Yes, Uganda Gorilla trekking from Arusha is now possible at a pocket-friendly rate. Arusha which is found in Tanzania one of the best East Africa’s tourism cities. Besides the exciting game viewing experience in Tanzania, you can as well combine your wildlife tours in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Selous national Reserve with mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Getting to Uganda for gorilla trekking from Arusha by air.
The quickest way to travel to Uganda from Arusha Tanzania is by air. Flight services are available from Kilimanjaro Airport to Entebbe International Airport. From Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield it is possible to fly to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip where you can easily spend few hours to connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Once you land at Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips, you can be transferred to the park to start your trek to see mountain gorillas or any overnight stay at a lodge.
Getting to Uganda for gorilla trekking from Arusha by road.
If you can’t afford flight services, there is an option of road transportation. It is possible to connect to Kampala from Arusha via Nairobi using bus. There are many bus companies operating each day on routes from Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya and then connect to Kampala, Uganda.
This means you should plan for more days and most significantly, you can book our best 3 days gorilla trek safari or 5 days gorilla and wildlife safari. This will cover for day you will spend traveling and the next day you go trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
From Kampala or Entebbe, it takes you long hours to drive up-to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a home to 459 mountain gorillas. This will be a journey of about 8-9 hours in 4WD and you will be with an experienced guide. Alternatively, you can fly to Kigali airport and transfer to Uganda’s Bwindi or Mgahinga about 4 hours’ drive via Katuna or Chanika border crossing.
Gorilla permits for Uganda gorilla trekking from Arusha.
The cost of the gorilla permits for Uganda gorilla trekking from Arusha is the same with foreign non-residents obtaining a permit at US Dollars 700. The foreign residents pay $600 and shs. 250,000 is for those within the East African Community. We help our clients book for gorilla permits plus also arrange for a gorilla safari at an affordable rate.
Most importantly, make sure you have booked for your permit early about 2 to 4 months prior traveling to trek gorillas. The demand for gorilla permits is high and some visitors even book a year before they travel to track gorillas. Therefore, try to avoid the stress that comes because of last-minute gorilla trekking permit reservations.
When to travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking from Arusha?
The best time to travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking from Arusha is during the dry season. You can consider traveling during the long dry season; from June to September or short dry season that is from December to February. Some people even prefer trekking gorillas during the wet or rainy or low season that from March to May or October to November.
The challenge with wet or rainy months is that plenty of rain is received in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and this makes it visitor search for mountain gorillas a little challenging due to slippery steep slopes and muddy ground. When planning Uganda gorilla trekking tour from Arusha make sure you have packed appropriately starting with waterproof hiking boots, non-flashlight camera, long-sleeved shirt, trousers, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, first aid kit.
Places to stay while on Uganda gorilla trekking from Arusha.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: The lodges you should consider for overnight stay include Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Lake Kitandara Camp, Gorilla Friends Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Resort, Gift of Nature Lodge and so many more.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: The lodges to stay in include Mount. Gahinga Lodge, Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Lake Chahafi Resort and so many others.
