Uganda Opens Up New Gorilla Trekking Families

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's New Gorilla Trekking Families!

Uganda recently announced the opening up of new gorilla trekking families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This has come after a four-year gorilla habituation process that is aimed at making gorillas accustomed to human beings in their midst. The opening up of these new gorilla trekking families has increased the number of gorilla permits in Uganda to 194.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the highest mountain gorilla population of all the gorilla habitats. Its population is estimated at over 450 which is almost half of the remaining mountain gorillas on the entire planet. Bwindi Park has 4 gorilla trekking sectors that are Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija.

The new gorilla trekking families that have been opened up are in Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. They include Binyindo and Muyambi in Buhoma, Rwigi and Tindatine in Rushaga, and Posh in Nkuringo. Mountain gorilla trekking family addition is great news to primate lovers and nature enthusiasts. Remember it is only 8 tourists allowed to trek to a gorilla family a day. An addition of 5 new gorilla trekking families means more chances for more people to trek to these rare primates.

About Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are rare primate species that live in the forested mountains in East and Central Africa. They are endemic to the Virunga Mountains, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the adjacent Sarambwe Forest.

The Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcanic mountains along the Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo Border. It comprises 8 dormant Volcanoes shared amongst the three countries. Three mountain gorilla national parks in the Virunga Mountains area form the Virunga Conservation Area. They include Volcanoes National Park Rwanda with the highest mountain gorilla population. It has 20 gorilla families but 12 are the ones currently open for tourism.

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s oldest National Park and exclusive gorilla trekking destination. The park has 10 habituated gorilla families but is unfortunately currently closed because of insecurity issues.

Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda is the other mountain gorilla-protected area in the Virunga Massif. It is the smallest of the three and has only one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. The remaining mountain gorillas are in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The opening up of the new gorilla trekking families makes Bwindi the ultimate gorilla trekking destination.

Gorilla Trekking Rules

There are several set gorilla trekking rules and regulations in all the mountain gorilla trekking destinations. These are aimed at the safety of both the mountain gorillas and the visiting guests. Basic rules include following and listening to the ranger guide at all times. This is because the trekking is done on foot in a forested environment. The forests are not just home to the gorillas but many other species including snakes and large mammals that pose a threat to humans in case of any incident.

Littering is strictly prohibited in the forested mountains to ensure habitat protection and conservation. Noise is restricted as it can send a wrong message to the forest inhabitants forcing them to charge at you. Restricted noise is in any form including one from flash photography or excitement after meeting the gorillas.

Individuals below the age of 15 are not allowed to track mountain gorillas. This is because the hike can be strenuous taking up to 4 hours. Such an experience and meeting the gorillas alone does not go right with minors. Only 8 individuals are allowed to trek to a mountain gorilla family a day spending a maximum of one hour in their presence. Uganda has a gorilla habituation experience that has provision for staying up to 4 hours in the presence of the gorillas. Only 4 Mountain Gorilla families are available for this a day and strictly in the southern sector of Bwindi. The new gorilla trekking families are subject to these rules and regulations.

Uganda Gorilla Tours and Safari Packages

There are several Uganda gorilla tours and discovery Journeys you can join to meet the rare mountain gorillas. These start from a 3-day tour and more depending on your preference and convenience. All Uganda gorilla national parks are located in the southwestern part of the country. This can be accessed by road but it is about a 9 to 10-hour drive from Kampala Uganda’s Capital City. To avoid this long drive you can fly to Kihihi Airstrip near the northern sector of Bwindi. From here you can easily connect to Buhoma and Ruhija by road.

If you are up for the gorilla habituation experience or scheduled to track gorillas in the southern sector you can then fly to Kisoro Airstrip. This also serves Mgahinga Gorilla Park which is located in Kisoro District.

Uganda has many other leading safari destinations. You can therefore combine a Uganda safari with these and the gorilla trekking parks. Many of these destinations are open savannas but very diverse and highly recommended. Our 4-day Gorillas and wildlife tour combines a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi. The 7-day gorillas and wildlife safari features a visit to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi National Parks. The 10-day Uganda Discovery Journey is the ultimate adventure with on-foot Rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Explore Uganda on Journeys of Discovery to the new gorilla families and many other safari destinations. You can also add a visit to our other featured safari destinations in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.