BEST TIME FOR GORILLA TREKKING:
The best time for mountain Gorilla trekking, is all year round. This means there is no specific time to go track mountain gorillas however, the dry season is usually recommended considering the advantages it comes with. The dry months of the year are experienced starting from June, July, August, September, and December, January, February.
Mountain gorillas thrive only in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park.
Not knowing the ideal time to go for gorilla trekking can ruin visitor experiences on gorilla safaris.
The gorilla safari parks are open to tourists for gorilla trekking tours all year round. This is due to the fact that they experience favorable weather and climatic conditions.
The 2 phases of the dry season are characterized by low or no rains unlike March, April, May, and October, November when plenty of rain is recorded. Tracking mountain gorillas during the dry season is easier because of the dry ground, trails, and less vegetation. But the demand for gorilla trekking permits increases since it is a peak season across mountain gorilla parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park. This requires you to reserve your permit at least 3 to 4 months prior to your actual date of the trek to see mountain gorillas.
The disadvantage of tracking mountain gorillas during the dry season is that these apes have less forage to feed and they are forced to move long distances which translates to long treks for visitors in a search of the mountain Gorillas. However, the adventure is still worth it!
Gorilla trekking during the wet or rainy season records a low number of visitors, which is also an added advantage for visitors who don’t like crowds. The wet or rainy season occurs in March, April, May, and October, November. Much forage is available for mountain gorillas to feed on during this period unlike the dry season and these apes will stay longer in places therefore shorter hours of trekking.
During the rainy season, some safari lodges/accommodation facilities offer low season rates to attract more visitors. This makes the low season the best for budget trekkers who are not in a position to travel during the peak season for gorilla trekking.
Whether it is during the dry season or wet season that you plan to visit Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking, better to be well-prepared, and carry a rain jacket or poncho because it can rain at any time since these apes live in tropical rain-forest or montane areas.
Other items to carry for gorilla trekking besides rain jacket include waterproof hiking boots, waterproof daypack, first aid kit, sweater, long-sleeved shirt, a camera without a flashlight, a valid passport, visa, gorilla permit, insect repellent, toiletries, bottled drinking water, snacks or packed lunch, walking stick, and many others.