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 Mountain Gorillas in Uganda? If you plan to trek Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas, your chances of seeing them are incredibly high—almost guaranteed! Based on over a decade of experience, 99% of trekkers successfully spend their magical hour with a Gorilla family. Only one client didn’t see gorillas on the first day, but they did on a second-day trek.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is carefully planned to maximize your chances. These treks are not based on luck—expert guides and trackers work hard to locate the gorillas, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
In short, encountering these gentle giants in the wild is the norm, not the exception. Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas are waiting for you. With proper planning, your dream of seeing them up close will almost certainly come true. You can trek confidently, knowing meeting these awe-inspiring creatures is a sure thing!
What Are My Chances of Seeing Mountain Gorillas in Uganda? If you plan to trek to see Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas, your chances of encountering them are incredibly high—almost guaranteed! Based on over a decade of experience, 99% of trekkers successfully spend their magical hour with a gorilla family. Only one client in all that time did not see gorillas on the first day, but they managed to see them during a second-day trek.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is carefully organized to maximize your opportunities. These treks are not dependent on luck; expert guides and trackers work diligently to locate the gorillas, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
In summary, encountering these gentle giants in the wild is the norm, not the exception. Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas are waiting for you. With proper planning, your dream of seeing them up close is almost certainly a reality. You can trek confidently, knowing that meeting these awe-inspiring creatures is practically assured!
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? Your chances of encountering mountain gorillas during a trek in Uganda are exceptional. Gorilla trekking is a cornerstone of Ugandan tourism, generating significant revenue and drawing visitors worldwide. To embark on this incredible adventure, you only need a permit, priced at $700, which grants you a full hour with a gorilla family.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has mastered the art of gorilla trekking over the years, ensuring that your experience is not just successful but virtually guaranteed. With their expertise, you can be confident that sightings are almost inevitable. If gorilla trekking posed a real risk, there would be numerous complaints, and this magnificent experience wouldn’t be a sought-after activity.
In fact, you have a remarkable 99% chance of seeing the gorillas on your trek. This high rate of success is why you rarely see negative feedback online and why gorilla trekking is so widely celebrated. This captivating experience fuels vital funds for gorilla conservation, supports local communities, and sustains livelihoods within the tourism industry. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure!
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, a team of Pre-Trackers works diligently to maximize your chances of seeing the Gorillas.
These Pre-Trackers start their day early in the morning, while it’s still misty, and head to the last known locations of the Gorilla families. They utilize special devices like GPS and satellite phones to navigate and pinpoint the spot where the Gorilla family you will visit is located. Gorillas typically do not move more than 2 to 3 kilometers daily, so the Pre-Trackers are expertly trained to track their movements.
Once the Pre-Trackers locate the Gorilla family, they inform the Rangers at the Park headquarters about the findings. The Rangers will serve as your guides and lead you to the Gorillas during your trek. This entire process occurs while you are still sleeping or having breakfast at your lodge, meaning the Pre-Trackers’ efforts occur before your day begins.
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.
T
4. Things that will stop you from seeing a Gorilla Family on the Day of the Trek:
Several factors can reduce your chances of seeing Mountain Gorillas in the wild. If you are unwell and experiencing symptoms such as a cold, cough, or gastrointestinal issues, it is crucial to prioritize the health of both other participants and the gorillas themselves.
Gorillas share about 98.4% of their DNA with humans, which means they can catch illnesses like the flu or even COVID-19 from us. If you are sick, you must cancel your trek to prevent the spread of disease. You must inform your driver-guide and the Uganda Wildlife Authority about your condition, and they will attempt to reschedule your trek.
Surveys have shown that many trekkers do not disclose their illness on the day of the trek, potentially putting themselves and the gorillas at risk.
While being physically fit does not guarantee 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, you have a 99% chance of seeing the assigned gorilla family. However, it’s important to remember that you are in the wild, and unpredictable events can occur. Sometimes, the gorillas may move to a different location without notice, even though this is rare.
You might encounter stories from other trekkers who did not see the gorillas on their designated day, often shared on platforms like TripAdvisor. It’s essential to view these instances as exceptions rather than the norm. In over a decade of operation, we have had only one client who did not see the gorillas, emphasizing that this is not common.
We encourage you to focus on the high success rate of 99% for gorilla trekkers who do get to see the gorillas. If you do not see them, the Uganda Wildlife Authority takes appropriate measures to address the situation and ensure it is resolved.
