Will I see the Gorillas in the Wild in Uganda? What are my Chances?
A question often asked: What are my chances of seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda?
What are my chances of seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda? Will I get to see the Gorillas? The answer is that you will most likely see the gentle giants of the Forest. In over a decade, one client did not see the gorillas on the first day but did on the second Trek.
There is no such thing as an accidental gorilla encounter. Much planning has ensured you have your gorillas in the mist experience. There is little chance left for gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Seeing the Gorillas in the wild of Uganda is an almost sure thing. We based that on over a decade of experience with clients who trekked the Mountain Gorillas. We have had one person who did not see gorillas on the scheduled day of the Trek, and they did see them on the make-up or the second day.
We can confidently say that 99% of trekkers get their hour with a Gorilla Family. Seeing the Mountain Gorillas is the norm and not the exception.
What are my chances of seeing the Mountain Gorillas?
1. Why seeing the Gorillas is a 99% Sure Thing:
What are my Chances of seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda? Seeing the Gorillas during a Gorilla Trek in Uganda is highly likely. It is an essential part of Ugandan tourism and generates a lot of money.
It would be best if you got a permit that costs $700 to spend an hour with a gorilla family. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) works hard to ensure your gorilla trek succeeds.
The UWA has gained a lot of experience over the years, ensuring that seeing the gorillas is almost guaranteed. If it was a risky gamble, many people would be complaining online, and gorilla trekking wouldn’t be offered as an activity.
Seeing the gorillas is almost inevitable, with a 99% chance of seeing them on your Trek. The 99% chance of seeing the gorillas is why you don’t see many complaints online and why gorilla trekking is famous. Gorilla trekking brings money for gorilla conservation, pays salaries, and supports local communities. There is too much at stake, including your satisfaction, to leave it to chance.
2. A Pre-Tracking Team is out locating your Gorilla Family before you hit the trail:
Will I see the Gorillas on my Trek?
Before your Gorilla Trekking Day begins, Pre-Trackers work behind the scenes to ensure you have a good chance of seeing the Gorillas.
The pre-trackers start early morning, while it’s still misty, and go to where the Gorilla families were last seen.
The Pre-Trackers use special devices like GPS and satellite phones to find the path and the exact place where the Gorilla family you will visit is located. Gorillas usually don’t move more than 2 to 3 kilometers daily, so the Pre-Trackers are trained to track their movements.
Once the Pre-Trackers find the Gorilla family, they inform the Rangers at the Park headquarters about the location. The Rangers will be your guides and lead you to the Gorillas during your Trek. This happens while you are still sleeping or having breakfast at your lodge. The Pre-Trackers’ work happens before you even start your day.
3. The Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger Guides will lead you to the Gorilla Encounter:
The rangers who accompany you on your Gorilla Trek are highly skilled professionals. They receive training to guide you to the exact spot in the Forest where the pre-trackers have located the Gorilla family before your Trek begins.
A typical gorilla trek lasts around three to five hours, and during that time, you will have one hour to spend with the Gorillas, creating unforgettable memories.
While the rangers and trackers receive credit for a successful gorilla trek, it’s essential to acknowledge the pre-trackers who work behind the scenes. They are the unsung heroes who ensure that gorilla trekking is a reliable and enjoyable experience. They minimize the uncertainty involved in finding the Gorillas.
Consider showing appreciation to the pre-trackers when you give tips or gratuities. They often receive little recognition for their essential role.
Although your ranger guides you during the Trek, pre-trackers give you a 99% chance of seeing a gorilla family. It is rare for the gorilla group to move after being located by the pre-trackers.
The successful gorilla encounter results from teamwork and coordination among the pre-trackers, rangers, and trackers.
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4. Things that will stop you from seeing a Gorilla Family on the Day of the Trek:
Certain factors can decrease your chances of seeing Mountain Gorillas in the wild. If you are unwell and have symptoms like a cold, cough, or intestinal issues, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of both other participants and the gorillas themselves.
Gorillas share about 98.4% of their DNA with humans, which means they can catch illnesses such as the flu or even COVID-19 from us. Removing Trekhe t if you are sick is necessary to prevent the spread of disease. No, you must notify your driver-guide and the Uganda Wildlife Authority about your condition, and they will try to reschedule your Trekou.
Surveys have shown that many trekkers do not disclose their illness on the day of the Trek, potentially putting both themselves and the gorillas at risk.
While physical fitness is not a guarantee for seeing the gorillas, being in good shape can enhance your experience. If you have difficulty walking, you can hire a porter to assist you and provide a walking stick. Additionally, if you have a disability, a team of porters can carry you in and out of the Forest using a portable sedan chair, ensuring you can still participate in the Trek.
Will I see the Gorillas in the Wild in Uganda?
On the day of your gorilla trek, there is a 99% chance that you will see the gorilla family assigned to you. However, it’s important to remember that you are in the wild, and unpredictable things can happen. Sometimes, the gorillas may not follow our plans and can move to a different location without notice. While this is rare, it can occur.
Occasionally, you may come across accounts from trekkers who did not see the gorillas on their designated day. These stories can be found on platforms like TripAdvisor.
It’s essential to understand that such instances are exceptions rather than the norm. In our years as tour operators, we have had only one client who has not seen the gorillas in over a decade, which further highlights that it is not a common occurrence.
Focusing on the high success rate of 99% of gorilla trekkers who get to see the gorillas is recommended. However, in the rare event of not seeing them, the Uganda Wildlife Authority takes appropriate measures to address the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen.
