Gorilla Trekking Seasons – Dry vs. Wet Season Guide

Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda is one of the best tourist activities in the world. These countries have two main seasons that shape your gorilla trekking experience: the wet season (March, April, May, October, and November) and the dry season (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December).

Because of climate change, rain can come unexpectedly, and droughts can be longer or shorter, making it hard to predict the weather. However, gorilla trekking is done all year round.

Each season has its pros and cons, but this article focuses on trekking during the dry season.

Gorilla Trekking in the Rainy Season

The rainy season is a low season for tourism, before the peak seasons of June to September and December to February.

Each day starts with a pre-trek briefing, whether it is drizzling or raining. Park rangers check your documents and explain the rules for trekking.

One gorilla family is visited by eight people, a ranger guide, and porters. During the rainy season, groups can be smaller. Trekking begins from the last location the gorillas were seen, moving to where they may be feeding or resting.

Trekking can take 1 to 6 hours, regardless of the weather, plus an hour to watch the gorillas as they feed, play, and care for their young.

For the wet season, pack a waterproof jacket, good hiking boots, a hat, gloves, insect repellent, trekking permit, camera, binoculars, long socks, a long-sleeved shirt, water container, and long trousers.

Gorilla trekking is a great experience and can be enjoyed all year, even in the rain.

Gorilla Trekking in the Dry Season

The dry season is the most popular time for trekking, so demand for permits and accommodation is high. Permits should be booked at least six months in advance.

Because of less rain during the dry season, vegetation is thinner and fruit is scarce. Gorillas move deeper into the forest to find food, so trekkers may need to walk longer distances to find them.

Trekking gorillas in Uganda is physically demanding, as it involves walking through mountain and forest areas, so some fitness and preparation are needed.

Your dry season packing list should include long-sleeved shirts, gloves, lightweight safari pants, a camera with extra batteries, a waterproof backpack, sturdy boots, cotton socks, a hat, sunglasses, a rain jacket, snacks, a warm sweater, insect repellent, toiletries, a first aid kit, and your travel documents. Gorilla trekking can take up to 6 hours, so bring a packed lunch and water.

Gorilla Trekking Permits

A gorilla trekking permit is required for all visitors and is valid for one day for eight people aged 15 years and above per gorilla family. Prices vary by country.

In Uganda, permits cost USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and 250,000 UGX for East African residents in Bwindi and Mgahinga.

In D.R. Congo, permits cost USD 400 for foreign non-residents in Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega, while in Rwanda, they cost USD 1500 for foreign non-residents.

Types of Gorillas You Will See

There are three gorilla species found only in Africa: riverine, eastern, and western gorillas in the Virunga mountain range across East and Central Africa. Rwanda is home to a quarter of the mountain gorilla population in Volcanoes National Park.

Uganda has half of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, while Congo has a third of the mountain gorilla population in Virunga and many eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega.

Seeing these gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat leaves visitors with lasting memories. Trekking is done on foot through jungles filled with mammals, birds, unique plants, and beautiful landscapes.

Gorillas share about 98.7% of human DNA, which is seen in their social lives, body structure, and fingerprints. Gorillas are also vegetarians.

Guidelines for Gorilla Trekking

• Maintain a 7-meter distance when viewing and photographing gorillas.
• Spend only one hour with the gorillas.
• Do not use flash photography.
• Keep voices low while trekking and viewing gorillas.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke in front of the gorillas.
• Do not leave rubbish in the forest.

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