The Best Time To Visit Gorillas In Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest

This article covers the best time to go during weeks and months of the year

It’s no secret that visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an incredible experience. The park has one of the largest remaining populations of mountain gorillas in the world, and you can’t beat seeing these charismatic primates up close. But what’s even more exciting is that there are several different ways to visit this majestic national park during its dry season—especially if you’re looking for an affordable vacation option. In this post, we’ll give you everything you need to know about when it’s best to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park so that your next trip will be all-around positive!.

The weather patterns in the Bwindi forest are consistent, with everyday mist, morning or afternoon downpours, chilly temperatures, clear skies, and bright sunlight. The dry season (December to February and June to September) is considered the greatest time to view the gorillas in Bwindi. Prices for gorilla trekking tend to be expensive during peak seasons owing to competition. You must schedule your gorilla safari at least three months in advance, including gorilla permits and accommodations.

Even during the dry season, it can rain at any time of day; also, you must be ready for hard lengthy hikes owing to high terrain; even while routes are reasonably dry and slippery, gorillas migrate vast distances in search of fresh plants (food).

Although the dry season provides the best circumstances for gorilla trekking, some guests choose to view gorillas during the rainy season due to the reduced cost of the gorilla safari. During heavier rains in March, April, and May, and shorter rains in October, September, and November, the Uganda Wildlife Authority reduces the price of gorilla permits for international tourists from $600 to USD 450 per person.

There are usually a limited number of gorilla trekkers, so you’re more likely to spot gorillas in small groups with less competition for nice perspective pictures. Accommodations, particularly high-end lodges and hotels, provide lower lodging rates; in general, the wet season makes the whole Bwindi gorilla safari reasonably priced.

Seeing gorillas during the rainy season might be difficult owing to damp, slippery pathways and tangled foliage. There are several reasons why the rainy season is the greatest time to view gorillas.

Gorillas prefer to graze on lower slopes or near the park boundary, so you’ll probably only have to go a short distance. However, such cannot be assured; hence, you must be properly prepared. Get your walking stick at the start of the journey, hire a porter (for a charge) to carry your day bag, and bring raincoats to protect your photography equipment. Wear gloves to protect your hands from prickly bushes and guitars, as well as to protect your feet from deep wet pathways or sharp rocks when trekking.

It is quite unusual for inclement weather to disrupt a gorilla trekking trip in Bwindi. In reality, there have been no complaints, and many trekkers consider gorilla trekking to be a once-in-a-lifetime animal encounter.

Every day, a group of eight tourists guided by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and guides spends one hour with one of the 12 habituated gorilla families. These are spread throughout four areas of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. To prevent disappointment, visitors must speak with the guides before trekking begins in the morning about their hiking capabilities to be assigned to a gorilla family that is easier to access.

Although gorilla trekking in Bwindi is popular among tourists visiting Uganda, it remains the most environmentally friendly pastime of all time. Before scheduling a gorilla safari, visitors must thoroughly study and comprehend the gorilla trekking guidelines and restrictions.

January- February

January and February are typically dry months, with Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo all seeing decent trekking conditions during what is traditionally considered low season. It is one of the greatest times for gorilla trekking and the peak season when people go to gorilla parks to see gorillas in their natural habitat.

March-May

These are rainy months in Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. Permits to track mountain gorillas in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). March, April, and May are considered low seasons, with the limited turnout at gorilla parks.

June-August

The main Gorilla trekking season – you can also combine Gorilla watching with the wildebeest migration in Tanzania, which takes place over the Serengeti plains. At this moment, gorilla permits may be sold out before you can secure yours, so book as soon as possible.

September- October

If you’re also intending to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, September and October are the best months to go gorilla viewing because circumstances are great for both activities.

November

November is another wet month, although the Democratic Republic of the Congo frequently lowers the price of its licenses. It’s a wet month, and attendance in all gorilla parks is low.

December

By mid-December, the rain has subsided to light showers, and if you’re searching for an alternate Christmas vacation, you couldn’t do much worse than traveling to East Africa to go gorilla viewing.