Group Tours from Europe to see Gorillas in Uganda
Group Tours from Europe to see Gorillas in Uganda
Are you a travel agent or local tour operator based in Europe and you are looking online for the best group tours from Europe to Uganda? A Uganda Gorilla safari is one of the best safaris to do in Africa. Are you planning a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe? Are you in one of the 44 countries in Europe, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece or Hungary among others and you are interested in visiting Uganda for a gorilla safari. If so here below are the Safari Vacations and Travel Services guidelines to help you plan a memorable Uganda gorilla safari from Europe.
Things to know before planning group tours from Europe to Uganda
Before booking Uganda small group tours from Europe, you need to get more information, ranging from whether to use a tour operator or not, different Uganda gorilla safari options, the best time to book a Uganda gorilla safari, where to go in Uganda for a gorilla safari and so many other important things as below.
- About gorilla trekking in Uganda
- Where can I go on a gorilla safari in Uganda?
- How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
- How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
- How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
- Is it safe to visit gorillas in Uganda?
- Is it better to see gorillas in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
- When should I book my Uganda gorilla safari from Europe?
- Steps to book a Uganda gorilla safari from Europe
- What are the most popular gorilla safaris in Uganda?
About gorilla trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for habituated mountain gorillas that live together in a given gorilla family group. These gorillas are used to human presence, once you find them you will have an encounter with them. An encounter involves seeing them, taking photographs as well learning about them from your ranger guide. Gorilla trekking allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is done in a group of 8 people trekking one given gorilla family.
Most Popular Gorilla Safaris
3 Day Gorilla Habituation Experience Tour
4 Day Double Gorilla Trekking Tour
5 Days Gorilla and Cultural Tour
5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour
Where can I go on a gorilla safari in Uganda?
In Uganda mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both parks are in the southwestern part of Uganda close to one another. Many people prefer trekking gorillas in Bwindi because of the many mountain gorilla groups available in the park compared to Mgahinga which only has one gorilla family Nyakagez. This thus makes it easier to get a gorilla permit in Bwindi than in Mghainga.
The whole truth is that both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas. Additionally, there is no big difference when it comes to the experience you obtain at the end of your trek. The only difference is that mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are in the Virunga/hills. There is mainly bamboo as the main vegetation. Meanwhile, in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, these mountain gorillas are in a tropical rainforest. There are varieties of trees and plants in Bwindi. The chances of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98%. So, whichever park you visit, you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment.
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi forest is one of the oldest forests in Africa and UNESCO declared it a Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has more than 400 species of plant life, sheltering up to 120 mammals. Among these are the primates including the famous Gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants, and antelopes among others. Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the key highlights of this Park. There are gorilla permits available per day for gorilla trekking. They allow you to see the gorillas for one hour and Four. Uganda Wildlife Authority is in charge of the protection and conservation of gorillas in permits, all tourism activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park is in Kisoro district southwestern Uganda, East Africa. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is among the Virunga volcanic mountain chains of Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. The mountains are famous for Mountain gorilla safaris. The park is Uganda’s smallest national park bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has three volcanoes namely Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhabura. All of them are part of the six Virunga Mountains.
Mgahinga National Park harbors the endangered mountain gorilla and the Golden Monkeys. The park is a tropical rainforest comprising of lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rainforests, and mountain Bamboo. Mgahinga National Park is among the ten National Parks in Uganda. It is the second national park for especially gorilla tourism. This park is such a beauty that you should not miss out while visiting Uganda. It is under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government body in charge of all the conservation areas in Uganda.
How long and tough is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Bwindi Forest National Park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park timings and conditions vary tremendously. The gorillas move continuously through the rainforest depending on the natural conditions at the time of your trek. It is good to prepare and remember the weather can change with very little warning. The terrain is often steep and through areas where there are no marked paths. You hike in hot, high-altitude conditions therefore please prepare thoroughly for this by being as fit as possible.
How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 Per person per trek for Foreign non-residents and $600 Per person for residents. It costs $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). This allows you to spend an hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has more than 22 habituated gorilla family groups with about 22 found in Bwindi. One is in Mgahinga which means 192 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you the option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas. This is through the Gorilla habituation experience which is in the Bwindi forest. A gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person allowing you to spend 4 hours of encounter with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas. The activity is under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. You can get gorilla permits directly by booking them through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Alternatively, you can book through a trusted tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services.
How much do Uganda small group tours from Europe cost?
The Gorilla permit price shares a much higher cost for any gorilla safari in Uganda on top of other services like transport, accommodation, and guiding. A gorilla trekking permit costs USD800 for a foreign nonresident. Meanwhile, a gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for a Foreign nonresident. On top of the gorilla permit, you will also pay for other services for a successful gorilla safari. These include transport, accommodation, and guidance. A 3-day Uganda gorilla safari cost starts from USD1270 per person sharing.
Is it safe to visit gorillas in Uganda?
Is Bwindi Forest National Park safe for Gorilla trekking in Uganda, due to the recent attacks by 4 poachers and the killing of Rafiki the Silverback, head of the Nkuringo group in the southern sector of Bwindi? This scared many planning to visit this park. Many potential travelers who have an interest in gorilla trekking in Bwindi have asked this question. In Uganda, Gorilla trekking is only done in two National Parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National and Mghinga Gorilla National Park. There have been border instabilities between Uganda and Rwanda but this however has not affected travel across the border from one country to another given the fact both national parks are located at the border with Bwindi Forest National Park sharing a border with DR Congo and then Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sharing border with Rwanda.
How safe is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda? Uganda and Rwanda are both very safe for Gorilla trekking because the park managers and government organize the activity well. Furthermore, they manage the activity at Bwindi Forest and Volcanoes National Parks from the start to the end. During gorilla tracking, you will be accompanied by two well-armed park rangers as well as tourism police. These therefore protect you all through your trek against strangers as well as wild animals in the forests.
When is best to book a Uganda small group tour from Europe?
Gorilla safari in Uganda is best done from June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda. That period has mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Additionally, during this time the vegetation is not young and it is easy to view the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May, and November which is normally a wet season, vegetation grows high. This thus makes the sightings unclear. However, during this time, the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food. Gorilla safari in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have a 99% chance of seeing the mountain gorillas.
Steps to book Uganda small group tours from Europe
Steps to book a Ugandan gorilla safari from Europe are quite easy. You will secure your permit in advance to confirm that you booked for a Ugandan gorilla safari. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed, we will then need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits.
When we confirm that you have paid, and we have received the money in our account, we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately. Then, we’ll send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal. This will thus confirm you are booked for the Uganda gorilla safari. It is advised to book your Uganda gorilla safari in advance at least 2-3 months before your visit. This is because permits sell out very quickly on a first-come first-serve basis.
Where to stay during Uganda small group tours from Europe
You can do gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest National Park, in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija. You can also do it in the southern part of Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga Havens Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, or Lake Mutanda Resort. All these lodges are close to the starting point of Gorilla Habituation.
In the northern part, in the Buhoma sector, you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Ride 4 a Woman among others. Meanwhile, in Ruhija, you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park lodges include Gahinga Lodge, Lake Chahafi Resort, and Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
How to Access Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
By Road
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is in southwestern Uganda. You can acces It through the main highway road from Entebbe/Kampala via Mbarara. You pass through Kabale and then proceed to either the northern or southern part of Bwindi. The part you go to depends on which side you have booked for your gorilla trek. For the northern side, you will turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro highway. You will see a signpost of Uganda Wildlife Authority and follow this road to either the Ruhija or Buhoma sector. The southern sectors Nkuringo and Rushaga are accessed by branching off at Muko town located along the Kabale-Kisoro highway.
By Air
There are scheduled flights available at Entebbe International Airport operated by Aero Link Uganda and Kajjansi Airfield operated by Air Uganda which fly to both Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips which are close to Bwindi Forest National Park. From here you will access the park for gorilla trekking which takes approximately 1-2 hours drive.
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
By Road
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is close to Kisoro town. You can access Bwindi through the main high-way road from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately an 8-9 hours drive. You will pass through Kabale town and proceed to Kisoro town. Then, from Kisoro town you will drive toward your lodge which is close to the park overnight. Alternatively, you can also access the park from Kigali, Rwanda which is approximately 4-5 hours drive.
By Air
You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero Link and Fly Uganda. You will plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the booked Lodge for you to stay.
Why book Uganda small group tours from Europe with Safari Vacations and Travel Services
Safari Vacations and Travel Services will help you book your Uganda gorilla safari from Europe. Contact us here and we advise you on the booking process. We also have different Uganda gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, and mid-range to luxury options. We can book those packages including the gorilla permits. Feel free to check out our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be sure of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We devoted ourselves to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda with us.
