Can l see gorillas in Mgahinga during the rainy season?

Yes, there is a 98% probability that you will encounter gorillas when you visit Mgahinga during the rainy season. This is because the Uganda Wildlife Authority puts a lot of effort into planning a gorilla safari via Mgahinga. Can l see gorillas in Mgahinga during the rainy season?

The Nyakagezi gorilla family, the only habituated gorilla family found in Mgahinga, is accessible for trekking throughout the year, especially during the rainy season. Even though seeing gorillas in Mgahinga is a given during the rainy season, there are a few additional factors that may affect your chances of seeing them, including:

Whether or whether you can observe mountain gorillas during the rainy season depends on the availability of a gorilla trekking permit. To secure your place, you must buy your gorilla permits six months before the trek date.

The movement of the gorilla. It can be challenging to find the Nyakagezi gorilla family since they occasionally venture deeper into the jungle in quest of food. Despite their habituated lifestyle, gorillas are wild creatures with unpredictable movements.

Mgahinga’s weather and terrain are challenging, particularly during the rainy season, due to the steep hills, dense foliage, muddy and slippery slopes, and occasionally heavy rains that make trekking challenging.

You must have a lot of patience during the trek, even if it takes longer than you expect. Because you are in a strange place with a variety of wildlife species, including mountain gorillas. Once you have located your designated gorilla, you must remain patient with them at all times.

The Mgahinga gorilla hiking permit

To hike the Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. You must get a gorilla trek permit, which is an official document. The permits, which can be obtained directly from UWA or via a reputable tour operator, are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority on behalf of the visitors. After getting in touch with you, we verified that the permits are available on the dates you have specified. If they are, we will notify you and send you an invoice so you may pay for the gorilla permit.

As soon as the money is received, we buy the permits and send a copy for our records. Since gorilla trekking permits are limited and sell out rapidly. It is preferable to buy them at least three to six months before the expedition date.

The gorilla permit’s price

The Uganda Wildlife Authority set the price for the gorilla permit in Mgahinga. And it is now $800 for foreign non-residents, UGX 300,000 for East African citizens, $500 for African citizens, and $700 for international residents. Even in the wet/low season, there are no reductions available on permits. Which must be paid for in advance as verification that you are taking part in the Mgahinga gorilla trek.

The Mgahinga trekking experience

Due to the park’s proximity to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mgahinga is home to only one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi family. Only the Nyakagezi mountain gorilla family has stayed in Mgahinga to this day. The other mountain gorilla groups used to move between the three nations.

In Mgahinga, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning. Following breakfast, all hikers assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing. During which they are reminded of the guidelines to be followed when trekking gorillas. Following that, you will all meet at the trailhead to begin gorilla trekking. Depending on where the Nyakagezi family is on the day of the walk, the hiking exercise could take anywhere from one to five hours. Following your discovery of the gorilla family, you spend an hour with the Nyakagezi gorilla family before returning to the Ark headquarters to receive your certificate of participation in the exercise.

How secure is Mgahinga gorilla trekking?

Since gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is so safe, all visitors are urged to make reservations for this thrilling adventure. The government now provides trained armed rangers for additional protection, improving security. There are security checks at the park entry. Where anything deemed unlawful is seized, park rangers are also on hand. Mountain gorillas are still wild creatures despite their habituated status. Tourists are also urged to follow all safety precautions when gorilla trekking.

Accessing Mgahinga National Park

By Air

A tour operator can simply organize flights, and for effective preparation, the earlier the better. Domestic flights to Kisoro Airstrip or Kihihi Airstrip, which are nearer Mgahinga, are scheduled from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport. The road to the park and the lodging facility is used for the remainder of the trip. All transportation from the airport to the national park will be arranged by your tour operator.

By road

It takes 8 to 9 hours to travel from Entebbe or Kampala to Mgahinga National Park in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. The majority of visitors choose to drive the shorter 4–5 hour distance from Kigali to Mgahinga. Which is also easily accessible from Kigali via the Kyaninga or Gatuna borders.

Things to bring on a Mgahinga gorilla safari

You will not be able to see the primates without a gorilla permit; thus, it is one of the most crucial items you should carry for a gorilla safari in Mgahinga. Making the correct packing list is crucial. So we’ve compiled a list of items we know you’ll need. garden gloves, warm socks, strong hike boots, sunscreen and sunhat, sweater, insect repellent, adjustable gaiters, camera, binoculars, walking shoes, refillable water bottle, snacks, day backpack, first aid kit, windbreaker, waterproof rain jacket, walking stick and cash for personal purchases and tips among others.

For Mgahinga and other gorilla trekking locations, Abunda Discoveries Uganda offers the most individualized assistance for planning a thrilling and safe gorilla safari. All of our safaris are environmentally friendly, and we provide packages for every kind of traveler. Can l see gorillas in Mgahinga during the rainy season? For additional information about gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, get in touch with us.