Self-drive Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda

Self-drive Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda are the different costs for the transportation to and from the places where gorilla trekking is done around the country. The transportation options for gorilla trekking in Uganda vary depending on the type of safari that a client wishes to engage in. Some clients prefer to rent a car for their gorilla trekking adventures.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda include Bwindi national park in Uganda and also Mgahinga national park. The forms of transport which can be used to access these parks include driving and flight. By flight the airstrips used to access Bwindi national park during gorilla trekking include Kisoro airstrip and Kihihi airstrip. While the flights to the parks don’t take long, the drive time to Bwindi national park is about 8 to 9 hours and getting to Mgahinga national park by road takes about 10 hours. Considering the long drive time to Bwindi and Mgahinga national park, there is a lot to think about during the car hire for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Renting a car can provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to explore Uganda. Some tourists opt to take part in self-drive safaris during their gorilla trekking tours in Uganda. This form of safari however may also require assistance from a licensed tour operator like Jewel safaris to get gorilla permits for the client.  However, the cars can be rented at a fair price depending on the car service provider of choice. It is also important to have your valid driver’s licence during the self-drive gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.

What to consider for car hire in Uganda

There are some factors to consider when choosing the car for hire to engage in during gorilla trekking in Uganda and they include the following;

• Renting 4×4 safari vehicles

4×4 safari cars are ideal for navigating the rugged terrain of the national parks where gorilla trekking is done in Uganda. This is because in some seasons of the year heavy rains are received and the roads can be bad.

• Booking with a reputable tour company

Tour operators offer different safari packages for gorilla trekking in Uganda and this includes transportation during the tours.  The packages are also inclusive of guides and fuel for the gorilla trekking experience as well as the permits for gorilla trekking. The permits for gorillas in Uganda can be booked with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Other items such as accommodation are included in the prices for the gorilla treks offered in Uganda. The forms of accommodation to stay at during gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga national park include luxury, midrange and budget lodges. It is therefore very important to consider choosing a reputable tour company when renting the car for gorilla trekking in Uganda.

• Number of people 

The companies which offer gorilla trekking in Uganda provide a number of safari vehicles suitable for different group sizes and budgets. The vehicles used for gorilla trekking in Uganda can be safari vans which have a bigger carrying capacity or the cars can be land cruisers which have a capacity of about 7 or 8 people. The price of these cars used for gorilla trekking in Uganda can range from 80 USD per day to about 200 USD per day depending on the type of vehicle used for the safari.  It is important to note that vehicle costs are shared costs especially for groups taking part in gorilla trekking in Uganda. The more the number of people, the less the cost of vehicle hire and vice versa.

• Safety and comfort

Another important factor to consider during car hire for gorilla trekking in Uganda is safety and comfort for the client. It is important to choose a car with working seat belts as well as first aid kits and other emergency items. Comfort is also very important especially when choosing the car to hire for the drive to Bwindi national park or Mgahinga national park due to the long journey. 

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda

The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season, from June to September. However this activity can be carried out even during the rainy season. Various factors influence the time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and they include weather conditions, terrain conditions, and location of the gorilla group among others. Gorilla trekking is a popular tourist activity in Uganda that involves hiking through dense forests to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.  The form of vegetation in Bwindi forest can be difficult to track the gorillas especially when the rains set in. However the vegetation is thinner in the dry season making the search for the gorillas easier as compared to when it rains. Depending on where the gorillas are located in the forest, gorilla trekking in Uganda can be difficult or easy. However the terrain in Bwindi or Mgahinga can be difficult to navigate during the search for gorillas especially when it rains.

Process of car renting for gorilla trekking in Uganda 

There are different steps to follow during the process of car renting for self-drives on gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and they are as follows;

• Search for car hire companies

The first step for car renting for gorilla trekking in Uganda is researching different car rental companies in Uganda that offer services for gorilla trekking. 

• Select car hire companies

After seeing the different companies that offer car hire for gorilla trekking in Uganda, the next step is to compare prices and vehicle options, and customer reviews to make an informed decision.

• Choose company within budget

Choosing a company for car hire within your budget is the next step after the research and selection process.  Once you have selected a car rental company in Uganda, reach out to them via phone or email to inquire about availability and pricing. 

• Book the vehicle 

Some of the details to provide to book the car for the gorilla experience in Uganda includes the travel dates and also the size of the group. Uganda Gorilla trekking packages 3 days gorilla flying safari 3 days Bwindi gorilla safari 6 days Uganda safari 14 days Uganda safari