In December you can travel to Uganda for the exciting gorilla trekking safaris, particularly in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. While Uganda experiences a dry season in the month of December, there are chances of rain particularly in these two national parks since they are situated in mountainous regions. However, the rains are usually lighter compared to the relatively wetter months of the year. This is useful because the gorilla trails are less muddy and slippery for gorilla trekking safaris.
In December, both Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks experienced relatively lower rainfall patterns in comparison to the wetter months of the year. The average total rainfall in Bwindi and Mgahinga ranges from 50-140 millimeters in December. With such relatively lower quantities of rainfall, trails are less muddy and slippery hence presenting ideal conditions for gorilla trekking safaris. The relative humidity at both Bwindi and Mgahinga is at around 73% described as humid but cool. These conditions provide relatively clear skies hence making the jungles visible for wildlife sightings.
Location of gorilla trekking safaris in December
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu district, southwestern Uganda is found near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi spans a total land area of 331 square kilometers and stands at an altitude of about 1,160-2,607 meters above sea level. On the road, Bwindi is about 501.3 kilometers southwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, and about 164.4 kilometers north of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Bwindi is famous for its dense, ancient rainforests and a substantial population of endangered mountain gorillas. Out of the 1063 existing mountain gorillas, Bwindi has at least 459 individuals. Currently, there are at least 24 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park out of the 50 families in the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district, southwestern Uganda covers a total land area of about 33.7 square kilometers. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Mountains conservation area, which consists of Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks.
Mgahinga sits on altitudes ranging from 2,227-4,127 meters above sea level and on the road, it is about 496.7 kilometers southwest of Kampala and only 135.3 kilometers from Kigali. Combined with Bwindi they harbor more than half of the remaining 1063 mountain gorillas on the planet.
Vegetation at Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in December
In December, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is covered in lavish and diverse vegetation types, creating a vibrant green scenery for its inhabitant species including the mountain gorillas. At this time, the park has mixed ecosystems ranging from montane and lowland rainforests to bamboo forests and open grasslands. These provide food and cover for the mountain gorillas, which in turn makes the gorilla trekking adventure full of mystery. However, with relatively lower rainfall patterns, the vegetation is less dense in comparison to the wetter months. This offers more visibility of the gorillas for the people on gorilla trekking safaris.
Equally, Mgahinga is covered with luxurious and varied vegetation types even in the month of December. This sustains montane forests, bamboo thickets, and open grasslands as well. In Mgahinga, this rich vegetation is a source of food and cover for the mountain gorillas just like it is in Bwindi. Like at Bwindi, the relatively lower rainfall patterns in December make the vegetation to be less dense compared to the wetter months. Therefore, less cover of gorillas makes them more visible to people on gorilla trekking safaris.
Temperature conditions at Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in December
In December, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park enjoys pleasantly warm temperatures during the day, around 23oC (73oF), thus making it an ideal time for gorilla trekking safaris. This ensures that trekkers experience comfortable conditions during their adventure as they navigate the dense jungle in search of mountain gorillas. These temperature patterns also influence the behavior of mountain gorillas since cooler temperatures at higher altitudes force them to migrate to lower altitudes for warmer conditions. This is an advantage to the trekkers who will now have greater opportunities to encounter the mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also maintains pleasantly warm temperatures yearly. The average temperature typically ranges from 15-25oC (59-77oF). These patterns provide relatively suitable conditions for both travelers and the park’s various wildlife species including the mountain gorillas to encounter each other.
How gorilla trekking safaris are done in Bwindi and Mgahinga
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi usually begin as early as 8 am with the travelers gathering at a designated briefing point by 7:30 am. A park guide briefs them on gorilla behaviors and the proper code of conduct of gorilla trekking safaris also the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. After the briefing, trekkers are divided into groups of 8 individuals and each group is assigned a gorilla family to trek. Accompanied by an armed guard, the ranger guide leads them along specific trails of the jungle. The gorilla trek usually varies in duration and difficulty but is also reliant on the location of the particular gorilla family. This ranges from an hour to a full day on the challenging terrain.
Mgahinga gorilla trekking safaris also follow similar procedures to those of Bwindi, with the early morning briefs conducted at the park headquarters, before the gorilla trekking safari commences. However, due to the relatively smaller park size and the existence of only one habituated mountain gorilla family, the hike is a more intimate and secluded experience.
