Hi, i'm Jess from Follow Alice and welcome to this complete guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Join me as we answer and uncover the key questions
and travel tips surrounding Africa's most soul-stirring wildlife experience.
Nestled within the heart of the Great Lakes region in equatorial Africa, Uganda is a landlocked
country characterised by endless verdant hills, expansive valleys, mountain peaks and a scattering
of giant shimmering lakes and streams. Roughly the size of the United Kingdom or twice as big as
Pennsylvania state in the United States, Uganda is home to four major distinct ethnic groups
and dozens of regional languages that form a rich cultural tapestry of over 44 million people.
Undoubtedly what makes Uganda so exceptionally unique in the world is its outstanding variety
of wildlife. This small beautiful country is proudly home to over half of the world's remaining
mountain gorillas, a critically endangered species of gentle giants that need our protection.
Located along the mountainous southern border with Rwanda and the Congo
are the majestic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and nearby Mgahinga Gorilla Park,
some of the last protected stretches of Africa's central rainforests
and home to Uganda's rebounding mountain gorilla populations. The only way to see
the gorillas is to purchase a permit and go on a guided gorilla trek in one of these two parks.
The parks are best reached by vehicle from either Entebbe Airport near Uganda's capital city of
Kampala or Kigali Airport in Rwanda, a nine-hour drive and a four-hour drive respectively. Many
visitors to Uganda's gorilla parks choose to weave gorilla trekking into a wider Uganda itinerary,
enjoying the magnificent variety of activities and landscapes on route. On the morning of your
excursion you're led by a park ranger into the dense, beating heart of the rainforest. You hike
along narrow, winding footpaths and through terrain that is slippery and often steep.
The round trip hike can range from roughly two to six hours, so you need some walking fitness
and to wear hiking boots with good grip. You can usually request a longer or shorter hike to suit
your fitness level. The first sign that you're close to making contact will be the distant calls
and commotion that ring out across the forest as the gorillas try to establish who is approaching.
The moment your eyes catch a flicker or shadow through the undergrowth is truly electrifying.
Then, as you approach, it's the profound familiarity and intelligence in the eyes of the gorillas
that leave most in awe. Their sweetness and kindness is what quickly melts your heart.
Everybody's experience with the gorillas is unique, but the gorillas generally don't pay you, the
humans, too much mind and get on with their daily business. You will likely see youngsters playing
and flopping around, mindful mothers keeping an eye on their babies and, if it's lunch time,
the gorillas eat shoots and leaves. Your presence is softly observed by the patriarch of the family,
the enormous silverback male whose role is to protect the group from danger.
At times the gorillas may come close and even within arm's reach, but don't panic, lower
your gaze, and don't make any sudden movements; your team is always with you and by following a
handful of basic rules you will thoroughly enjoy the experience. The trekking group spends 45
minutes to an hour meeting the troop, then you must head back to base. Unless, however, you've booked
a habituation experience, which permits you four hours with the gorillas. But more about that later.
We're often asked if you're guaranteed to see mountain gorillas on a trek.
The gorillas are completely wild and are free to roam as they choose so a
hundred percent guarantee cannot be given, however, the likelihood of sighting gorillas is very,
very high as they are tracked carefully on a daily basis by the park rangers. At Follow
Alice we are yet to experience or hear from any of our clients who did not sight the gorillas.
You can't be faulted for your imagination running a little wild here,
but no, gorilla trekking is not dangerous. There are no recorded incidents of serious
attack or harm caused by the gorillas out on trek and despite having the strength to
wrestle a tiger, these majestic creatures are remarkably docile and tender, and vegetarians
to boot. It's this kindness and intelligence that makes their presence so heartwarming and magical.
It's important to know that the mountain gorillas which trekkers are permitted to visit
have become habituated to the presence of humans. This habituation process is a slow
one and gently familiarises the gorillas to the presence of humans over a duration of
two years. Here the park rangers build a deep and intimate knowledge and understanding with
the troop, meaning you are in the safe hands of a highly trained and experienced team.
Uganda, like much of East Africa, is governed by four seasons: two wet and two dry. The dry
seasons from December to February and then June to September are generally considered the best months
for gorilla trekking. Here you're less likely to have rainy days, and the paths are drier and a
little easier to navigate. That said, there is no time of the year that is considered off limits;
mountain gorillas live in rain forest and so conditions are never
dry regardless of season. The good news is that gorilla parks are open all year round and
the mountain gorillas don't migrate or hibernate, so visitors can go gorilla trekking all year long.
Just be sure to bring some waterproof gear with you no matter what the season.
A tip: we highly recommend booking a gorilla trek at least several months in advance
or more to avoid any disappointment, especially during the peak seasons. Permits are highly
sought after. Under mounting pressure from human activity conflict and poaching, mountain gorilla
populations dwindled close to extinction in the late 1980s to less than 620 individuals.
Today mountain gorilla populations are thankfully on the rise and stand at over one thousand.
Sustainable tourism has been decisive in reversing the trend. Stringent rules and very limited
permits have minimised exposure to humans and kept their remaining habitat pristine. Many scouts who
at one point may have been poachers are now their protectors and earn their livelihood
by safeguarding the future of the species. And as of 2018, the IUCN even revised their vulnerability
status from critically endangered to endangered in a massive victory for conservationism.
In the interest of covering all sides of the story,
it must be noted that one unfortunate drawback of the creation of the protected gorilla parks
has been the displacement of some Batwa pygmy communities from their ancestral hunting lands.
This difficult decision was taken by UNESCO and the Ugandan Government in the early 1990s in
order to provide the gorillas with refuge and the best chance of surviving the intensifying threat
of extinction. At Follow Alice we organise and encourage visits to these communities to
support the Batwa and learn about their history, ancient culture and fascinating way of life.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are priced at $700 per person. Do note that this is for
the permit and guided trek alone. Whilst this may sound dear, it's important to remember the
role you're playing in the conservation of the species. Gorilla trekking tourism has been so
effective as a catalyst for conservation due to its reluctance to fall victim to mass tourism.
Seventy-five percent of the price of your permit is reinvested into the upkeep of the parks and expanding conservation
initiatives, so the money is truly well spent. For those who are interested in spending more
time meeting the gorillas, a habituation experience is priced at $1,500 per
person and allows visitors up to four hours with the troop. Permits must be booked well in advance,
as demand is very high. Group size is limited to only four tourists, and most interestingly you
become a participant in the habituation process. Some researchers and doctors may be present too,
but do not fear – these gorillas are towards the end of the habituation process – you are only
helping them along. Again, while this may sound expensive, this is equal to what you would spend
for only a one-hour gorilla trekking experience in neighbouring Rwanda (but more on that later).
A wide range of accommodation options can be found to suit all budgets,
from basic forest camping, rustic huts to high-end luxury lodges. So you are not stuck for choice.
At Follow Alice we mostly head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park instead of Mgahinga,
one key reason being that substantially more gorrilla trekking permits are available
at Bwindi. Our clients love to stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp for its gorgeous panoramic views
of the surrounding rainforest and rolling hills. Nothing beats unwinding and reflecting on your
gorilla encounter with a refreshing drink as the sun slowly sets. It's a really wonderful spot
that will sow lifelong memories. Rwanda or Uganda? Both offer stunning adventures and access to
fantastic gorilla trekking experiences. However, some key differences do exist.
Most notably, gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are substantially more expensive at
$1,500 per person as opposed to $700 in Uganda. In addition to price,
Uganda's larger gorilla population makes securing permits easier, as more permits are issued per day.
This makes Uganda a good option for spontaneous types or those with less runway before departing
for their trip. Where Rwanda has an advantage for some is its easier accessibility and connectivity.
The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits a few hours' drive from the capital Kigali,
so those who are looking for a brief stopover to go gorilla trekking
may find this convenient. However, for those travellers with time and seeking a more complete,
holistic itinerary, Uganda offers a richer, more varied range of sites, landscapes and activities.
From outstanding safari and wildlife experiences, immense lakes, snow-capped mountains to
world-renowned adventure activities, Uganda truly has everything for the complete African holiday.
And with so much choice, where do you start?
Without further ado, here are our favourite things to see and do in Uganda ...
Canoe in a traditional dugout canoe on beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and, for the daredevils out there,
challenge yourself to zipline. Go on a boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park,
keep your eyes peeled for hippos elephants and any crocodiles lurking in the waters below.
Go white water rafting and tubing in Jinja,
Uganda's adventure sports playground and pinpoint source of the River Nile.
Hike the mesmerising Sipi Falls and abseil down the rock face if you're up for the challenge.
Bicycle through Lake Mburo National Park in search of wildlife and beautiful vistas.
Hike the mighty. mist-shrouded Rwenzori Mountains for otherworldly vistas and landscapes.
Go on safari in Murchison Falls National Park and take a boat cruise to see the powerful falls.
Swim, kayak and unwind on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake and poetically known as 'the home
of gods' in Uganda. Visit the Equator line for some great photo opportunities and a
grand sense of perspective. Go chimpanzee trekking for the thrill of a lifetime.
If this has you jumping around the room with excitement, make sure to check out our website
for a peek at some of our wonderful Uganda trips and itineraries. Dan, our cherished and highly
lovable local leader, and the entire Uganda team cannot wait to take you on the adventure of a
lifetime and show you what makes their land one of the most beautiful on earth. So there you have it,
one life-changing adventure definitely not to be missed. If you enjoyed this video,
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We cannot thank you enough – it really helps our channel greatly. This is Jess reporting from
Follow Alice, and from the entire Follow Alice team: we really hope you have an extraordinary trip!