillas used to the presence of humans without changing their natural behavior. This practice is usually carried out by a maximum of 4 tourists with experienced researchers, conservationists and guides in areas where gorilla trekking or observation is a key activity. The goal is to allow people to see gorillas nearer while ensuring the gorillas remain comfortable and safe.

The habituation process can take around 2 to 3 years and involves spending consistent time with a specific gorilla group. Experts work carefully to build trust starting at a distance and slowly getting closer over time. They also imitate gorilla behaviors like making calming sounds to signal that they are not a threat. This activity gives trekkers a chance to spend 4 hours studying semi-habituated gorillas. Note that once you buy a gorilla habituation permit, you cannot exchange it for a gorilla trekking permit.

Get in touch with Giant Holiday Safaris about the possibility of buying Gorilla trekking permits and gorilla habituation permits on different days so that you spend as many days as you want with gorillas in Uganda.

Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda is a top destination for gorilla trekking usually referred to as gorilla tracking and the most popular destinations for this memorable experience are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with more than 24 habituated gorilla families and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park located in the southwestern Uganda. Though smaller than Bwindi, Mgahinga offers a more private gorilla trekking experience and is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family with only 8 people who track gorillas all year round. This experience comes with the beautiful volcanic scenery of the park.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done in 4 sectors that is Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma and Ruhija. Each sector has many habituated gorillas open for gorilla trekking. Bear in mind that gorilla habituation is only done in Rushaga sector. Both parks require permits for trekking so be sure to book in advance because permit availability is limited especially during the peak season.

What do I need to Spend more days with gorillas in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is an activity that needs proper planning with the help of a tour operator considering services like meals, transport and accommodation. A Gorilla trekking Permit should come first. This document is essential because only a limited number of visitors is allowed to see the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Forest National Park each day. Secure your permit well in advance with Giant Holiday Safaris to avoid disappointments.

Each gorilla trekking permit costs 300,000 UGX per person per trek for East African citizens, 700 USD for foreign residents and 800 USD for foreign non-residents. On the other hand, gorilla habituation permits cost 1000 USD per person per trek for foreign residents and African citizens, 750,000 UGX for East African citizens and 1500 USD for foreign non-residents. To book any of the above permits, submit your details like your passport copy, full name, number of permits needed and trekking dates. You can submit as many dates as you want. Our tour advisor will check for permit availability on the dates you provided and once permits are confirmed on the dates provided, you are required to make payment because no permit purchases are made without proof of payment. When payment is confirmed, permits are purchased and a copy is sent to you on your email. We also go ahead and book your transport and accommodation.

About the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda

Gorilla trekking starts in the morning with briefing about rules and regulations regarding gorilla trekking at the park headquarters with experienced guides. You are then grouped into 8 and assigned gorilla families.

The trek then begins immediately with trackers, experienced guides and rangers. It takes between to 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of gorillas and how fit you are. Here, you start following gorilla evidence like poop and footsteps. Along your trek, you will come across other wild animals like baboons, white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and many bird species. Once you find gorillas, you are advised to keep a distance of at least 7 meters away from them. You are also given an hour to be in their presence as you study their behavior and record videos and pictures with less or no flashlight.

When one hour is up, all trekkers are escorted back to the park headquarters where they will be awarded gorilla trekking and conservation certificates for participation.

Rules for Spending more days with gorillas in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda gives trekkers a chance to come face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural home. To ensure the safety of both the gorillas and visitors plus preserving their delicate environment, there are specific rules and guidelines set by Uganda Wildlife Authority that trekkers must follow. Here is a guide to help you prepare for this experience;

you need to secure gorilla trekking permits. These are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are limited in number to reduce human impact on the gorillas.
To minimize stress on the gorillas, only a small group of up to 8 people is allowed to visit a gorilla family each day.
Trekkers must be at least 12 years old to participate. This rule helps ensure that all participants are physically capable of handling the trek and reduces disturbances to the gorillas.
You are required to stay at least 7 meters away from gorillas. This helps protect the gorillas from human diseases.
If you are not feeling well or have symptoms of illness, you will not be allowed to join the trek because gorillas can easily catch human diseases.
Photography is allowed but using a flash is strictly prohibited because sudden light can disturb the gorillas.
While observing the gorillas, it is important to keep your voice low and avoid sudden movements.
Feeding and touching gorillas is not allowed.
When you need to visit the toilet, dig a hole of 30 cm and cover it very well after.
Carry out everything you bring in and avoid leaving any waste behind.
Once you locate a gorilla family, you have a maximum of one hour to observe them.
A gorilla trekking permit for a specific sector cannot be used to trek gorillas in a different sector.

What to carry if you want to Spend more days with gorillas in Uganda

Planning a gorilla trekking adventure is an enjoyable experience that requires you to be well prepared. To help you get ready, follow this guide on what to pack for your gorilla trip.

Choose lightweight breathable clothes that cover your arms and legs. This protects you from scratches and insect bites. Neutral colors like green, brown or khaki are good to blend in the environment. Avoid blue because it attracts tsetse flies.
Choose steady waterproof boots because the paths can be muddy and slippery. Make sure to try them on to avoid blisters.
Lightweight gardening gloves or trekking gloves are useful because they protect your hands if you need to grab branches or keep yourself steady on rough ground.
Pack a small comfortable backpack for carrying your essentials.
Bring a reusable water bottle to keep your water so that you stay hydrated and some energy giving snacks like granola bars.
Pack insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away.
Sunscreen is also important to protect your skin that is exposed to sunlight.
Bring a good camera with extra batteries or a smartphone with plenty of storage space to capture moments.
Binoculars are important to improve your experience by helping you see wildlife from a distance.
Trekking poles to give you extra support on rough and slippery ground.
Do not forget personal items like your passport, permits and any medications you may need.
A small first aid kit with band aids, wipes and pain relievers is also a good idea.