Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an outdoor adventure experience that is best done in the dry seasons. Uganda is the leading gorilla trekking destination with over two gorilla destinations. These destinations are located in the southwestern region of the country below the equator. This means they experience an equatorial type of climate. This climate is characterized by two dry and wet seasons annually. The dry seasons run from June to August and December to February. The dry season is a period of dry weather, fuelled by the little rainfall patterns and prolonged dry temperatures. All these conditions come together to craft a perfect gorilla trekking period.
What makes the dry season the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The dry season has the most ideal conditions that favour the outdoor activities and, in this case, gorilla trekking. In the peak season, the gorilla destinations are overrun by various nature lovers and adventurers on a quest to find the famous mountain gorillas. It is no brainer that the dry season is one of the reasons for the high turnout of visitors in the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda. Below are some of the reasons that make the dry season the best and most ideal time for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
- Dry trekking trails are a result of the dry weather of this season, which is emphasized by the little or no rainfall throughout the season. The dry trekking trails ease the navigation across all the gorilla destinations in Uganda. Mountain gorillas live in highland terrains that can be incredibly hard to navigate if they are damp and muddy. The dry season in this case makes sure that visitors have a seamless trekking experience along smooth and dry trails.
- Sparse vegetation caused by the prolonged dry weather, which does not support the growth of vegetation. Therefore, this leaves the vegetation sparse and hence easy to penetrate while trekking gorillas in Uganda. The scattered showers of the dry season help to keep the vegetation green, but still sparse.
- Easy navigation due to the dry trails that enable visitors to trek through the jungles of the gorilla destinations to the gorillas with ease. The low rainfall patterns received during this season ensure there is uninterrupted movement across the gorilla destinations.
- The dry season offers beautiful scenic views of the forest and the primates for clear photos. When the sun shines brightest, it births life across the untamed jungles of the gorilla destination, for memorable views of the surrounding greenery. This is perfect for sightseeing, filming, and photographic tours.
- There is clear visibility of the mountain gorillas due to the bright weather and the sparse vegetation. This is thanks to the limited rainfall that can increase the dense vegetation and also cause mist, hindering visibility. During the dry season, the sun rises at 7 am when visitors are still on the pre-trekking briefing. By the time they arrive in the forest to trek the gorillas, the place is bright, offering clear visibility.
However, it is also good to have a gorilla trekking experience in the wet season. As the dry season is termed as the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda, the wet season also comes short of perfect, but gorilla trekking can be done. Visitors must understand that Uganda has very unpredictable weather patterns. This means it can rain heavily in the dry season or shine strongly in the wet season. All in all, the wet season that runs from March to May and September to November also has its advantages for trekking gorillas in this season. Some of these advantages include;
- Discounted low season gorilla trekking permits
- Fewer crowds in the gorilla destinations
- Reduced accommodation rates
- Availability of gorilla permits
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking involves penetrating the dense vegetation of the gorilla habitats to have a one-on-one interaction with the mountain gorillas by spending an hour with these primates. Gorilla trekking is among the most popular tourist activities in the region. Uganda is the leading gorilla destination in the world, offering the best gorilla trekking tour packages. Gorilla trekking is directed to the habituated gorilla families. Only 8 people are allowed to trek gorillas per day. This is done following the set guidelines through the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking recited in the pre-trekking briefing.
Where to do gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Understanding gorilla trekking in Uganda takes you to the uncharted forests past the Kigezi terraced highlands through meandering roads. Uganda is blessed to have two of its protected areas, part of the Virunga Conservation Area, the last known valid gorilla habitat. These places where gorilla trekking in Uganda is done include the following.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
With over 460 individual mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination by far. Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, this park was gazetted in 1991 as a national park.
This followed the sighting of mountain gorillas. The park has some of the oldest flora species, with some dating back over 25,000 years. This is one of the reasons in 1994 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi has over 26 habituated gorilla families available for exploration. These gorilla families are scattered across the four different sectors of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Not far from Bwindi and the Rwandan border, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park rises as the second gorilla destination based in Uganda. This incredible destination is the smallest in all the Virunga Conservation Area, covering about 33.7 square kilometers. Mgahinga hosts over 100 mountain gorillas that are scattered across its ecological systems.
In conclusion, the dry season remains the undisputed best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Following, it is always best to book about 3 months before the desired trekking date for a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits are usually very competitive during the dry season, since it’s a peak season and most visitors are coming. Book with Monteero Safaris to purchase your permit on your desired gorilla trekking date. The last-minute gorilla trekking is also possible only by getting in touch with us to find a way for you to enjoy a memorable experience with the mountain gorillas.