You will be guided through the forest on your gorilla tracking by a Uganda Wildlife Authority guide whom you will meet at the departure point in the morning of your trek. Your guide can help you book a porter (or two!) so that you can track without having to carry the few essential items listed below in a day pack which you should bring with you. The porters are from the local community and very used to the local conditions and can assist in pushing, pulling and supporting you during your trek to the gorillas. They are usually an additional fee, over and above your safari cost, and you should budget on approximately USD15-20 per porter per day as a fee with additional tipping being optional.
As the porters do not have tracking permits they will be stopped a short distance from the point you will be viewing the mountain Gorillas. Please remember to take whatever you may need from your bag to view the gorillas and rather leave valuables at the lodge/camp.
You will be allowed up to one hour for viewing of the gorillas from when they are sighted by your group. This is to ensure that the wild animals are not over exposed to human presence. Whilst in their presence you will also be required to keep minimum distances from them – generally between 5-7 meters and your guides will ensure this is enforced.
• Plenty of water – 1-2 lit
• High energy snacks in addition to your packed lunch provided by the lodge / camp
• Spare film and batteries for videos and cameras
• Gloves (gardening type are good) and Gaiters for moving through the undergrowth
• Waterproof bag to protect photographic equipment
• A hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and band aids might be useful
• A lightweight water proof jacket / poncho
• Walking sticks are made available at the start of the trek for some of the steeper and more slippery tracks and may prove to be very handy.
There is no charge for personal filming of gorillas and other scenes with personal video, digital or SLR cameras in Uganda.
Professional photographers, film makers or media should advise us at the time of booking as special procedures are required as well as costs to be incurred for photographing and filming.
The minimum age limit for gorilla tracking, is 15 years and the authorities are very strict on this!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest may be visited throughout the year. The rainy seasons are generally April/May and November through to early December, but as Bwindi is a rain forest in an equatorial area, showers can occur at any time throughout the year. Should you plan to go gorilla trekking, it is important to ensure that you pre-purchase your permits well in advance, and for the gorilla families residing in the Rushaga area, to avoid disappointment. Other activities in the area can generally be organized on arrival.
Uganda has a temperate climate all year round, 25–30 °C during the day and 5–10 °C at night. Evenings at Bwindi can be chilly primarily due to the altitude, just over 1,160m above sea level at the lodge with the highest point in the park being 2,607m above sea level
USING 4X4 SUVs
PRIVATE VEHICLE TRANSFER RATES ARE VALID TILL DECEMBER 2024
| Route | Rate |
|---|---|
| Canyon Lodge to Kisoro Airstrip | $150 (one way) |
| Canyon Lodge to Rushaga Tracking Days | $100 (round trip) |
| Canyon Lodge to Nkuringo Tracking | $150 (round trip) |
| Canyon Lodge to Nteko | $150 |
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