Can I Trek Uganda Gorillas Starting From Entebbe?
Entebbe is Uganda’s main entry point and home to the country’s international airport. Gorilla trekking from Entebbe is a perfect option for visitors who plan to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. From Entebbe, tourists on Uganda gorilla tours can connect to either Bwindi or Mgahinga by road or air or decide to add other destinations like Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest or Queen Elizabeth National Park before or after trekking with the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking from Entebbe by road;
By road, you can drive up to Bwindi/Mgahinga in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver guide from Engabi Tours & Travel. The road trip from Entebbe includes driving via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route. It is an 8 to 9-hour drive journey from Entebbe city to Mgahinga/Bwindi.
Multiple benefits come when you embark on gorilla trekking from Entebbe to Bwindi or Mgahinga. En route, the expected sites to make a stop visit include the Equator crossing and Mpambire Drum Makers in Mpigi. In case you are on a long gorilla tour, then there is the possibility to incorporate wildlife safaris from Lake Mburo National Park –home to abundant antelope families and zebras.
Gorilla trekking from Entebbe by air/flight
By air, fly-in gorilla tours are also available and make it possible to begin your gorilla trekking from Entebbe to any of the two gorilla safari destinations. Flights to Bwindi/Mgahinga begin from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip.
Unlike road trips, flights take the shortest time for visitors to connect up to Bwindi and Mgahinga. By estimate, about 2 hours can be spent on a flight and you can be in Southwestern Uganda then from the airstrips, you can be picked up and dropped off at your respective gorilla trekking destinations.
Kihihi Airstrip is ideal for gorilla trekkers with plans to explore the sectors in Bwindi, especially Buhoma and Ruhija. Kisoro Airstrip is best for visitors who desire to visit the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors in Southwestern Uganda or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Accommodation in Entebbe
There are multiple accommodation options to book by travelers with plans to start their gorilla trekking tour from Entebbe. They include budget, midrange, and luxury hotels/lodges. The different hotels in Entebbe City include K Hotels Entebbe, Protea Hotel Entebbe, The Boma Hotel Entebbe, Hotel No.5 Entebbe, Imperial Heights Hotel, Airport Hotel Entebbe, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, 2 Friends Beach Hotel, and more.
Planning your gorilla trekking from Entebbe Uganda
Contact Engabi Tours and Travel to plan and book your gorilla safari in Uganda. We are a reliable tour company based in Uganda with vast experience in organizing unforgettable gorilla tours in East Africa. Talk to our reservation via info@gorillasafridiscovery.com or call +256-757-341-593.
Where to go for gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking from Entebbe is best done starting from any of the two destinations in Uganda. These include Bwindi National Park –which is comprised of 4 main sectors; Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sectors.
Bwindi gorilla safaris involve exploring the various gorilla groups that are distributed across the park’s 4 major sectors. Top gorilla groups to explore in Bwindi include Katwe, Mukiza, Bushaho, Oruzogo, Habinyanja, Kyaguriro, Bitukura gorilla family, Nkuringo gorilla group, Bweza, Mishaya, Busingye, Kutu, Rushegura, and Mubare.
If you have plans to visit Mgahinga, then expect to explore the Nyakagezi gorilla family. The Nyakagezi group is the only habituated gorilla group to be visited in this magical primate safari park.
Travel during the peak season
The peak dry season is, without doubt, the most preferred season for you to enjoy less disrupted gorilla treks. There are two peak dry seasons to consider when planning your gorilla trek to Bwindi or Mgahinga starting from Entebbe City. This can be from June to September or December to February. A road trip during these months is also smooth and even during the trek to search for gorillas, the forest floor and steep slopes can be relatively drier than the wet or rainy months.
Suggested gorilla trekking safari packages to choose
There are multiple exciting gorilla safari packages worth booking in Uganda with Engabi Tours & Travel. They include 3 Days Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi, 3 Days Luxury Gorilla Trekking Uganda, 4 Days Luxury Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari, 5 Days of Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife tour, 7 Days of Uganda safari, and many others. Talk to our experts to book your favorite gorilla safari package and be rest assured of captivating encounters with the rare mountain gorillas.
Where to stay in Bwindi/Mgahinga
Available gorilla safari lodges in and around Bwindi National Park include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Forest Bwindi, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Bwindi Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, and Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Some of the places to stay after or before trekking Mgahinga gorillas include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, and others.
Gorilla trekking permits
Regardless of where you plan to begin your gorilla tour, a valid gorilla permit is essential for all gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda. A single Uganda gorilla permit can be reserved at USD 800 per visitor for all foreign nonresidents, and USD 700 if you are foreign residents and shs. 300,000 for all citizens within the East African Community.
What to pack for your gorilla safari (Bwindi & Mgahinga)
The essential items to expect to bring for your gorilla trekking tour include a good camera which should be free from any flashlight, a pair of binoculars, adequate bottled drinking water, a packed lunch, a safari hat, insect repellents, first aid kit, a daypack, snacks, and waterproof hiking boots.
Other items to consider on your packing list include a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a pair of socks, gaiters sunscreen, etc. Essential travel documents to have include visas, passports, and travel Insurance.
Conclusively, Gorilla trekking in Uganda is never restrictive. Even from Entebbe, it is possible to reach Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to explore mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Contact Engabi Tours & Travel, your expert when it comes to gorilla trips in East Africa.