In January 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 January, there are chances of rain, particularly in these 2 national parks which are situated in the southern mountainous regions. However, the rains are usually lighter compared to the relatively wetter months of the year thus making trekking conditions favorable in the month of January.
During the month of January, both Bwindi and Mgahinga national Parks experience relatively lower rainfall amounts compared to other months of the year. This aligns with Uganda’s dry season. The average rainfall amount in Mgahinga national park ranges from approximately 50-100mm in January. With such low amounts of rainfall, trails are less muddy and slippery thus providing the ideal conditions for gorilla safaris in Uganda. Also, drier weather prompts gorillas to descend to lower altitudes looking for food thus increasing their accessibility to trekkers.
Where to take gorilla trekking safaris in January?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This is definitely the best place to have your gorilla trekking safaris in the month of January. Situate in southwestern Uganda, the park is found near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and covers a total land area of 331 square kilometers. The park is located within geographical coordinates of approximately latitude 1.0521° S, and Longitude 29.6201° E and 502 kilometers southwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. From Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Bwindi is about 164 kilometers north of Kigali.
Standing at elevation ranging from 1,160-2,607 meters above sea level, Bwindi is famous for its dense, ancient rainforests and significant population of the endangered mountain gorillas. There are at least 400 individuals and 24 gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Alternatively, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also in southwestern Uganda. Unlike Bwindi, Mgahinga is near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga conservation area and covers a total land area of about 33.7 square kilometers making it Uganda’s smallest national park.
Mgahinga sits on elevation ranging from 2,227-4,127 meters above sea level and is about 498 kilometers southwest of Kampala and only 133 kilometers from Kigali. Combined together with Bwindi they have almost half of the remaining 1062 mountain gorillas on earth.
Flora in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in January.
During the month of January, Bwindi national park enjoys luxurious and serene flora, which creates 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 shelter to the mountain gorillas, which in turn make gorilla trekking adventure full of mystery.
Equally, Mgahinga has varied vegetation landscapes during the month of January. This sustains montane forests, bamboo thickets, and open grasslands as well. Just like in Bwindi national park, this rich vegetation is a food source and cover for mountain gorillas. While the cover is good for the mountain gorillas, it presents a challenge for trekkers to navigate the trails.
Temperature conditions in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks during January.
In January, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park enjoys moderate temperatures ranging from 7-20oC thus making it an ideal time for gorilla trekking. This ensures that trekkers experience comfortable conditions during their adventure as they navigate the dense jungle in search of the mountain gorillas. Also, these temperature patterns influence the behavior of the mountain gorillas, since cooler temperatures at higher altitudes will prompt them to move downwards to lower altitudes where the temperatures are relatively warmer. This is an advantage to the trekkers who will now have higher chances of encountering them.
Equally in January, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park maintains moderate and consistent temperatures throughout the year, typically ranging from 15-25oC. This temperate climate provides a comfortable setting for both travelers and the park’s various wildlife species including the mountain gorillas.
How gorilla trekking safaris are done in Bwindi and Mgahinga national park.
Gorilla safaris in Bwindi usually begin early in morning, with the travelers gathering at a designated briefing point by ranger guides. Here you will receive key information about gorilla behaviors and the proper gorilla code of conduct to observe during this adventure. After park rangers have briefed the visitors, they are then divided into small groups of 8 individuals and each group is accompanied by an experienced guide and armed guards to seek for a specific gorilla family. A specific gorilla trek usually varies in duration and difficulty, but also reliant on the location of particular gorilla group, ranging from an hour to a full day of hiking through the challenging terrain.
Also, Mgahinga gorilla treks follow similar procedures, with the early morning briefs conducted at the park headquarters, before gorilla trekking begins. But due to the relatively smaller park size and the fewer habituated mountain gorilla families (one family), this ensures that a traveler can have a more intimate and secluded experience.
