Affordable gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi from Mbarara

Are you looking for affordable gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi from Mbarara? Yes it is very possible and, in this article, we are going to show you different ways of booking a safari to Bwindi and also other related information? Mbarara is located in the southwestern part of Uganda some kms away from Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

A gorilla safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park from Mbarara gives a tourist to see mountain gorillas that can only be found in this park and Mgahinga also located in that side. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most done activity in this park and the trekking is done among the 19 fully habituated families that do live in the different sectors of the park – Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija.

The other unique activity done in Bwindi is mountain gorilla habituation and this is done in only 2 semi habituated families of Bikingi and Bushaho in Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Any of these activities requires a gorilla permit and this document is issued out by the Uganda wildlife authority. Tourists from Mbarara can get to Bwindi in a few hours by using chattered flights from Nyakisharara airstrip to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips near the park. The road transport also takes a few hours using Mbarara – Kabale or Kisoro Road.

Booking affordable gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi from Mbarara

There are 2 ways of booking a gorilla safari in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park from Mbarara. The first one is by doing it yourself and this starts with contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority to check for the availability of the permits on the day you want to travel. Once the permits are available you can book the permits by sending Uganda Wildlife Authority money and after that, you can go further to look for those offering car hire services and also book the accommodation of your budget in the sector you want to trek or habituate.

The second option is by using a local tour operator. Africa adventure vacations limited organizes safaris to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for tourists no matter the location. If you are in Mbarara and would want to trek mountain gorillas, a tour consultant at Africa Adventure Vacations will ask you for the travel dates and use them to check for availability of the permits in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Once the permits are available for the days provided, we shall send you our payment details and once we have received the money, we shall go further and book the permits for you. After booking the permits, we shall book the accommodation facilities basing on your budget and for the case of transport we have got different safari vehicles at our company.

Gorilla activities in Bwindi from Mbarara

People from Mbarara can trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in any of the 4 trekking sectors. On the day of gorilla trekking, the trekkers are expected to be at the briefing points early in the morning where they will meet the rangers to be taught about the dos and don’ts of the gorilla trekking or habituation activity. After the briefing, the trekkers are grouped not exceeding 8 if it’s for the case of gorilla trekking and 4 for gorilla habituation (only done in Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors).

After the grouping, the ranger guides lead different groups into the jungle to search for the assigned mountain gorilla family. During the search, the trekkers in get an opportunity of meeting different park primates, mammals like the buffaloes, duikers, giant forest hogs, elephants, birds, and different plants. After several hours of searching when the trekkers meet the mountain gorillas, they are given 1 hour to be around the fully habituated mountain gorilla families and 4 hours to be around semi habituated gorilla families.

During these hours the trekkers can learn about the habits of the mountain gorillas, watch them do daily activities, and take photos. Trekkers on a habituation safari are allowed to make the mountain gorillas get used to human presence. If you want to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park from Mbarara, you are advised to book your permit in advance of 3-4 months before the actual day in order to avoid inconveniences.

Cost of gorilla permits for affordable gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi from Mbarara

The gorilla permit remains the same no matter your location in the world. Tourists in Rwanda who would want to trek or habituate mountain gorillas still pay the same price. The gorilla trekking permit goes for $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and shs250,000 residents of East Africa. Those in Mbarara will still buy the gorilla habituation permits for Bwindi impenetrable forest national park at a fee of $1500 foreign non-residents, $1000 foreign residents, and shs750,000.

These gorilla permits are bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority and the trekking ones allow the tourists to be around mountain gorillas for 1 hour while those for habituation allow the trekkers to around mountain gorillas for 4 hours. The gorilla permits come with a fully paid park entrance, guide fee, and community development fee.

What is the best time to book affordable gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi from Mbarara

Tourists from Mbarara can visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for gorilla activities at any time of the year but some months are better than others. The drier months are better than the rainy months  and these occur from June to September and December to February. During the dry months, there is little or no rainfall, the vegetation in Bwindi is thin giving unclear views of the park animals, the trekking trails are dry and the roads leading to the park are passable.

Accommodation on a gorilla safari in Bwindi from Mbarara

Bwindi has got 4 different trekking sectors and each of these sectors has its own accommodation facilities where travelers can stay. The accommodation facilities in the different sectors of the park are budget, mid-range and others are luxury.

Accommodation in Rushaga sector – Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla havens lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Four Gorilla Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Accommodation in Ruhija sector – Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija campsite, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Cuckooland Tented Camp, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gift of nature lodge, Agadi Eco Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern among others.

Accommodation in Nkuringo – Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Back Packer’s Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Crested Crane Bwindi Lodge, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge among others.

Accommodation in Buhoma sector – Buhoma Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Trekkers Tavern, Engagi lodge, Jungle View Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Conservation Camp, Gorilla resort, Jungle View Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, and Buhoma Community Rest Camp among others.

What to do with Africa Adventure Vacations?

Africa adventure vacations is a tour company based in Uganda licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Booking with Africa adventure vacations provides you safety and confidence during your safari courtesy of well-trained safari driver guides who are well conversant with all routes and tourism destinations in Africa. You can book with us any of the activities you want to do in Africa such as mountain gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla habituation, Chimpanzee trekking and habituation, birding, golden monkey trekking, game drives, hiking, nature walks, and community tours among others. Booking can be done at any time of the year.