Best Time To Trek Mountain Gorillas
Visitors often wonder about the best time to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many opinions have been shared on social media and blogs about this topic. Tourists want to have the best experience when trekking to see mountain gorillas. Although gorillas can be trekked year-round, reports show that many tourists choose the dry season for trekking mountain gorillas. Interestingly, some travellers seem to prefer the wet season for their gorilla trekking experiences.
The Best Time To Trek Mountain Gorillas
The most suitable time to trek mountain gorillas is during the dry season, because the nature of the jungle and the terrain become much tougher during the wet season, making visitors prefer to trek during this period. To see the gorillas in Africa, it is therefore advised that you plan your journey during the dry months. Gorilla places like Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are more challenging to visit during the rainy season due to the heavy mist, cold weather and thick nature of these montane tropical forests.
The best time to trek mountain gorillas is undoubtedly during the dry season, which is now defined as June, July, August, and September, according to several authors. These months are preferred because they receive less precipitation than April, May, and November, the wettest months. This is why most of our visitors decide to plan their gorilla treks in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the dry months. However, we strongly agree that these are the finest months to go gorilla trekking. Therefore, we advise you to book your gorilla trekking permits during these times.
Additionally, keep in mind that during the drier months, gorilla permits tend to sell out rapidly. Therefore, to those who are interested in trekking mountain gorillas in the months of July, August, June, or September, it is always a good idea to try to reserve your gorilla trekking permits in advance as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you don’t, you may end up getting frustrated, especially when all gorilla trekking permits are booked due to their high demand during the peak season. The main problem with the dry season is that you have to be careful because gorilla trekking permits are usually difficult to obtain.
Where To See Gorillas In Uganda
The main activity and highlight of every safari in Uganda is gorilla trekking; gorillas can be found in two designated locations: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. In Uganda, trekking with gorillas is conducted in these locations. Considering the best time for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda, visitors can visit the gorilla trekking destinations all year round and get immersed in the true mountain gorilla experience. According to reports, half of the endangered mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, which has the largest gorilla population. Additionally, Uganda has two different seasons for visitors: the dry season, normally termed as peak season and the wet season, which is normally known as low season. However, the high season is subject to high prices especially in accommodation and vice versa.
Uganda experiences two distinct dry seasons, which are from January to February and June to October. This is the ideal time of year to visit Uganda and its other national parks. Trekking with gorillas is the most popular activity in June and July. Uganda, like most East African countries, has two distinct rainy seasons: the long rainy season and the short rainy season. In late February, the long rainy season begins, bringing heavy rainfall until the end of May. The end of October until about the middle of December is when the short-wet season occurs. Even though they are only temporary, the regular downpours always leave the trekking routes/ trails muddy and hazardous; thus, most hikers choose to avoid them and get gorilla permits during the dry seasons instead. This is why dealing with gorillas is best done in dry conditions with clear skies.
Conclusively, Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park requires navigating tough jungle and mountain paths. The dry seasons make it easier to walk and see wildlife. The best months for gorilla trekking in Bwindi are during peak seasons: June, October, March, and December. Although gorilla trekking can happen year-round, the wet seasons from April to May and November to December have fewer visitors and lower prices for accommodations. Trekkers should be prepared for rain at any time, even in dry months. For those wanting to trek with fewer people, the wet season might be ideal.
