Mountain gorillas in Uganda are the biggest highlight of the tourism industry. There are currently around 880 mountain gorillas left in the world, and half of that number lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the southwest of Uganda.
However, according to a more recent 2016/2017 report by the Save a Gorilla Foundation, the number could have dropped to about 790, mostly in other countries and not Uganda. When a new gorilla census was done in 2018, the number of gorillas had passed 1,000. This led to mountain gorillas being removed from the endangered list.
What about the mountain gorillas in Uganda? This article shares everything about the gorillas in Uganda and will help guide you on where to find them, the best places to trek, how much it costs, and more. Why do most tourists prefer to see mountain gorillas more than other types?
A study done many years ago confirmed that mountain gorillas share over 97% of human DNA. This is seen in how they behave, their health, gestures, and more. These gorillas have human-like features and can catch the same diseases as humans, making trekking to see them a very special experience.
Mountain Gorilla Population – How many mountain gorillas live in Uganda?
As said earlier, Uganda has the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world, with half of them living in Bwindi. This brings thousands of tourists to Uganda every year for gorilla trekking and makes Uganda the best place for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa.
Many tourists now book Uganda gorilla trekking safaris from Kigali because they can see many gorillas for less money. Clients who book from Entebbe also see the same gorillas but spend more time on the road.
It is hard to know the exact number of gorillas, but we can estimate. The gorilla population in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (part of the Virunga conservation area) is not constant. The gorillas move in and out of Uganda to Rwanda and Congo. However, Bwindi has a more stable number.
With around 420 mountain gorillas in Bwindi, we can estimate that Uganda has about 500 mountain gorillas. Please note this is only an estimate, and the actual number could be between 400 and 500 or more, depending on the season.
Uganda is a great place for both luxury gorilla trekking and budget gorilla trekking.
Where can I find gorillas in Uganda?
There are only two places in Uganda where you can see mountain gorillas. The first and most popular is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the other is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi has over 10 gorilla families, while Mgahinga has only one, which sometimes crosses into Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and Congo (Virunga National Park).
In Bwindi, gorilla trekking takes place in Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. These areas are apart from each other and have their own accommodation ranging from budget to mid-range and luxury.
Unlike Bwindi, fewer tourists visit Mgahinga for gorilla trekking because it is not certain that you will see gorillas there. Uganda Wildlife Authority has come up with solutions like refunding permit fees if tourists do not see gorillas or see only a few.
Still, Mgahinga is a promising area, although it is not easy to predict. It is near the borders of Congo and Rwanda, and the number of gorillas can increase suddenly. That is why UWA continues to keep it open.
How to visit mountain gorillas in Uganda
Visiting mountain gorillas in Uganda is costly. Gorilla safaris are among the most expensive in Uganda. A gorilla permit alone costs $800 in the high season. This already makes the trip expensive.
For solo travelers, it is hard to find a trekking safari that costs less than $1,000 in the high season, including permits. You should save at least $1,200 for a good budget trip in the high season or a better package in the low season.
For luxury travelers, gorilla trekking is a golden experience. It is enjoyable to travel in comfortable vehicles, trek gorillas twice, or do gorilla habituation and return to a good lodge.
To see mountain gorillas in Uganda, you need to book with a gorilla trekking company or a Uganda tour company. I suggest booking with companies that focus more on gorilla safaris because they have more experience.
These companies will help you buy permits for the most visited gorilla groups, can help you get gorilla trekking gear if you ask, and know a lot about the trek.
Many companies offer gorilla safaris in Uganda, but not all of them will plan a good trip. Some might book permits for areas far from your lodge or choose lodges that are not good.
The mountain gorillas in Uganda have helped the tourism industry grow. Uganda Wildlife Authority sells thousands of permits every year, which brings a lot of money to the country. If you ever want to see mountain gorillas, remember that Uganda is the best place to go.
Book your Uganda tours with these recommended Uganda tour companies for a well planned safari. Use the Voucher: UTBlog for up to 25% Discounts on Trips.
