How to get to gorilla trekking areas in Uganda

How to get to gorilla trekking areas in Uganda

In Uganda gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south of Uganda, just north of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The park has a northern and southern entrance and accommodation options at both ends.

The park is beautiful with other attractions like guided hikes and cultural experiences especially the pygmies who live in the locality known as the Abatwa as well, as a place to chill in.

The park has several gorilla families within the park that tourists within 3-4 tracking groups and a ranger can visit. The hike is difficult and the amount of time it takes depends on which group you are put into. Some of the treks take place right from the north part of the park on foot and take a couple of hours, and the rest require a drive to reach them.

One should generally be physically fit enough to hike for at least an hour or two and should be able to wear hiking boots due to the steep and muddy terrain, one should make sure that they bring along water and a packed lunch for the day.

How do I book and take a trek tour?

A tourist intending to take a gorilla trekking trip to Uganda must book a permit as soon as possible because gorilla trekking is a popular activity and permits get booked out weeks or even months in advance. You can book your permits at the Uganda Wildlife Authority or contact them at their website.

The tourist must be healthy on the day of the hike without a cold or anything similar, as he or she can actually make the gorillas sick.

Getting There:

One can fly into Kihihi from Entebbe with Aero Link, which costs a standard $236 each way.

A visitor needs a tourist guide and a powerful 4 wheel drive vehicle to ride to the park and costs around $100 per day.

One can also rent a car in Entebbe town and drive him or herself there which is a distance of over 445km via Masaka.

The tourist can also take a Post Bus which is the cheapest and safest bus company in Uganda, to either Kihihi or Kabale, depending on a north or south entry

A tourist can also take a local minibus (called a ‘taxi’), or boda boda (motorbike taxi), from there which costs less than (10000/=Shs) Ugandan shillings.

A tourist must bring cash to pay as ATMs are far away and many of the more affordable lodges only accept cash and not cheques.

The accommodation is in plenty from campsites to fancy resorts, though everything in the area is a bit overpriced.

The rangers should know when you are coming so that they can book for you a group in which you are to tour together.