Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park found in south western Uganda has half of the world’s population of gorillas.

Mgahinga National Park shares her gorillas with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in democratic Republic of Congo. One must not miss tracking gorillas on Uganda safaris

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of 327km² and a home to diverse rain forest species which are homes to the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi national Park is the only National park where Chimpanzees and gorillas co-exist.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA HABITATS

Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The gorillas habituated the rain forest of east and central Africa.

BEST TIME TO TRACK GORILLAS

Gorilla tracking starts at 8:30am with a briefing at the park headquarters and at 9 is when the real exercise begins.

Tracking in Uganda is best between June to August and December to February. This is the period when the trails are relatively dry and thus makes tracking gorillas easy.

You can also track gorillas from June to September. This season is the peak season for tracking gorillas.

HOW GORILLA PERMITS ARE ALLOCATED

You need to have a valid permit to be in position to track gorillas. Gorilla permits initially was allocated on first come first serve but now, gorilla permits are allocated base on the regions where gorilla families are found. Bwindi has 4 regions for tracking gorillas. It is very important to buy gorilla permits in advance in order to be sure of tracking gorillas. Uganda wildlife authority sells 80 gorilla permits every day for US $50 dollar per person.

DRIVE TIME TO BWINDI NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi can be access by road from various directions.

Form Kampala to Buhoma is the fastest and direct route to Bwindi National Park. This route passes through Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma and takes 472km.

Other route from Kampala can be through Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma and takes about 11 hours dive and a distance of 535km.

From Queen Elizabeth National park you can use Kihihi-buhoma route which will take 224km

PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO BWINDI NATIONAL PARK

Taking a public transport needs when you know which section of Bwindi are you going to. Bwindi National Park has two sections (northern section and southern section)

From the southern section, you will take a bus that will pass via Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro town.

From the North, you will take a bus that will pass through Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kihihi and the Border town of Butogota. The bus leaves form Kampala at around 6:00am and arrives at 6:00pm and From Buhoma at 5:00am to Kampala

Remember that these transport means will not take you direct to the Park. So you should Budget for a Motor cyclist Boda that will take you to the Park head quarter. You should also check with your lodge if they can provide you with transport.