Which is the Busiest Times for Gorilla Trekking?

Which is the busiest time for gorilla trekking? One of the frequently asked questions when it comes to gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is “when is the best time to go gorilla trekking?” “which are the busiest months of the year to for gorilla tracking?”

In all the 3 top notch gorilla trekking safari destinations, gorilla trekking is an all-year-round adventure. But, most important to bear in mind is that planning for a successful gorilla safari requires that you take into consideration the 2 seasons which are experienced every year. That is the dry season- short and long dry season; wet or rainy season also comes in 2 phases.

The dry season

The dry/peak/high season is, without doubt, the best and busiest time of the year to visit Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo for gorilla trekking. There are 2 valuable drier seasons experienced each year- the short dry spell from December, January & February; the long dry or peak season from June, July, August to September.

Visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo during the peak or high or dry season for gorilla trekking has its own advantages. The peak season is usually a period when there is low or no rainfall experienced in most of the gorilla trekking destinations. The ground is kept relatively drier and making the entire adventure more enjoyable than during the wet season when heavy rains are recorded.

The disadvantage with the dry season or peak season include high accommodation rates, scarcity of gorilla permits. In Uganda, the top and only tourist sites to consider visiting to trek mountain gorillas include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

These 2 iconic Uganda safari parks are all geographically found in the South-west. They inhabit the 21 habituated gorilla families that make Uganda a premier gorilla trekking destination and they translate into 168 gorilla permits.

Each of Uganda’s permits for gorilla trekking cost USD700 per person when you are a foreign non-resident, USD600 for foreign residents then shs. 250000 for East Africa citizens.

Booking Uganda gorilla permit has been made easier with most preferred option being dealing with a reliable tour operator such as Maranatha Tours and Travel or the other via reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Ensure that your gorilla permit is secured early and preferably, 2-6 months’ prior actual date of visiting Uganda to trek gorillas.

The wet or rainy/low season

The low or rainy season is when there is low turn up of tourists across the 3 mountain gorilla destinations in Africa- Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. There are 2 phases of off or rainy or wet season- the short rainy season experienced from October to November & the longest period from March, April, May.

Visiting Uganda, Congo and Rwanda during off-season means higher chances of finding gorilla permits, enjoying discount offers from lodges or hotel facilities, trekking gorillas with no worries of crowds. However, the disadvantage about it is that heavy rains are often experienced during the off- season/months.

What should you carry for Rwanda, Uganda & Congo gorilla trekking?

If you plan to visit Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda for gorilla trekking, some of the essentials not to miss in your packing list include waterproof walking or hiking boots with good grip, daypack- waterproof, good camera for clear pictures;

Insect repellents, rain jacket or poncho, long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt, socks, snacks, first aid or medical kit, toiletries, walking stick (get yours at the park offices), bottled water, sunglasses, sweater and others.

Where to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda & Congo?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Congo is done within the Virunga Volcanoes. In Congo, you have 2 notch spots to see gorillas- eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park.

Over 12 habituated gorilla families exist in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park translating into 96 gorilla permits. Each of the Rwanda gorilla permits is issued out at USD1500 per person- obtainable via Maranatha Tours & Travel reservation team or via Rwanda Development Board- RDB.

In the D.R. Congo, a visit to Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega National Parks requires valid gorilla permits. Each of Congo’s gorilla permits for gorilla trekking in either park cost USD450 per person.