Short Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda / mini gorilla trekking safaris / short gorilla safaris
Short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are great for travellers who have got little time in the country but still want to go for gorilla trekking, a breath taking, once in a lifetime and a memorable experience.
Gorilla trekking is a very popular safari activity in Uganda and coming face to face with the gentle giant mount gorillas cannot be explained.
At Gorilla Link Tours, we highly experienced and knowledgeable at organizing short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and long ones too.
The shortest of the gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is our 3 days gorilla trekking tour.
Mountain gorillas are endangered and there are less than 1000 mountain gorillas in the whole world, living in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Uganda is home to half of them, which means more habituated mountain gorilla families which can be trekked during the short gorilla trekking safaris.
Gorilla trekking is a very safe activity, and all the treks are guided by armed and non-armed ranger guides
Visitors need gorilla trekking permits which we buy on behalf of our clients when they book their short safaris with us.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit is 600 US dollars for foreign non-residents, 500 USD for foreign residents and 250,000/ for East Africans. The cost of a gorilla habituation permit costs 1500 US dollars only. It is advisable to book gorilla permits at least 6 months in advances because they are highly demanded and restricted. Only 8 people are allowed to trek a gorilla family. Once the gorillas are found during the gorilla trekking experience, you are allowed only one hour with the mountain gorillas.
Each gorilla family is led by a dominant male called a silver back gorilla. As the name suggests, these dominant males have silver hair which grows as the gorilla grows.
Unlike the low land gorillas, mountain gorillas can not live in zoos. They die because they can only survive in their natural environment.
Suggested short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
3 Day Budget Gorilla Tracking Tour
This 3 day budget gorilla tracking tour is one of the best short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. It is a money for value safari perfect for visitors with limited time but want to save money. It starts from Kampala or Entebbe and ends in the same cities.
3 Day fly into Rwanda track Gorillas in Uganda- Mid range
This 3 day fly into Rwanda track gorillas in Uganda itinerary is a mid-range safari starting from Kigali in Rwanda. Rwanda increased the cost of their gorilla trekking permit from 750 US dollars to 1500 US dollars, making gorilla treks in Rwanda expensive. In Uganda, the cost is 600 US dollars thus you will save 900 US dollars on a gorilla permit if you trek gorillas in Uganda. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali, cross the border to Mutanda Lake Resort which will be your gorilla trekking accommodation.
3 Day Fly-in Gorilla Tracking Safari
This 3 day fly-in gorilla trekking safari is an express safari for travellers who are to trek mountain gorillas but do not want to spend many hours on the road. You will save time and get great views from air. Upon arriving at the airstrip with Aerolink Uganda, your driver/guide will be waiting for you to transfer you by road to your lodge
4 Day fly into Rwanda track Gorillas in Uganda
This 4 Day fly into Rwanda track gorillas in Uganda is a money and time saving short gorilla safari. Your guide will pick you up from Kigali airport, transfer you to your hotel and next day you cross to Uganda, the Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable NP and Mgahinga Gorilla National park. It takes about 4 hours from Kigali to Bwindi and Mgahinga, this will save yourself from the long drives of 10 hours from Entebbe.
You will also take advantage of cheaper permit prices in Uganda ($600 instead of 1500 US dollar)
Where to go for short Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, a rain forest which is home to most of the mountain gorillas. There are different gorilla families that are habituated, ready to be visited. The other national park is Mgahinga Gorilla National park which has only one habituated gorilla family. In Mgahinga, one can travellers on short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda can combine a gorilla trek with Golden monkey trekking or habituation.
Means of transport for short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
Road Transport
Our clients can travel to Bwindi Impenetrable forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National park by road transport using our 4 x 4 WD safari vehicles. We use only 4 x 4 WD safari land cruisers and safari vans. These are driven by out professional safe driver/guides.
Air transport
You can also fly to the different airstrips in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park. We partner with Aerolink Uganda who do offer scheduled and charter flights to the parks. This makes it easy for travellers who have little time, want to see mountain gorillas but do not have to hustle with the long road trips to the parks
Age limitations for short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.
Only people who are 15 years and above are allowed to go for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation as per Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations. This is because children who are 15 years and below are considered too young to handle the sight of the giant mountain gorillas, may scream or may not even be physically strong to get to where the mountain gorillas will be.
Lodges used on short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
There are different types of accommodations around and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Luxury, mid-range and budget lodges are all available. It all depends on what the client prefers and we will always advise accordingly. The lodges have great food, amazing views and excellent staff. You will feel at home.
How fit should one be for short gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding and at least one should be moderately fit. Gorilla trekking includes long walks through the thick rain forests. It can take 2-8 hours of trekking before seeing the mountain gorillas depending on where they nested the previous night
But do not worry, for visitors who are not fit and or old, your safari guide will talk to the warden in charge so that they are allocated the nearer gorilla families.
Someone can also be carried by porters to where the gorillas are at an extra cost.
Best time for gorilla trekking and habituation
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation can be down through-out the year. The low season months which are also green months are March-May and November. The high season months which are the dry months are June-October and December to February. Read more about the best time to go gorilla trekking
For more information or inquires about short gorilla trekking safaris and other wildlife safaris, inquire now