Gorilla trekking involves hiking through tropical rainforests to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla double trekking means you’ll experience this adventure twice. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you’ll visit gorilla families on two separate occasions.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its diverse ecosystems. Besides mountain gorillas, the park is home to over 360 bird species, 200 butterfly species, 120 mammals, 1,000 plant species, and more than 200 tree species.
During a gorilla double trekking, you can trek a gorilla family twice. This can be the same family or different ones. You can trek in the same sector or different sectors. For example, if you trek the Mubare family in Buhoma on day one, you might choose to trek the same family again on day two. Alternatively, you could visit the Habinyanja family in Buhoma or travel to Rushaga to trek the Nshongi family.
Double trekking allows you to spend more time with the gorillas. This gives you a chance to understand their social structures, behaviors, and physical traits. Trekking the same family twice increases your familiarity with the group.
Double gorilla trekking involves trekking two different gorilla groups over two days. It is a rewarding experience but can be expensive, as it requires purchasing two permits.
Double gorilla trekking permits.
In double gorilla trekking, you need a trekking permit for each day. This means you must buy two permits for a two-day trek. You cannot trek with a gorilla group without a permit. Each group departs early in the morning. You can only trek one group per day.
The current price for the Gorilla permits stands at USD 700 for the foreign residents, a single permit costs Ugx 300,000 for East African citizens and USD 800 for the foreign non-residents, Therefore, double trekking mean double the cost for the Gorilla Permits costing USD 1,600, USD 1400 and Ugx 600,000 for the Foreign non residents, Foreign residennts and East Africa citizens respectively.
Book at least 3 months in advance, as permits sell out quickly. There are no limits on the number of permits you can purchase, depending on availability. Each permit allows trekking one group per day.
Gorilla double trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable.
This Is going to cover two days of trekking gorillas. Lets say if one has 4days double gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Day 1 will be about Departing Kampala or Entebbe. During the journey you I’ll make a stop over in Kayabwe where the equator is for photography. This is the center line of the earth after you will continue with the journey and this journey will take you about eight to ten hours roughly to reach the destination which is Bwindi. And the route will be from Kampala/ Entebbe via Masaka – Mbarara- Kabale then Bwindi.
On arrival you will book a place to stay depending on the area of interest.(trekking region) lets assume your going to double trek gorilla in Buhoma sector. Then you I’ll be looking at the accommodation facilities in Buhoma like Mahogany Springs Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Volcano lodge, Silverback lodge among others. You will check in for a night.
Day2. Wake up very early in the morning and have your breakfast and head to Buhoma headquarters for the briefing about the rules and regulations and what to expect. At 8am trekking starts after the briefing then you head to the jungle. Trekking lasts for 2 to 4 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas might have spent the night. This is the first day of our double trekking.
Day3 Trekking in the same region(Buhoma). You will wake up very early in the morning freshen up and have breakfast at 7am go to the park headquarters(Buhoma ) for briefing If your going to trek the same gorilla family as you trekked yesterday (Mubare family) then you will be allocated to it and be grouped into 8people per group. At exactly 8am the trek will begin and when the Mubare gorilla family is tracked you I’ll b allowed to stay with it for only one hour. If your going to trek a different gorilla group in Buhoma region lets say Rushegura then your trek will start after briefing. After an hour with the gorillas then you I’ll go back to where you had briefing from then after to your hotel for relaxation. If one is to double trek in a different sector(Ruhija).
Trekking in a different sector on day2.After trekking on the first day in Buhoma the person will transfer to an accommodation facility in Ruhija including Trekker Tavern Cottages, Broadbill forest camp, Ruhija safari hotel among others and check in for a night as you wait for tomorrow to trek. Day 2 You will wake up very early in the morning and converge at Ruhija headquarters for briefing after you will be grouped into 8 people then trekking begins at 8am in the jungle once a gorilla group is found (Bitukura gorilla family) one hour will be given for you to spend with the family after you will go back to the park headquarters and then back to where you spent a night from.
Day4 will b about waking up having breakfast and returning to Kampala and this is an 8 hours drive. It is always better to double trek in the same region because its always convenient you won’t have to transfer from one accommodation to another therefore its less costly, saves time as you are close to the headquarters. And also its of an advantage to double trek the same gorilla family because it offers you familiarity to that particular gorilla group as you get enough time to spend with them therefore you end up familiarizing with their social behaviors and habits.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park has gotten trails through which trekkers will use. These trails are points from which trekkers start their journey from leading them to the tourist attractions, connecting them to other points and back to where they started from. And here are some of the trails to us while on double gorilla trekking; River Munyaga trekking trail, The Waterfall trekking trails, River Ivy trail, Birding trails, Bamboo trail, Habinyanja trail, River Ruizi trail, Kashasha River trail, Buniga Forest trail, Suma waterfall trail among others.
Accommodation facilities to use during double trekking.
Bwindi Impenetrable is subdivided into four gorilla trekking regions therefore before one chooses a place to stay has to first look at the area of interest with regards to trekking. And each of the trekking regions has a vast of accommodation facilities that provide good services to the visitors. They have a full stocked bar and restaurants with both local and international dishes, beds, sitting rooms, bathrooms, laundry services. All of these facilities range from first class, midrange and economy so everyone is being catered for.
Foresxample Buhoma sector Buhoma lodge, Ride4 a woman, Engagi lodge, Buhoma haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla camp, Mahogany Springs. In Rushaga sector Rushaga Gorilla lodge, Ichumbi lodge, Wagtail safari, Rushaga gorilla Resort, Rushaga Gorilla Haven lodge among others. whereas Ruhija sector Ruhija Gorilla mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla friends Resort and Campsite, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Bakiga lodge among others. In Nkuringo sector Chameleon Hill lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Clouds mountain Gorilla lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge among others.
Double Trekking Regions.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four sectors where trekking is being carried out. Each trekking sector in Bwindi has mountain gorillas grouped into different families, each offering a unique experience. The Buhoma trekking region is in the northwestern part of Bwindi. It is the oldest and first sector established in Bwindi. The Mubare family, the oldest habituated group, has 9 members and is led by silverback Mubare. The Habinyanja family has 17 members. The Rushegura family also has 17 members and is led by silverback Kabukojo. The Katwe family has 7 members and is headed by silverback Katwe. The Muyambi family has 7 members, with silverback Muyambi as its leader.
The Ruhija gorilla trekking region
Located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has four habituated gorilla families. The Bitukura family has 13 members, led by Ndahura. The Oruzogo family has 17 members, with Bakwate as the silverback. The Kyaguliro family has 10 members and is led by Rukara; this group is used for research. The Mukiza family has 10 members, led by silverback Mukiza.
The Rushaga gorilla trekking region
Located in the southern part of Bwindi. It has the largest number of habituated gorilla families. The Nshongi family has 10 members. The Bikingi family has 15 members. The Mishaya family has 12 members and is led by the Mishaya silverback. The Kahungye family has 17 members, headed by silverback Rumanzi. The Busingye family has 9 members, led by silverback Busingye. The Bweza family has 12 members and is headed by the Bweza silverback. The Mucunguzi family has 8 members and is led by silverback Mucunguzi. The Rwigi family has 10 members and is led by silverback Rwigi.This sector has one gorilla family that is still under habituation and this is the Kutu gorilla family.
The Nkuringo gorilla trekking sector
Located in the southern part of Bwindi. It has three habituated gorilla families. The Nkuringo family has 12 members, led by Rwamutwe. The Bushaho family has 12 members, with Bahati as the leader. Christmas family has 9 members althrough during the trek only 6 member are often seen during the trek. An lastly has one group that is still under habituation and this is Posho gorilla family.
Other activities in Bwindi
There are many activities besides gorilla double trekking. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers diverse attractions. You can see primates like blue monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. Wildlife includes leopards, civets, and buffaloes. Bird species include the handsome francolin, Grauer’s warbler, and black bee-eater.
Activities include boat riding or canoeing on Lake Mutanda. Mountain biking is available, including options for women. Forest nature walks let you explore Bwindi’s jungle. During these walks, you can view beautiful scenery, various bird species, animals, tree species, colorful butterflies, and forest primates.Village walks where by visitors get a chance of visiting and interacting one on one with the locals.
This gives the an opportunity of knowing them more with regards to their cultures, lifestyles, dances, songs. During the village walks like the Rubuguri walk visitors can visit schools like St peters, different projects, gardens and plantations. Visitors get closer to the locals and have a chance to meet the Batwa people. During village walks, visitors can meet the Batwa and learn about their traditions This I’ll be through songs, dances, poems.
Other activities in Bwindi impenetrable National park are Primate tracking, birding , hiking, game drives, camping. Forest nature walks which will take you through the forest thus discovering the rich resources in the forest. You will see various attractions during your trek. Spot animals like forest elephants, duikers, and wild pigs. Observe bird species such as the handsome francolin and black bee-eater. Discover colorful butterflies, bats, and rodents. Encounter primates like chimpanzees and blue monkeys. Enjoy tree species like African brown mahogany and bamboo. Experience diverse vegetation as well. So a trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National park is an exciting and interesting thing to one won’t regret.
Best time to do double gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Since this involves trekking twice, I recommend doing it during the park’s dry season. Since the roads and pathways will be dry thus easy to access. The park’s vegetation won’t be over grown giving you good views of the gorillas and easy accessibility of the park. And these days are in the months of Jan, Feb, June, July, Aug, Sept and December. Even when the park receives rainfall its very little. You can choose to do double gorilla trekking in the wet season. The wet season goes from Mar to May and thereafter Oct to Nov with heavier and long rains.
