Gorilla trekking is the highlight safari activity in Uganda and it is done in 2 sections (Uganda gorilla destinations) that are Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park, Uganda is a hosts the highest population of the endangered mountain gorillas in the world recorded to be over 800 individuals. In total, Uganda hosts 21 habituated gorilla families which are available for gorilla trekking with 20 gorilla families found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and 1 gorilla group in Mgahinga Forest national park.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi impenetrable national park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world loved by travelers for hosting the largest population of mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is considered to be the most visited Uganda safari destination located in the extreme Southwestern Uganda, on the rim of the Rift Valley and stretching in the districts of Kabale, Kanungu and Kisoro.

The park comprises of mist-covered hillsides sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied rainforest in Uganda that dates back to more than 25,000 years and comprises of about 400 varied plant species.Bwindi impenetrable national park hosts half of the population of gorillas in the world recorded to be over 300 mountain gorillas with 20 habituated gorilla families, Bwindi gorilla families are found in 4 sectors (tracking regions) that are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park offers visitors an encounter with one of the habituated gorilla family in one Bwindi gorilla trekking sectors. Below are the list of mountain gorillas to encounter in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Buhoma sector

Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja Gorilla Family, Rushegura Gorilla Family, Katwe Gorilla Family , Muyambi Gorilla Family

Ruhija Sector

Bitukura Gorilla Family, Oruzongo Gorilla Family, Kyaguliro Gorilla Family, Mukiza Gorilla Family, Mukiza Gorilla Family

Nkuringo Sector

Nkuringo Gorilla Family, Bushaho Gorilla Family

Rushaga Sector

Nshongo Gorilla Family, Bikingi Gorilla Family, Mishaya Gorilla Family, Kahungye Gorilla Family , Bweza Gorilla Family , Busingye Gorilla Family , Kutu Gorilla Family, Mucunguzi Gorilla Family , Rwingi Gorilla Family

MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Mgahinga Gorilla national park also known as Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National park is another gorilla destination in Uganda, the park is also located in the South Western part of Uganda in Kisoro district. Mgahinga Gorilla national park lies in the Virunga Conservation Area comprising of Virunga national park in DRC and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. These parks form 434 square kilometers and Mgahinga Gorilla national park is the smallest of the 3 national parks. Mgahinga Gorilla national park stretches around 3 of the Virunga volcanoes that are Mt. Muhavura (4,127 meters), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 meters) and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 meters). Mgahinga Gorilla national park hosts one habituated gorilla family available for Uganda gorilla trekking safari, Nyakagezi gorilla family consists of 9 family members that are 4 silverbacks, 2 infants, 2 adult females, and 1 juveniles and is under the leadership of a dominant silverback called Mark.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National des Volcans and is the most visited safari destination in Rwanda, the park is located in the far northwest of Rwanda protecting the steep slopes of a magnificent mountain range. Volcanoes national park is named after the chain of dominant volcanoes making the Virunga Massif, there 5 volcanoes in the park including Mt.Karisimbi – the higest a 4,507 meters, Mt. Bisoke, Mt. Sabinyo, Mt. Gahinga and Muhabura. Rwanda hosts a good population of mountain gorillas which are divided into 2 that is those for study or research purposes and they are strictly accessed by scientists and researchers only. Among these are Beetsme and Pablo’s Shida which have the highest number of gorillas. The others are habituated gorillas open for tourism purposes, there are 10 habituated gorilla families. Habituated gorilla families in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park include Ugenda , Umubano , Susa group, Karisimbi , Sabinyo, Hirwa , Amahoro , Bwenge, Group 13 (the Agasha group) , Kwitonda

Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo are done in Virunga national park which is also part of the Virunga Conservation Area, the park is Africa’s most biodiverse protected area and a one of 4 mountain gorilla safari destinations in the world. Virunga national park is located in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo with Goma as the nearest city, the covers an area of 7,768 square kilometers. Virunga national park is a great habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorillas hosting around a third of gorilla population in the world residing in the forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. Virunga national park’s southern sector around Bukima, currently inhabits 8 habituated mountain gorilla families/groups which are open for gorilla trekking.

Habituated Mountain gorilla families in Virunga national park include Kabirizi family , Bageni Family , Mapuwa Family,  Rugendo Family,  Lulengo Family, Munyaga Family, Humba Family, Nyakamwe Family.

Gorilla trekking safari experience is governed by a set of rules and regulations drafted for the protection of the gorillas and the visitors as well. Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are passed on to the trekkers during the briefing session before trekking into the forests to meet the gorillas and these include

• Trekkers must be 15 years or more
• A group of 8 people are allowed to visit one gorilla group per trek
• Visitors with any sort of illness will not be allowed to participate in trekking
• One gorilla family can be visited every day
• Always stay 10 meters away from the gorillas
• Do not feed the gorillas
• Do not make unnecessarily noise and movements while in the jungle
• Follow the instructions of the rangers
• Do not mimic the actions of the gorillas
• When taking pictures make sure your flashlight is off.

Since the four gorilla destinations are found in densely forested areas, it can be done all year round as the weather conditions are almost similar throughout the year. However the best time for gorilla trekking is in the months of June, July, August and September. These periods are relatively dry, kind in mind that it can rain any time in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga Gorilla national park, Virunga national park and Volcanoes national park.