Double gorilla trekking in Bwindi

With over 21 mountain gorilla families, double mountain gorilla trekking is possible in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Double mountain gorilla trekking is when a tourist visits the same or different mountain gorilla families twice. Two mountain gorilla trekking permits used on different dates need to be secured first for one to do double gorilla trekking.

Mountain gorillas are said to be close relatives to human beings with more than 98% human DNA. Tourists from across the globe dream of being around mountain gorillas to see how they behave and how they live in the wild. This has forced them to travel to East Africa and visit different national park where these mountain gorillas do live.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda is the most visited national park because it’s affordable and has more than 21 mountain gorilla families. The mountain gorillas live in the same forest which is separated into four sectors namely Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. 

Double mountain gorilla trekking can be done in any of the four sectors of Bwindi for each sector has more than two mountain gorilla families. Tourists can trek the same mountain gorilla family within one sector or can trek different mountain gorilla families in the same sector or different sectors that are close to each other. 

What does it take to do double gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

Two gorilla trekking permits

To do double gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park tourists need two gorilla trekking permits. These gorilla trekking permits should be on different dates because gorilla trekking is done once in a day. Tourists can buy gorilla trekking permits in the same sector or can buy gorilla trekking permits in different sectors that are close to each other. 

Double gorilla trekking requires two gorilla trekking permits. Each single permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 Rest of Africa, and UGX300,000 citizens of East African member states. The permits are bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and only tour operators are allowed to purchase these permits.

Physical fitness

For tourists to do double gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park they need to be fit enough. Physical fitness is needed when passing through the hard terrain within the jungles while searching for where the mountain gorillas could be. The 2 to 5 hour activity of searching for mountain gorillas needs tourists who have enough energy. It’s advised that tourists who intend to visit Bwindi need to exercise for 2 to 3 months before the activity so that they don’t face challenges in the jungle.

Time

To carry out double mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, tourists must have enough time. Unlike chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorilla trekking is done once a day and that is in the morning. One must have enough time on the safari to allow them to stay within the park for three or four days. One may trek mountain gorillas today and go again tomorrow or the next day. 

Double mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Double gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park happens on different days since the activity is done once a day only in the morning hours. The procedure for mountain gorilla trekking is the same within Bwindi. The days start with a briefing at the sector headquarters where armed ranger guides teach the trekkers the rules and regulations of the activity.

Once briefing is done, the trekkers are paired not exceeding eight people and armed ranger guides lead them to the jungle where they start looking for where the mountain gorillas could be. The search for the mountain gorilla family takes 1 hour to 5 hours depending on the speed of trekkers, the nature of the trekking rails, and the location of the mountain gorilla family.

During the search for the mountain gorilla family, trekkers get an opportunity to see different attractions within the park including wildlife. Once the mountain gorillas are located, trekkers are given one hour to be around the mountain gorillas and this comes with an opportunity of knowing about their habits and watching them carry out their daily activities. 

When to have double gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Tourists can have double gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park at any time of the year however we suggest the dry season. June July, August, September, December, January, and February are the best months to do double gorilla trekking in Bwindi. They have little rainfall and plenty of sunshine which is perfect weather for the activity.

During the driest months, trekkers find the walking trails dry and passable which eases the movement in the jungle, vegetation is short allowing trekkers to have a clear view of the attractions and mountain gorillas. Lastly, the roads leading to the park are in good condition. Tourists who get time in the rainy season can still go for double gorilla trekking for the park is open throughout the year.

Accommodation in Bwindi during a double gorilla trekking safari

Where to stay on a double gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi depends on the sector where tourists are to trek. There are four sectors in the park and each sector has its own accommodation options. Some of the lodges include Bakiga Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Rushaga Havens Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Bweza Lodge, and Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge to mention but a few.