Planning a Gorilla Trekking Tour From Nairobi
Is Gorilla Trekking From Nairobi Possible? Planning a Gorilla trekking tour from Nairobi Kenya is possible and it involves you flying from either Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Kenya or Masai Mara to either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport depending on which country you intend to visit for gorilla watching and from there you can connect to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda or Volcanoes National park Rwanda to enjoy gorilla trekking experience.
Kenya is East Africa’s top big 5 game safari destination. A huge concentration of the big five game survive in the spectacular wilderness areas in the magical Kenya. Tourists on Kenya safaris can combine big game tours with wildebeest migration experience in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and proceed to Uganda to get up close with endangered mountain gorillas. Travelers can also combine Kenya wildlife safaris or wildebeest migration experience with Rwanda gorilla tours. Interestingly, these are all East Africa Community member states. With our scheduled fly in gorilla safaris, you can easily set off from Nairobi/Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Entebbe or Kigali Airport.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
In Uganda, there are only 2 places to travel to track mountain gorillas and they include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The 2 African safari parks are situated in Southwestern Uganda, and getting there by road takes 8-10 hours’ drive. Trekking anyone of Uganda’s gorilla families requires you to present a valid gorilla permit, obtainable by only persons above 15 years.
From Nairobi, you can book your gorilla Safari permit for Bwindi or Mgahinga through us at USD 800 per person per trek if you are visiting as a foreign non-resident while East African citizen pay UGX 300,000 and foreign residents pay USD 700. The cost of gorilla trekking is worth –first, you will be getting up close and personal with endangered mountain gorillas in the wild, a rare encounter that is strictly done only in the 3 African countries.
The cost of the trek is worth because the largest portion of fee collection from gorilla trekking is used to support variety of conservation efforts intended to ensure survival of mountain gorillas in the wild.
Getting to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park from Nairobi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are Uganda’s two mountain gorilla protected areas. They are lying in Southwestern Uganda, and from Nairobi, you can travel by air using major flight service providers such as Uganda Airlines, Rwanda Air or Air Tanzania, land in at the Entebbe Airport. From Entebbe Airport (EBB) to Bwindi or Mgahinga –you can take a flight, the fastest means to get there for your gorilla vacation. The airstrips nearby Mgahinga/Bwindi –Kigezi region are: Kisoro airstrip and Kihihi airstrip.
By road, it is possible for tourists to also drive by road from Entebbe or Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara to Bwindi/Mgahinga on a 10 Hours road drive or from Kigali to Bwindi on a 4 Hours road drive. Road transportation to Mgahinga or Bwindi comes with abundant opportunities to explore and experience Uganda including making stopovers at the Equator crossing, visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park to get up close with the tree climbing lions, tour Lake Mburo National Park home to a huge profusion of zebras, impalas, elands and other wildlife.
How to book your gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi N/Park or Mgahinga?
Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gorilla safaris can be booked through Engabi Tours and Travel a reliable tour operator on ground. We are specialists in crafting unique gorilla safari packages whether you are interested in tailor-made gorilla tours only or combined with other primate treks, wildlife, birding, cultural tours and other adventures like whitewater rafting. Reach out to team via email: info@gorillasafaridiscovery.com or WhatsApp Text +256 75 7341 593.
Best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda
All gorilla trekking trips to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda can be done at any time of the year. These parks enjoy tropical kind of climatic conditions; however, the dry season is without doubt the most ideal period. It is when there is less or no rain experienced in the park, meaning easier treks through the tropical forest to see mountain gorillas. This usually happens from June, July, August till September and the shortest dry months run from December to February.
Whether it is a dry season or rainy months, don’t forget packing the right items. Start with waterproof walking or hiking boots, good and waterproof daypack, camera. Safari hat, insect repellents, rain jacket, first aid kit and sunscreen.
Contact Us for Information or to start planning your Gorilla Tour Starting in Nairobi