December 07, 2021 | Bujo Safaris
Is there a chance to book last minute gorilla trekking tour? Yes! There is a chance to book a last-minute gorilla trekking tour. This is a question that many travelers ask before finally living their dream of meeting incredible mountain gorillas in the wild. Most travelers planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda would wish to book their gorilla trekking safaris in advance but because of inevitable reasons, they resort to last-minute gorilla trekking. However, last-minute gorilla trekking, which seems an impossibility is very real, and very many people have got a chance to encounter these gorillas in the various parks where they take refuge.
Last Minute Gorilla trekking is mostly done in Uganda’s Mt Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is because of the presence of availability of gorilla trekking permits in the region compared to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Mt. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and acts as an international border between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The park is also a renowned gorilla trekking destination with a large gorilla group as well as other wildlife species such as Golden monkeys, Blue Monkeys, vervet Monkeys, and baboons including different species of birds such as Chubb’s Cisticola, Banded Prinia, and Doherty’s Bush-Shrike are vocal yet inconspicuous inhabitants of tangles at the forest edge whilst Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher and MacKinnon’s Fiscal favor more exposed perches. The trail emerges onto open moorland reminiscent of parts of Northern Europe. Common Stonechat is abundant but here shares the habitat with many of the typical African open-country species: including Wing Snapping Cisticola, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Grassland Pipit, and Yellow Crowned Canary.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park consists of only one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi which is a large group of gorilla individuals dominated by Nyakagezi silverback. However, last-minute gorilla trekking can be done in other regions of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. These parks are distributed in a stretch of mountain ranges known as the Virunga ranges that possess the only conditions for the survival of endangered mountain gorillas.
Visitors get to embark on an adventure of tracking one of the few habituated gorilla families in a national park of their choice. Arrive at the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. The briefing requires you to have the gorilla trekking permit and other gorilla trekking requirements such as sunglasses, long-sleeved pants, a light jacket, sturdy hiking boots, phones, and cameras. Later, embark on a guided trek led by Uganda Wildlife Park Rangers. Though trekking is not as easy as it looks, travelers have to navigate thick undergrowth and maneuver through the slippery and steep trails, and the heat or rain depending on the day. However, all the efforts put in are forgotten as you are rewarded when you finally meet these amazing creatures. You get one full hour to enjoy them as they eat, copulate, play, and bond. After this, you retreat to your lodge and relish the magical moment you had.
Trekkers can also book for a gorilla habituation experience if they are interested in spending more time with the gorillas. Gorilla Habituation involves joining experienced researchers on duty in the forest to help orient wild gorillas into being familiar with people. This takes more than half the day though it comes with an extra cost than the normal trekking tour. You experience as well as create a bond with them and reduce their shyness when they see humans. The habituation experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, gorilla habituation is a bit higher compared to the normal gorilla trekking. A gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 (Foreign Non-Residents), USD 1000 (Foreign Residents), and UGX 300, 000 for East African Citizens whereas a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 (Foreign Non-Residents), USD 700 (Foreign Residents), and UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens.
Last-minute gorilla trekking also offers guests a chance to interact with the gorillas, it provides an amazing opportunity for birders to encounter numerous bird species that inhabit these parks where gorillas reside. Most national parks host some Albertine rift endemics which create a magical moment when encountered. Bird species that can be encountered include Rwenzori turacos, African green broadbill, African black ducks, black-billed turacos, Cassin’s grey flycatchers and handsome francolins broadbill, blue-headed sunbird, Graders broadbill, black-faced rufous warbler, handsome francolin, purple breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Apalis, yellow streaked greenbul, Shelley's Crimsoning, regal sunbird, olive breasted greenbul, mountain masked Apalis, Neumann's warbler, mammal species such as Elephants, giant forest hogs, potto, weyns’ duiker among others.
After a long day of gorilla trekking, travelers embark on evening cultural experiences among the local community. Participate in the traditional cultural dances, weaving baskets, and preparation of local food as well as learn about their lifestyle. Visit their craft shops for crafts such as Bungles, T-shirts, pieces of crafted mountain gorillas, Masks drums among others.
Gorilla trekking is a treasure that can be relished all year round. However, these parks normally experience two seasons in the year which has a slight impact on the gorilla trekking experience. The dry season is the best period to visit mountain gorilla families; running from December to February and June to October. This is known as peak season and many guests plan their trips in these months. It's attributed to easier trekking when trails are less slippery, fewer insects, and low / no chances of rain while trekking.
The rainy season on the other hand experiences low numbers of guests hence being the low season. This is because of heavy rains usually experienced in these months making trails muddy and hard to navigate plus an increase in insects like mosquitoes that discourage most visitors. However, this season comes with the advantage of fewer crowds and reduced rates for tour packages and lodges in the park. It's also more favorable for last-minute gorilla tours since fewer permits are demanded and faster arrangements can be achieved.
Many travelers comprehend what they have to do to experience such last-minute gorilla actions. They shouldn't worry because you get to experience everything a guest who booked earlier experiences too. Last-minute gorilla trekking is mostly advised for individuals or small groups of 2 to 3 members as it's easier to secure last-minute gorilla permits for such than bigger groups. However, guests are strongly advised to plan earlier instead to avoid the stress and pressure of the fear of missing out on this great opportunity.
No matter how time-limited you are, whether on a business mission, visiting friends or family, or even having gorilla trekking as a second option after a wildlife safari, be rest assured that you can live your wildest dreams of meeting up with gorillas because last minute gorilla booking can be available in most of the Gorilla National Parks.
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