Can I trek mountain gorillas in Uganda from Nairobi? Yes, Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi is very possible and it is such an amazing experience you shouldn’t miss out on your safari to Uganda. Popular for its abundant wildlife, Kenya is a famous safari destination but you won’t find mountain gorillas. So we make it possible for you to combine wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve with gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda.
Remarkably, the borders between Uganda and Kenya to and fro can easily be crossed and the road network is well developed. Even if you plan to take a flight, you can fly easily from Nairobi or Masai Mara direct to Entebbe Airport. The 2 countries being East African Community member states, visitors on gorilla safari can obtain a single East African tourist visa/East African Visa at US Dollars 100 and you can cross over and spend about 90 days without incurring additional charges.
Flights from Kenya to Uganda for gorilla trekking.
Connecting from Kenya to Uganda for gorilla trekking is easier than ever before today yet at affordable rates. Flights can be taken from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. From Entebbe Airport, you can as well take a scheduled flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and within 1 or 2 hours, you will be there to kick start your gorilla trekking adventure. From Nairobi, you depart using early morning flight at 6:00am.
The nearby airstrips around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips using Aero link Uganda. Ensure that you arrive at Bwindi or Mgahinga early enough and have adequate rest ready for the next day of gorilla trekking adventure. For early arrivals, you can take part in several other activities Bwindi has to offer including the Batwa experience, guided nature walks and birding.
Driving to Bwindi from Entebbe/Kampala for gorilla trekking.
You can also take a flight from Nairobi to Entebbe Airport then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This means that you will spend about 8 to 9 hours driving but this may differ depending on the route. Amazingly, you have many places to make stopover en-route to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking including the Equator crossing, Queen Elizabeth National Park to sight the tree climbing lions, Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park for chimp trekking among others.
All gorilla trekking safaris are conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda. These support an estimate of 21 habituated gorilla families but only one is allocated to visitors to trek. Bwindi has 20 (these are trekked in Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga; 4 main gorilla trekking regions within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) and 1 survives in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The gorilla families Uganda hosts presently include Habinyanja, Busingye, Bweza, Nkuringo, Oruzongo, Mubare, Rushegura, Kyaguriro, Katwe, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Nshongi, Bitukura, Christmas, Bushaho, Mishaya, Nyakagezi, Kahungye, Bikingi, Kutu.
Uganda gorilla trekking permits; how much do they cost?
Uganda issues out gorilla trekking permits at a fairly good price. The foreign non-residents pay $700, $600 if you are foreign resident and shs. 250000 for East African community citizens. This is cheaper than $1500 for Rwanda gorilla trekking permits.
To avoid disappointments, we advise you to book for your permit in advance at least 2-4 months before the actual date of trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Best time to go Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi.
Gorilla treks in Uganda are offered all year-round in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. But the most ideal time to go Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi is during the dry months of the year; from June to September and December to February. These are the best months with low or no rainfall and the ground remains drier.
It is possible to travel for your Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi even during the rainy months of the year but expect heavy rains with muddy ground, slippery steep slopes. The rainy or wet months include; March, April, May and October, November.
What to carry on Uganda gorilla trekking from Nairobi?
Some of the must-have items to ensure you have a memorable Uganda gorilla trekking safari include a valid gorilla permit, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof daypack, camera with no flashlight, bottled water, sweater, insect repellent, gardening gloves, visa, sunscreen, sun hat.
Where to stay?
The best places to stay in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park range from budget to luxury. In Bwindi, some of the best lodges for stay include Bwindi Forest Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort and Campsite, Gift of Nature, Ichumbi Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
While in Mgahinga, top places for visitor stay include Mount. Gahinga Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla lodge, Mucha Hotel, Mutanda Island Lodge, Lake Mutanda resort and Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro.
