Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Starting From Nairobi

Is it possible to gorilla trekking in Uganda starting from Nairobi? YES, Nairobi to Uganda gorilla safaris are popular and done without any difficulty. Uganda is a flexible gorilla safaris destination because, regardless of your location, you can travel and engage in the gorilla trekking adventure. Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Nairobi is 100% possible and Superfine Safaris Limited is at your reliable travel company for a customized and reliable gorilla tour agency.  Our 12 Days Kenya and Uganda safari offers you the best of each country at pocket friendly budget

Crossing from Nairobi to Uganda to track mountain gorillas is possible for all primate enthusiasts. How does it work? Interested trekkers with a desire to see Uganda’s gorillas can take a flight up to Nairobi in Kenya. From Nairobi, it is possible to connect to Entebbe International Airport from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport using the various airlines that serve the Nairobi-Entebbe route.

Once you have crossed Entebbe, you can start your journey to any of the destinations in Uganda to engage in your thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. The available options in Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park include air travel or road transportation.

At the Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield, it is possible to take a flight, and within 1-2 hours, you would have landed at the Kihihi or Kisoro Airfield. Once you have landed at the Kihihi/Kisoro Airfield, expect to be picked up by the driver guide and connect to your respective destinations.

Aero Link Uganda is the domestic airline offering connecting flights to Southwestern Uganda for visitors on a gorilla trekking tour. Early booking for scheduled or chartered flights is essential for anyone interested in exploring mountain gorillas.

Driving to Bwindi/Mgahinga

There is also an option of driving from Entebbe or Kampala up to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A road trip from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi/Entebbe takes about 8-9 hours’ drive. The advantage of road trips to Bwindi or Mgahinga, visitors have multiple points to make a stopover to spice their vacation. Along the Entebbe or Kampala –Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale/Kisoro, you can have a stopover at the Equator crossing or add wildlife tours in Lake Mburo National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you even prefer longer gorilla tours, you can have an addition of Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking or chimpanzee habituation experience.

Visitors with plans to explore Uganda’s gorillas can also cross from Kigali capital to Bwindi or Mgahinga. Setting off from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga involves crossing the Katuna or Chanika border which takes about 4-5 hours’ drive.

Katuna border crossing provides easier connectivity to Kabale to the Ruhija and Buhoma sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Chanika border crossing offers easier connectivity to Kisoro than to Mgahinga National Park or the Southern gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi that is Rushaga and Nkuringo.

What awaits you actual gorilla trekking in Uganda from Nairobi

Gorilla trekking in Uganda mainly involves exploring the already habituated gorilla families in Bwindi and Mgahinga. Over 25 habituated gorilla groups exist in Uganda and are distributed across the five sectors, including Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Ntebeko. They include Bweza gorilla family, Katwe, Mishaya group, Nkuringo, Kutu, Christmas, Bushaho, Kahungye, Bikingi, Rushegura gorilla family, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Bitukura group, Mucunguzi gorilla family, Rwigyi, Busingye, Nyakagezi, and Mukiza gorilla families.

Combine gorilla trekking tours and wildlife safaris in Kenya. Get a chance to visit Kenya’s premier wildlife destinations, including Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, and more. A visit to Kenya’s national parks gets you a chance to witness the Big 5 game and the Great Wildebeest migration.

Gorilla permits

You can only embark on a gorilla trek if you have a valid gorilla permit. The cost of Uganda gorilla permits differs depending on the visitor categories, whereby the foreign non-residents pay USD 800 per person. The foreign residents pay USD 700 and the East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 per visitor. Regardless of the visitor category, the gorilla permits can only be booked by persons above 15 years old. We recommend all our guests secure their gorilla permits in advance before the actual visit to see gorillas in their natural environment.

When is the best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking?

Gorillas in Uganda can be visited at any time of the year. But the dry season often features as the best period of the year to enjoy a gorilla trekking adventure. The different gorilla safari parks in Uganda record the longest dry season from June to September then another phase begins from December to February. These are the perfect months of the year to explore Bwindi or Mgahinga without encountering challenges navigating through the forest while in search of mountain gorillas.

The dry season is characterized by favorable weather conditions, unlike the wet or rainy months of the year. The wet or rainy months also come with their benefits, including discounted offers but the challenge is they receive heavy rains. The wet months of the year to mark on the travel calendar run from March, April, May, and October to November.

What to pack for your unforgettable gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Essentials to have for your gorilla safari include insect repellents, a valid visa, long-sleeved shirts, a valid gorilla permit, a daypack, gardening gloves, a safari hat, a camera free from a flashlight, long trousers, a sweater, a rain jacket, and bottled drinking water.

Where to stay –gorilla safari lodges & camps

Bwindi and Mgahinga feature budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation options. They include Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature, Buhoma Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Heights, Four Gorillas Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge, etc.

Accommodation options around Mgahinga National Park include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Golden Monkey Guesthouse, and Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro.

Conclusively, gorilla trekking in Uganda from Nairobi can conducted safely and at an affordable rate. Begin planning early for your gorilla safari and stand a chance to explore a family of mountain gorillas in the wild.