It’s never too late to arrange an African gorilla trekking trip. This is so that you may get guidance from the professionals on how to accomplish it. One of the safari’s highlights, gorilla trekking is exclusive to the African continent. The last three mountain gorilla nations are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The only decision you have to make is when to travel to Uganda given the nature of the relationship between humans and apes. Uganda is a country in East Africa. Its neighbors include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Republic of South Sudan.
How soon should one book for a Gorilla safari?
It is recommended that you reserve a gorilla permit at least 3 months in advance to ensure that you have the ideal sector, lodging, and dates. In case you take a decision late, worry not because we can still arrange a trekking experience be it in a space of 72 hours. Everything related to the reservation is handled once you make the correct choice. Since the best-located lodges are usually booked up, last-minute hiking in Uganda can occasionally get more expensive. Don’t worry your goal of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat will come true as soon as the permits are reserved.
Cost of last-minute gorilla trekking in Uganda
A gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African residents, inclusive of Ugandans. The trip cost will be affected depending on the safari duration, choice of accommodation, transport, and more.
Destinations for Last Minute Gorilla trekking destinations
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Despite being one of Uganda’s smallest national parks, it has everything that people want. Every mountain gorilla species has a home here, where they have developed a visitation pattern. There is only one gorilla family and roughly eight gorilla permits are available per day. The park is situated in the southwestern region of the nation in the Kisoro district. Established in 1991, the land spans for over 33.7 square kilometers and features three extinct volcanoes. The park gates are open from 0700 hours to 1900 hours.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The oldest and first gorilla trekking spot in Uganda the Pearl of Africa, is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Every day, roughly 168 gorilla permits are made available to trekkers. Using a licensed local tour operator, you can buy the gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The four sectors of the park Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma, are the locations for the trekking session.
Bwindi can be accessed by both road and air transport. By air, a chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airfield Kisoro takes about 2 hours and then connects to the park on a 30-drive.
Traveling by road is quite tiresome since it takes about 8-9 hours however, gives incredible views of different landscapes upcountry. Road transport also presents a chance to interact with the locals while on the road stopovers.
Cost of last-minute gorilla trekking
Best time for last-minute gorilla trekking and lodging options
You can make last-minute reservations for gorilla trekking at any time of year. Don’t set boundaries for yourself because it can occur Monday through Sunday, on any day of the week between December and November. All you have to do is open up for them in one of the two parks where permits are available. It’s critical to heed the weather alert since it may have an impact on your entire hiking trip. Based on historical trends, December to March and June to September have very little or no rain, which makes them ideal for gorilla trekking.
To ensure that you don’t miss the pre-trekking briefing at 7 am, your lodging should be closest to the park headquarters for visiting the gorillas. Campsites, cottages, and hotels in the vicinity of the places range in price from budget to luxury options.
Packing List
If you are going to meet the gorillas at the last minute, pack light items. These can include a trekking permit, long stockings to protect your legs, a hut, long sleeves, waterproof hiking boots, hand gloves, bug repellent, warm clothes, and more. You can buy the majority of the things in Uganda.
In conclusion, don’t let the fear of being late deter you from having a gorilla trekking experience. You may visit the mountain gorillas even with a hectic schedule and dedication. Plan your journey with us to realize your goal.