Double gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park involve one visiting the endangered mountain gorillas twice. This is conducted in the same or different sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which include Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga. A double gorilla trekking experience allows visitors to observe differences in behavior and group dynamics between 2 different mountain gorilla families. During a double gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, each trek requires a separate gorilla permit, and both experiences are done in a 4-day to 7-day tour package.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans about 331 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift Valley in southwestern Uganda. The park sits on elevations that range from 1,160-2,607 meters above sea level. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park harbors at least 459 mountain gorillas, almost half the global total. There are 24 mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park including Bweza, Oruzongo, Kyaguliro, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Nkuringo, Busingye, Mishaya, and Mubare among others.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park experiences a humid tropical climate characterized by 2 distinct seasons, the dry and the wet or rainy. The dry seasons at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occur from December to February and June to August.
On the other hand, the rainy seasons occur from March to May, and September to November. The recorded annual average rainfall experienced in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is between 1,400-1,900 millimeters.
How double gorilla trekking tours are done at Bwindi
On the day of your first trek, you will attend a briefing session at the park headquarters to learn about gorilla behavior, trekking rules, and safety guidelines. Then you will be allocated a trekking group and a gorilla family. You will start your guided hike to locate the gorilla family in the dense forest. After encountering the gorilla family, spend an hour observing them while taking their photos. Then hike back to the park headquarters to finish your first day of trekking gorillas.
On the second day, you will attend another briefing to learn about the second gorilla family you will be visiting. You will be allocated a different gorilla family and trekking group. Then you will be led by a ranger guide to locate a newly allocated gorilla family in the forest. Once you encounter the gorilla family, you will spend another hour observing their behavior while you take photos of the second gorilla family. Afterwards, return to the park headquarters.
Book gorilla permits for double gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The best way to book your gorilla permits is through a reputable tour company like Standard Safaris Ltd. A gorilla permit is a legal document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to any visitor above 15 years to visit a habituated gorilla family in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The cost of gorilla permits ranges from USD 800 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, USD 700 per person per trek for foreign residents USD 500 for African citizens, and UGX 300,000 per person per trek for an East African citizen. You need to book your gorilla trekking permit at least 3-6 months in advance before the date of your double gorilla trekking tours at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Once you contact us as your tour company, we will check for the availability of the gorilla permits for your preferred date at Uganda Wildlife Authority. If the gorilla permit is available for that particular time, we will inform you to deposit money for your permit. When your money has been received, we will purchase your permit for you. Finally, we will send you a scanned copy of your confirmation letter and a permit reference number acknowledging payments for your gorilla permits.
How to reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for double gorilla trekking
Accessing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for double gorilla trekking tours could be done by road or air transport. On the road, the distance from Kampala city center to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 527 kilometers via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale. This scenic trip takes 9-11 hours on a comfortable safari vehicle. You can also do a self-drive or even use public transport.
You can save travel time by opting for the much quicker air transportation option. This is a 1-2-hour scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport to the neighboring Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip. From here, you will reach your destination by road transportation.
List of essential items to pack for a double gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi
To have the perfect double gorilla trekking adventure at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you must ensure to have the following essentials;
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Gorilla permits
- Light-weight breathable clothes
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Insect repellent
- Rain jacket
- Digital camera or phone camera
- Binoculars
- Basic first aid kit and medication
- Travel documents including visa or passport
- Cash for some emergencies, buying souvenirs, or tipping local guides
